Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: Mid level – IPSA-11, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2024-06-26
Background
Office/Unit/Project Description
As part of achieving the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy’s goals for the forest sector, targets set in the NFSDP and REDD+ Implementation Plan, a Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) has been established. The FSTU is established to: Build and scale-up a pipeline of bankable, transformational, high-value and innovative forestry programs/projects; Support the implementation of initiatives through targeted, hands-on support to achieve large-scale success, maintain momentum and generate buy-in; Provide evidence-based policy analysis and recommendations to the Commission, partners and stakeholders.
The Technical Specialist is expected to work mainly with the Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) and with the REDD+ Investment Programme Team in general. The incumbent will primarily focus on driving the development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization and will focus mainly on private sector engagement in the forestry sector.
The Technical Specialist needs to be strong in program/project proposal development, strategy formulation and solving technical problems. The Advisor will provide support in designing and implementing programs; including innovations, introduction of best practices (incubation of new project ideas) and developing partnerships with the private sector and civil society. An important element of the role is to transfer knowledge and skills to the FSTU and other RIP staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
2. Scope of Work
Support forest sector resource mobilization:
Develop project concept notes and write proposals;
Identify international financing mechanisms for the forest sector;
Mobilize funds from development partners and the private sector;
Build a portfolio of new private-sector and civil-society partnerships.
Provide technical advice:
Ensure technical linkage with other initiatives related to forestry for consistent and coordinated REDD+ Investment Programme (RIP) implementation;
Identify forest management and restoration approaches, draw lessons learnt and share information and knowledge with members of the FSTU team;
Contribute to the development of tools, methods and approaches for the implementation of RIP;
Provide technical programming, implementation and monitoring support for the forest sector;
Provide technical guidance and direction delivery and business development team leaders in the FSTU to help them provide technical and implementation support to regional project offices.
Strtegic support for the functions of the FSTU:
Provide advice on piloting and scaling-up successful forestry practices implemented by the private-sector and civil-society organizations;
Challenge and motivate teams to create truly aspirational targets and provide the required support needed to achieve results;
Advise on the development of programmatic strategy and models;
Develop program management guidelines;
Operational support for the functions of the FSTU
Work closely with the forest sector to facilitate collaboration in implementing RIP and complementarity in the design and implementation of national programmes, aligned to regional and international initiatives;
Ensure the development of annual work plan, budget and implementation of activities according to the approved plan;
Elaborates annual work plans and ensure their social, economic and ecological validation
Provide technical support during assessments, studies and backstop forestry projects as required.
Knowledge Management and communication
Compile the experience of other countries in forest sector transformation and adopt to the context in Ethiopia;
Coach, mentor the selected staff of the Commission to transfer knowledge and skills
Support the production of communication and Knoweldege products relevant for forest sector transformation in the country
3. Institutional Arrangement
The Technical Specialist is expected to work mainly with the Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) and with the REDD+ Investment Programme Team in general. The incumbent will primarily focus on driving the development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization and will focus mainly on private sector engagement in the forestry sector.
The Technical Specialist needs to be strong in program/project proposal development, strategy formulation and solving technical problems. The Advisor will provide support in designing and implementing programs; including innovations, introduction of best practices (incubation of new project ideas) and developing partnerships with the private sector and civil society. An important element of the role is to transfer knowledge and skills to the FSTU and other RIP staff. The Technical Advisor shall teport to the Drector of Forest Sector Transformation Unit.
Competencies
4. Core Competencies
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:
LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management
Project Management
Definition: ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnerships Management
Definition: 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
Results Based Management
Definition: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Risk Management
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactivvely managing risks
Business Direction & Strategy
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Ability to create clarity around UNDP’s value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
System Thinking
Definition: ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Digital & Innovation
Data storytelling and communications
Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the message.
Required Skills and Experience
5. Minimum Qualifications of the successful IPSA
Min. Education requirements
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in forestry
Min. years of relevant work experience
Minimum of 7 years (With Master’s degree) and 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in managing complex forestry and/or natural resource projects and familiarity with the private sector
Required skills
Comprehensive computer knowledge
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Sound technical and business development knowledge and experience.
Project delivery, management, and risk mitigation experience
Proven track record in designing and managing forestry projects. Experience in climate change and/or development programs will be an advantage;
Proven track record in scaling up sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices among small scale farmers for improved livelihood and food security resilient to climate change
Prior experience in the management of projects funded by development partners.
Required Language(s)
English (fluency in writing and speaking)