Senior Programme Management Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZAUNEP/1904/202651

Senior Programme Management Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZAUNEP/1904/202651
Pretoria (South Africa)
Job Description
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. The post is located in UNEP’s Southern Africa Sub-Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa.

The main objective of the office is to respond to the needs and expectations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in environmental issues specifically supporting countries in the uptake of solutions to the triple planetary crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, in a manner that unlocks socio-economic challenges within the SADC Countries.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, UNEP Africa Office the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties;

Responsibilities
1.Development and Implementation of the Programme of Work Southern Africa region: – Ascertain and maintain contact with the Government of Southern African countries on UNEP programmatic work in the countries. – Identify national priorities and trends to support UNEP programmatic working the countries. – Coordinate and facilitate cooperation with the United Nations entities in the region particularly with United Nations Resident Coordinators (UNRCs) with regard to developing and implementing joint programmes;

– Represent UNEP in the UN Country Teams during design and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and during the preparation of Common Country Analysis (CCA); – Working with key stakeholders and Partnerships: (i) Government counterparts in SADC Member States; (ii) Regional bodies and technical partners; (iii) UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators; (iv) Donors and development partners; Administrative and Operational Matters:

(i) Staffing structure and key personnel issues; (ii) Budgeting; (iii) Office management; Provide adequate support to the Regional Director’s Team related activities. 2.Liaison with Secretariats, Regional and Sub-regional Bodies: – Liaise with regional and subregional organizations such as the AUDA/NEPAD Secretariat, Pan-African Parliament and SADC Secretariat and other organizations in support of implementing environmental initiatives and programmes in the sub region Including at country level. 3.Facilitate South South Cooperation:

– Engage and explore opportunities with the Government of South Africa for a country programme including those for South South cooperation among African countries with emphasis on facilitation of capacity building and technology transfer. – Liaise with UNEP Divisions for coordinated intervention and delivery of UNEP’s technical and scientific assistance to South Africa and other SADC countries. 4.Resource Mobilization: – Provide donor relations support and promote strategic partnership. – Undertake donors mapping and prepare donor profiles, define and implement strategic partnership framework. – Develop positive contacts and working relations with donors and all relevant partners.

– Explore resource mobilization opportunities at the country and sub regional levels from all appropriate sources – Government, bilateral, multilateral and private sector. – Identify issues of strategic interest in which UNEP has a comparative advantage. – Analyze donor trends (donor policies, sectoral and geographic preferences, etc.) – Research and develop project concepts to approach potential source of funding. 5.Communication and Liaison: – Keep the Regional Office of Africa updated on relevant environment and development matters in South Africa in particular and the SADC sub-region as a whole.

– Facilitate a rapid, informed and timely response by UNEP to emerging issues in South Africa and other SADC countries; provide specific communication and outreach support. – Participate in and backstop related processes which will contribute to ensuring the visibility of UNEP in South Africa and other SADC countries. – Lead team members’ efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need.

6.Perform other relevant duties as required by the Regional Director.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN system, including the UN common country programming process; Ability to manage complexities and adapt to changing environment in the One UN context; Focus on impact and results; Ability to operate effectively across organizational and country boundaries. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and achievements.

Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations.

COMMUNICATION: Ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively, including ability to defend and explain difficult issues; Ability to draft/edit a variety of reports on UN policy issues and strategies relevant to own work. 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: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural , multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Ability to lead and gain assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor; Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team based information sharing environment.

LEADERSHIP: Establishes and maintains relationship with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Ability to develop strategies and empower others to accomplish objectives and solve problems; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives.

Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Ability to appraise performance fairly and mentor staff; Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), in environmental policy or science, natural resources management, development planning or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience
Minimum of (10) ten years of experience in environmental or natural resources management is required. Five (5) years, of the ten (10) years of experience at the international level is required. Experience in environmental/natural resources management, in a UN context or similar international organization in a developing region of the world is desirable. Experience in implementing country-level or organizational environmental policies, guidelines and standards is desirable.

Experience of working in the context of delivering as one UN and of collaboration with UN Country Teams is desirable. Experience in resource mobilization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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