Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below: 

Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)

Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP 

Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

Background-Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the UN's knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development and serves as an integrator for collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work spans from deep local knowledge to global advocacy. To this end, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a field-based and global technical expertise network supporting signature solutions and organization capabilities outlined in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan reaffirms its commitment to eradicating poverty, supporting SDG pathways, and advancing the Paris Agreement. Within the GPN in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate Change, Energy, and Waste Hubs promote integrated governance approaches and nature-based solutions. These initiatives aim to reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict and displacement, and enhance resilient governance linked to peace and security.

Zimbabwe faces significant climate risks, including increased droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures. The country’s Revised NDC highlights the country’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions by 40% below the business-as-usual scenario by 2030 while improving resilience in vulnerable sectors.

The Government of Zimbabwe and UNDP have received funding from the GCF Readiness & Preparatory Support Programme to implement the project titled  Advancing Zimbabwe’s Climate Resilience and Low-Emission Development Through Enhanced NDC Strategies, Climate Technology Needs Assessment and Private Sector Engagement.  The project aims to enhance private sector participation in funding climate action in Zimbabwe. Its goal is to improve the development, testing, commercialization, and deployment of climate technologies through a domestically driven climate technology needs assessment. By prioritizing high-impact climate projects, the project seeks to increase the quality of concept notes submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other vertical funds, thereby boosting financial flows into Zimbabwe for implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).

The project is expected to result in:

  • Increased private sector investment in climate projects
  • Improved development and deployment of climate technologies
  • Enhanced quality of concept notes submitted to GCF
  • Increased financial flows for NDC and LT-LEDS implementatio
  • Effective climate change mitigation and adaptation through a developed pipeline of projects.
     

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope Of Work

The NDC Readiness Coordinator will provide comprehensive technical and administrative leadership for the initiative, ensuring its strategic alignment with Zimbabwe’s national climate and development priorities, including the NDCs, LT-LEDS and the NDS2. The Project Coordinator will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all project activities, driving the timely delivery of outputs and achievement of key milestones.

1.    Project Management & Coordination 

  • Oversee the implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved work plan;
  • Coordinate inputs from consultants, technical experts, private sector firms and implementing partners;
  • Monitor progress and ensure timely delivery of outputs and milestones;
  • Work closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to ensure alignment with national policies and strategies; 
  • Monitor project budgets and ensure compliance with financial regulations;Oversee financial reporting and liaise with finance teams;
  • Ensure efficient resource allocation and financial accountability;
  • Timely report writing as required by UNDP, GCF and the NDA.
     

2.    Stakeholder Engagement & Private Sector Mobilization

  • Facilitate engagement with private sector actors to identify investment opportunities in climate technologies;
  • Organize stakeholder consultations, workshops, and round-tables to promote collaboration;
  • Support the establishment of public-private partnerships for climate action.

3.    Provision of technical guidance 

  • Coordinate the Climate Technology Needs Assessment (CTNA) process in collaboration with national institutions and technical experts;
  • Ensure the prioritization of high-impact climate technologies aligned with Zimbabwe’s NDCs, LT-LEDS and NDS2;
  • Supervise the preparation and refinement of high-quality GCF concept notes;
  • Liaise with the GCF National Designated Authority (NDA) and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Facilitate capacity building for national institutions on GCF processes and requirements.
     

4.    Reporting, Communications and Knowledge Sharing 

  • Work closely with the project Officer to track progress and impact;
  • Develop progress reports, presentations, and documentation for stakeholders;
  • Ensure alignment with UNDP's reporting requirements and national development frameworks;
  • Prepare success stories, policy briefs, and newsletters to highlight key achievements and lessons learned;
  • Ensure visibility of project activities through media engagement, social media updates, and public outreach campaigns.


5.    Ensure Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

  • Foster strong relationships with government entities, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife;
  • Actively engage in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and policy dialogues.

6.    Facilitate Project Board Meetings:

  • Organize and facilitate Project Steering Committee meetings, ensuring timely preparation and distribution of meeting agendas, minutes, and action points; 
  • Facilitate reviewing of project progress and key performance indicators;
  • Address implementation challenges and provide strategic direction;Ensure alignment with national policies and sectoral priorities;
  • Enhance coordination among stakeholders and promote synergies with related initiatives;
  • Approve work plans, budgets, and any necessary project adjustments.
     

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The NDC Readiness Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the Nature, Climate, and Energy Team Leader at UNDP. The Coordinator will also report to the relevant focal point in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to ensure alignment with national policies and sectoral priorities. The Project Coordinator will also work closely with the Project Officer.  

The NDC Readiness Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UNDP policies, procedures, and operational guidelines, including procurement, financial management, risk assessment, and environmental and social safeguards. The Coordinator will also facilitate collaboration between UNDP, government partners, consultants and private sector firms, ensuring that project activities align with UNDP’s quality standards and sustainability principles.

Regular progress meetings will be conducted with UNDP and the Ministry to review project implementation, address challenges, and ensure adaptive management approaches. The NDC Readiness Coordinator will also contribute to knowledge sharing and lessons learned to support UNDP’s broader portfolio on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
 

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: 

  •    LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, and have a 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 tasks/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 the benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
     

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

2030 Agenda: Planet    - Nature    

  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Nature-positive economy and Biodiversity Finance

Administration & Operations- Events Management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings) 

  •     Ability to manage events, including Venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.


Administration & Operations -Travel Policy and Procedures    

  •  Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, 
  • Administrative circulars, financial regulations and rules on travel-related matters


Partnership Management -Private sector resource mobilization: 

  •  Ability to identify, develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources.
     

Finance-Financial Planning and Budgeting 

  •    Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.


Procurement- Procurement Management 

  •     The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an external source


Business Direction and 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 have an impact on other parts of the system.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Education requirements

  • Advanced university degree ( master’s degree or equivalent ) in Climate Change, Natural Resources Management, Geography, Environmental Management, or a related 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:

Min. years of relevant work experience 

  • Minimum of 5 years (with a master's degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience, in the implementation of environment/biodiversity/natural resources management projects, is required. 

Required Experience, Knowledge, and skills 

  •  Demonstrated experience in supervising and leading teams; 
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, and experience in handling web-based management systems.  

Desirable Criteria in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Proven track record of sound knowledge in environmental or biodiversity-related policies; 
  • Experience in supervising technical assessments, reports and technical documents; 
  • Previous UN/International organization experience or similar setting;
  • Experience in budget formulation, review and implementation at the project level; 
  • Prior experience with UNDP projects.
     

Required Language(s) 

  • Fluency in English and Shona or Ndebele is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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