Project Specialist

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

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 is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

UNDP The Gambia is supporting the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; which is a global treaty adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CoP) on 22^nd May 2001 in Stockholm – Sweden, to ‘protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods and become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health and on the environment’. 

Given that the Republic of The Gambia is party to the Stockholm Convention and is therefore obligated to among other things, ensure the prohibition and /or elimination of the production and use of intentionally produced POPs; also ensure the reduction or elimination of releases from unintentionally produced POPs; whilst ensuring the environmentally sound management of stockpiles and wastes consisting of, containing, or contaminated with POPs.

To this end, UNDP The Gambia acquired funds from the French Facility for the Global Environment (FFEM) to implement the project entitled: “Strengthening national and municipal capacities for the sound management of PCBs and uPOPs in The Gambia” to facilitate improvement in the management of PCBs and Municipal Solid waste in The Gambia. Broadly, the project is expected to achieve the following results:

• Ensure the decommissioning and environmentally sound disposal of PCB waste; and
• Take measures to reduce emissions and releases of unintentionally produced POPs (uPOPs) from the uncontrolled open burning of waste.

The project will be implemented through four components: Component 1: Strengthening of legal frameworks and administrative processes for the sound management of PCBs and the reduction of uPOP releases; Component 2: Environmentally Sound Management of PCBs and PCB Contaminated Sites; Component 3: Minimize uPOP releases from open burning of waste; Component 4: Information and awareness raising, monitoring and evaluation, learning and evolving.

Summary of key function

1. Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective project planning and implementation:

• Lead strategic planning for the project as well as formulation and periodic revisions of the project’s annual work plan (AWP), including plans for budget, HR and procurement that are developed in close coordination with UNDP’s Country Office Programme, HR, and Procurement teams. Lead development of detailed implementation plans; 
• Manage, coordinate, and supervise project implementation to ensure the overall project relevance and performance, the effective realization and quality of outputs within the specified constraints of time and cost as outlined in the project document, and adherence to applicable UNDP policy and programme management procedures and Government standards, rules, and regulations. Act as a senior advisor on issues related to project activities;
• Provide direction, guidance, and direct supervision to UNDP project personnel. Undertake technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, and ensure high technical standards are met;
• Ensure all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows;
• Ensure proper execution of all administrative activities associated with project implementation, including mobilizing goods and services, preparing Terms of Reference, completing contracting processes, recruiting/selecting consultants and experts, and managing financial arrangements/transactions and their correct authorization;
• Identify opportunities for synergies with other project within UNDP and beyond, to advance the key objectives and grow its focus.

2. Develop strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization:

• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners;
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation;
• Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies;
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners;
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

3. Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set:

• Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting; 
• Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management; 
• Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, and end line assessment; and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations. Organize project review and evaluation meetings. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections;
• Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions; 
• Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities;
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

4. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area;
• Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Project Specialist works under the general supervision of the Head of the Environment Unit and collaborates closely with Programme Analyst and Associate.

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 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning;

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;

Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously;

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making .

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Management

• Result-based Management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, 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 with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Monitoring an Evaluation
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; 
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results; 
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming; 
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools; 
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks;
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Working with Evidence and Data
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Business Direction & Strategy

• System 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

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Effectiveness
  • Project Quality Assurance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science and Management, Climate Science, Geographic Studies, International Development, or a related field is required. OR 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years’ (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience, in the field of Climate Change (preferably on adaptation), Environmental Management and/or Earth Science discipline, Climate Science applied to development is required.

Required skills:

• At least three (3) years’ experience related to environmental assessments, climate risk and vulnerability assessments, climate modelling, geographical information system (GIS) and/or risk mapping, at the local level is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:

• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is desirable;
• Proven track record of knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies is an advantage;
• Work experience with central government and line Ministries (Local Government & Environment) and knowledge of government systems is highly desirable;
• Experience of designing, developing, and using knowledge products, mentoring, training, or outreach, in the context of Environmental Management is highly desirable;
• At least three (3) years’ experience working on policy, regulatory and technical specialist services with national and local counterparts is desired;
• Experience and knowledge of climate framework with Chemicals and waste frameworks such as Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Minamata Convention on Mercury, Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), Bamako Convention etc. is desired.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English and in one of the local languages (Mandinka, Fula, Wolof) is required. 

Professional Certificates and/or Licenses:

• Environmental Certification is a distinct advantage.