Project Analyst

Job description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plays a leading role in sustainable development by catalyzing collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its Global Policy Network (GPN), UNDP mobilizes global technical expertise to support the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which aims to eradicate poverty, advance the SDGs and implement the Paris Agreement. UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, Energy and Waste (NCE&W) hubs integrate these priorities by delivering nature-based solutions, while strengthening livelihoods, inclusive growth and resilient governance.

The UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 underscores our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, supporting countries on their SDG journeys, and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support’s Global Policy Network, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, Energy and Waste (NCE&W) Hubs promote and scale integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequality, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance related peace and security agendas.

As part of its national strategy, Djibouti has implemented initiatives such as the National Strategy and Action Program for Biological Diversity (SPANB) to protect its biodiversity and integrate this preservation into the socio-economic development of the country. The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15 in 2022 is a major step forward for international efforts in favor of biodiversity. This ambitious agreement sets global targets to halt biodiversity loss and restore degraded ecosystems by 2030, including through the protection of 30% of terrestrial and marine areas, a commitment known as “30x30”. Djibouti, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), has committed to integrating these objectives into its conservation policies, in line with its national sustainable development priorities and its Vision 2035. In addition to ecosystem conservation, the framework provides for actions to restore ecosystems, combat species extinction, and strengthen community resilience to climate change. This comprehensive commitment offers Djibouti an opportunity to play a key role in preserving biodiversity. However, Djibouti faces challenges, particularly in terms of financial resources and environmental governance, which require strengthening to ensure the success of national and regional biodiversity protection initiatives.

Over the past decades, biodiversity finance tools and solutions have demonstrated their importance in achieving biodiversity-related and broader Sustainable Development Goals. By optimizing the selection, design, and implementation of appropriate financing solutions, countries increase their chances of successfully achieving their national and global biodiversity targets. Biodiversity finance plans are increasingly recognized as essential tools to close the biodiversity finance gap, a central focus of the work of the BIOFIN initiative (www.biofin.org). In December 2022, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 19, which focuses on resource mobilization and implementation of national biodiversity finance plans.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has also created a program to help countries develop biodiversity finance plans. This program includes analyzing existing financial mechanisms, identifying needs, and implementing actions to increase sustainable financing. Djibouti, under the GEF8 program, is committed to developing a first national biodiversity finance plan with a national team composed of finance, policy, and biodiversity experts, under the leadership of a Project Lead. Effective coordination and capacity building will be essential to achieve the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

For the implementation of the GEF8-BFP framework programme at the national level, UNDP is recruiting a national team composed of a Project Analyst a Project Support Associate, Envoirnmental Policy Specialist and Biodiversity Finance Specialist. 

Scope of application

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist of the Governance and Environment Unit at UNDP office ; The Project Analyst will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of activities in the country, ensuring that an adequate work plan and budget are in place and implemented within the set timeframe, with an effective national team and strong partnerships. The Project Analyst will work closely with the technical team composed of an Environmental Policy Specialist (Consultant), , a Biodiversity Finance Specialist (Consultant)  and a Project Support Associate, to ensure that implementation mechanisms and technical working groups are established and meet regularly, that all planned workshops, technical studies and other activities are organized in a timely manner and that they meet the expected quality standards.

He/she is expected to have relevant experience and provide technical Support to ensure horizontal integration and coherence of work/study streams, as well as advisory services and quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the national project. He/she will be responsible for the relevant sections of the production of the Policy and Institutional Analysis (PIA), Biodiversity Expenditure Analysis (BEA) and Financial Needs Assessment (FNA). He/she will also lead the preparation of the biodiversity finance plan and oversee the identification and implementation of requested financing solutions. He/she will also be specifically responsible for outreach activities to relevant national (government, donor delegation, academia, etc.) and international stakeholders, and for the preparation of synthesis reports, policy briefs, press releases and information notes for the government, UNDP, etc.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

 Ensure Effective Project Management 

• Oversee the identification, selection and supervision of national consultants and experts, in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office, the Senior Financial Expert and the Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
• Draft/revise terms of reference for BIOFIN national team members.
• In consultation with UNDP Country Office and DE and GPMTSU, develop/revise work plan and budget and submit draft work plans/budgets in a timely manner.
• Supervise the work of national experts (Consultants) and institutions to ensure that results are delivered on time, within budget and to high quality standards; facilitate, guide and monitor the work of the national team;
• Supervise the work of the Project Support Associate to ensure that administrative requirements and budgets are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner, in compliance with UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Organize all relevant project workshops in a consultative manner, involving a wide variety of biodiversity finance stakeholders, including government, private sector, NGOs, donors and academia.
• Discuss with the Ministries of Finance, Environment and other key stakeholders the establishment of a national steering committee and follow up on the formal establishment and regular convening of the committee, and prepare meeting reports to share with the steering committee, UNDP Coordination Office and GPMTSU.
• Maintain regular communication with the Ministries of Environment and Finance for the development and completion of all reports and products.
• Ensure the link between project processes and products and relevant national planning, biodiversity and finance processes, such as NBSAP updates and implementation of the global biodiversity framework.
• Ensure timely identification of implementation risks at national level and communicate them to the Project Management Unit.
• Organize regular national team meetings and monthly calls with the GPMTSU Technical Advisor.
• Ensure participation of national team members in regional technical calls.
• Participate in regional and global meetings organized by GPMTSU.

  Provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the project 

• Act as the primary technical support coordination contact for project implementation with GPMTSU regarding all issues and problems that arise during national implementation.
• Provide key technical guidance on all financial matters and ensure horizontal integration and consistency of work/study flows.
• Provide overall direction and quality control for the project's four main outputs.
• Provide technical support to the national project team to successfully deliver all BIOFIN methodology results in a consistent and high-quality manner.
• Ensure that drafts of all work are sent regularly to the Global Technical Advisor and GPMTSU to provide support and ensure that feedback is properly incorporated into country reports.
• Produce research and develop the sections on subsidies and financial incentives in the API in accordance with the guidance provided by the GPMTSU and written guidance documents (in particular the BIOFIN Manual).
• Provide technical support for ADB data collection, analysis and findings.
• Support data collection, modeling, quality verification and validation of EBF.
• Develop a Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) in line with guidance provided by the BIOFIN Global Team, GPMTSU and written guidance documents (in particular the BIOFIN Handbook).

 Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and Communication 

• Report to the UNDP country office and GPMTSU any delays in national deliverables against the work plan.
• Ensure project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at national level, drafting monthly and quarterly reports for review by the Lead Expert and submission to the Global BIOFIN Team.
• Coordinate the development of workshop reports for the kick-off workshop and all technical workshops.
• Review all technical reports as necessary.
• Ensure alignment of national work with global methodologies such as the BIOFIN manual and others.
• Liaise with relevant UNDP and other organizations initiatives and programmes to support project implementation, including BIOFIN, the NBSAP Support Programme, the GEF Early Action Support Programme, the Nature Hub, and other organizations and initiatives.
• Review the final reports of the National Policy and Institutional Review, Biodiversity Expenditure Review, Financial Needs Assessment and Biodiversity Finance Plan.
• Develop, in collaboration with other team members, at least one short publication per year, press releases and web and media products.

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

Institutional arrangement

• At the global level, this framework programme will be supported by a Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
• At the national level, each country will have, as a requirement and within the framework of the National Project Management Unit (NPMU), a full-time project analyst in sustainable finance,
• Part-time Project Support Associate , and consultants, such as environmental policy consultant, biodiversity finance specialist and others, as required.

The National Management Unit is to be located at UNDP premises in Djibouti and work closely with government staff involved in the project. A dedicated technical advisor from GPMTSU will be available to support the work in each country. The Project Analyst is the most senior representative of the National Management Unit and is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the implementing partner, including the mobilization of all project inputs, responsible parties, consultants and subcontractors. The Project Analyst typically presents key outputs and documents to the appropriate national governance mechanism and GPMTSU for review and approval, including progress reports, annual work plans, tolerance level adjustments and risk registers.

Competencies

CoreAchieve Results:LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously:LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility:LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

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

Engage and Partner:LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

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

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) 

Thematic AreaNameDefinitionBusiness Direction and 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 ManagementProject Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals 

Business ManagementPartnership Management

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 

 2030 Agenda- PlanetNatureEcosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Nature-positive economy and Biodiversity Finance Partnership Management

Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding 

 Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms

Skills and qualifications

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Minimum Education Requirements

Advanced university degree ( master's degree or equivalent) in Finance/Economics, Environmental/Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity, Policy Studies, or a closely related field is required. OR

 A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant professional experience

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience of relevant experience at the national or international, preferably in the implementation of projects relating to financing and/or the environment, biodiversity.

Required skills

• Experience in collecting and processing data and information is required. 
• Experience in overseeing technical assessments, reports and technical documents is required. 
• Experience and knowledge of environmental or biodiversity policies is required. 
• Demonstrated experience  in financing mechanisms for environmental sustainability, as well as relevant policies and regulatory frameworks is required.
• Knowledge of the main software (MS Office) is required. 

Desired skills

• Previous experience with development projects would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience  to interact effectively with various stakeholders, including governments and NGOs is desired. 
• Experience with the United Nations system is desired.
• Demonstrated experience  in collecting and managing environmental data is desired. 
• Familiarity with the environmental challenges specific to Djibouti and the neighboring region is desired. 

Required language(s)

• Fluency  in French is required.
• Knowledge of  English would be an asset.

Professional Certificates 

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. 

How to apply

apply here = https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/27716/apply/email