Senior Project Officer

Islamabad

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Islamabad
Grade: Mid level - SB-5 (SC10/SC11), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

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.

Pakistan, a country with a population of over 249.6 million, faces significant climate variability due to its geographic diversity, including an arid to semi-arid climate, high mountain peaks, and colossal glaciers. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, exacerbated by a warming trend at twice the global average rate. Pakistan's emissions were recorded at 489.87 mtCO2 equivalent in 2018. Despite contributing a lower carbon footprint, Pakistan ranks among the most vulnerable nations to climate change, necessitating urgent action and comprehensive reporting to meet international obligations under the Paris Agreement.

To ensure the successful execution of Pakistan’s Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) project, the Ministry of Climate Change seeks to hire a Senior Project Officer with extensive experience in similar projects. The Senior Project Officer will play a critical role in executing the BTR project, including coordinating with donors and implementing partners. The ideal candidate will possess deep familiarity with relevant processes, institutional knowledge, and a strong understanding of IPCC and UNFCCC guidelines, particularly the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Project Officer oversees the preparation and submission of the Biennial Transparency Report, ensuring accurate data collection, analysis, and compliance with international agreements like the Paris Agreement. Their role is pivotal in informing policy decisions, assessing climate change initiatives, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address climate challenges effectively.

The Senior Project Officer in consultation with the BTR steering committee will be responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and supervision of the implementation of the project. The senior project officer duties will include among others;
1. Lead the coordination of project activities with technical expert groups and various international institutions, including UNEP, CBIT-GSP, UNFCCC secretariat, GEF, and national relevant ministries, to facilitate the effective implementation of the project's objectives under the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC convention, ensuring alignment with global objectives on climate action.
2. Contribute to business development activities of the project and UNDP.
3. Responsible for the the project financial and operational performance and ensure project activities are within assigned budgets, identify problems and suggests corrective actions.
4. Develop comprehensive project work plans and articulate detailed terms of reference for project consultants, outlining clear objectives, methodologies, and timelines to guide project implementation, thereby enhancing project efficiency and accountability in meeting international transparency requirements.
5. Foster collaboration with relevant ministries, national research institutes, NGOs, and other stakeholders, leveraging their expertise and resources to enhance project impact and ensure the integration of diverse perspectives into project activities.
6. Prepare and deliver high-quality periodic progress reports on project implementation, facilitating transparent communication and accountability contributing to the collective effort to address climate change issues.
7. Effectively manage project expenditures in adherence to GEF budgetary standards and guidelines ensuring prudent financial stewardship and maximizing the impact of available resources.
8. Conduct thorough reviews of all project-generated materials, ensuring alignment with best practices and standards for transparency and reporting, thereby enhancing the credibility and reliability of project outputs in the global climate governance landscape.

9. Provide leadership in organizing national project workshops and training sessions, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building among stakeholders nationwide, thereby enhancing national readiness and capabilities for effective climate governance.
10. Oversee and ensure the rigorous accountability of project funds through annual audits, meeting the standards and guidelines of UNEP & GEF.
11. Be responsible for the and management of payments, invoices, and receipts, ensuring accurate and transparent financial management obligations, thereby upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and accountability of the national climate change projects.

12. Contribute to the overarching success of initiatives supporting enhanced transparency under the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC convention, thus advancing global efforts towards a sustainable and resilient future.

Institutional Arrangement:
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the National Project Director/ Senior Joint Secretary MoCC & EC. The Senior Project Officer is responsible for overseeing the preparation and successful submission of the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the UNFCCC. This includes ensuring accurate data collection, comprehensive analysis, and full compliance with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, while effectively coordinating with implementing partners and consultants to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with reporting requirements.

Competencies
Core:
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 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.
Business Development: Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
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: 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.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Management: 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.
Ethics: UN policy knowledge - ethics: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, including, Finance/Management/Climate change, or alternately, a
Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned is acceptable with additional two years of relevant work experience.

Experience:

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are required to have seven (07) years of relevant professional experience working with UN Agencies, government, development organizations or Ministries.
Alternately, applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of nine (09) years of relevant professional experience in the field above.

Required skills:

Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. is required.
Proven analytical and writing skills are required.

Desired skills:

Proven experience in sustainable development policy and programming, particularly in managing projects related to climate change reporting and transparency is desired.
Proven experience in effectively managing climate change projects with national counterparts, development partners, and civil society is desired.
Proven experience with project management and project implementation is desired.
Excellent coordination and partnership-building skills with national counterparts, development partners, and civil society to ensure effective collaboration and project execution is desired.
Previous involvement in climate change-related initiatives, such as National Communication on Climate and Biennial Update Reports, and familiarity with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement is desired.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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This vacancy is now closed.