Programme Specialist, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. 

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

 UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios: 

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.
• South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.
• You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.
• The Action for Climate and Environment Unit (ACE) at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy. The Unit supports the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India in achieving the country’s global commitments towards biodiversity conservation, species recovery and land restoration targets.
• The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration programme of UNDP is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the Convention on Biological Diversity. The programme has been supporting the MoEFCC in meeting its national priorities and global commitments. The technical and policy support provided by the programme focus on institutional strengthening and building capacities to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts.
• The programme is also currently working on innovative financing mechanisms for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The portfolio supports India’s engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other donors; and works with Central Ministries and state governments to implement various projects on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration among others.

Duties and Responsibilities

• UNDP seeks to engage a Programme Specialist to lead programmes and projects in the area of biodiversity and wildlife conservation and biodiversity finance. S/he will be responsible for ensuring effective coordination, planning, implementation, and their monitoring and evaluation of the programme and projects. S/he will also be ensuring effective engagement and partnerships with key stakeholders and liaison with government officials as required to meet the programme objectives. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor and Team Lead – Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) UNDP India. As this is a full–time position, the Programme Specialist cannot hold any other assignments during this engagement
• Reporting To: Senior Advisor and Team Lead, ACE, NOD

Programme Development 

• Leads engagement with potential donors, Government, line Ministries, knowledge partners, and project teams to identify and develop project ideas.
• Develop proposals to mobilize resources from donors such as GEF, GCF, bilateral and corporate CSRs.
• Develop concepts and proposals for leveraging financial and technical resources from government, private sector and other programmes in line with global commitments.
• Facilitate cross thematic partnerships and build linkages of projects under the NRM and Biodiversity programme with other programmes of UNDP.
• Liaison with inter departments to fulfil the project development requirements.

Management and implementation of projects: 

• Ensure consistency and integration among the various programme elements and related activities provided or funded by various sources.
• Ensure smooth implementation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration projects in accordance with the project documents and UNDP’s procedures.
• Monitor development and progress of assigned projects/programs, and ensure smooth management of the same.
• Contribute to the development of the annual work plans of all projects under the portfolio.
• Initiate and strengthen relationships with relevant stakeholders including relevant ministries, government agencies, and all project partners as well as UNDP regional technical team for GEF projects.
• Responsible for lead coordination and follow-up of all project activities with technical agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in the projects to ensure timely provision of inputs and achievement of outputs and deliverables.
• Provide technical inputs to the project activities where appropriate.
• Work closely with and provide necessary support to the respective project management units for smooth, effective and timely implementation of projects.
• Analyze the situation in project(s) implementation, identify operational and financial problems, and provide support for development of solutions.
• Initiating & forging strategic partnerships for strengthening policy, improved project outcomes & resource mobilization.
• Monitoring and reporting of projects
• Lead and facilitate the audit of all assigned projects and comply with audit recommendations and requirements.
• Develop and monitor project indicators, targets and milestones of the projects.
• Support finalization of the progress reports related to all projects in the portfolio such as Project Implementation Reports, Quarterly Progress Reports, Project Results Monitoring Pathway and Annual reports.
• Support in conducting Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation of the projects.
• Ensure compliance of all projects with internal quality assurance (QA) protocols and timely update on internal system.

Build and maintain UNDP’s strategic partnerships. 

• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of key objectives, and to promote inclusive project implementation.
• Communicate relevant and critical information with key implementing partners and members of project governing bodies, and substantively contribute to project visibility efforts.
• Make recommendations to the CO management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies. Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development

Communications and Knowledge Management 

• Support in development and implementation of communication strategy and action plan for all projects under the portfolio.
• Support development of knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, publications etc
• Lead the project related dissemination material development, provide necessary technical input, monitor and keep track of the progress to ensure timely deliverables.
• Help create visibility of the projects through various platforms including events and social media.
• Facilitate sharing of knowledge and information within the project teams and across other teams

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters’ Degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science/ Natural Resource Management/Development Studies or related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Master´s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in programmes and projects related to biodiversity & wildlife conservation, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management and sustainable finance.
• Demonstrated experience of working with government departments at central and state level is required.
• Good understanding of biodiversity & wildlife issues such as landscape approach, wildlife conservation, natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods along with knowledge of global environmental compliance targets.
• Good communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proficiency in MS-Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word; Advanced knowledge of spread sheet, database management and research skills will be an asset.
• Ability to work independently and deliver time sensitive tasks assigned.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country.
• Experience of working in the policy domain, ability to design and oversee relevant research, and development of high-level projects.
• Experience of managing externally aided or/ and vertically funded projects.
• Experience of working closely with government, research, bi/multilateral development agencies and international organizations.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21727