Programme Management Specialist (Country Support)

Bonn

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Bonn
Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background Information - Water Environment & Climate Portfolio (WEC)
UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, programme procurement, human resources, and project management.The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement.

The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR) region and beyond.The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as Children's Investment Fund Foundation and ClimateWorks Foundation).

Initiative for Climate Action Transparency
The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency was established in 2015 at the COP that adopted the Paris Agreement to support implementation of the Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. The Initiative works with over 40 developing countries ranging from large countries, like China, to small islands, such as Antigua & Barbuda.

ICAT provides countries with tailored support and practical tools and methodologies to build robust transparency frameworks needed for effective climate action in sync with national development priorities. The projects ICAT supports relate to: building or enhancing transparency frameworks for mitigation; building a monitoring and evaluation approach for adaptation; building or enhancing frameworks to track progress made in implementing and achieving nationally determined contributions; assessing the impacts of climate policies; estimating or enhancing projections of greenhouse gas; integrating and/or aggregating impact assessment of climate actions at the subnational level and for non-State actors; building a tracking system for a just transition processes; establishing or enhancing a climate data system; and putting in place a framework to track climate finance.

ICAT offers a suite of practical, open-source tools and methodologies to provide effective support to the transparency efforts of countries around the world.

ICAT is an unincorporated multi-stakeholder partnership steered by the Donor Steering Committee (DSC), conformed by its donors, Austria, Germany; Italy; the Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF); and ClimateWorks Foundation (CWF), and includes the UNFCCC Secretariat as the dedicated UN body with a climate change policy mandate, and UNOPS as an ex-officio member. The Initiative is managed by UNOPS on behalf of the DSC. Within UNOPS, the ICAT Secretariat manages ICAT day-to-day activities, coordinating and guiding the work of the implementing partners.

This role is based in Bonn, Germany. However, homebased in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region timezone could also be considered, depending on the outcome of the recruitment process. The final decision regarding the duty stations lies with UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Country and regional engagement

Support the ICAT Director and the Senior Programme Officer in initiating and managing projects under ICAT’s country and regional work, including scoping country support and the regional hubs and liaising with country and regional focal points;
Support effective capacity building activities and peer-to-peer exchanges conducted to build long-term capacity of ICAT beneficiary countries;
Participate in external meetings at the country, regional and global level. This may entail visits to ICAT partner countries;
Establish and build relationships with ICAT partner country governments and partnering regional organizations, as well as relevant actors at the UN, international organizations, NGOs, donors, and climate change stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
Participate in and contribute to the work of the ICAT stakeholder groups, e.g. Initiative Coordination Team (ICT), Country and Toolbox Group (CTG), Advisory Committee and Donor Steering Committee.
Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and missions, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the Director and the Senior Programme Officer.
Support outreach and peer-to-peer exchange activities by identifying relevant opportunities and providing substantive input to written and oral communication products.

2. Programme management

Review project cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, grant support agreements, and other administrative/legal documents and lead on the substantive development of terms of reference, work plans and budgets.
Provide review/input to scopes of work for grantee selection and procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the project agreements are reflected in agreements with implementing partners.
Provide support to the coordination and implementation of ICAT’s country/regional projects, including coordination of Implementing Partners’ activities;
Review country/regional projects deliverables and Implementing Partners reports to ensure requirements outlined in the respective agreements are being met.
Track programme progress and results against targets, alert management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the Director and the Senior Programme Officer to prepare for internal reviews.
Coordinate revisions to the relevant legal agreements, budgets and work plans by ensuring efficient information flow between implementation teams, management and donors.
Review and edit summaries and analytical reports, communication and outreach materials, including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, and other UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits, as appropriate; research and prepare input for analytical, documents for the Director and the Donor Steering Committee.

3. Support to the further development of the ICAT Toolbox

Provide additional support, in particular on further developing the ICAT toolbox and ensuring coordination with implementing partners;
Develop a good understanding of the state-of-the-art approach to evidence-based policy making as incorporated in ICAT methodologies and stay abreast on development in related fields;
Provide substantive input to ICAT’s knowledge base by drafting ToRs for new tools and methodologies to complement those already in the ICAT toolbox, and background notes and engaging with active and potential partners;
Support the preparation for the translation of ICAT methodologies into other UN languages and related activities, including identification of suitable partners.

4. Knowledge management and document management and innovation

Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues;
Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme development and implementation;
Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental management/sciences, international relations, economics, education, development studies, and/or other relevant fields relevant for climate action transparency and capacity-building
First-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience

At least five (5) years of relevant working experience. Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management related to climate change and/or environmental management/assessment, in either public or private sector organizations;
Experience in international cooperation and in working with developing countries and/or capacity building is desirable;
Experience with coordinating multiple stakeholders, ideally in an international setting is an advantage;
Experience in supporting work related to Nationally Determined Contributions, climate policies, and/or policy impact assessments and a good understanding of transparency in the context of the Article 13 of the Paris Agreement would be a distinct advantage.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required
Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required
Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic/Chinese/French//Russian) is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: I-ICA2 - ISC10
This is an ICS-10 level position. The contract will be issued as International or Local ICA depending on the agreed duty station during the recruitment process (Bonn, Germany or Latin America and the Caribbean timezone countries)

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.