Desk Officer for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Santiago network
Dakar
- Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
- Location: Dakar
- Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Poverty Reduction
- Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: 2025-09-07
Functional Responsibilities
- Supporting technical assistance processes and systems
- Facilitating technical assistance
- Programme implementation and monitoring
- Partner and stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge management and innovation
- Corporate functions and team building
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Under the guidance of the Senior Programme Manager, contribute ideas for enabling access to and assisting in preparing requests for technical assistance that recognize the capacity constraints of LDCs.
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Collaborate with Regional Coordinators in the creation of an enabling environment for demand-driven technical assistance, contributing expertise on tailored support for LDCs at a global level.
2. Facilitating technical assistance and membership
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Provide expertise to support LDCs in identifying their needs, and propose tailored measures to address them in collaboration with global and regional roles.
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Guide LDCs in the preparation of demand-driven technical assistance requests, explaining the guidelines, discussing initial ideas and reviewing and refining draft requests.
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Liaise with in-country focal points in LDCs to identify capacity gaps that can be filled through technical assistance.
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Share learnings within the Secretariat to support an improved technical assistance workflow in LDCs contexts.
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Undertake outreach efforts as required, to grow and expand the inclusiveness of the membership network, including with OBNEs based and operating in LDCs.
3. Programme implementation and monitoring
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Monitor portfolio implementation of technical assistance in LDCs, supporting the deployment of adaptive management measures, as needed.
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Assess the timeliness, appropriateness and outcomes of assistance provided to least developed countries, for effectiveness and continuous improvement.
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Identify, assess and engage with the Senior Programme Manager to manage risks and issues that may impact the effective delivery of technical assistance in LDCs, in coordination with corporate functions.
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Provide inputs to Santiago network’s regular and annual reporting on specific measures to support LDCs, and recommendations based on experience.
4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
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In collaboration with Regional Coordinators, organize scoping workshops for LDCs to support the identification of needs and provide tailored support for demand-driven technical assistance.
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Serve as a focal point for actors in LDCs to match country-specific needs with capacity-building efforts for local and community-based stakeholders in least developed countries.
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Implement strategies for engaging and maintaining partnerships in least developed countries, in coordination with central and regional functions.
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Liaise with relevant stakeholder groups and entities at all levels (local, national and regional) as they relate to the provision of technical assistance in LDCs.
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Leverage Santiago network communication channels to encourage engagement of stakeholders in LDCs.
5. Knowledge management and innovation
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Facilitate the development, provision and dissemination of knowledge and information on a wide range of topics relevant for loss and damage in LDCs.
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Collect information, data and case studies on loss and damage priorities in LDCs, to inform context-specific delivery of technical assistance.
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Provide information on the technical assistance catalysed in LDCs for Santiago network’s regular reporting.
6. Corporate functions and team building
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Uphold and model team values, fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive work environment, cultivating collaboration between regional and global functions.
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Collaborate with regional and central functions in the fulfillment of Santiago network mandate and objectives.
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Contribute to the development and implementation of the Santiago network’s strategic, policy, and operational frameworks.
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Represent the Santiago network in international fora and meetings in LDCs, contributing to advance the delivery of its mandate and objectives.
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Others, as required by the supervisor.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
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An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.
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A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
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A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in programme management in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.
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Within those five (5) years, a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience working with a range of stakeholders in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), is required.
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Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.
Language
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Fluency in oral and written English is required.
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Fluency in oral and written French is required.
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Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.