Background

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) works to build capacity and accelerate coordinated actions among policymakers, scientists, and practitioners for biodiversity conservation worldwide. Implemented by a consortium comprising UNDP, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), and UNESCO, BES-Net supports countries in translating the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) into tangible actions at regional, national, and local levels, helping to deliver healthier and more resilient ecosystems.

In contribution to the Kunming-Montreal 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) Targets, BES-Net connects and fosters dialogue among diverse stakeholders; implements solutions on the ground; and enhances access to the best available data, information, and knowledge to guide participatory and integrated decision-making processes.

Building on the success of its first phase (2016-2022), the second phase of the BES-Net project (BES-Net II) commenced in January 2020 under the continued administration of UNDP, with generous financial support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), as well as SwedBio at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. The project is scheduled to run until 2028.

Since its establishment in 2012, IPBES has released a series of informative assessments, including one global assessment (2019), four regional assessments (2018), and six thematic assessments (2016-2024). Furthermore, with close reference to the IPBES Guide on the Production of the Assessment (2018), several dedicated countries have conducted country-level assessments and produced comprehensive national ecosystem assessments (NEAs), including Summaries for Policymakers (SPM).

As part of BES-Net’s mandate to contribute to the IPBES work programme, BES-Net II provides a catalytic seed fund - referred to as the ‘BES Solution Fund’ - to support collective efforts in selected countries to apply key messages and findings from IPBES assessments and/or NEAs to policy, research, and on-the-ground initiatives. The Fund is one of the flagship components of BES-Net II and aims to foster a shared vision and collaborative approach among science, policy, and practice communities for sustainable BES conservation and management in target countries.

The BES Solution Fund will be made available to a total of 18 countries by 2028. Its catalytic nature envisions the implementation of selected actions within the context of, and in contribution to, national biodiversity processes and plans, as well as existing institutional structures and platforms - such as the National Biodiversity Platform (NBP) or equivalent - in partnership with complementary ongoing initiatives - such as the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) - to ensure sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

In alignment with the global BES-Net scope outlined in Section 2, the BES Solution Fund in Armenia will help establish a robust policy–science–practice interface guided by relevant biodiversity-related assessments (including global, regional and thematic aseessment conducted by IPBES) and other national assessments. This knowledge-driven approach will support effective BES management and accelerate the science-policy dialogue by developing national capacities in the following areas:

1. Assessing ecosystem services and biodiversity to inform and guide the development, implementation and monitoring of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan (NBSAP) targets; 
2. Building institutional capacity and methodologies for comprehensive ecosystem services evaluation through monetary and non-monetary approaches; and 
3. Supporting the pilot application of the developed mythologies for selected service(s). 

Scope of Work 

The Project Task Analyst will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of the “BES-Net Phase II in Armenia”. He/she will ensure the timely development and effective implementation of the multi-year work and budget plans (MYWBP), and facliltate participatory processes by coordinating with relevant stakeholders and enhancing the synergy of the in-country activities with other initiatives led by UNDP Armenia and its patners. The role will focus on maximizing the catalytic impact of the BES Solution Fund, supporting the integration of biodiversity into national poocies and scaling up successful interventions. In close liaison with the IPBES national focal point ) NFP in Armenia and the BES-Net global team, the incumbent is also expected to contribute to raising awareness and enhancing engagement with IPBES in Armenia. 

More specifically, the incumbent is responsible for performing the following functions: 

Technical functions

• Study the national legislation - acts and by-laws regulating the policy in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
• In close collaboration with the IPBES NFP, review relevant IPBES asssessmenet reports to effectively align the sience-policy-practitioner platform’s dialogue with international knowledge and best practices. 
• Ensure effective cooperation with relevant state authorities, research institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Establish all necessary communications with key project partners (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, Committee of Forestry, Committee of Water Resources).
• Assist with the IPBES engagement process.
• Provide technical assistance in all aspects contributing to the elements of the objective of this assignment and in planning, conducting pilot activities under  the  BES-Net best practicies.
• Monitor the risks set by the project and make reasonable proposals for their mitigation.

Outreach, Communication and Gender

• Lead the coordination and execution of workshops and conferences focused on  natural resource management and their role as key ecosystem components.
• Collaborate with the PR and Comms specialists on the content of publications, articles and other informational materials to promote project achievements and ensure donor visbility.
• Conduct targeted workshops, training, meetings, and presentations on IPBES and other project activities, contributing to the preparation of protocols, consolidation of resolutions of the meetings and analysis of feedback.
• Provide technical support to the gender component in the organization of work on the implementation of project activities.
• Maintain close coordination and exchange with the global BES-Net team. Participate in the regional and global platforms (offline and online) to share, learn and apply best practices.

Project implementation:

• Ensure practical coordination of the assigned areas of project activities to meet expected results by facilitating and contributing to the designing, planning and implementation of annual work and budget plans procurement actions.
• Contribute to the procurement actions by developing Terms of Reference for national and international consultants to be engaged by the project under the respective component.
• Ensure the high quality of the concept papers, terms of references, proposal outlines and agreements in close cooperation with partners and beneficiaries.
• Establish and ensure close internal monitoring and evaluation systems for the assigned tasks and activities.
• Ensure timely submission of financial and activity reports by the responsible partners and service providers, and ensure harmonized reporting by recipients on key performance indicators.
• Advise service providers and/or recipients on strategies to facilitate results-based implementation of project activities, and ensure constant feedback on the quality of their implementation, suggesting corrective measures as necessary.
• Support the selection, capacity assessment, monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with UNDP regulations and expected project outcomes.
• Contribute to the preparation of qualitative work plans, reporting and financial progress reports as may be required by the Programme Analyst and the BES-Net global team. 
• Provide close support for the preparation of procurement/contracting and financial delivery reports for UNDP management. Timely submit the above mentioned deliverables;
• Maintain close coordination with the project partners under the assigned tasks, helping at ensuring synergies and avoiding overlaps in project implementation.
• Support knowledge building/knowledge sharing activities related to the 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 Project Task Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst/Head of Climate, Environment and Resilience Portfolio.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

2030 Agenda: Planet     

• Nature: 
  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity 

Business Management 

• Project Management:    
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals 
• Monitoring:         
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activites and programme performance and results
• Communication:             
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels 
• Partnership management:
  • 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 

Business Direction and Strategy

• Negotiation and Influence:         
  • Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations. 

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation:
  •  Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.  
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, International relations, Business Administration or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Required Skills:
Experience in project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation;

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management system.
• Working experience within the international development organizations in implementing development projects.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in project implementation and management. 

Desired Skills:

• Proven experience in conducting research and implementing projects in the fields of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection or management.
• Proven experience with ministries and/or other government institutions, CSOs and private sector on issues related to environment protection and natural resources management; 
• Experience in development of analytical documents and briefs;
• Prior working experience with the UN system. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Armenian languages 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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