National Project Associate

The UNDP is responsible for the implementation of the GEF Funded GlobalBiodiversity Framework Early Action Support project in 69 countries. The Multi-Country Office (MCO) will be responsible for implementation in seven (7) countries across the eastern Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The objective of this global project is to fast-track readiness and early actions to implement the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by providing financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) including national biodiversity targets, monitoring, policy, and finance frameworks with the GlobalBiodiversity Framework of the CBD. Financial and technical support is provided through two pathways: first, grants made to Parties to undertake early actions at the national level, and second, a global technical support grant that will make it possible to provide technical guidance to Parties to ensure these early actions are effective, efficient, inclusive, and of the highest technical standards.

Each of the participating countries, based on their current planning status, will use the grant to undertake activities from the following menu: a) Rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF; b) assessment of monitoring systems; c) policy and institutional alignment and review of policies for coherence with the GBF; and d) biodiversity finance activities. The rapid review of the NBSAP and national targets will focus on identifying gaps required to align the national targets, goals, objectives, and action plans within the existing NBSAP to the new GBF; the assessment of monitoring systems will focus on identifying gaps and promoting alignment between the NBSAP-related monitoring system and the GBF; the project management, policy, and institutional review will focus on identifying policy gaps and inconsistencies within the existing NBSAP and the GBF; and the biodiversity finance activities will focus on preparedness for developing and/or implementing a finance plan for implementing a GBF-aligned NBSAP.

Scope of Work

The National Project Associate is expected to support technical, administrative (including logistical arrangements), and monitoring actions relating to project implementation, execution, and reporting. The successful candidate will provide support for the day-to-day management of the project in the mobilization of inputs, the organization of activities, and other implementation support functions as requested.

• Support UNDP management in project governance mechanisms, as necessary, providing guidance to in-country project teams and National Project Directors on UNDP, donor, and government processes and requirements
• Support the PM in the technical supervision, coordination, and contract management of consultants, ensuring efficient and effective resources utilization
• Support beneficiaries in liaising with national and regional partners on project issues
• Provide technical guidance in sustainability measures/plans for project initiatives
• Support the coordination of project activities and outputs with related UNDP and UN System initiatives
• Support the recruitment of consultants and the administration of contracts through drafting TORs, finalizing advertisements;
• Assist as necessary with project closure activities

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity-building programmes at national and community levels
• Evaluate, capture, and synthesize lessons and stimulate the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of position papers, resource kits, and other knowledge materials
• Respond to queries on demonstration activities’ progress, impacts, and lessons

Monitoring and reporting

• Assist inception activities including the establishment and monitoring of indicators, baselines, and targets
• Support PM on missions for programmatic inspections in line with monitoring and evaluation plans to ensure activities are proceeding towards achievement of project outcomes, and outputs are of requisite quality
• Prepare reports to the PM identifying risks, challenges, and causes of potential bottlenecks to activity implementation and propose (and implement where relevant) mitigation measures, including modification to activities where appropriate
• Conduct regular analysis of the effect of actual performance relative to the project timetable and budgets, in close collaboration with the PM
• Support preparation of inputs to periodic narrative and financial reports, including donor and UNDP corporate reporting
• Support Implementing Partners in the preparation of annual work plans, quarterly and annual progress reports as required

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

Institutional Arrangement

Directly reports to the Multi-Country Project Coordinator and functions under the overall guidance of the Head Cluster, Nature, Climate and Energy

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Disclaimer

Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.
 

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 descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, and religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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