Programme Management Specialist [Nature-based solutions coordinator]

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives – the Equator Initiative, the New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform, and the National Biodiversity Initiative 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 Global Programme on Nature for Development includes: a) the Equator Initiative, which showcases best practices in indigenous and local community nature-based development, the Learning for Nature platform; b) the NBSAP Forum, a forum for the community of practice that works on global and national biodiversity issues; c) the New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform – a partnership to accelerate progress on the 10 NYDF goals; and d) the UN Biodiversity Lab, a platform to accelerate use of global spatial data in biodiversity planning.

For further information please go to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.unbiodiversitylab.org, www.learningfornature.org, and www.nydfglobalplatform.org.

In addition, the Government of Sweden, through Sida, has agreed to fund a four-year, USD$40m global Strategic Collaboration Programme designed to strengthen UNDP capacities to achieve its overall SD vision for poverty eradication through a more integrated, coherent approach to the environmental and climate dimensions of the UNDP Strategic Plan. Sida funds will be used to finance country programming in ways that leverage synergies across UNDP work on biodiversity, water and oceans, climate change, and energy, as well as cross-cutting themes of gender equality, safeguards, sustainable food systems, resilience, DRR, and green financing.

In line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the objectives of the Sida Strategic Collaboration Programme, and the Global Programme on Nature for Development, the role of the Coordinator will be to ensure collaboration and effective communication and action across various lines of work related to nature-based solutions and events.

UNOPS, on behalf of UNDP, and through the Global Nature for Development Project, is seeking an Nature-Based Solutions Coordinator to engage with international stakeholders on biodiversity-related policies, and to provide internal coordination support to UNDP to coordinate efforts across various teams.

This role focuses on executing a plan for advocacy, outreach, communications and network and relationship-building to ensure that UNDP’s engagement with key international partners is timely and effective, and on providing internal coordination within UNDP in order to ensure that there is clear progress in supporting international biodiversity policy efforts. This role also focuses on liaising internally with UNDP country offices to ensure alignment of efforts on biodiversity.

The Programme Management Specialist [Nature-based solutions coordinator] will provide strategic support for ensuring attainment of objectives and targets for UNDP’s nature work stream, and to ensure that the Super Year 2020 will be effectively used towards causing necessary systemic changes that are necessary to halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

• Support internal and external coordination and collaboration for the Super Year 2020 in order to ensure effective contribution of UNDP during the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework development process;
• Ensure synergy and joint approach between the biodiversity and climate workstreams of UNDP;
• Identify key stakeholders in the international biodiversity arena, and develop and execute a stakeholder engagement strategies for establishing effective partnerships;
• Follow deliberations and work of the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) to inform and advance UNDP’s work, advocating for integrated solutions for the Rio Conventions;
• Support development of UNDP policy responses as appropriate to engage with various stakeholders at key international events;
• Develop and implement an engagement strategy, in consultation with UNDP stakeholders, for key international events, including events related to the Convention on Biological Diversity, to periodic UN events such as the UN Oceans Summit and the UN Biodiversity Summit;
• Support engagement strategy, in consultation with UNDP stakeholders, engagement of key stakeholders at UNDP-led events;
• Provide support to fund-raising for engagement at key events and support proposal and report writing for various donors as appropriate.
• Support the production of visual and audio communications to spotlight key events, nature-based solutions and related matters.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development, in close association and with inputs from the Head of Biodiversity within UNDP, and who operationally will function as co-manager.

Education

• Master’s degree in international relations, sustainable development, environmental management/sciences, social/political science, business administration and management, and/or other relevant field is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of working experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual and/or practical level is required: community-based natural resource management and local sustainable development; indigenous peoples rights; biodiversity/climate change/environmental protection;
• Prior experience supporting international events, communications and/or local development is considered a strong asset;
• Experience in  engagement with environmental processes and mechanisms, including but not limited to the CBD, UNFCCC, Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, the Small Grants Programme, etc is highly desired;
• Experience supporting management of UN or UNDP project would be an important asset
• Experience in Project Development and/or proposal writing would be an important asset.

Language

• Fluency and excellent writing ability in English is required.
• Fluency and excellent writing ability in French and/or Spanish is required.
• Fluency and excellent writing ability in additional languages is considered a strong asset.

Contract type: International Contractual Agreement (IICA)  

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

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 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 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

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

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of 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.