Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP has been present in Malawi since 1964 and supports the government in developing policies, partnerships and institutional capacities to attain national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP Malawi’s Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-2028 is closely aligned with the Malawi Vision 2063 and the first 10-Year Implementation Plan of the vision to support Malawi in achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNDP recognizes the need to enhance capacity for adaptation, recovery and resilience in achieving sustainable development as such UNDP has partnered with Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate change to specifically contribute towards achieving SDGs number 7, 9,11 and 13 through its Resilience and sustainable Growth Portfolio (RSG)
The RSG portfolio supports a range of complementary nationally implemented programmes in the areas of natural resources, environment, climate change, disaster risk management, sustainable energy and private sector. The portfolio implements through three pillars
Private sector development and inclusive green growth
1. The pillar focuses on:
- Accelerating growth and innovation through affordable start-up capital
- Expansion of market-led innovation and inclusive business solutions
- Support SMEs and MSEs to expand into new markets, meet quality standards
- Support youth and women’s entrepreneurship
2. Access to renewable energy
- Support policy and regulations addressing investment in mini-grids, and innovative business models for scaling up rural electrification
- Scale up clean energy mini-grids targeting rural areas
- Improved clean and reliable energy access to critical facilities.
3. Disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience-building
- Early warning systems and timely and reliable weather information system
- Environmental management and green recovery solution
- Healthy ecosystems and nature-based solutions
- Support for accessing climate finance
The programming partnership with Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate change falls under strategic pillar 3 – Disaster Risk Reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience building. The programming portfolio comprise three projects, one approved and two in the pipeline. The projects aim at strengthening environment and climate change policy frameworks; building resilience of vulnerable communities and ecosystems in the Bua and lake Chirwa basin through integrated ecosystem based approaches while leveraging innovation and private sector for promotion of sustainable resilient livelihoods.
The Programming portfolio is centered on but not limited to the following thematic areas
- Scaling up Innovative sustainable financing
- Climate change adaptation, Resilience building – community and ecosystems
- Climate change mitigation, capacity building and systematic observations
- Private sector and innovations
- Policy Advocacy, governance and knowledge management
- Support domestification of international treaties and agreements
- Coordination
The required position is therefore very critical in ensuring that provision of technical project management support, expansion of sustainable strategic partnerships for large programming and general resource mobilization for initiatives that respond to the country’s current and anticipated climate shocks and vulnerabilities is strengthened . The technical lead will work with GoM to among other responsibilities, oversee the development of two strategic projects of which one will focus on creating and strengthening an enabling policy environment with community based adaptation pilots within the stated thematic areas while the other will focus on building and strengthening community as well as ecosystems resilience in the bua river catchment. The technical lead will also support and oversee the rolling out and implementation of a recently approved TRANSFORM project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Affairs and the Resilience and Sustainable Growth Portfolio manager, the Technical Lead – Climate Change and Resilience will support project management with a focus on but not limited to ensuring that projects are managed efficiently and effectively to achieve intended results and impacts and contribute to the national priorities and vision; analyzing and ensuring adaptive management in response to emerging issues while leveraging on catalytic innovations; ensure linkages with environment and resilience programmes among stakeholders and support resource mobilization while ensuring that continuous learning and knowledge management is an integral part of process.
In collaboration with the IP, the Technical Lead will provide oversight for UNDP supported environment and climate change projects under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of Environmental Affairs department and the UNDP Portfolio Manager for Resilience and Sustainable Growth, the Technical Lead will provide operational and technical advice to project implementing partners and is responsible for supporting overall coordination. The Technical Lead will work closely with other responsible parties in government, the UNDP Country Office, UNDP Regional Bureaus, and other development partners to promote effective coordination with other investments in environment and climate change
Project Management, Coordination and Implementation
Promotes the strategic direction and provide technical assistance in climate change and environment focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Provision of project management and technical assistance to Government on Climate change and environment issues;
- Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring of the Programme (substantive), tracking use of financial resources in accordance with Govt and UNDP rules and regulations;
- Creation and coordination of partnerships with the government institutions, development partners, private sector and civil society;
- Support development of various climate change and environment policy frameworks coordination frameworks, financial mechanisms and monitoring and evaluation systems for climate change and ensuring that they are approved;
- Support Mainstreaming of climate change into other sectors;
- Ensuring that all recommendations and conclusions from the diagnostic studies conducted are implemented;
- Assisting with resource mobilization for the programmes through development of proposals for funding;
- Ensuring gender mainstreaming in all programming;
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs, and outcomes. Preparation of reports;
- Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the project and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of the project;
- Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on Government priorities, strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and stakeholder priorities;
- Support Mainstreaming of climate change into other sectors;
- Ensuring that all recommendations and conclusions from the diagnostic studies conducted are implemented;
- Assisting with resource mobilization for the programmes through development of proposals for funding;
- Ensuring gender mainstreaming in all programming.
Coordination
Lead in development of strategic partnerships and coordination with other key stakeholders
- Be a liaison for Development Cooperation Groups and other technical platforms;
- Provide support in organizing and conducting periodic reviews of the national coordination structures for CC and Environment taking into consideration emerging issues;
- Organize strategic partnership meeting with GoM and other bilateral development Partners.
Knowledge Management and Learning
Ensures provision of high-quality advocacy and advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues;
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project and CO policy goals;
- Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linking these to international networks;
- Implementing relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns with key partners;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
- Feeding project results into national policy dialogues, development of strategic cooperation programmes and advocacy campaigns;
- Provide in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues to be integrated in the programme.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- In liaison with the Programme Analyst at UNDP, provide and update relevant information for project management including Project Quality Assurance, Risk Log Monitoring and M & E through UNDP’s online dashboards;
- Lead and support results-based management and reporting;
- Initiate project reviews at periodic intervals;
- Identify and foster linkages for the project with potential stakeholders.
Management and Leadership
- Provide ongoing supervision for project coordinators in project implementation to ensure optimum quality of results and value for money;
- Manage any conflicts at sub-national level in line with UNDP policies;
- Maintain outstanding communication skills (oral and written communication skills);
- Develop and maintain close linkages with relevant sectoral government agencies, UNDP, NGOs, civil society, international organizations and implementing partners of the project, and engage them during dissemination of results and learning from project.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The position is in Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change – Environmental Affairs department and it reports to the Director of Environmental Affairs and UNDP Resilience and Sustainable Growth Portfolio Manager.
Competencies
CORE
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making
- Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority area of expertise and resources
Business Management: Results-based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management: Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management: Risk Management
- Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management: Partnerships Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
2030 Agenda: Planet Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Climate Change, Natural Resources, Environment, Development Studies, Strategic Management or other relevant field.
- 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 of seven years (with Master´s degree) or nine years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in formulation of policies and frameworks in climate change, resilience and environment;
Required Skills
- Proven experience in developing of local climate financing mechanisms is an asset;
- Demostratable experience in managing partnerships with development partners is required;
- Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience, and track record of engagement with senior officials, such as in the government, United Nations and external partners is an asset;
- Experience working with the UN, and other multilateral institutions would be an asset;
- Experience is working within the GoM setup is highly desirable;
- Ability to effectively and persuasively present information;
- Technical knowledge and skills in project management.
Desired Skills
- Experience in programming at national or community level, such as programme design and results monitoring, in areas related to climate change, environment, sustainable development is desirable;
- Experience in development of GEF proposals is highly desirable;
- Proven experience in project management particularly managing climate change projects. Experience in nature-based solutions for climate change with experience in GHG inventories/ databases is an advantage;
- Negotiation skills;
- Relationship building skills;
- Coordination skills.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and Chichewa is required.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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