Technical Senior Officer - Environmental

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS in Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability and accountability of Projects. Key projects in Sri Lanka include the Technical Project Management support for the Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strengthening Project in Matara District, Sri Lanka funded by KOICA.

UNOPS Sri Lanka also facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund

Project Information:  UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called  SACEP ( South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the WB-funded PLEASE Project in South Asia. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the Plastic free Rivers & Seas for South Asia Project (PLEASE). In Particular, UNOPS is expected to assist the PIU in implementing RBG (Regional Competitive Block Grant) under Component 1 of PLEASE. 

Under the overall Supervision of the UNOPS International Project Manager. The Incumbent will support the SACEP PIU and provide Technical Assistance in Implementation of the Component 1 of PLEASE Project, especially in activities listed below.

1. Technical Advice during Project implementation 

• Work closely with SACEP and PIU and provide technical inputs to ensure quality of call for proposals; 

• Provide substantive support and technical inputs to SACEP and PIU during shortlisting (including: technical evaluation, feasibility evaluation, assessment of ToC, underlying assumptions, extended outcomes, capacity of Grantees to deliver);

• Provide quality technical  inputs to necessary documentation related to shortlisted proposals for SACEPS PIU/’s submission to respective RBG Selection Committees;

• Provide technical advice and inputs to SACEP and PIU during elaboration of full proposals;

• Provide support and make recommendations to SACEP and PIU in evaluating proposals and making recommendations to internal Governance structures of SACEP;

• Support SACEP and PIU in reviewing Grantees narrative reports; 

• Provide technical inputs to other narrative reports and submitting to SACEP and PIU periodically;

• Provide support  make recommendations to SACEP and PIU during the entire process of grant implementation;

• Provide support  during Project periodic evaluations and assessment;

• Support SACEP and PIU in periodic field visits. 

1. Knowledge Management 

• Review the local regulatory requirements as well requirements emerging from and/or donor agency safeguards frameworks and policies

• Support SACEP and PIU in harnessing latest available knowledge on addressing plastic pollution 

• Provide support to PIU and SACEP on periodic review and update of the Project Operational Manual and to reflect best practices;

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

• Identify project environmental impacts and risks

      3. General 

• Working in close collaboration with PIU/ SACEP teams and build collaborative team spirit;

• Support the International Project Manager and SACEP/ PIU to respond to relevant queries; extract and analyze information accordingly;

• Prepare inputs such as talking points, slide decks, blog entries and other type of informational/operational demands in coordination with other team members;

• Contribute to identifying Risk, Lessons Learned and Issues;

• Perform other responsibilities as may from time to time be requested by the International Project Manager.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably such as Environmental Science, Natural Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability or Environmental Management is required.
• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may substitute for the requirement for a Master’s degree.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
This is a local position, as such it is open only to nationals of Sri Lanka or candidates with a valid work permit.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful
implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects
around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve
peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management,
financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging
environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused
professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on
behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of
nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a
strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We
continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that
encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and
personal demands.