Project Associate (On-site for Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
Job Description
Office/Unit/Project Description:
UNDP Honduras facilitates access to policy, financial, and program advice to create bold, innovative solutions that accelerate national efforts to address complex development challenges. It employs an integrative approach, actively engaging and forging partnerships with diverse stakeholders committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and the well-being of the country. UNDP is present in approximately 170 countries and territories, offering a global perspective and local knowledge. UNDP’s comparative advantage in project implementation lies in ensuring rapid, effective, and transparent budget execution (national funds, loans and grants, etc.), with efficient use of resources, while developing and strengthening the capacity of government institutions. UNDP has a proven capacity for results-based management and knowledge transfer, with world-class expertise.
Through its programs, UNDP in Honduras works to promote citizen participation and the enjoyment of the right to development, focusing on essential pillars for strengthening the rule of law. In this regard, its work in the area of democratic governance focuses on supporting reforms, mechanisms, and oversight mechanisms that promote representativeness and citizen participation. It promotes improvements in the exercise of human rights, focusing on the right to development and the rights of women, Indigenous peoples, and Afro-Hondurans, and strengthening transparency and effectiveness in the provision of public services. It also implements, among others, projects in support of and, at the request of the Government of Honduras, in response to the crisis generated by the COVID-19 emergency and the country’s structural challenges. It also implements projects through support programs for the most vulnerable populations living in poverty and unemployment, including through sectoral support programs: human resource capacity development processes and equipment and infrastructure to strengthen the health system; for the economic and social recovery of the country, strengthening institutional capacity to promote job creation and opportunities, and providing targeted support to SMEs.
In the area of sustainable development and resilience, UNDP focuses on promoting sustainable practices to create and diversify livelihoods; providing access to environmentally friendly value chains and markets based on productive landscapes; contributing to the integration of young people and women into sustainable labor markets and entrepreneurship; and improving risk management and climate change adaptation capacities. Similarly, within the area of sustainable development and resilience, issues related to poverty and social development are addressed.
The Sustainable Development and Resilience Unit is implementing a portfolio of projects in natural resources, biodiversity, climate change, and risk management supported by donors and UNDP funds, and implemented with national and local counterparts, including government institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries.
CBD Parties are currently being mobilized to take early action on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), focusing on four components: national biodiversity planning and alignment, policy frameworks, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and biodiversity finance. These components, among others that may emerge, aim to ensure that CBD Parties have the technical and financial support they need to work towards a robust and fully resourced NBSAP, including a robust monitoring system, that is fully aligned with the GBF.
The Technical Associate will provide support services as a technical specialist to support coordination with DIBIO/SERNA and UNDP for the implementation of Biodiversity projects in Honduras. This project supports developing, middle-income, and small island nations in their commitments to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), including early action on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reports, and Implementation Plans.
Scope of Work
Responsibilities include technical support for:
1. Support the technical implementation of SERNA/UNDP Biodiversity projects
. · Support the implementation of the work and procurement plan and, in conjunction with the technical counterparts of UNDP and DIBIO/SERNA, support the execution of both instruments.
· Collect, analyze, and systematize information to support the production of technical reports for monitoring project implementation, under the supervision of DIBIO/SERNA.
· Coordinate the execution of workshops, meetings, and working tours required by the project and prepare the respective reports.
· Systematize project documents and keep official files up to date (work plans, meeting minutes, consultancy reports, progress and final reports, press releases, etc.).
· Develop and document best practices and lessons learned from the project.
2. Assist DIBIO/SERNA in the review of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in alignment with the goals of the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and other National Implementation Plans and Reports.
Produce reports on the progress of updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Implementation Plans, and National Reports.
Monitor national progress on updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and the seventh report.
3. Liaise with project partners in close coordination with DIBIO/SERNA and UNDP, necessary for the implementation of project activities
4. Conduct tours, meetings, and other activities to implement the action plan and to provide technical follow-up and qualitative monitoring of the project’s planned outputs and goals.
5. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional agreement
The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the UNDP Program Specialist, Sustainable Development and Resilience Unit, and in close coordination with the Biodiversity Directorate (DIBIO) of the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA). Full-time, dedicated work is required, and the candidate will be based in the DIBIO/SERNA offices.
Skills
Achieving Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and supervises own work, pays attention to detail and delivers quality work on time
Innovative Thinking:
LEVEL 1: Is open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic in problem solving, makes improvements
Continuous Learning:
LEVEL 1: Open and curious mind, share knowledge, learn from mistakes, ask for feedback
Adapt with agility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with determination:
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, is able to act calmly in the face of adversity, has self-confidence
Engaging and Partnering:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding toward others, establishes positive relationships
Allowing Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of unconscious biases, confronts discrimination
Multifunctional and technical skills
Agenda 2030: Planet – Nature:
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity Program: Integrating Biodiversity
Agenda 2030: People – Nature:
• Ecosystems and biodiversity: changing policies and practices
Partnership Management – New Alliances:
• Ability to collaborate with new partners, develop and manage a strategy, and create approaches for the development and management of such strategic alliances.
Data – Data Analysis:
• Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data to obtain valuable information and contribute to effective institutional decision-making.
Institutional Development – Knowledge Generation:
• Ability to search for information and convert it into useful knowledge, relevant to the context or responding to a given need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations and develop new concepts to generate viable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that may be useful in addressing new situations.
Institutional Management – Project Management:
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific objectives.
Institutional Management – Communication:
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately, both in writing and verbally; personalize messages and select communication methods based on the audience.
• Ability to manage internal and external communications through the media, social networks, and other appropriate channels.
Minimum requirements for the NPSA
Minimum education requirements
• Complete secondary school is required.
• A university degree (bachelor’s or engineering level) in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Agronomy, Forestry Engineering, or related fields will be favorably considered, but is not a requirement.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
• Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with a University Degree) of professional experience in updating and/or implementing Action Plans and Strategies, Biodiversity, National Reports and/or Natural Resource Management, and/or in closely related thematic areas.
Required Skills
• Demonstrate capacity for inter-institutional coordination and work synergies with multiple stakeholders at the local and national levels.
• Ability to work results-oriented.
• Demonstrate capacity for inter-institutional coordination and work synergies with multiple stakeholders at the local and national levels.
• Appropriate leadership, management, and communication skills with national counterparts, national and international consultants, UNDP staff, other United Nations system agencies, and international cooperation agencies.
• Demonstrate personal integrity based on practical values such as honesty, respect, and personal and professional ethics.
• Demonstrate high sensitivity and adaptability without personal bias regarding intercultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age issues, being able to demonstrate in practice a high level of respect for diversity.
Desired Skills
•
• Experience leading and/or facilitating consultative and coordination processes between national and local stakeholders at different educational levels.
• Analytical and methodological skills to organize ideas, texts, presentations, and write technical documents and reports in Spanish.
• Oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on writing technical project documents.
• Previous experience working in international organizations.
• Experience compiling data and information in the field of natural resources and/or communities for diagnostics, research, or similar purposes.
- Teamwork
Required Language(s)
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of English: Intermediate level
Professional Certificates
• N/A
Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures in which we operate and, as such, we invite all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for different roles within our organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the position, without discrimination of any kind.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all staff are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, thrive, and benefit from open career opportunities.
Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse of Authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, or abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates undergo thorough vetting and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates.
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates who apply for this position for other similar positions within UNDP at the same level and with similar job descriptions, experience requirements, and academic qualifications.