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Programme Technical Specialist

Port Louis

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Port Louis
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: 2024-05-24

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

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.

The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) current support to the Government of Mauritius in the energy sector includes several on-going and pipeline projects, which are in line with the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 40% and increase the share of renewable energy to 60% in the national energy mix by 2030.

The UNDP MCO consists of a diverse portfolio worth USD 65 million including GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, EU, Japan Supplementary Budget, and UNDP TRAC 2 projects. Key projects currently under implementation include ‘Accelerating the Transformational Shift to a Low Carbon Economy’ funded by the GCF and 'Promoting Low Carbon Electric Public Bus Transport in Mauritius' funded by the GEF. 

UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) underpin our support for sustainable development. The objectives of the standards are to:

  • Strengthen the social and environmental outcomes of Programmes and Projects;
  • Avoid adverse impacts to people and the environment;
  • Minimize, mitigate, and manage adverse impacts where avoidance is not possible;
  • Strengthen UNDP and partner capacities for managing social and environmental risks;
  • Ensure full and effective stakeholder engagement, including through a mechanism to respond to complaints from project-affected people.

The starting point to ensure these standards are applied is through UNDP’s project-level Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), which is a requirement for projects. The objectives of the SESP are to: (a) integrate the SES Overarching Principles (human rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability); (b) identify potential social and environmental risks and their significance; (c) determine the Project's SES risk category; and (d) determine the level of assessment and management required to address potential social and environmental risks and impacts. All guidance on UNDP social and Environmental Standards can be found in the SES Toolkit.

The Programme Technical Specialist, SES specialist will be responsible for first-layer oversight (of the portfolio), capacity building and knowledge management to strengthen SES implementation across the Country Office portfolio, from the programme and project design through implementation. The Programme Technical Specialist, SES specialist will not be responsible for the preparation and execution of SES instruments during NIM project implementation (as this is a project execution function under the Implementing Partner) but will rather quality assure project-level safeguards instruments prepared by the project teams, and monitor, advise and oversee the project teams in executing the relevant safeguard management measures.

Scope of Work:

Summary of key functions: 

  • Provide the strategic direction of the Environment Unit on Natural Resources Management;
  • Technical advisory services and technical oversight of the Environment Unit on Natural Resources Management;
  • Contribute to the effective and efficient oversight of the Natural Resource Management portfolio, Mauritius & Seychelles MCO SES Oversight and Quality Assurance;
  • SES Capacity Building to the Mauritius and Seychelles MCO;
  • SES Knowledge Management to the Mauritius and Seychelles MCO Mauritius Country Office (CO).

The results to be delivered by the Programme Technical Specialist, will provide general management of the Natural Resource Management portfolio and key risk management and SES compliance capacity for the Multi Country Office, helping ensure UNDP delivers on its commitment to protect people and the environment across all programming and avoid inadvertent harm. Results will facilitate a new phase in SES implementation across the country programme, transitioning from a siloed and projectized approach to SES implementation to a programmatic approach that ensures oversight, alignment, and shared learning.

UNDP’s stakeholders and partners are increasingly requiring that we demonstrate implementation of safeguards, including as a condition for funding. Additionally, this capacity provides an opportunity to strengthen UNDP’s offer to partners on the application of environmental and social safeguards for risk-informed development. Therefore, the results delivered by the Programme Technical Specialist also aim to ensure continued funding and strengthened reputation of UNDP as a leader in sustainable development programming.

1. Provide the strategic direction of the Environment Unit on Natural Resources Management:

  • Contribute to defining the strategic direction of the Environment Unit on Natural Resource Management, with a focus on building synergies with the relevant partners and collaborators in that field.

2. Technical advisory services and technical oversight of the Environment Unit on Natural Resources Management:

  • Provide technical support and inputs to support the Team Leader to ensure effective and efficient management of the Environment Unit Natural Resource Management portfolio;
  • Advise on timely and well-sequenced execution of approved work plans and programmes, using multiyear framework for planning, budgeting, and reporting, including the development of strategies to ensure delivery acceleration and timely reporting of results while managing risks of exposure to audit recommendations and maintaining UNDP standing and reputation, for the Natural Resources Management portfolio;
  • Ensure strategic and operational oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources as per commitments with key partners and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations for the Natural Resources Management portfolio;
  • Advise the Environment Unit Team Leader on delivery implementation challenges and seek support from the other team leaders to resolve obstacles and bottlenecks;
  • Facilitate the timely organization of project audits under the Natural Resource Management portfolio and follow-up for prompt implementation of audit recommendations including updates in the Comprehensive Audit and Recommendation Database System (CARDS);
  • Facilitate the management and mitigation of risks and issues timely and appropriately while raising them to senior management attention as required.

3. Contribute to the effective and efficient oversight of the Natural Resource Management portfolio, Mauritius & Seychelles MCO SES Oversight and Quality Assurance:

