Project Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
• UNEP's Regional Office for Africa (ROA) works to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of environmental capacity-building and technical support in Africa, at all levels in response to regional, sub- regional and national needs and priorities. ROA, under the Regional Sub-programme on Environmental Governance, supports implementation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 Project on Capacity Development in Reducing Illegal Wildlife Trade and Improving Protected Area Management Effectiveness in South Sudan.
• The purpose of the project is to combat illegal wildlife trade by strengthening Protected Area legislative and management systems through institutional strengthening, improved information management and monitoring, and community empowerment through both national and site level actions.
• The project will be executed in three components:

Component 1:

• Development of International and National legal Frameworks and Coordination Mechanisms for Wildlife.
• Outcomes include consolidating and strengthening relevant policies and laws for wildlife protection and building additional capacity to manage information and enforce laws and regulations.

Component 2:

• Improved Wildlife Conservation Demonstrated through Strengthened Management of Nimule National Park.
• Component will support improved park management and wildlife protection, to ensure sustainable and effective management of Nimule National Park and the buffer zone.

Component 3:

• Wildlife Protection Initiative in the Sudd Ecosystem.
• This component will strengthen protection of the ecosystem services and biodiversity habitat in the Sudd ecosystem, with a focus on enhancing the management effectiveness of existing protected areas, extending the total area included in protected areas, community conservancies and corridors, and developing effective community partnerships to support conservation and livelihoods objectives.
• The position will support the Project Focal Point/Regional Sub-programme on Environmental Governance and is located at its Africa office at the Nairobi duty station.
• Duties and responsibilities The incumbent will work in liaison with the Project Focal Point/Regional sub-programme Coordinator Environmental Governance in carrying out the following duties:
• Provide legal and technical services for the execution of component 1 as stated above through review of legislation, policies and regulations developed in the project.
• Coordinate the development of transboundary wildlife management protocols developed under component 1 through review and technical coordination of developed protocols.
• Provide legal and technical coordination to the capacity development, coordination, and awareness for key national institutions such as the police, judiciary, prosecution, among others, on laws and policies for the effective management of wildlife and protected areas.
• Liaising/coordinating with other sub-programmes in Africa Office and UNEP Divisions and Offices in providing scientific and technical coordination and advice to the project, including expertise in project management, etc.
• Provide technical expertise to the development of an Illegal wildlife Trade Strategy for South Sudan.
• Following up on the management and disbursement of GEF funds in accordance with rules and procedures of UNEP and providing administrative, human resource, procurement, logistical services and travel arrangement support of the Project.
• Coordinate in convening technical and management meetings related to the Project.
• Preparing the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR), including the annual rating of the project, project implementation progress, risk, quality of project monitoring and evaluation for consideration by the Project Focal Point.
• Coordinate the preparation of project revisions requests, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete and in accordance with UNEP and GEF requirements.
• Managing any needed project(s) mid-term reviews and or terminal evaluations in accordance with Global Environment Facility (GEF)/UNEP guidance and in collaboration with the Evaluation office.
• Preparing and overseeing executing partner agreements with Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism (MWCT) and Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) and liaising with the Project Management Unit (PMU).
• Preparing summary reports of intergovernmental meetings to relating to PAs networks in the African region so as to link the project activities with biodiversity related MEAs and SDGs at the global, national and PA levels.
• Monitoring and assessing the implementation of the project, including delivery of services for quality control.
• Monitoring reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback on the contents of the report and consolidating progress reports, terminal reports and participate in evaluation for projects.
• Any other duties as required, including preparation of background documents, briefing notes, concept notes, outcomes, presentations, proposals.
• The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Focal Point/Regional Sub-Programme Coordinator, Environmental Governance in Africa Office, UNEP.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• An Advanced University Degree in Public International Law, Public Policy, Natural Resources Management, Environment Management, Project Management, Social Sciences or related field is required.
• A first level degree with an additional 2 years of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced Degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or programme management, work in a broad range of sustainable development issues in Africa, working with Governments and civil society in environment and natural resources management is required.
• Experience in development and implementation of environmental laws and governance is required.
• Experience within the UN system or similar international organization is required.
• Practical experience in working with GEF projects is desirable.
• Experience in analytical skills, ability to work with minimum supervision is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.