- Country: Rabat, Morocco
- No of vacancies: N/A
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNDP
- Gender: Both
- Deadline: 2024-01-17
UNCDF is seeking the services of a Project Adviser to provide dedicated support and oversight for the implementation of the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) Food Security Accelerator. Such support will at a high-level entail preparation of a draft implementation plan of action, consultations on the set up of the accelerator’s Steering Committee as well as the operationalization of the strategic and technical processes required to successfully deliver on UNCDF’s mandate as the accelerator’s Investment Agent.
Specifically, the scope of the work will cover three components:
1. Launch and coordinate the implementation of the AAI Food Security Accelerator:-
- Oversee successful launch of accelerator;
- Coordinate activities of Steering Committee, including agenda and meeting preparation materials;
- Produce accelerator project workplan for adoption by Steering Committee;
- Create Steering Committee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as applicable;
- Oversee and input to the accelerator investment plan and eligibility criteria;
- Aid in the vetting and selection of investment funds/fund managers, as applicable;
- Help identify, support and nurture high quality pipeline for the accelerator;
- Determine and communicate operational needs of accelerator (back-office support etc.);
- Ensure proper governance of accelerator through Steering Committee and otherwise;
- Manage monitoring and reporting (UNCDF internal reporting and to donors e.g., US);
- Spearhead communication and strategic engagements with ecosystem actors and support the creation of targeted communications materials;
- Develop donor and investor management/engagement strategy;
- Monitor and flag accelerator implementation risks and recommend mitigating actions as appropriate.
2. Oversee relationship with Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) in AAI’s role as the Programme Lead, maintaining close collaboration with AAI as it executes on its mandate to:-
- Identify gaps and challenges and provide expertise as to how to address the barriers in the implementation of adaptation action and addressing loss and damage;
- Increase collaboration and cooperation amongst African countries, accredited entities and other stakeholders to access support;
- Facilitate the scaling up and/or replicating of good practices;
- Support on-going resource mobilisation and advocacy efforts;
- Identify, engage, and increase South-South cooperation to replicate projects across the continent.
3. Oversee relationship with the responsible party partner SSA ensuring the execution of the following:-
- Conduct market research, outlining Accelerator strategy in a clearly defined investment plan;
- Set criteria and conditions to systematically identify, assess and promote eligible projects;
- Research and scoping for food systems solutions with adaptation and resilience direct and/or co-benefits;
- Map and liaise with key stakeholders and institutions;
- Develop framework for the management of E&S risks and impacts;
- Design and implement a Landscape Protection Plan (LPP);
- Develop a clear gender strategy;
- Develop and implement overarching investment thesis for African investment funds;
- Provide technical assistance and impact monitoring in line with adaptation indicators.
With the above-mentioned scope of work, the PSA holder will have the following additional responsibilities.
A. Coordination of Accelerator & Steering Committee support
- Develop and manage overall accelerator project workplan for presentation to the Steering Committee.
- Create Steering Committee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including meeting procedures, composition, nomination rules, voting rules, conflict of interest disclosure policy, etc. for consideration by Steering Committee.
- Prepare or support preparation of communication decisions to the concerned implementers/stakeholders in close cooperation with the Technical Partner.
B. Programme operations support
- Conduct or support requests for applications to aid in the identification, vetting and ultimate selection of investment funds and businesses by Steering Committee.
- Support the assessment of programme budget and continuously expand and improve financial evaluation criteria.
- Coordinate with the SSA to ensure effective and timely delivery of activities.
C. Reporting
- Support the production of the consolidated semi-annual reports comprising impact assessments, reports, and lessons learned.
D. Strategic engagement & partnership management
- Spearhead communication and strategic engagements with ecosystem actors to promote accelerator.
LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-functional and Technical Competencies:
Business Management: Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management: Partnerships Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management: Communications
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Management: Operations Management
- Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
- Knowledge of relevant concepts & mechanisms.
External Relations & Advocacy: Event planning and execution
- Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support & amplify individual communications & advocacy initiatives, as well as UNCDF’s overall brand & mandate.
External Relations & Advocacy: Strategic engagement
- Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
- An advanced university degree (Masters’) in International Relations, Management, Economics, Finance, Environmental Science, Political Science or similar is required. First level University Degree with 2 years of additional experiences.
- 10 (ten) years of experience (12 years with first level University Degree) in management, programme management, development finance or social impact.
Required experiences and skills:
- Experience in programme management, project implementation, and/or programme supervision is required.
- Experience in coordinating and implementing programmes or investment vehicles is required.
- Ability/experience to analyze and formulate fund-related policies, procedures, and processes is required.
Desired experiences and skills:
- Portfolio management experience in food security and adaptation related areas is preferred. Experience across climate, biodiversity, food security and adaptation is a plus.
- Demonstrable deal/transaction experience is preferred.
- Investment modelling (credit risk analysis, valuation, VaR etc.) is preferred.
- Solid understanding of UN entities is a plus.
Language Requirements
- Strong written and spoken English languages skills.
- Proficiency in an additional UN language is an asset, particularly French.
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