  • Provide day to day support to unit team, quality assurance, troubleshooting and supervision to the unit team;
  • Facilitate the Unit meetings organization, document the deliberations as well as agreed action points and ensure the timely follow-up of their implementations programme;
  • Contribute to the M&E program and actions;
  • Promote gender equity/empowerment in programming opportunities;
  • Provide technical advice on biodiversity management & conservation, land degradation management, circular economy, marine conservation in relation the Natural Resource Management portfolio, to enhance coherence and synergies;
  • Conduct a quality review of early drafts of SESPs (or “pre-SESPs”) to ensure proper identification and categorization of risk;
  • Advise project design team and/or PMU on needed social and environmental assessments/management plans and safeguards expertise, including review of related ToRs. (e.g. ESIA, ESMP, ESMF, IPP, RAP, SEP, relevant ToRs, etc);
  • Confirm validity of any SESP exemptions;
  • Quality assure final SESPs prior to submission to PAC or Project Board (for Nature, Climate and Energy Vertical Fund projects, clearance will be prior to submission for Headquarters “Safeguards Clearance”);
  • Facilitate recruitment, onboarding, and oversight of safeguards consultants to the project management units hired to support SES execution in projects;
  • Quality assures draft and final SES documentation for projects (e.g. ESIA, ESMP, ESMF, IPP, RAP, SEP, relevant ToRs, etc.) to ensure they meet technical standards and requirements (for Nature, Climate and Energy Vertical Fund projects, clearance will be prior to submission for Headquarters “Safeguards Clearance”);
  • Advise project teams in responding to HQ/RBx SES oversight reviews and relevant audit/investigation/evaluation findings;
  • Identify risks for which additional technical support may be needed through the Global Policy Network, Regional Bureau, or external consultants (e.g. through ExpRess roster) and opportunities for projects to cost share needed expertise;
  • Undertake safeguards oversight missions, as needed and per projects’ M&E plans etc.;
  • Quality assures safeguards sections of progress reports and evaluations (e.g. donor reports, annual progress reports, GEF PIR/GCF APR, mid-term, and final evaluations) and contribute substantively where to line with the oversight function (e.g. in support of relevant Team Lead);
  • Track progress of high/substantial risk and other priority projects’ implementation of required SES elements (ESIA, GRM, stakeholder engagement, disclosure, FPIC, etc.);
  • Regularly scan available data on SES implementation across the portfolio to identify emerging risks or High/Substantial Risk projects that may require additional oversight and support;
  • Escalate issues to second layer oversight (RBx and BPPS Nature, Climate, Energy team, where relevant) and advise CO senior management on safeguard risks where needed.

4. SES Capacity Building to the Mauritius and Seychelles MCO:

  • Conduct a CO capacity assessment to identify baseline quality of SES documentation, capacity needs, priority risks, and opportunities;
  • Develop and coordinate implementation of an action plan to strengthen SES implementation across the portfolio, clarifying the oversight and quality assurance process, roles and responsibilities, and a learning plan;
  • Ensure CO SES action plan is aligned with and contributes to global/regional SES implementation plans;
  • Ensure regular SES capacity development, awareness raising, training and other learning opportunities for the CO team and implementing partners;
  • Ensure the Stakeholder Response Mechanism is established and operational at the CO level;
  • Ensure project-level grievance mechanisms are established within the project governance structure and that relevant safeguard risks are monitored by Project Boards;
  • Establish roster of national social and environmental safeguards consultants;
  • Advise senior management in their engagement with partners and stakeholders (including affected people, implementing partners, donors) on issues related to the SES;
  • Advise and support senior management on any SECU/SRM cases;
  • Prepare communication materials and products that can be used to communicate the SES and UNDP’s Accountability Mechanism with partners and project affected people;
  • Present on the SES and Accountability Mechanism at inception workshops and support on-boarding of project-level safeguards experts;
  • Assess national capacities/safeguards to identify key gaps between the SES with guidance on how these gaps should be approached across the portfolio, as well as entry points for capacity building and use of national systems;
  • Review national grievance redress mechanism (GRM) capacities/entry points related to the MCO portfolio.

5. SES Knowledge Management to the Mauritius and Seychelles MCO:

  • Engage and coordinate with SES experts in Headquarters (including second layer oversight provided by RBx and BPPS Nature, Climate, Energy team and SES policy owner, BPPS Effectiveness Group) and other regions to ensure consistency in policy interpretation and oversight;
  • Document lessons learned, including from cases where things went wrong as well as good models of SES implementation;
  • Track and share precedents that have implications for the entire portfolio to ensure an aligned and consistent approach (e.g. identification of indigenous peoples);
  • Share lessons learned across the portfolio and with regional, global teams to facilitate learning;
  • Maintain a library of project safeguards documents and examples that can be used as reference points;
  • Engage with MCO Gender Specialist and/or Gender Focal Team to document and share lessons learned and good practice related to gender-related risks, including analysis of national gender and social inclusion issues and how these can be addressed across the portfolio;
  • Coordinate exchange between project-level safeguards experts to facilitate shared learning, consistency across the portfolio, and identification of opportunities to cost-share or combine efforts on risks faced by multiple projects;
  • Engage in safeguards networks and partnerships, including with UNCT, to ensure learning and exchange on safeguards with partners and UNDP’s leadership role in this area;
  • Prepare an annual report on SES implementation in the office, capturing key lessons learned and recommendations for how to strengthen SES implementation moving forward;
  • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Programme Technical Specialist, Natural Resources Management, Social and Environmental Standards, will work under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Environment Unit. S/he will also work closely with the Climate Change Mitigation Regional Technical Advisor through the Team Leader of the Environment Unit in line with the VF oversight and accountability framework.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Result: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management

  • Partnership Management
    • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • 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;
    • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Entrepreneurial Thinking 
    • Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
  • System Thinking
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Partnership Management

  • Resource Management
    • Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

2030 Agenda Planet

  • Nature, Climate and Energy
    • Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management;
    • Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments and safeguards.

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Environmental or Social Studies, Natural Resource Management or other relevant areas is required. OR;
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

  • Minimum 5 years’ (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) experience in Natural Resource Management, Social and Environmental Safeguards is required.

Required Skills:

  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:

  • Experience in overseeing the implementation of Natural Resource Management projects/ programmes is highly desirable;
  • Experience in development projects with public institutions is an asset.

Language

  • Fluency in English (both written and oral), and Mauritian Creole is required;
  • Working knowledge of French (both written and oral) is desired.

Disclaimer

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.

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