Project  Management Specialist

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme with financial support from the Government of Germany and the Government of Switzerland. BIOFIN supports countries with a methodology that provides innovative steps to measure current biodiversity expenditures, assess financial needs, identify the most suitable finance solutions and supports implementation of these solutions to help achieve national biodiversity targets. 

In South Africa, the BIOFIN project is implemented at a national level by the UNDP in partnership with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). The implementation of the project is done according to a stratey and agreed up Annual Work Plan. The national BIOFIN Project Steering Committee, co-chaired by DEFF and UNDP Country Office, provides guidance to the project, and the global UNDP BIOFIN team provides technical and other guidance. 

The BIOFIN South Africa core team will be made up of three members: The National Project Manager, based in the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; The Project Management Specialist, based in UNDP Country Office; and the Project Administrator, based in UNDP Country Office. 

South Africa is the implementation phase of BIOFIN. There are currently eight finance solutions that are being implemented by BIOFIN SA, as set out in the AWP. These are: 1) growing protected area own-revenue; 2) property rates tax reform; 3) building a grant mechanism for biodiversity stewardship programmes; 4) institutional support for biodiversity tax incentives; 5) improving the biodiversity offsets implementation modality; 6) developing a voluntary market-based certification in the wildlife sector; 7) developing an online biodiversity-economy investment portal; 8) improving the effectiveness of permits. The specific workplans for each of these finance solutions will need to be updated in line with current needs and situation in the country.  

The BIOFIN finance solutions will be implemented in close collaboration with key partners. There are some finance solution working groups already in place to drive the implementation of the finance solutions. These finance solutions complement the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES), which is led by DEFF with oversight from the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).

Under the overall guidance of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Lead, the Project Management Specialist will provide technical leadership to the BIOFIN project in South Africa, and support the National Project Manager in the management and implementation of BIOFIN.

The role of the Project Management Specialist is to provide the technical expertise to the project. The Project Management Specialist will report directly to the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Lead.  

The Project Management Specialist will be based at the UNDP Country Offices in Pretoria and may from time-to-time be required to have undertaken work-related aspects such as project related meetings at DEFF and in project landscapes. 

1. Technical guidance and leadership (60%):

• Work with the finance solution working groups/task teams and key experts, as well as the National Project Manager, to update the finance solution implementation plans for each of the finance solutions;

• Develop the Terms of Reference for the appointment of consultants/experts for the implementation of specific finance solutions in consultation with the National Project Manager and in line with the approved Annual Work Plan;

• Provide technical leadership and support to the working groups, task teams and experts implementing the BIOFIN South Africa finance solutions, including reviewing reports, conducting necessary meetings, workshops and field visits to support progress and guarantee the quality of work;

• Together with the BIOFIN National Project Manager, work to ensure technical coordination and backstopping of the project work streams;

• Lead the provision of capacity development as the annual work plan allows;

• Contribute to the national dialogue on policies and measures that can improve the sustainable management and protection of South Africa’s natural resources;

• Identify good practices and lessons learned that could contribute to improving the management of UNDP initiatives, projects and programs.

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Education:

• University degree (Master's or doctoral degree) in environmental economics, economics, biodiversity conservation or public policy with a strong focus on biodiversity finance or environmental economics, or closely related area.

Experience:

• At least 8 years’ experience in biodiversity finance, environmental economics, or closely related field;

• At least 5 years of experience in programme management, or consultancy and advisory services which include implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

• Experience in dealing with international and national experts across government and institutions related to research and/or advocacy institutions;

• Knowledge of UNDP project implementation procedures, including procurement, disbursements and reporting and monitoring will be an added advantage;

• Experience of strong professional relationship building;

• High competence in MS Office

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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