Project Management Support - Specialist [Lumpsum]

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.

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

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. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the UNDP to implement the project activities for the Small Grants Programme.

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) supports activities of non-governmental and community-based organizations in developing countries to address climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants, and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate programme, SGP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF partnership and is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The Global Support Initiative for territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCA-GSI) is a multi-partnership initiative funded by the Government of Germany, through its Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (SGP). Key partners include United Nations Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP WCMC), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Global Programme on Protected Areas (IUCN GPAP), the ICCA Consortium and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The ICCA-GSI aims to expand the range and quality of diverse governance types of protected areas and enhance sustainable livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities through improved recognition, capacity building and empowerment, and on-the ground support to Indigenous Peoples and Community-Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs). For the period 2014-2021, these actions have contributed to achieving national and global level CBD Aichi 2020 Targets, particularly on Target 11 – increasing protected areas coverage, Target 14 – safeguarding essential ecosystem services, and Target-18 protection of traditional knowledge.

The ICCA-GSI creates a framework for systemic change through its three distinct but mutually reinforcing “Work Packages”. 

Work Package 1 (Local level): Direct support to community-based action and demonstration on sound ICCA stewardship for the purposes of ecosystem protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction.  

Work Package 2 (National level): Legal, policy and other forms of support for ICCA recognition and conservation, including governance assessments of protected areas and landscapes.  

Work Package 3 (Global/Regional levels): Networking, knowledge production and exchange between national CSO initiatives at regional and global levels.   

In October 2020, the ICCA-GSI COVID-19 Response Initiative was launched to support indigenous peoples and local communities to cope with and recover from the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative will also contribute to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). It is being implemented in 45 SGP countries across regions.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The ICCA-GSI piloted the ICCA Resilience and Security Tool or “ICCA Security Index” to assess the vitality, security, and socio-ecological resilience of IICAs and protected landscapes.   Under the ICCA-GSI COVID-19 Response Initiative, there are approximately 370 projects globally, and each ICCA-GSI project is required to apply the ICCA Resilience and Security Tool. 

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a report on the use of the ICCA Resilience and Security Tool in country programmes that have emblematic projects. This accounts to 42 out of the 45 participating countries.

Under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Obtain the reports for the ICCA Security Index for each project from 42 country programmes.
• Organize, review, and analyze the data of each component of the Security Index, including strengths and weaknesses associated with the socio-ecological resilience of the ICCAs as well as the factors threatening them.  This will form the basis for the quantitative data for the tool.
• Perform interviews and develop surveys to gather information on the use of the Security Index tool including experience, challenges, lessons learned, etc.  with 42 country programmes.  This will form the basis for the qualitative data for the tool.
• Develop a report on the quantitative and qualitative data
• Monitoring and Progress Controls

Expected deliverables:

1. Complete the review, analysis and data validation for ICCA Security Index.
2. Complete the quantitative data analysis report for the ICCA Security Index.
3. Complete surveys with 42 country programmes and interviews on relevant countries (approximately 50% of participating countries) on the implementation of the ICCA Security index.
4. Complete 1st draft of overall report. (Update quantitative report in Point 2 to reflect qualitative information from interviews/surveys)
5. Complete final report.

Payment Plan:

• 40% upon completion of deliverable 1 and 2 by May 30, 2024
• 30% upon completion of deliverable 3 and 4 by August 30, 2024
• 30% upon the completion of the final report (deliverable 5) by October 15, 2024

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) preferabaly in social sciences, environmental sciences, sustainable development and other related environmental fields required.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience with in-depth analysis of key outputs in the field of environment and socioeconomics, as well as report-writing, required. 
• Experience on work on protected and conserved areas, ICCAs and Indigenous Peoples is required.
• Experience in working on initiatives in relation to targets of the Convention of Biodiversity is required.
• Proficiency in tools for developing and analyzing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey) is required.
• Sound proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite programs required.
• Solid proficiency in using SharePoint web-based programs required.

• Experience working with NGOs, local communities, and other local level actors is an asset.

• Proficiency in English required.
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or French is highly desirable.

• Contract level: LICA 10 (ICS-10).

The total duration of the TE will be of 07 months approximately [April 2024 – October 2024]. 
The expected start date of the contract is 01 April 2024.

• 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 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.

Small Grants Cluster

UNOPS executes the UNDP-implemented Small Grants Programme though the Small Grants Cluster. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.