Programme Analyst Environment & Climate Change

Eswatini is a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa covering a total area of 17,364 km². Eswatini comprises magnificent mountain scenery with unique, ancient rock formations, which are a source of fascination for geologists, scholars and visitors. The Kingdom has four topographical and climatic areas ranging from 400 to 1800 metres above sea level, each with its own unique characteristics. The country’s ecosystems are home to biodiversity of global significance. Country has one of the largest intact altitudinal gradients of natural ecosystem in Southern Africa and its ecosystems provides natural resources, ecological infrastructure and ecosystem services which are essential if not lifeline for food and water security, poverty alleviation, livelihood generation.

In 2019 the country launched its National Development Plan (NDP) 2019-2021 and Strategic Road Map 2019-2021, respectively, with a special focus on economic recovery, financial stability and growth and improved quality of life. The Strategic Roadmap identifies five growth sectors, namely; Education and ICT; Mining and Energy; Tourism; Manufacturing, Agro-processing and Agriculture as priority sectors for renewed economic growth. However, climate change and rapid depletion of natural resources contribute to increasing vulnerability and disaster risks that pose significant challenges to these growth sectors. At the same time, the government has prioritized the energy sector, particularly the renewable energy sector, and has developed a Grid Code and Renewable Energy and Independent Power Producer (RE&IPP) Policy to create a transparent regulatory regime and attract investment. Eswatini imports 80 percent of its power from South Africa and Mozambique, rising as high as 100 percent during the 2016 drought. With both South Africa and Mozambique experiencing electricity shortages, Eswatini is working to increase its own energy generation using renewable sources.

Further, the Government of Eswatini has launched its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) which will see the adoption of a medium-to-long-term approach to reducing the vulnerabilities to climate change and its impacts.

In Eswatini, the UNDP Country Office is working closely with government to enhance response to climate change, including, support to the development of government’s NAP and NDC, as well as integrating the NDC into its economic recovery plan at the macro level. Other areas of intervention include, support to strengthening Protected Area Systems, promotion of climate smart agriculture and policy development. The CO has recently signed cooperation agreements with Government to support two Italian funded projects; one on greening a public hospital and the other to strengthen the Early Warning System.

Against this background, UNDP in Eswatini requires a dedicated environment and energy programmatic expertise to strengthen the CO’s delivery in the new two projects and assist in the overall environment and energy portfolio.

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the environment and energy sector. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst supervises and leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Summary of Functions:

• Ensure full compliance to UNDP’s rules and procedures in delivering the projects that fall under the Italian Cooperation as well as the GEF funded projects.
• Ensure high quality delivery through solid partnership with the national stakeholders and the donor.
• Support project management unit draft workplans and reports that meet UNDP and GEF quality requirements. 
• Enhance coordination with all project partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders. 
• Assist in resource mobilization efforts of the CO to strengthen engagement in the environment and energy sector.
• Support work on technical components of the project including assistance for the formulation of the terms of references and quality assurance of products and deliverables. 
• Advise on project monitoring and reporting as well as tracking implementation of management responses to medium term evaluation. 
• Review progress against the overall project work plan since inception and to assess constraints to project implementation. 
• Conduct capacity development trainings for project staff and partners on UNDP/GEF policies and procedures for project management.
• Provide technical support to develop and operationalize a Knowledge Management framework, including an online platform, and oversee the sharing of experiences and lessons learned with all stakeholders around Protected Areas financing activities both nationally and internationally.
• Compile lessons learned from project implementation to share with members of the Steering Committee (Project Board) and to make useful recommendations to enhance the quality of day to day monitoring of planned activities.
• Undertake environmental screening of supported projects activities and help to prepare Social and Environmental Management Plans (SEMPs).
• Review proposed community tourism infrastructure activities, design, cost, and bid documents to ensure environmental factors and mitigations are incorporated, and sub-project documents and environmental documents are in harmony.
• Oversee preparation of social and environmental remediation plans and grievance response mechanisms.
• Monitor and report on implementation of environmental related activities as outlined in the Environmental and Social Management Plan) of the project.
• Build capacities of project staff, Responsible Parties (including site supervisors, Responsible Parties’ managers and sub-project site level), and vendors on green procurements and implementation of social and environmental safeguards.
• Advise implementing partner and UNDP on any other matters, including the necessity to make a formal request to GEF to extend the project implementation phase.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team   focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas 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 initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management 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 learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues

Functional Competencies:             

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 1.2: Ppreparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

Levle 1.2:  Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.2: Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization

Level 1.2:  Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Develops a database of project profiles.  Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.2: Preparing information for global advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate

Client Orientation

Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Environment and natural resources management, land use planning, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience:

• 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

• Fluency in English

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.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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