Programme Officer - Low carbon and Circular Economy

In line with the UN cooperation framework and support to the Eswatini national development priorities, UNDP has developed a Country Programme for the period 2021-2025. The Country programme reflects UNDP contribution to delivery of results in the UN cooperation framework based on its comparative advantage and its integrator role. The programme focuses on two synergistic portfolios: i) sustainable inclusive economic growth and ii) effective participatory governance.  Delivery of the sustainable inclusive economic growth portfolio will be through two programmes that are interlinked and synergistic.  These are i) Environmental Sustainability and Resilient Development Programme; ii) Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods Programme.

To promote a circular economy, which has the dual potential of creating new jobs and livelihoods while promoting sustainable consumption and production, UNDP will adopt a holistic approach where there is resource use efficiency, minimising waste and generation of greenhouse gases.  Integrated waste management strategies will be adopted to create sustainable value chains for the waste management economy. UNDP will support the development of innovative, technology-driven policy and financing solutions towards climate smart and resource efficient technologies in agro-production and tourism value chains. The programme will leverage on interventions under the inclusive value chains programme towards strengthening the sustainability of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. Using its regional and global presence, UNDP will develop integrated partnerships with regulatory institutions, the private sector and international agencies to design policy responses that can fully unlock the development potential of renewable energy and management of waste.

In line with the above, UNDP Eswatini is supporting Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs parastatal, the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA) to implement a UNDP Rapid Financing Facility funded project on waste management for improved livelihoods and Resilience. The project aims to address poverty, vulnerability and inequality, in the sectors and communities most affected by COVID-19 (women, informal workers, youth), particularly ensuring that these vulnerable groups are given equal opportunities to participate in the waste sector platform for cross pollination of ideas and mentoring by more government and the private sector. The initiative will assist partners to adopt a holistic approach to waste management whereby the maximum amount of waste is part of a closed-loop process chain, thus creating a sustainable value chain and economy, and minimising pollution and other negative externalities from this sector. The interventions will also contribute to long-term transformation and long-lasting changes in policy, practice and capacities, at national or subnational levels in the waste sector and also stimulate private sector engagement in the waste management sector. The two proposed outputs will mutually reinforce each other and contribute to efforts in combating inequalities in this sector.  These are; Output 1: Gender Inclusive strategy developed to strengthen waste sector policy, legislation, institutional coordination and capacity building; and Output 2:  Sustainable innovative solutions developed and implemented for women and youth.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Officer will directly report to the Portfolio Team Leader Environment, Energy and Climate Change with day to day supervision of Director of Policy Planning, Research and Information at EEA.  The Programme Officer supports the effective and efficient management of the projects assigned including: RFF 2.0 Waste Management for Improved Livelihoods and Resilience. The Programme Officer facilitates implementation of projects with government especially Eswatini Environment Authority, Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs; and other partners.

The Programme Officer will report to the Team Leader Environment, Energy and Climate Change Portfolio with day to day supervision of Director of Policy Planning, Research and Information at EEA. The incumbent is expected to undertake a number of functions which include supporting UNDP and partners especially Eswatini Environment Authority in coordination efforts and providing day-to-day support of project implementation, monitoring achievement of the set targets, as well as ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.

Programme Implementation Support

1. Contribute to identification and implementation of low carbon and circular economy strategies and activities with the government, private sector, civil society and academic institutions towards realisation of the UN Cooperation Framework and UNDP Country Programme outcomes in Eswatini
2. Responsible for the technical and financial management and implementation of assigned projects including annual operational planning of project activities
3. Support resource mobilisation and managing strategic partnerships for programme delivery
4. Provide advisory services in the fields of waste management, circular economy, waste prevention, policy development and organizational development
5. Knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation of project impacts on project level as well as contributions to the UNDP Country Programme, national and sustainable development
6. Address safe guards and gender issues in the assigned projects

Project Implementation Management Support

1. Prepare project work and financial plans, as required by Government and UNDP;
2. Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with UNDP procedures for directly executed projects including drafting TORs and work specifications;
3. Work closely with project partners involved with achieving project outcomes, outputs and activities;
4. Supervise and coordinate the work of all project assigned staff, consultants and sub-contractors
5. Initiate requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
6. Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy, reliability of financial reports and proper management of funds consistent with UNDP requirements, and budget planning control;
7. Prepare and ensure timely submission of quarterly financial consolidated reports, quarterly consolidated progress reports, mid-term reports, annual reports and other reports as may be required by UNDP;
8. Manage and monitor project risks as initially identified in the Project document; and identify and submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
9. Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
10. Oversee the documentation, exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant programmes locally and nationally
11. Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; and
12. Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries.

Impact of Results

Achieving the functions enlisted above will ensure that the key results have an impact on Sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth Portfolio intentions as enshrined in the UNDP Country Programme 2021-2025 and UNDP COVID-19 Green Economy Pillar Offer; and the Eswatini Post COVID-19 economic recovery plan 2020. In addition, ensure effective coordination mechanism is adequately implemented by the national stakeholders, the implementing and responsible partners through effective and efficient operational support to assigned projects.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• In-depth knowledge of conservation issues and project management.
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems
• Ability to supervise and train support staff
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skill
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive 

Education:

Master's degree in business administration, environmental management, circular economy, climate change or any related degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in environment and climate change related fields e.g. Circular economy, waste management, urban development or related area;
• Demonstrable experience in the implementation of multilateral donor funded or government funded international development projects with strong skills in monitoring and evaluation;
• Demonstrable experience in project organization and ability to serve as effective negotiator;
• Knowledge of Low Carbon, Circular Economy and/or Green Urban Development policies in the Eswatini;
• Experience in facilitating matchmaking between SMEs, including through operationalizing of collaboration platforms, matchmaking events, business partnership promotion, etc.;

Language Requirement:

• Excellent command of English and SiSwati.

Important applicant information

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

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