South Sudan: National Programme Officer

Apr 23, 2016 | UNEP
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Under the supervision of the UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan, the National Programme Officer to coordinate and manage all the GEF and non-GEF funded Projects and assist UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan, in the technical coordination; programme development and management; and resource mobilization of new UNEP projects. The National Programme Officer is expected to supports in the creation and implementation of a system for regular monitoring and timely completion of the on-going project activities of UNEP South Sudan Office; ensures the integration of gender perspectives and other cross-cutting themes in programming activities; supports the development of baseline analysis and prepares background documentation where necessary.

S/he also to facilitate the maintenance and development of relevant professional contacts and networks of cooperation with relevant government officials, policy makers, academia and the international communities working in South Sudan. The National Programme Officer assists the UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan in managing the UNEP South Sudan staff team, and substantively supports the UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan in UN planning processes such as UNDAF and strategic planning of the portfolio of existing projects, as well as in identifying new intervention areas, while ensuring consistency with relevant South Sudan national development priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Under the guidance of UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan, the National Programme Officer to work in close collaboration with other UNEP programme and operation staff and with Government officials, national and international consultants, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, GEF and civil society for the successful implementation of the UNEP South Sudan projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical support in project/programme formulation, implementation and monitoring processes and lead and coordinate activities as and when required, focusing on the following roles and responsibilities:

  • Day-to-day management and coordination of the GEF and other on-going or new projects under the guidance of the Country Programme Manager and Project Steering Committees (PSC);
  • Provide technical leadership and direct inputs as required in the preparation of work plans and budgets for GEF funded projects, and submit these to the relevant party including Project Steering Committee for necessary review and actions;
  • Ensure that project objective, outcomes, outputs and activities are implemented and achieved in a timely and appropriate manner;
  • Prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for consultants and experts, assist in hirinring of staff and consultants, overseeing consultants’ work and ensure their timely engagement and delivery of work;
  • Provide necessary guidance and technical support to consultants in performing their functions, and approve their deliverables in consultation with the UNEP Country Programme Manager and Project Steering Committee;
  • Organize and assist in facilitation of project related activities, where required. These may include planning for meetings, local and national workshops, consultations, field trips, and other project related activities;
  • Provide technical support on integrating sustainable development issues into the sectoral and national development frameworks;
  • Assist in determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNEP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
  • Research and review international environment conventions, national environmental policies and strategies, and guidelines as well as relevant UN and UNEP planning frameworks to identify strategic areas for UNEP support;
  • Provide support to government institutions and civil society on the implementation and reporting on obligations associated with the signed international environment conventions;
  • Develop and maintain a programme workplan and assist in monitoring staff compliance with and performance in relation to, work plans;
  • Assist in delivery of technical components of the UNEP programmes and projects, including review of the programme’s technical outputs;
  • Prepare and submit technical reports to the GEF Task Managers as and when required.

Prepare aggregate reports and ensures effective monitoring of project progress and finance focusing on achieving the following results;

  • Review on a regular basis GEF funded project details, timetables/schedules, deliverables and budget as stipulated in the AWP (evidence of progress towards expected outputs, according to the agreed schedules, within budget with the various EAs project team;
  • Manage and monitor the identified project risks and issues; submit new risks and issues to the relevant party and the project steering committee for consideration and decision if required;
  • Prepare and provide timely aggregate reports of GEF and non-GEF project status as required by the Project Steering Committee, GoSS, donors, GEF task managers, etc;
  • Keep regular monitoring of the progress of the projects and take corrective actions to ensure that the project is achieving expected results/outputs within the given timeframe and budget;
  • Maintain records of Project Steering Committee meetings, decisions, actions etc;
  • Assist UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan in managing non-technical aspects of the UNEP programme, including administration, finance, human resources, resource mobilization and donor relations;
  • Undertake field-level work relating to implementation of GEF and non-GEF projects as and when required;
  • Assist in recruitment of staff and supervise project personnel in conducting administrative and logistical functions and ensure timely and effective implementation of project activities. 

Establishes and maintains partnerships and supports the resource mobilization under the guidance of the UNEP South Sudan and HQ  focusing on achievement of the following results;

  • Establish and maintain good linkage with national and international organizations (Government counterparts, donor agencies, NGOs and communities) and programmes/projects and persons which/who can be of assistance to the achievement of the project objectives;
  • Coordinate with other national, regional, and international initiatives and programmes whose outcomes and outputs are relevant to UNEP projects particularly GEF project’s objectives;
  • Ensure appropriate stakeholders participation in the project formulation, implementation and coordinate the work of all stakeholders relevant to the projects;
  • Coordinate all project related work, be responsible for all project outcomes and deliverables, conduct quality control of all inputs from thematic groups and individual experts, liase with the focal persons in the different line ministries and partner within the key stakeholders;
  • Creation of partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFI’s), government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc;
  • Assist the UNEP Country Programme Manager South Sudan to respond to requests from the Resident Coordinator’s Office, Government and implementing partners, and international partners (FAO, UNDP, World Bank, etc.) as well as actively participating in the UN Programme and the Country Team;
  • Perform any other function and task as required or assigned by the UNEP Country Programme Manager.
Competencies

Functional Competencies:          

Technical Expertise / Job Knowledge

  • Understands advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

  • Provides information for linkages across project activities to help identify critical points of integration;
  • Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects implementation;
  • Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
  • Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

  • Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNEP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
  • Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
  • Promotes UNEP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
  • Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization

  • Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a  strategic approach;
  • Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
  • Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Leadership and Advocacy for UNEP’s Goals

  • Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
  • Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.
Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Master’s degree in natural resources management, environmental studies, water resources, forestry, biodiversity or any other related fields.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years working experiences in environment, natural resources management, energy and sustainable livelihoods with more than 3 years’ experience in direct programme/project management;
  • Knowledge and skills in project development, planning and formulation including proven records in Global Environment Facility (GEF) programme formulation and management;  
  • Knowledge and understanding of the relevant UN Convention, environmental issues in South Sudan, good leadership, coordination, communication, and facilitation skills are essential;
  • The candidate should demonstrate initiative, sound judgment and analytical skills. S/he will need to be results oriented and possess the ability to work as a team member with culturally diverse environment;
  • Initiative and ability to work under minimum supervision is an asset;
  • Understanding of international stakeholders and development partners in the field of environment;
  • Strong skills in monitoring and evaluation, and experience in implementing environmental projects;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants;
  • Be an effective negotiator with excellent oral and presentation skills;
  • Understanding of a wide range of recovery issues and the humanitarian and environmental linkage;
  • Field experience in crisis or post-conflict settings, in particular South Sudan, is considered an asset.

Language:

  • Fluency in English both writing and speaking;
  • Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.