Environmental Finance Regional Programme Associate with UNDP Regional Hub in Amman

Environmental Finance Regional Programme Associate with UNDP Regional Hub in Amman

Background
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.
Unit Key Priorities and Challenges 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 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.

Based in BPPS’ Nature, Climate and Energy Practice, the Environmental Finance Unit helps countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion by assisting Country Offices in accessing environmental finance for sustainable development. This objective is achieved through five inter-related areas of work:
(i) sustainable management of ecosystem goods and services;
(ii) scaling up of climate change adaptation and mitigation;
(iii) sustainable, affordable and accessible energy services;
(iv) sustainable management of chemicals and waste; and
(v) improved water and ocean governance.

These areas of work are fully aligned with the four environmental outputs of the UNDP Strategic Plan.

As part of its broader mandate on all nature, climate, and energy-related matters, UNDP also operates as an accredited implementing entity for the following environmental vertical funds:

(i) the funds managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF): the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF TF), the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF);
(ii) the Adaptation Fund (AF); and
(iii) the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

As an Implementing Agency for these funds, UNDP offers countries highly specialized technical services for eligibly assessment, programme/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management.

The Environmental Finance Unit is responsible for providing leadership, technical support, and implementation oversight to the delivery of environmental vertical funds. The Unit is organized into a number of substantive technical teams with staff located in both HQs and UNDP's Regional Hubs in Addis Ababa, Amman, Bangkok, Istanbul, and Panama, and with a decentralized structure in terms of financial, operational, and budget managements with authority delegated to respective managers located in HQ or in the region.

The environmental vertical fund projects in Arab States are supported at the national level by UNDP Country Offices (COs) and at the regional level by Regional Coordination Units (RCUs). The projects are located in Francophone and Arabophone countries.

https://www.undp.org/

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Management and Support to projects under development (pipeline)

• Coordinate document processing related to project development in the region (regional and country level projects) as relevant to all stages of the project cycle;
• Collection, analysis and checking for accuracy and consistency of information against established formats;
• Updating the EF Unit project data base (PIMS+);
• Tracking required information for project completion and/or processing requirements;
• Following-up on correspondence with project proponents, Country Offices (COs), and EF Unit Headquarters.
• Processing documentation for submission, including final quality check regarding accuracy and compliance with formats and guidelines.

2. Monitoring and support to projects (after vertical fund approval)

• Effective communication to COs on the processes relating to Delegation of Authority (DOA) and ensure COs receive a DOA Letter and the approved final UNDP Project Document and any other associated/necessary documents and requested clearance (including financial and technical clearance) in a timely manner once EF Unit receives an approval/ endorsement from a source of funds;
• Ensures Annual Work Plans are submitted for RTA/RTS approval and Authorized Spending Limit (ASL) issuance;
• Assist the RTAs/RTSs in reviewing projects' annual and multi-year work plans in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with Donor requirements in terms of budgeting and identify irregularities;
• Assist the Management and Programme Support Analyst in regional portfolio analysis, in particular, ensuring all data necessary for the analysis is collected from COs and consistent for any specific projects under his/her portfolio;
• Assist COs in completing budget revision processes in time for on-going projects under his/her portfolio.

