Programme Specialist

Background

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy ResRep and in close cooperation with the Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development Cluster Head and the Governance Cluster Head, the Environment/DRR Programme Specialist is responsible for the management of the UNDP Angola Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction portfolios. S/he analyzes trends in the environment, especially biodiversity, climate change and Chemicals&Waste sectors as well as DRR, leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities, and provides policy advice within the overall portfolio to the Government and the CO. The Programme Specialist also leads, supervises and coordinates activities of project staff implementing related projects. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff, UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff, government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme development and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Thorough analysis and research of the contextual, political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to core UNDP Angola environment and DRR policies, strategies, plans, and frameworks;
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the environment and DRR sectors, especially biodiversity, climate change and chemicals&waste;
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues, and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support in development of policies and institutions with Government and other strategic partners;
• Lead the formulation of new projects in line with agreed results within the CPD/CPAP in the thematic areas of environment and DRR.

• Effective application of monitoring and evaluation tools;
• Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies;
• Coordination of programme implementation with HQ, Regional Offices and other UN agencies;
• Promotes synergies and ensures coordination of programme implementation with other thematic areas (Poverty, Governance);
• Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
• Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), entering project into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
• Aggregate reports regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

• Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
• Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc;
• Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, 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 cost-sharing.

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven environmental and DRR issues.
• Guide the production of knowledge products (studies, technical exchanges, etc) that can be used to inform best practices and government policies in the sector
• Actively contribute to global knowledge networks in thematic area
• In connection with other countries (SSTRc), identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned to be potentially adapted to the Angolan context.
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address key challenges in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

• Knowledge of global environmental issues and policies and the ability to apply them to strategic and practical solutions
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Knowledge of disaster risk reduction and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in environmental studies or related natural or social science (Geography, Economics, Development Studies, etc).

• 7 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.
• Good knowledge of current sustainable environmental development and DRR issues.
• Experience and strong understanding of GEF and Climate Change funding and implementation procedures.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

• Proficiency in Portuguese and English