Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, or discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP Tanzania is implementing the Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) Program in Zanzibar. The Biodiversity Finance Initiative is a global program that has developed, piloted, and continuously improved a methodology to measure existing biodiversity expenditure levels, assess future financial needs, and design comprehensive plans to use financial tools and solutions that increase the financing effectiveness and efficiency of biodiversity management in 41 countries. The BIOFIN Program aims to enable governments worldwide to enhance their financial commitments, plans, and solutions to protect, restore, and sustainably manage biodiversity with a concrete, practical set of steps, tools, and approaches. The program intends to ensure the availability of sufficient financial resources to implement key biodiversity plans, including actions from National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans or other related plans.
BIOFIN’s first phase (2012–2018) enabled full assessments and the initial implementation of finance plan elements in target countries. BIOFIN’s second phase (BIOFIN Phase II) enables some BIOFIN countries to complete the design and implementation of priority finance solutions. At the central level, knowledge management platforms will be expanded, and additional guidance will be produced for the most valuable finance solutions. The extension of BIOFIN Phase II (BIOFIN Phase II extended) will allow all 41 BIOFIN countries to implement their Biodiversity Finance Plan until 2025.
The program has recently accomplished the four key methodological components of the BIOFIN and has come up with a Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP). The BFP is the fourth and core component of the BIOFIN, representing a national strategy and plan for financing biodiversity that attempts to address the key possible dimensions of finance, including resource mobilization, improving impact delivery, avoiding future expenditures, and realigning expenditures towards biodiversity goals. The BFP provides detailed descriptions of 13 prioritized finance solutions based on a variety of characteristics of each solution, including the financing potential, the legal context, and socio-economic and gender impacts.
In the above context, UNDP wishes to engage the services of a project analyst who will assume responsibility and accountability for the implementation of solutions and the BIOFIN initiative in general. The project analyst will work very closely with the consultants currently supporting the development of various frameworks for the implementation of prioritized financial solutions, including public-private partnerships, support for the Zanzibar Green Legacy, and revision of entry fees to the Marine Protected Areas in Zanzibar.
Scope of Work
The project will be implemented through institutions related to financial solutions, as indicated by the Biodiversity Finance Plan. The project analyst will provide technical, management, logistical, and coordination support to these institutions and other stakeholders involved in the project's execution. Daily communication with all key actors will be maintained to ensure the successful implementation of activities outlined in the approved annual work plan. The project analyst will assist the project team in monitoring progress and submitting both narrative and financial reports on a quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis. S/he will take overall responsibility for in-country activities, ensuring the development and execution of a proper work plan and budget within the designated timelines, and fostering effective collaboration among the national team and strong partnerships.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Management
- Oversee the identification, selection, and supervision of national consultants and experts in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office, UNDP Country Office Programme Specialist, Energy and Climate Change, and the Global BIOFIN Team, and write or revise terms of reference for national BIOFIN team members.
- In consultation with the UNDP Country Office and Global BIOFIN Team, elaborate or revise the work plan and budget and submit draft work plans and budgets timely for the bi-annual budget revision process (30 June and 31 December of each year);
- Supervise the work of consultants and institutions to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget, and to high-quality standards;
- Ensure administrative requirements and budgets are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations;
- Organize all relevant program workshops in a consultative manner, involving a wide variety of biodiversity finance stakeholders, including the government, private sector, CSOs, donors, and academia;
- Facilitate the organization of national Steering Committee meetings, undertake the same for any other proposed coordination mechanism, and write meeting reports to be shared with UNDP CO and UNDP BIOFIN Global;
- Ensure timely identification of risks in implementation at the national level and communication to the global BIOFIN team;
- Organize bimonthly meetings of the national team and Ensure the participation of national BIOFIN team members in regional technical calls;
- Assist in program-related activities, where required. These may include planning for meetings, local and national consultations, missions, and other program-related activities;
- Maintain records of meetings, decisions, and actions, among others;
- Any other duties assigned by UNDP that have direct relevance to the program
2. Reporting
- Signal any delays in national deliverables compared to the work plan to the UNDP Country Office and the Global BIOFIN Team;
- Develop workshop reports for all technical workshops.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Lead program monitoring, reporting, and evaluation at the national level; draft bi-annual reports for review by UNDP CO before submission to the global BIOFIN team;
- Review all national-level deliverables to ensure quality and consistency with the BIOFIN process.
4. Communication
- Develop briefing notes, case studies, press releases, web articles, and other media products as required;
- Assist with research, and write and edit sections of technical reports as required.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Analyst will report to the UNDP Country Office Programme Specialist (Energy and Climate Change) and collaborate closely with the Project Team to establish and ensure the regular functioning of implementation mechanisms, including a National Steering Committee and technical working groups.
Competencies
Core
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, and delivers quality work by deadline.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas and known risks, pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious; shares knowledge; learns from mistakes; asks for feedback.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity and uncertainty, and is flexible.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, is able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, and is confident.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion and understanding towards others; forms positive relationships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate and respect differences, be aware of unconscious bias, and confront discrimination.
Cross-functional and technical competencies
- Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance
- Project management: ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols
- Resource Management: ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical manner in line with principles of accountability and integrity.
- Operations Management: ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the organization's or project's business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
- Result-based Management: Ability to manage programs and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results
- Communications: ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the context.
- Effective decision-making: the ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise, and resources.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, environmental economics, or a closely related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (a bachelor's degree) in a relevant field with two years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 2 years (with a bachelor's degree) of professional experience in project management with a focus on biodiversity conservation and finance is required.
- Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating biodiversity finance projects;
- a proven track record of collaborating with international and national stakeholders, including experts and institutions in the field of biodiversity;
- Strong analytical skills to gather and process data related to biodiversity financing and conservation efforts;
- Knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and frameworks related to biodiversity conservation and finance;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with team members and external partners;
- Prior support for the implementation of UNDP projects in the area of biodiversity, including biodiversity financing and conservation in Zanzibar;
- Prior experience working with multiple partners and stakeholders in Zanzibar
- In-depth understanding of the political, social, and cultural contexts of Zanzibar
Required Languages:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili
Disclaimer
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, experiences, and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.
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