- Job Opening ID: 261152
- Job Network : –
- Job Family : Environmental Affairs
- Category and Level : Consultants, CON
- Duty Station : NAIROBI
- Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
- Date Posted : Aug 5, 2025
- Deadline : Aug 12, 2025
Result of Service
Successful execution of the GEF 8034 Zambia EbA Project by achieving the project’s Outcomes and Outputs and corresponding targets for the benefit of beneficiaries in the project sites through effective and efficient execution of activities and available budget resources by a capacitated, motivated and well-functioning Project Management Unit.
Work Location
Lusaka, Zambia Please note that the vacancy is for a national/Zambian expert.
Expected duration
24 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Organisational Setting The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It 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. UNEP is the GEF Implementing Agency for the GEF8034 project titled “Building the resilience of local communities in Zambia through the introduction of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into priority ecosystems, including wetlands and forests” which is executed by the Department of Green Economy and Climate Change of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia. The project contributes towards achieving UNEP’s programme of work objectives of the Climate Action subprogramme. The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of government and rural communities living around wetlands and forests to adapt to climate change using EbA. This will be achieved through: i) strengthening the institutional and technical capacity in Zambia to plan and implement EbA; ii) implementing EbA interventions at target sites in the Lukanga and Bangweulu wetland systems that reduce the effects of climate change impacts while also generating adaptation and non-adaptation co-benefits; iii) enhancing the climate resilience of rural communities in Zambia through the introduction of additional livelihoods, climate-resilient agricultural techniques and water-efficient irrigation infrastructure; iv) introducing energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuel sources to reduce the pressure on local ecosystems; and v) increasing knowledge and awareness on climate change, EbA and the value of functioning ecosystems. The Zambia EbA Project (short-form name) is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) administered Least Developed Country Fund of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with a budget of US$ 6,185,000 and co-financing of US$ 15,465,200. The project started in April 2020 and is due to end in September 2027, following a planned two year no-cost time extension at the recommendation of the recently concluded Mid-Term Review conducted in May 2025. A recommendation from the MTR include strengthening the institutional arrangements by securing implementation partners to undertake implementation in the project sites. UNEP, in coordination with the Executing Agency, is seeking to recruit a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) to lead on the successful implementation of the project by providing ecosystem-based adaptation technical guidance, project management guidance and capacity building to the project team. The CTA will report substantively to the Chief of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit in the Adaptation and Resilience Branch in UNEP’ Climate Change Division. Day to day, the CTA will report to the National Project Director, who is also the Director of the Department of Green Economy and Climate Change of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. Specific tasks and responsibilities The CTA will undertake the following duties, in close collaboration with the Project Manager and members of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the National Project Director. 1. Technical Advisory Responsibilities and tasks: a) Provide overall technical and operational guidance and support to the Project Manager and Project Steering Committee to ensure that project objectives are being met and that activities are carried out with high technical standards. b) Provide advice on best suitable ecosystem-based adaptation approaches and methodologies for the timely achievement of project targets and objectives. c) Provide quality assurance and technical review of project outputs such as inception reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products. d) Provide advice and assist in putting in place activities on gender, knowledge management, communications and awareness-raising, and document lessons from project implementation. e) Assist the PM in planning the implementation of project activities, and in adjusting the project Results Framework, Work Plan and Budget as required and in line with corporate requirements. f) Draft or review, as requested, terms of reference (ToRs) for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, and assist in the selection and recruitment process. g) Undertake technical reviews and provide quality assurance of project outputs (e.g. technical reports, studies and assessments) and field activities. h) Provide guidance and technical inputs to the work carried out by national and international consultants, project implementing partners, and contractors. i) Assist in monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including AWPs, indicators and targets, and against the GEF Climate Change Strategy Indicators) 2) Project management Advisory Responsibilities and Tasks: j) Support and mentor the Project Manager and PMU members to prepare annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIRs), including reporting on Project’s Co-financing expenditure and achievements against Project’s indicators and GEF’s CC Adaptation Results Framework indicators and its tracking sheet. k) Support and mentor the Project Manager and PMU in the conduct of project reviews and evaluations, and in revisions of the implementation strategy and work plan, based on review and evaluation results. l) Support and mentor the Project Manager and PMU in preparing and conducting Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for more effective strategic coordination and engagement of PSC members and implementation and coordination of project activities. m) Support the project team in administrative and financial reporting. n) Where requested, advise the PM in liaison work with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and other groups to ensure the effective coordination of project activities
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: sustainable development, international development, environmental sciences, development studies or a related field is required or A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, of which at least four are related to implementation of climate change adaptation projects, preferably applying ecosystem-based adaptation approaches in Zambia or in southern Africa countries and Knowledge of local languages spoken in Central and/or northern Zambia. Demonstrated work experience in institutional strengthening and capacity-building; Demonstrated work experience of leading, and coordinating a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants; Previous work experience in the management and coordination of bilateral, multilateral or GEF/LDCF/SCCF/AF funded projects; Previous work experience in project planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, and familiarity with gender mainstreaming and adherence to GEF environmental and social safeguards;
Languages
For the position advertised, fluency in spoken and written English required. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Central and/or northern Zambia is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
