Regional Technical Specialist, Montreal Protocol/Chemicals Unit (MPU)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Organizational Context

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
 
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response.  BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan emphasizes the critical links between environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, and Energy (NCE) Team promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.
 
The NCE Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion dollar portfolio encompasses: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems; Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Renewable and Modern Energy; Extractive Industries; Chemicals and Waste Management; Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches. This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships on natural capital, environment and climate, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which  includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF Trust Fund); the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF); the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF); and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds, UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

Sound chemical and waste management could reduce the risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals and protect the human health and environment. UNDP Chemicals and Waste team focuses on providing policy and technical advisory, design and implementation oversight to the chemical projects funded by Global Environment Facility, the Multilateral Fund, and bilateral donors. Chemical team are organized into a number of substantive technical teams with staff located in both HQ and UNDP's Regional Hubs in Istanbul, Panama, and Bangkok. Currently, UNDP supports over 72 countries in meeting their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances and its Kigali Amendment on HFCs, Stockholm convention on POPs, Minamata convention on mercury, as well as strategic approach of international chemical management (SAICM). UNDP has been on the forefront of efforts to advance the Kigali Amendment to tackle the climate change and improve cooling efficiency by partnering with developing countries, MLF, GEF, Kigali-Cooling Efficiency Programme (K-CEP), Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Cool Coalition, bilateral donors and private sectors. UNDP’s Chemicals and Waste Programme  helps client countries improve their capacities for sustainable production and consumption, clean air action plan, integrated waste management (healthcare waste, E-waste, plastics), sustainable and non-chemical development in SIDS, promotion of Green/Circular Economy, resource efficiency, good practice in Artisanal and Gold Mining sector (ASGM).

The Regional Technical Specialist will be part of the chemical and waste team within the Nature, Climate, and Energy Cluster in BPPS and will be based in Istanbul. The Regional Technical Specialist will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor of the chemical team in Istanbul to provide substantive assistance in the development and management of UNDP’s chemicals portfolio funded by Global Environment Facility, the Multilateral Fund, and bilateral donors in the areas of:

• Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Dialogue and Advocacy;
• Programming and Management;
• Policy Advisory and Resource Mobilization;
• Development Impact, Quality Assurance and Risk Management;
• Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development.

 Functions / Key Results Expected

The Regional Technical Specialist for Montreal Protocol/Chemicals is primarily responsible for providing high quality technical policy, programming, implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services to UNDP country offices in the region.  Secondary clients might include other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, and the like.  Specific results are expected in the areas of:

1.   Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Dialogue and Advocacy (15%)  

• Provide support to establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
• Contributing to identification, development and implementation of new strategic programming opportunities and partnerships in the area of sound chemicals and waste management, resource efficiency, circular economy, plastic reduction and recycling;
• Participating in global work-planning meetings, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.;
• Participating in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team;
• Mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant regional bodies and provide substantive inputs to those partnerships in support of UNDP initiatives;  
• Advocate policy and programme progress that UNDP is supporting in various fora including relevant global and regional meetings (e.g., regional meeting of BRS, SAICM, network meeting of the Montreal Protocol, Mercury group meeting, etc.) and in the relevant stakeholder consultation process including academia and civil society;  
• Assisting in keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area.

Key result:  New strategic opportunities for UNDP are realized, UNDP’s technical focus is leading edge and innovative, UNDP has strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, UNDP has a trusted leadership role in the technical area of expertise.

2. Programming and Management (15%)

• Supporting the development of strategic policy and guidance for strengthening UNDP Country Offices with chemicals and waste project design and implementation including alignment with national priorities;
• Assisting the development of and advocacy for specific policy analysis and development tools and guidance in support of programming and finance for sound chemicals and waste management;
• Supporting the establishment of a trusted leadership role for MPU within the region;
• Sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
• Contributing to regional retreats, focal area retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.;
• Promoting gender equity/empowerment in programming opportunities;
• Helping to ensure that strategies and projects are aligned to country outcomes and UNDP corporate environment results in internal UNDP project tracking systems (e.g. ERBM);
• Maintaining quality and accuracy in data and project management systems (UNDP EF systems like PIMS+), management of ATLAS Risks logs, and portfolio delivery rates;
• Monitoring to ensure expected quality standards are maintained in project implementation reviews;  
• Supporting the RCU to internalize lessons from evaluations in programming in the region.

