Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | Istanbul
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Environment
Water Resource Management
Natural Resource Management
Closing Date: 2024-06-25
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS (RBEC) is UNDP’s advisory hub for the Europe and CIS region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP´s development activities in the region. Throughout UNDP´s focus areas, it works towards increasing the impact of UNDP´s activities in the region by assisting Country Offices in development of country-level initiatives and by implementing regional-level projects in partnership with a wide range of partners supported to a global network of expertise. Under the leadership of the Manager, the IRH employs a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and advisors, project managers, operations and programme support staff.
Water and Ocean Governance has emerged and remains to be important area of UNDP work in the RBEC region over the recent years. The water team in the IRH has promoted the development of a portfolio of projects and activities with a growing array of knowledge management activities.
The Water Programme Specialist under the overall supervision of the Regional Team Leader and substantial guidance of the Regional Technical Advisor for Water & Ocean Governance Programme (RTA IW) will be responsible for a set of tasks, that will include analytical and programmatic work to ensure proper management, monitoring and reporting, communication and visibility of the regional International Waters projects. On-demand research, as well as assistance on knowledge and advisory service delivery to key clients (foremost Country Offices) will complement his/her work.
He/she will work in close collaboration with various teams of IRH (COST, QA, Operations, etc.), as well as other COs. In addition, the Specialist will cooperate with programme staff in other UN Agencies and non-UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, project partners, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Regional Technical Advisor for Water & Ocean Governance Programme and in the close coordination with other Project Managers, the Water Programme Specialist’s key functions include:
Strategy Implementation:
Support the Regional Technical Advisor for International Waters (RTA IW) on development, implementation and coordination of activities related to International Waters programmes, monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, support to timely readjustments in portfolio.
Carry out a set of tasks, which will include analytical and programmatic work to ensure proper programme management, monitoring and reporting, communication and visibility.
Oversee implementation of regional project activities and provides guidance to project teams (in matrix with Regional Programme Manager); and ensure effective application of RBM tools and alignment with UNDP POPPs.
Ensure planning and achievement of projects milestones are fulfilled in line with IRH established standard operating procedures and corporate policies and procedures.
Regional Project Portfolio Management and Implementation:
Implementation of Regional DIM Projects EU4EMBLAS and Caspian Marine Litter – manage project planning, reporting, monitoring, lead preparation of TORs, recruitment, calls for proposals and contractual arrangements, consultancy work oversight, project evaluation and closure (75%-time allocation under this function);
Providing oversight function for implementation of regional GEF funded projects, including assistance with initiation of new GEF funded projects – support preparation of documents for PPG phase, ProDoc, LPAC; as well as including communication and coordination with Implementing Partners / Executing Agencies – project teams (25%-time allocation under this function).
Carry out tasks related to project initiation, presentation of the project to Local Project Appraisal Committee, set-up of projects in Quantum, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; maintain functional budgets of projects, coordinate the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review.
Ensure effective application of RBM tools, including Quantum and PIMS+ establishment of project management targets and monitoring of progress, results and emerging issues and ensure that the Regional Technical Advisor for IW is adequately informed about the status of the portfolio, and is alerted upon.
Create, support or lead the drafting of high-quality (financial and substantive) reports, as requested both for internal and external reporting purposes – specific donor reports.
Communicate with other UNDP Country Offices to ensure efficiency and coordination in the implementation of project activities.
Assist with organizing of the major events within water governance portfolio as needed (IWC, trainings, workshops, steering committee meetings, etc.), prepare and conduct project supervision and other missions, as requested.
Support audits and EU donor verification missions to projects and HACT framework implementation.
Other relevant tasks and assignments, as emerging and requested.
Policy partnerships and resource mobilization:
Contribute to preparation and implementation of partnerships and resources mobilization strategies in support of regional and country level activities, in close cooperation with project partners.
Analysis and research of information on project partners, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for IW projects sustainability through new initiatives, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Specifically assist in development of proposal for follow-up EU funded initiatives in the Black Sea Region (following the EU4EMBLAS extension).
Knowledge building and management:
Assist in knowledge management activities, including targeted research, codification of knowledge and experience on various platforms (IW: LEARN community space, Black Sea project websites, etc.).
Contribute actively to other UNDP´s knowledge networks and modalities in the area of work, including assistance in developing briefing papers, talking points or other in-house knowledge products and services.
Institutional Arrangement
The Water Programme Specialist will work under the direct supervision of NCE Regional Team Leader (RTL), report thematically to RTA for International Waters, closely cooperate Senior Technical Advisor for Oceans and IRH COST and Operations.
Competencies
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:
Project Management:
Ability to plan, organise, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Portfolio Management:
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Monitoring:
Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Communication:
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.
Relationship management:
Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships
Systems Thinking:
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
Knowledge Generation:
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in environmental science, water management, transboundary water cooperation, environmental management or relevant field;
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, water management, transboundary water cooperation, environmental management or relevant field with additional 2 years of experience can be given in lieu of Master`s degree
Experience:
Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of working experience in the area of International Waters Projects management & implementation, in the context of international development or UN, with in-depth knowledge in relevant areas as an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of Russian is an asset.
Required Skills:
Experience with development and implementation EU funded projects, GEF projects; including narrative and financial reporting.
Knowledge of UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, specifically on Programme & Project Management, and Procurement.
Knowledge of Quantum management system and GEF PIMS.
Desired Skills:
Experience working on projects submitted to or funded by the Global Environment Facility is highly desirable.
Experience with working with other international organization is an advantage.
Experience with other (on-line) knowledge management tools and approaches is an asset.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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