The UNDP Country Office (CO) in South Africa, as Government partner in the efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, sought to reposition itself strategically and realign its human resources to better respond to the new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2020-2025 approved in June 2020 and ensure the articulated need to work in a more integrated and collaborative manner to help South Africa to address interrelated development challenges, including adaptation to climate change, environment and just energy transition. In line with the UNDP Strategic Plan Signature Solutions of: (i) resilience, (ii) environment and (iii) energy, UNDP in South Africa will continue flagship programmes including in the priorities areas related to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Just Energy Transition policies, biodiversity conservation, socio-economic and climate governance aspects, and advancement of thought leadership.
The Programme on NCE in the UNDP Country Office supports the South African Government in policy development and implementation oversight, capacity building and institutional strengthening in project and programme development, implementation and monitoring.
UNDP works in close collaboration with various partners in the sector, including the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), River Basin Multilateral Water Commissions covering southern African countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe), South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Weather Service, South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and its entity, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Presidential Climate Commission. UNDP also collaborates very closely with provincial and local governments, donors (particularly the Global Environment Facility, GEF), development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia, as well as with UN Agencies, Funds and Programs through bilateral partnerships and within the framework of the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2025’ Results Groups.
In this context and under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and supervision by the Deputy Resident Representative the Specialist or Team Lead will be responsible for the management of UNDP’s Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio, the largest portfolio of UNDP in South Africa, which includes various national and trans-boundary projects funded by a variety of donors, including the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and bilateral donors. S/he will ensure that the objectives of the NCE as established in the Country Program Document are effectively and efficiently achieved and will contribute to the Country efforts of partnership fostering and resources mobilization to ensure fully funding of the NCE program under the CPD.
S/he analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within NCE portfolio, which consists of, but not limited to the following interventions: biodiversity, sustainable land management, river basins management, access to sustainable and clean energy (including just energy transition) and adaptation to climate change. S/he also works in close collaboration with his/her Unit and other Country Office Programme Units, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ and Addis-Ababa Regional Hub staff, particularly the Regional Technical Advisers), Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to help implement the UNDP country programme in the area of NCE. S/he provides quality technical advice to the Government and partners in his/her work area.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensuring the strategic direction of UNDP NCE programme;
- Management and oversight of the CO NCE programme, and supervision of the respective team members and consultants and directing their efforts to achieve corporate and CO strategic goals and results;
- Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;
- Provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
- Facilitation of knowledge management and sharing of best practice.
1) Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP NCE programme focusing on achievement of the following results:
- A thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative with other UN Agencies preparation and/or revise the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the Country Development Programme (CPD), the Annual Work Plan (AWP), Integrated Annual Work Plan (IWP) and other documents;
- Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.;
- Ensures operationalization of CPD though ongoing and new programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
- Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation in the areas of NCE portfolio focus and other emerging areas, including green jobs.
2) Ensures effective management of the CO NCE programme portfolio and supervision of the team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:
- Provides component managerial leadership, technical guidance, oversight and quality control of program operations from planning, budgeting to implementation and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plan, standards, allocations, framework and rules and regulations;
- Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, Quality Assurance, ROAR, IWP etc.;
- Ensures country office compliance with Social and Environmental Standards Safeguards with the NCE portfolio programing;
- Leads the annual work planning process with CO units and project managers;
- Monitors work plan implementation ensures it is on track, and supports resolution of bottlenecks working with CO units, RSC and HQ;
- Develops programme / outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources and procurement plans;
- Drafts Terms of References and procurement specifications;
- Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports;
- Ensures project and programme reviews and evaluations take place;
- Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts to ensure monitoring of projects' progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
- Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration;
- Supports audit exercises and follow up audit recommendations implementation;
- Takes on corporate and CO responsibilities such as participation in CAP and interview panels.
3) Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results.
- Implements CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
- Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages and partnerships with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, Multi-Donors Trust Funds (GEF, GCF, etc) IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
- Identification and proposal of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing;
- Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.
4) Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management within the area of NCE, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
- Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
- Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
- Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;
- Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks;
- Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme, seminars, and dialogue platform with Government and other stakeholders;
- Contribute to UNDP annual report preparation and dissemination by providing timely information on results, lessons and to feed the report.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
The NCE Team Lead will supervise a team constituted of 6 members, namely: Program Analyst, Project Manager, JPO and three Program Associates.
CORE
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
The Team Lead must demonstrate ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results. S/he is also expected to demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence, build an enabling workplace, and motivate and direct staff.
Cross Functional & technical Competencies
Business Direction and Strategy Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s. Objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions.
Business Development Integration within the UN
- Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.
Business Management: Results-Based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
- Climate Change Adaptation: water management
2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
Energy efficiency concepts, renewable energy, access to energy; technologies and practical application.
People Management: Build an enabling workplace
- Create a working environment where people are engaged and want to do their best; empower and enable team members to perform and have a positive workplace experience.
- Promote honesty, openness, trust and psychological safety and create opportunities to innovate and learn. Recruit and promotes individuals based upon objective measures and meritocracy; acknowledge. And utilize the talent of others Encourage collective action and integration.
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environment Science, Energy, Engineering, Physical Science or other Nature Climate and Energy related areas.
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in nature, energy and climate policies, programs and projects design, management and oversight in international multilateral/bilateral development organizations, government institutions and NGOs;
- Experience at the national level providing technical advisory services and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments is an asset;
- Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset;
- Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is desirable;
- Proven programmatic management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) is desirable;
- Excellent skills in fundraising, resources mobilization and donor relations would be an asset.
Language Requirement
- Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable