Project Specialist

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Women and girls are increasingly stripped of their rights to education, employment and free participation in public life that will have irrevocable socioeconomic consequences. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centers, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

The Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio focuses on advancing Afghanistan’s climate resilience and energy sustainability in a fragile and under-developed context. The portfolio team works to influence climate change management strategies, adaptation plans, and address gaps in environmental assessments, greenhouse gas inventories, and hazard mapping. These efforts aim to create a comprehensive understanding of the country’s climate risks and vulnerabilities, paving the way for targeted interventions, technology transfer, and improved environmental governance. UNDP invests in a range of community-based infrastructure (dams, check dams, irrigation systems, flood protection systems, afforestation initiatives, etc.) to enhance community resilience to climate change and natural hazards and engages with local communities to develop disaster risk reduction frameworks and early warning systems. UNDP climate priorities align with UNSCR 2721 (2023).

Given limited access to global climate funds, such as GCF and the Adaptation Fund, the portfolio team strives to lobby for and explore alternative financing avenues, including private sector engagement and innovative models like private partnerships to help mobilize resources. The team also advocates for donor collaboration to unlock critical funding from global vertical funds as well as traditional and non-traditional financing sources. The team addresses emerging priorities, including renewable energy and extractive industries, by working with a range of actors, including the private sector, and fostering partnerships to fill critical knowledge and resource gaps. Ultimately, the portfolio seeks to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions for Afghanistan’s adaptation and mitigation needs.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management Portfolio Manager, the Project Specialist (PS) is responsible for the management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The PS analyses political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of project activities. S/he provides quality technical support to partners in his or her area of work. 
The PS will be working in close collaboration with the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio team at Afghanistan CO. The Project Coordination Specialist will be based in Kabul with regular field visits.
 

The incumbent will undertake the following to ensure the success of the assignment:

• Ensure effective and efficient implementation of project activities as outlined in the Project Document and ensure the day-to-day management of the operations aspect of the Project.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders to support the project's implementation and resource mobilisation. 
• Ensure provision of top-quality technical advice to the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Ensure effective and efficient implementation of project activities as outlined in the Project Document, including contractual and grants management, ensuring the achievement of the following results: 

• Lead and provide guidance to the Admin and Finance Associate in carrying out the following:
  
  • Annual Work Planning
  • Annual Budgeting
  • Budget Revisions
  • Procurement of Goods and Services
     
• Lead development of procurement strategy, operation, and ensure close coordination with Procurement team, Regional Bureau Hub (BRH) and HQ for timely procurement and supply activities in accordance with the UNDP Procurement Polices.
• Lead/Support to the Portfolio manager with organising the Project Steering Committee Meetings as necessarry. 
• Ensure that the project data is up to date in the Quantum PPM module, including risk log updates, progress reports M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation), etc., ensuring accurate information is maintained.
• Coordinate periodic meetings/reviews with responsible partners and grantees regarding their progress towards project targets.
• Monitor partner performance against grant agreements, providing guidance or corrective actions as needed.
• Support effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets, and monitoring achievement of results.
• Support evaluation of the project impact, monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.
• Work closely with portfolio and finance teams on aligning different project activities and resources in line with donor's guidelines and requirements.
• Proactively identify and discuss solutions to address issues/challenges during the duration of the Project that has potential to impact UNDP’s effectiveness, financial soundness and reputation.
• Monitor project activities to identify potential risks or non-compliance issues and develop strategies for mitigation.
• Provide guidance and training to project staff and partners on compliance procedures.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to ensure project results are delivered according to work plan, standards, allocations, framework, and UNDP rules.
• Regular communication with the project donor on the project progress, issues and challenges, financial management, and/or any clarifications needed regarding their requirements and expectation.
• Ensure timely and high-quality submission of all internal and external quarterly, annual and ad-hoc narrative and financial reports.
• Monitoring Project Personnel and implementing partners to ensure consistency on quality of work performed.
• Participated in project audits, contributed to the preparation of audit management responses, and supported the implementation of audit recommendations
• Provide guidance and training to project staff and partners on compliance procedures.
• Mainstream gender into all plans and interventions of the project during the design and implementation to ensure gender equality outcomes are achieved.
• Ensure the compliance of the Responsible Parties and Grantees agreements with the UNDP corporate compliance requirements, e.g., HACT, PCAT, etc.
• Act as a focal point for the project SES, GRM and risk management related matters.

