Consultant Specialist in Project Management

Result of Service

The main objective of the position of Consultant Specialist in Project Management is to assist the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the coordination and implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant Specialist in Project Management will report directly to the UNEP Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Officer and will be primarily responsible for supporting the results of the project.

The Consultant Specialist in Project Management will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks:

1. Plan, manage, coordinate and execute the daily activities of the project, ensuring that the vision and values of the United Nations are respected, particularly in matters of sustainable development, gender equality and climate resilience.
2. Provide strategical advice and leadership for the implementation of the project, including aspects of impact, cost-effectiveness, punctuality, and the quality of the deliverables.
3. Lead the preparation of Annual Operating Plans, procurement plans and budgets for the project.
4. Ensure that the operations, financial and logistical management, procurement processes, and project activities are carried out in accordance with the project proposal, and the procedures of UNEP
5. Plan and guide the monitoring, tracking and evaluation of the implementation of the project, including the timely preparation and submission of Interim Progress Reports (IPR), as well as any other management, financial or progress reports requested.
6. Develop terms of reference and assist in the process of identification, selection, recruitment and coordination of individual consultants and consultancy firms.
7. Coordinate and ensure the good functioning of the Project Management Unit and the good management of technical and financial resources of the project.
8. Provide inputs and feedback to the products generated by the project.
9. Facilitate the liaison with government, public and/or private institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure their involvement in the delivery of the results.
10. Coordinate and facilitate the visibility of the project and supervise all communication activities related to the achievements made in the framework of the project.
11. Ensure that printed/physical and digital records of project documents, are organized and available for easy reference.
12. Support the preparation, approval and following-up of capacity assessments or legal agreements with partners when needed.
13. Lead collaborative partnerships for the implementation of the project and maintain effective communication with partners and stakeholders to receive inputs and disseminate the results.
14. Carry out other tasks inherent to the objectives of the position, as indicated by UNEP and the Ministry of Environment.

Work Location

Ministry of Environment located in Panama City, Panama

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global Environment.

UNEP, through its Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office) located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States -with a population of about 588 million people, the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

To implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution) of the region.

In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries.

The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

In this context, the Ministry of Environment of Panama and UNEP, have agreed on the implementation of the project Building capacity for the development of the National Adaptation Plan in the context of the NDCs adaptation themes in Panama, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund.

The project is aimed to build sustainable country capacity and strengthen stakeholder engagement to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes and communicate knowledge about climate change adaptation. The NAP process will cover ten adaptation themes in total, which are in accordance with Panama’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (presented to UNFCCC in 2020) to ensure alignment with national climate change strategies and priorities.

The project seeks to achieve its components and objective through:
• Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened;
• Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact;
• Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed; and
• Adaptation finance increased.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Consultant Specialist in Project Management to assist the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the coordination and implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant Specialist in Project Management will report directly to the UNEP Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Officer and will be primarily responsible for supporting the results of the project.

The Consultant Specialist in Project Management will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the Latin America and the Caribbean Office. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in Panama, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. The Consultant Specialist in Project Management will work 40 hours per week, and be located in the Ministry of Environment, Project Management Unit in Panama City, Panama.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC:

¿ Master’s degree or higher in project management, climate change, natural resource management, conservation, environment, international cooperation, sustainable development or a closely related field is required.


PROFESSIONAL:
¿ At least (7) seven years of work experience in areas related to design, planning, execution and monitoring in project development is required.
¿ At least (7) seven years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation is required.
¿ Previous work in climate change adaptation in Panama is desirable.
¿ Previous experience in the generation of national climate change reports (National Communications, Biennial Update Reports) is required.
¿ Experiences in international climate negotiation processes on the issue of adaptation to climate change is desired.
¿ Experience with international organizations will be an advantage. Knowledge of UN Environment policies, procedures and practices is an asset.
¿ Experience with GCF or GEF projects is an asset.
¿ Knowledge of environmental regulations and climate change in Panama is an asset.
SKILLS:
¿ Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent project document.
¿ Ability to design and develop technical documents.
¿ Excellent organization and planning skills.
¿ Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations).
¿ Ability to work independently and as a team.
¿ Motivated and dynamic to jump-start activities.

COMPETENCIES:
¿ Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
¿ Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
¿ Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
¿ Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages

¿ Fluency in Spanish is required.
¿ Confident in English is required

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.