Senior Technical Advisor- Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Closing Date: Friday, 14 February 2014
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Location : Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
Application Deadline : 14-Feb-14
Type of Contract : TA International
Post Level : P-5
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 31-Mar-2014
Duration of Initial Contract : 364 days
Background
UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP's Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP's Strategic Plan. It's main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels.
The Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal (PTA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional or Senior Technical Advisors (RTAs/STAs). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA/STA is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs/STAs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader. The regional teams are based in regional centres from where they support UNDP's country offices and partners in their region.
The work of the UNDP ecosystems and biodiversity team is concentrated in environmental policy, governance and finance where the emphasis is on assisting country partners to create the systemic and institutional capacities required to drive private sector investment away from unsustainable practices that have negative consequences on ecosystem function and towards practices that maintain ecosystem function and resilience, and hence are sustainable in the long term.
Particular emphases include helping countries unleash the economic potential of protected areas and mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services into markets. Key approaches include payments for water and carbon storage services, the establishment of green businesses and green lending, and the transformation of market driven production, supply and consumption mechanisms to ecological, as well as, financial and social sustainability.
The team also helps country partners identify, access, combine, and use the various financial mechanisms available to support ecosystem and biodiversity management including: payments for ecosystem services; multilateral grant financing such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust and Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF); the various emerging carbon funds, including REDD, the Adaptation Fund and the Carbon Investment Funds (CIF) of the World Bank; and market based mechanisms such as the CDM and voluntary markets.
The STA works under the overall supervision of the Executive Coordinator and Director a.i. in the UNDP-GEF Directorate. The STA will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is expected to travel frequently.
Duties and Responsibilities
Given the highly complex technical nature of ecosystems and biodiversity, the position of STA requires a complex combination of advanced technical, scientific, economic, policy, advocacy, communication and networking skills combined with a full understanding of the complexity of both climate change and biodiversity local and global issues, policies and negotiations. The STA must also have strong leadership and managerial skills, experience managing multidisciplinary multicultural global teams, and a good understanding of programming and projects in developing countries
The role of a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) is to:
- Provide technical guidance and team management;
- Develop and advocate innovative policy and financial mechanisms;
- Identify and develop cutting edge strategic programmes, projects and activities;
- Produce development impacts and results for country partners.
Guidance, Management and Coordination
- Guidance, management and oversight of the UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity team of specialized ecosystems and biodiversity Technical/Senior Advisors, currently 15. This includes the provision of strategic direction, management oversight, and development of both the programme and the team supporting it.
- The development of key policy initiatives, advice, support and advocacy on ecosystems and biodiversity both within UNDP and with UNDP's direct partners. This includes the development of complex policy positions at the interface of scientific knowledge and social, political and economic feasibility. Wide ranging consultation with key partners and the development of strategic partnerships around positions and initiatives. Dialogue and advocacy to effect change.
- Development of strategic programmes, projects and other initiatives. Identification of funding opportunities, sources and partners. Identification of new business opportunities, business lines, and self-funding environmental finance service facilities.
- Effective delivery of results and impacts through high quality oversight and implementation support including technical support, monitoring, troubleshooting, evaluation, reporting, and dissemination of results and impacts.
The results of the work of the STA impact on the standing and reputation of UNDP both globally and in all the countries served. Overall, the decisions taken by the STA also impact: the relations and credibility of UNDP with programme governments, civil society and donors; programme success or failure; the efficiency and effectiveness of resource allocations within UNDP. The STA has regular contact with regional technical advisors in monitoring UNDP ecosystems and biodiversity programmes and projects. The STA makes recommendations to UNDP management on necessary courses of action in response to changes in the country or global context and new programme and resource mobilization opportunities. When requested, the STA represents UNDP in international and national fora, in particular the COP to the UNCBD, and liaises with counterparts from other international organizations in furthering the UNDP EBD programme. The STA promotes good cooperation and coordination among programme and operations staff and between the Country Office and Government counterparts.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by upholding 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.
Professionalism
- Expert in ecosystems and biodiversity and associated policy negotiation processes;
- Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
- Independent judgment and discretion in arriving at complex and delicate decisions;
- Excellent negotiation skills and ability to persuade and influence others to reach agreement on complex issues.
- Strong managerial/leadership and decision-making skills;
- Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff;
- Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex programme issues, financial and/or administrative management matters including human resources in an international, multi-cultural setting;
- Good judgment and decision-making skills.
- Proven ability to plan and organize work in a complex team and institutional environment.
- Mature judgment and initiative;
- Proven ability to provide direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.
- Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written;
- Ability to defend and explain difficult and complex issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of legislative and oversight bodies;
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to identify needs and propose appropriate solutions, as well as, establish and maintain effective relationships with outside collaborators and other contacts, including representatives of Member States and the public.
- Demonstrated integrity, ability to stand by the decisions that are in the Organization's interest and resist undue pressure in decision-making.
- Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the relevant technical field and to develop own managerial and leadership skills.
- Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues;
- Recognized and highly respected by peers, clients and staff.
Education:
- Master's degree (PhD degree strongly preferred) in ecosystems, biodiversity, environment, natural resources, or closely related field in science, management, economics or policy.
- 10 years or more of progressively responsible relevant leadership and management in the field of ecosystems, biodiversity, and development, preferably with an emphasis on policy and finance;
- Experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
- Full computer literacy;
- Working experience in an international organization is an advantage;
- On the job direct experience with UNDP and GEF policies, procedures and practices.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential.
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
Please submit attached to your CV a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History (P-11) form. Kindly note you can attach only ONE document to this application.
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.
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