About US:

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well-supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board.

About UNCDF:

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

Job Summary:  In carrying out his/her work, the Programme Officer will work closely with national and subnational governments and partners to ensure the good delivery of the action, the reporting, and the monitoring and evaluation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: As part of the LoCAL Team, working under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, the Programme Officer will contribute to the effective delivery of the Programme’s activities, covering all the expected results and tasks below;

• Ensure the effective implementation of LoCAL in target countries in close collaboration with the Programme Specialist, UNCDF national teams and the LoCAL Facility (global team);
• Contribute to the provision of technical assistance for LoCAL in target countries (e.g. writing terms of reference, letters of agreement, memorandum of understanding, official letters, support recruitment and management of consultants, etc);
• Contribute to quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting (e.g. preparation and monitoring of the annual work plans, organization and participation in field missions, contribution to the preparation of the quarterly and annual reports);
• Contribute to the organization of events, meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Collect intelligence on technical and financial partners, identify opportunities for collaboration with key stakeholders and support the development of partnerships for LoCAL in assigned countries.
• Facilitate the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing.
• Contribute to operations activities, including finance, planning, human resources, procurement, transport, IT, security, administration and ensure they follow UNCDF’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the knowledge and communication efforts of LoCAL based on lessons learned and results achieved from target countries (e.g. collecting stories from the field, photos/videos, webpage, as appropriate);
• Perform any other duties as it may be required.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNCDF/LoCAL team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNCDF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including by pursuing the following key results of the Project and related activity results:
• LoCAL in assigned countries is effectively, efficiently and transparently implemented in line with UNCDF project management regulations;
• Government partners at national and subnational levels and communities benefit from quality and timely provision of technical assistance and capacity building support;
• LoCAL in assigned countries is effectively and efficiently monitored, assessed and reported on;
• LoCAL experience in assigned countries is well documented, best practices identified and lessons learned and disseminated through various communication channels;
• LoCAL in assigned countries is strengthened as a result of in-country technical and financial partnerships.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant for the UN Volunteer job must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental science and management, climate science, geographic studies, political science, international development, economics, or a related field is required.
• At least three years of experience in progressively responsible positions in implementing and monitoring development projects on climate change and/or environmental conservation, preferably in the context of local development finance and fiscal decentralization.
• Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
• Work experience with local stakeholders, in particular local governments and local communities, and in addressing gender equality as project objective and/or cross-cutting issue in developing countries, is desirable;
• Work experience in programme development and management with demonstrated experience in writing project documents, resource mobilization, staff supervision and management;
• Strong awareness of key and emerging issues related to climate change/adaptation is highly desirable;
• Desirable knowledge of local public financial management and governance, including decentralization processes and instruments (e.g. performance-based grants, intergovernmental fiscal transfer systems, etc);
• Proven/demonstrable networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors (inter alia central and local governments; policy makers; development partners and donors, local communities, women and youth groups) with a view to building relations and facilitating links is highly desirable;
• Experience with a UN organization/agency is desirable but not a requirement.
• Experience with UNCDF/UNDP policies, rules and procedures is desirable, but not a requirement.
• Area(s) of expertise: Development programmes, Community development
• Age: 27 – 80 years
• Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: Deep knowledge and understanding of key concepts related to climate change and environment sustainability; Understanding of key concepts related to local government finance including decentralization and local economic development; Experience in policy, regulatory and technical advice and project management related to the fields of climate change and environment sustainability in relation to development; Relevant technical experience with policy and regulatory bodies and central and local governments; Work experience in developing countries; Experience with addressing gender equality as project objective and/or cross-cutting issue; Experience working with local communities, youth and women;
• Innovation and commitment to continuous learning: Builds confidence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; Takes on new approaches and fosters innovative thinking; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities and resolve problems; Excellent analytical skills;
• Client-orientation: Strong client orientation, recognizing the importance of providing appropriate, user-friendly and affordable services; Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and communicates with management to develop new projects or services; Comfortable advocating and advancing an agenda, including with high level counterparts and other stakeholders;
• Integrity: Conducts fair and transparent decision making; Demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNCDF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: Experience being part of teams, working with other stakeholders to achieve common goals; Experience managing consultants, including recruiting, hiring and managing and evaluating international and national expertise; Proven cross-cultural communication, able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment; Builds and promotes teams and partnerships; Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
• Planning and organizing: Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure; Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: Creates and promotes open communication; Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback; proven interpersonal skills; Excellent spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; Capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;