Programme Management Specialist

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York- based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The  Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together four different initiatives -- the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature, and the Nature for Life Hub under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature-based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP's Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses, and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives.
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice.
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
• Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Support, National Reporting, and Capacity Building. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is a cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including work through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab, created in partnership with UN Environment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Nature for Life Hub is a venue for multiple events featuring champions, mobilizers, leaders and speakers who inspire and engage global audiences. The Hub presents an opportunity to hear from political and corporate leaders, the world’s youth, indigenous and community leaders, local authorities and cutting-edge thinkers, leaders and practitioners, who delve deep into specialist topics, practical solutions and ambitious actions to tackle the multi-faceted climate crisis.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, Nature for Life Hub, and the National Biodiversity Initiative. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community- based initiatives.180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through blogs, case studies, and story maps.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This program connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, Nature for Life Hub and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, Learning for Nature seeks synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self-paced e-learning modules, and private training courses.

For further information please go to

: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, www.unbiodiversitylab.org; https://www.learningfornature.org/en/nature-for-life-hub/.

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The Nature for Development Program is seeking the support of a Programme Specialist to facilitate the delivery of programme activities with a focus on projects that support countries in applying spatial data analysis to design nature-based public policies that can be aligned with the “Biodiversity Plan,” The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Working in collaboration with UN agencies and grant bodies such as the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the CBD Secretariat, and the GEF Secretariat, among others, the projects to be supported are part of the ELSA+ portfolio within the Nature for Development Program. The ELSA+ portfolio leverages and builds on the results of the ‘Mapping Nature for People and Planet‘ initiative, which developed a participatory country-driven methodology to identify areas to protect, restore, and sustainably manage (also designed as ‘ELSA map’ project) based on spatial planning science, national policy priorities, and global and national geospatial data layers.

This role comprises managing the project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, leading effective communications/engagement with partners, stakeholders, and government representatives to achieve the project goals.

The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

Project management and implementation:

• Lead the preparation and implementation of work plans and monitoring frameworks for the ELSA+ project portfolio in compliance with UNOPS and donors policies and procedures.
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination between the Nature for Development Programme and partners including donors, country offices and government representatives, as well as other units/teams across the organization to ensure implementation of activities are on track and in line with project documents and plans. 
• Develop planning documents, including project documents, concept notes and related documents to support and guide implementation.

Monitoring and Reporting: 

• Lead monitoring of activities to measure progress made against expected results.
• Oversee the monitoring of progress against agreed results frameworks and performance indicators.
• Gather information and prepare reports on progress of project implementation for internal needs and donors.
• Coordinate timely and quality reporting, including donor reporting.
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the project and contribute to their global dissemination.

Technical Component:

• Develop technical guidance documents, tools, and training biodiversity and policy.
• Develop reports and policy recommendations related to the targets in the emerging post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
• Conduct literature reviews, knowledge management sessions, compilation of information, and gathering of data on topics pertinent to the projects.
• Develop capacity building material, such as webinars, online courses, identifying relevant topics, dates and speakers for webinars and online courses

The consultant will report to the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, sustainable development, engineering, environmental management/sciences, law, science, social/political science, business, management, and/or other relevant fields is required.
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree

• A minimum of five (5) years of working experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual or practical level is required: Environment, nature, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change; human/civil/indigenous/women’s rights; social entrepreneurship/impact investing; local economic development; civil society engagement and education or programme management.

• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills is required.
• Fluency and excellent writing ability in other UN languages is desirable.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-2) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-10)

Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA-2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation ( candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

*Contract duration: The contract for this position is set for a duration until  31 January 2025 (renewable subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.