Key result:  Portfolio of programmes/projects managed efficiently and effectively.  UNDP recognized as providing outstanding programme and project oversight and supervision support.

3.  Policy Advisory and Resource Mobilization (25%)

• Track the international policy discussion and development under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, Minamata Convention and SAICM, recommend to UNDP Country Offices, and Hub Management new policy and strategic alignment options;
• Provide trainings to the partners and stakeholders in the programme countries in Africa region on policies progress of the Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention and Minamata Convention;
• Contribute the crosscutting work of plastic governance in both chemicals & waste management and ocean protection into a coherent policy and programming framework;
• Foster policy innovation in the specific thematic area to enhance programme delivery;
• Assisting in the provision of timely quality information and technical advice on source of funds’ policies, priorities and activities;
• Working with UNDP country offices and partners, draft, revise, finalize and help editing concepts and project documents for submission to donors;
• Supporting the coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals and requests for project development financing;
• Support the liaison with potential (co)financing agencies and institutions;
• Recruit technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports.

Key result:  UNDP recognized as providing policy development advisory for partners on global chemicals and waste management. Resources are mobilized in support of developing country clients as a consequence of the identification, development and funding of high technical quality and results-based programmes and projects in line with country priorities and UNDP strategic priorities.

4.  Development Impact, Quality Assurance and Risk Management (30%)

• Assisting with inception, contracting and start-up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
• Supporting UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects, including preparing and reviewing annual reports, work plans and budget, provide technical support on major procurement process in projects, timely completion of progress implementation report, project completion report, mid-term reviews and terminal evaluation;
• Maintaining project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
• Developing guidance and tools for country offices to utilize in operationalizing project inception, contracting and start-up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
• Maintain quality/accuracy of data and document in UNDP project management systems (PIM+ and ATLAS);
• Monitor the implementation of projects to ensure expected quality standards, gender mark, stakeholder consultation, compliance with safeguards requirements and other UNDP POPP requirements;
• Monitor the delivery of the work plan and budget utilization, and provide support to improve the delivery;
• Provide support to UNDP Country offices and execution partners to address significant implementation challenges, identify the projects at risk and facilitate the implementation of risk mitigation measures;
• Engage with UNDP Country Support Team in regional hub on project progress, delivery and troubleshooting;
• Supporting UNDP HQ, country offices and partners on the communication of the project result, innovation, experience and lessons learned.

Key result:  UNDP programmes and projects consistently deliver high quality, high impact development results. Risks related to the project implementation are reduced.  

5.    Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development (15%)

• Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials;
• Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
• Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
• Preparing and delivering training courses, as needed;
• Contribute cross-regional exchange of knowledge by collaborating with policy teams in HQ to research, develop and share knowledge-based tools and guidance to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the thematic area and present such material at various fora;
• Developing knowledge products of relevance to UNDP’s support to countries on sound chemicals and waste management;
• Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan.

Key result:  UNDP recognized as a learning and knowledge management organization.

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.
• Delivery
• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

Chemicals and Waste Management

• Knowledge of targets and requirements of the Stockholm Conventions on POPs and Minamata Convention on Mercury, ability to apply the knowledge to strategic planning and programme development.

Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment  

• Knowledge of the target, timeline of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, Knowledge of policy and guideline of the Executive Committee and the Multilateral Fund, ability to apply the knowledge to the strategy and business planning.

Trends and emerging areas analytics

• Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design, such as the plastic management.

Knowledge, result management

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.  
• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstratable results

Collaboration and Partnership building

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Resource Mobilization

• Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.

Gender and Safeguard

• Knowledge of gender equality and safeguard policy of UNDP, GEF and MLF. Ability to apply the policy and ensure the compliance.

Quality Assurance

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Education:    

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Chemical Sciences, Environment Sciences, Economics, Finance, Physical Sciences, Public/Business Administration or other closely related field.

Experience:    

• Minimum of 5 years’ professional work experience on international cooperation, in country strategy development, policy research, consultation and negotiation, and/or development and implementation of projects supported by Multilateral Fund (MLF), Global Environmental Facility (GEF), particularly in the area related to the implementation of the Stockholm convention and Minamata Convention;
• Experience on inter-agency collaboration is an asset;
• Experience on circular economy, green chemistry and plastic management is an asset;
• Experience in developing countries. Experience working in Africa Region is an asset;
• Experience at international organizations is an advantage.

Language Requirements:    

• Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
• Competency in other UN languages particularly French is an asset.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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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