3. Portfolio Monitoring and Support (includes projects under development and under implementation)

• Ensure all project information in EF Unit database (PIMS+) is correct and up to date at all times from the creation of a project in PIMS+ until the project’s operational and financial closure for projects under his/her portfolio;
• Monitor project delivery and submission of progress reports and budget revisions for the region, identifying reasons for shortfall in delivery and alert RTAs/RTSs of any projects with concerns;
• Undertake financial monitoring of the portfolio in the region and analyze individual projects’ budgets and budget revisions in close coordination with the COs and RTAs/RTSs;
• Assist in all aspects of regional portfolio management, including tracking of standard project related management actions, monitoring and evaluation requirements and progress reports (TPR/APR, PIR) including processing of required documentation;
• Maintains the electronic project data base fully updated, and where necessary, organizes and maintains hard-copy files of all projects and associated information and official documentation;
• Assist in the preparation, updating, and dissemination of PowerPoint and other presentations and in managing dissemination of information that describe the work and achievements of EF Unit via the media;
• Conduct financial follow-up and advise Country Offices (or executing agencies in case of regional or global projects without Project Principle Resident Representatives) with regard to the deployment of the funds and the project closure, as well as, the preparation of the quarterly reports flagging to the RTA any discrepancies, need for action, or progress in disbursement;
• Maintain close contact with COs on projects in varying stages of the project cycle, tracking project development and/or implementation progress against established timeframes for project maturation and/or the attainment of implementation milestones as indicated in project annual work plans, recommending courses of action as appropriate and bringing to the RTAs’/RTS’ attention all technical issues that require attention/resolution;
• Draft correspondence and assist with other administrative tasks as required;
• Backstop other members of the Team and performs ad-hoc tasks, as required, to ensure the Team will deliver at the highest standard;
• Support in all aspects of the organization of meetings, seminars, and workshops including making timely conference room booking, assisting in preparing, sending, and following up on invitations, agendas and/or background documentation, etc.

4. Country Office Capacity Support

Managing information flow between COs and HQ on the regional portfolio to meet all reporting requirements;

• In coordination with RTAs/RTSs, advise Environmental Focal Points on procedural issues, approval processes, and associated timeframes related to Environmental Finance project cycle management, according to the UNDP POPP, Environmental Finance Programming Manual, and any other appropriate Advisory Notes and guidelines;
• Assist COs, Europe and CIS and Arab States Team, or HQs on staff recruitment processes and consultant procurement processes, including the development of TORs, finalizing advertisements, long and short listing, organizing interviews, ensuring necessary records and documentation throughout the recruitment process, etc. as requested by RTAs/RTSs;
• Work in close collaboration with the EF Unit Management and Programme Support Unit and the operations, programme, and projects’ staff in COs as required for resolving complex issues related to project administration or portfolio management;
• Organize EF Unit training programmes and workshops in the region as appropriate, including logistics, communications with COs, documentation requirements, and any other logistical and administrative support

5. Self-Development, Learning, Knowledge Management

• Learn from, and contribute to, corporate knowledge tools including programming manual and PA training manuals;
• Organize and participate in EF Unit training programmes and workshops as required, oversee logistics, documentation, and preparation/review of budget and authorization of expenses;
• Coordinate focal area knowledge management activities. Manage dissemination of information through Power Point or similar means, resulting in public awareness of the work and achievements of the EF Unit;
• Undergo training in, and comply with, UNDP and vertical fund requirements.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

Competencies
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Development
Knowledge Generation
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management
Monitoring
Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Business Management
Evaluation
Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management
Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Nature, Climate and Energy
Climate Change Policies: Climate Finance
Ability to provide support and oversight throughout the development, implementation, monitoring/evaluation, and closure of projects in line with environmental vertical fund requirements.

Procurement
Sourcing
Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services.

Finance
Budget Management
Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process; drawing and management of project budgets.

Digital & Innovation
Data Analysis
Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education requirements
• Secondary education with at least 6 years of relevant experience preferably with specialized certification in Business or Public Administration, Finance or related area;
• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Resources Management or other closely related fields with at least 3 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration;
• Certification in project management would be an added advantage.

Extent and type of work experience
• Minimum of 6 years with Secondary education, or 3 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, in financial resources management, budget management, programme/project management and/or Administrative support functions;
• Solid experience in project oversight and/or management is highly desirable;
• Experience at the national or international level with organizations that manage grants or vertical funds is an advantage;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, as a minimum; database management as a plus);

Knowledge and skill requirements
• Knowledge of tools and methodologies to follow-up on projects or project cycle management preferred;
• Good knowledge of an ERP System (such as Atlas) and UNDP Procurement, Programming, Finance and/or Accounting structure will be considered an advantage;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic;
• Knowledge of French is strongly desired.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
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.
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