Result of Service

The Consultant is expected to contribute to implementation of all tasks and to the timely of the planned outputs, as specified in the Functional Description 4.2 (work plan).

The work of the consultant will be directly monitored and overall supervised by the UNEP project team and the Head of the UNEP Vienna-SCC Office. The ultimate result of the assignment is to facilitate effective and timely projects’ development, as well as execution and achievement of the planned tasks and results (i.e.

overall coordination from development, negotiation, management, guidance and technical inputs during the execution of the mentioned projects and WB portfolio)

Work Location

Office Vienna Duty Station

Expected duration

Sept 2024 – Feb 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects.

Large part of this portfolio consists of GEF funded projects that mainly relate to execution of the biodiversity and land degradation components of the national STAR allocations. In addition, there are a few climate change and air pollution initiatives that WB countries are a part of, that are also being executed by the Office in Vienna.

The projects that are executing the biodiversity and land degradation components of STAR national allocations, are developing, and strengthening national policy and institutional capacity for sustainable protected areas management, sustainable land management practices and are contributing to enhancing the national protected areas networks, effective PAs management and contributing to the achievement of the national land degradation neutrality targets.

In addition, the land degradation projects have large components dealing with implementation of sustainable land and forest management practices on the ground through reforestation of more than 400 ha of eroded land, other protective measures in the selected sites, introduction of ecological approaches for torrent control and number of other activities.

Climate change-related assignments are mainly focused on establishing a comprehensive knowledge management information base tailored to the WB needs and empowerment of the key stakeholders and experts in incorporating the climate considerations into respective planning and decision-making processes.

Various activities within projects provide guidance to national governments at various levels, and actively engage in and facilitate the ongoing dialogue between the civil society, the private sector, and governmental authorities, on environmental issues and gender equality aspects.

UNEP assistance to the Western Balkan sub region is growing and as such there is an increasing necessity for a Western Balkan Projects Coordinator. The coordinator will work with national officers and consultants that are assisting in project execution and strengthening the UNEP’s presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99).

Further on, the coordinator will work with a wide range of partners, international organizations, national and sub-national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society to coordinate execution of the current GEF portfolio, as well as development of new initiatives.

Besides the above-mentioned GEF portfolio, the coordinator will work on the initiative in the WB sub region concerning the topic of air pollution, climate change and other environmental aspects, through assisting the activities of the “Southeast European Sub-Regional Platform to Beat Pollution”, and in communication with WB local authorities and organizations, will coordinate the development of new project ideas pertaining to the WB portfolio key thematic aspects.

The consultant is expected to contribute to and provide inputs in the work of the UNCT/RCO work in North Macedonia and other WB countries (when needed).

Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will support the implementation of the following duties and responsibilities under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of UNEP Vienna Programme Office – Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, while directly consulting with the UNEP Associate Programme Management Officer and the UNEP WB project teams, as part of the overall WB portfolio: 2.1.

Coordinate the execution of the above-mentioned projects currently executed by the UNEP Vienna Programme Office, through:  Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the GEF6 and GEF7 projects in North Macedonia, GEF7 project in Albania, as well as Early Action Grant/Support on alignment with the GBF targets for North Macedonia (work plans, facilitate communication with the national executing entities, relevant stakeholders and national counterparts, expert meetings, conclusion of contracts, monitoring and reporting, exchange of experiences and knowledge),  Monitoring and guidance for quality assurance of the main projects’ deliverables to achieve alignment with the projects’ and countries’ needs and requirements within the scope of the WB portfolio,  Monitoring the implementation of the GEF portfolio to ensure alignment with GEF and UN rules and regulations,  Facilitate the mid-term and terminal projects evaluations [mainly GEF6 SLM Macedonian Project (MTR); STAR5 Macedonian project (TE); GEF C/MPA Montenegrin Project (TE)],  Participation and contribution to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., [specifically, the planned Nature Talks conference in October 2024],  Participation in field missions, including provision of substantive support, data collection, etc.,  Representing UNEP Vienna Programme Office in relevant meetings, advocating for the agency’s position, and preparing and presenting outreach materials,  Participate in UN Resident Coordinators’ Offices/UN Country Team working activities in North Macedonia,  Mainstreaming of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and UNEP Programme of Work in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Common Country Analyzes and other related policy documents within the UN WB portfolio.

2.2.

Contribute to the implementation of planned activities to support the “Southeast European Sub-Regional Platform to Beat Pollution”, entailing the following:  Facilitate innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships, networks and partnerships with international and national organizations dealing with pollution, as well as exchange of information on initiatives and best practices,  Perform basic research on selected aspects to support the work of the platform in environmental protection and sustainable development, with a specific focus on pollution prevention, reduction and monitoring.

2.3.

Contribute to development of project proposals/documentation, mainly inputs for:  GEF8 Transboundary BD project between Albania and North Macedonia; GEF8 national project proposals on biodiversity and sustainable land management in North Macedonia; Exchange of experiences and suggestion of project activities during the development of the BD/PAs GEF8 project for Ukraine, as well as inputs in development of other project concepts and proposals (GEF and other donors).

Qualifications/special skills

Postgraduate’s degree (Master or equivalent) in environmental/natural resource management, legal or international relation sciences supported by experience in the environmental sector, management or a related field is required.

 At least five years of experience in cross-cultural project management (design and implementation), with a proven track record of achieving results, in particular concerning natural resources management, environmental information management, capacity development etc.

 A minimum of five years of experience in development of project concepts and implementation of GEF projects is desirable,  Prior UN projects management experience, and particularly UN/GEF project experience and knowledge of UN and GEF procedures and guidelines is desirable,  Familiarity and understanding of sustainable development, including financial and institutional sustainability, is desirable,  Working experience in academic or governmental institutions is an asset,  Proof of successful accomplishment of contract/s of similar nature is desirable,  Excellent time-management, outstanding written and oral communication skills, excellent work ethic and interpersonal skills,  Ability and flexibility to travel and respond to additional requirements,

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.

In addition, knowledge of languages from the Western Balkan region is considered a strong asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.