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders to support the project's implementation, and resource mobilization ensuring the achievement of the following results:

• Conduct a thorough analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situation in the country and collaborate with the Portfolio and CO other relevant teams in preparation/revision of project documents, Annual Work Plans (AWP), and other documents as necessary. 
• Act as a focal point from the project to develop a coordination mechanism that allows to share information and to harmonize the work carried out by different partners. 
• Provide support in developing concept notes, proposals, and project documents under the Climate Change and Environment topics, aligning them with compliance standards.
• Under the leadership of the Portfolio Manager, build partnership with the UN Agencies, relevant counterparts’ institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas relating to the Project, based on country needs and priorities.
• Analyze, research and provide inputs for the preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities to initiate new projects.
• Contribute to implementation of CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategy. 
• Support working relationships and create programmatic linkages with relevant UN Agencies and counterparts, as guided by the supervisor.
• Represent UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.

Ensure provision of top-quality technical advice to the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio and facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Assist with the development and implementation of communication activities in close collaboration with the Partnership and Communication Team of the CO.
• Ensure all required documentation is maintained up to date as per UNDP corporate and donor's policies.
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the ACCESS project. 
• Coordinate and ensure best practices and lessons learned are taken into consideration while developing work plans and risk management strategies. 
• Ensure that lessons learned from the project are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge pool.
• Provide technical support, including presentation, speeches, briefing notes, and other technical inputs to the portfolio manager in the areas of climate change and environmental management.
• Lead the technical consultants working on the assessments and technical reports related to his/her area of work.
• Ensure identification and compilation of sources of information related to policy-driven issues and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt that are directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Provide input required towards the development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during the project implementation with the project stakeholders.
• Identify areas for further support and interventions within the area of climate change mitigation, adaptation and low carbon development. Keeping abreast of policy changes regarding climate change and energy related issues and informing senior management
• Participate in site visits to capture human interest stories and progress on the ground.
• Provide support to the establishment of climate advocacy networks at the national and international levels for Afghanistan in close coordination and cooperation with UN Agencies.  
• Advise the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio team on national and international developments on climate change and assist in identifying coordinated corporate approaches.
• Participate in various policy and partnerships, as well as relevant international conference and meetings on climate change.

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

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:

Partnership Management    

• Resource Mobilization. Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

2030 Agenda: Planet    

• Climate. Climate Change Adaptation: Cross-sectoral climate resilient livelihoods

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness    

• Effectiveness. Programming (PPM) policies and procedures

Business Management    

• Monitoring & 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.
• Risk Management. Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
• Results-based Management. Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

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
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Geo Sciences, Development studies, or related area 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:

• Minimum of Seven (07) years (with master’s degree) or Nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the design and implementation of environmental, climate change, livelihoods recovery, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management projects/programme.
• Relevant working experience with UN or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in programme and project coordination/management, climate governance, research and climate and environmental advocacy and capacity building is required.
• Relevant experience on result-based management and project implementation is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, ands experience in the handling of web-based management systems is required.
• At least 4 years of experience of working on climate change mitigation and adaptation areas is desired.
• At least 2 years of experience on grants or contracts management with UN is an asset. 
• At least 2 years of experience in conducting trainings and organization of roundtables is an asset.
• Led the implementation of at least 2 projects on Natural Resource Management, Climate Governance, Environmental Governance, Advocacy, Natura-Based Solutions, Environmental Conservation, disasters management and early warning systems project in Afghanistan is asset. 
• Experience in building strategic partnerships and implementing resource mobilization strategies is desired. 
• Experience in managing project audits, contribute to the preparation of audit management responses is an advantage. 
   

Required languages:

• Fluency in English is required – both written and oral.
• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is required.
   

Professional Certificates:

• Any certificate of proficiency on climate change related topics from accredited global institutions is an asset. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks 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 applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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