The environment and security programme manager

Background

The Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative is one of the lead regional initiatives that represents a good example of mainstreaming environmental principles into crises prevention programmes and improving regional environmental cooperation and confidence building. The programme focuses on cooperative interventions aimed at improving management and access to transboundary natural resources in the regions of Central Asia, Eastern Europe, South-eastern Europe, and Southern Caucasus.

UNDP BRC (Bratislava Regional Center) hosts the Regional Desk Office for Central Asia for the ENVSEC Initiative. The Project manager will coordinate and manage the UNDP participation and project portfolio in the ENVSEC Initiative. The Project Manager will be part of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery practice and have a dual reporting line to the CPR Practice Coordinator and the Energy and Environment Practice leader.

Duties and responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

- ENVSEC Programming
- ENVSEC Management
- UNDP internal coordination for ENVSEC

1. ENVSEC programming

- Establish/enhance mechanisms for regional and sub-regional coordination of efforts and use of resources in UNDP projects included in the ENVSEC portfolio, based on sub-regional ENVSEC priorities identified specifically for Central Asia, Western CIS, Southern Caucasus, and South-eastern Europe respectively, and applying UNDP strategies and priorities for achieving the Millennium Development Goals;
- Provide advisory services to COs on ENVSEC project components, and liaising with donors to raise funds for the projects;
- Organize regional and national meetings with participation of the ENVSEC National Focal Points, project staff and other stakeholders;
- Prepare regular progress reports and maintain continuous information flow between participating programme stakeholders.

2. ENVSEC management

- Implement the Chairmanship objectives: improve communication and outreach, develop a strategy for resource mobilization, consolidate the partnership, and strengthen the national engagement and ownership;
- Manage the implementation of regional projects on environmental management, disaster risk reduction and addressing human security risks in cooperation with UNDP Country Offices, the Energy and Environment team and other practices housed in the Bratislava Regional Center.
- Manage and supervise the provision of services of the Central Asia Regional Desk Officer to the ENVSEC partnership; development and monitoring of the Regional Work Programme for Central Asia;
- Liaise with the representatives of the ENVSEC Coordination Unit, ENVSEC partner organisations and their constituencies, UNDP Energy and Environment focal points in Europe and CIS, participating UN agencies and government authorities, donor institutions, embassies, international organizations, NGOs;
- Liaise with the programme countries mainly through the National Focal Points (NFPs) at the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs ensuring their endorsements, participation and involvement (mainly through NFPs at the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs);
- Contribute to resource mobilization and financial reporting under the programme. Provide inputs on financial needs and gaps and the financial status of project implementation;
- Disseminate information: Provide inputs to the ENVSEC web-site, intranet and regular reports and publications through the ENVSEC Secretariat Co-ordination Officer; ensure that all ENVSEC partners and stakeholders in the region are fully informed about activities conducted under the ENVSEC framework.

3. UNDP internal coordination for ENVSEC

- Facilitate the establishment of an internal UNDP mechanism to service Country Offices with project development/implementation within the ENVSEC programme, as well as with donor coordination;
- Coordinate project implementation with Energy and Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction focal points in UNDP Country Offices and other UNDP units in the region;
- Incorporate ENVSEC in relevant corporate strategies for the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS;
- Facilitate the elevation of ENVSEC as a case of interagency cooperation;
- Perform other related functions and duties as required.

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the ENVSEC programme and BRCs Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Environment and Energy Practices, and on success implementation of programme strategies.

In more specific terms, the expected results will have an impact on:
- Effective implementation of the ENVSEC programme through the national and regional projects;
- Effective implementation of the UNDP Strategy in terms of the ENVSEC programme;
- Effective application of the Results Based User Guide in the process of programme and projects planning and implementation;
- E&E programme and projects’ delivery rate.

Competencies

Corporate Competences:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP`s mission, vision and values
- Displays cultural, gender, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competences:

Development and Organizational Effectiveness
- Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of the programme, managing data, reporting
- Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Excellent writing communication and presentation skills
- PRINCE 2 certification would be an asset
- Familiarity with the goals and procedures of UNDP
- Proven ability of networking
- Fully e-literate in terms of office applications and e-networking
- Knowledge of the programme regions (Central Asia, Eastern Europe, South-eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus)
- Demonstrate efficient results-based and client services oriented attitude
- Demonstrate participatory teamwork, ability to take appropriate initiatives to further team interests in culturally diverse environment
- Responsive to the needs of the project stakeholders and of the donors

Leadership and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and positive, constructive attitude
- Remains calm, in control and good humour even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
- Punctuality and capacity to meet deadlines even at short notice

Knowledge Management and Learning
- Shares knowledge and experience
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Required skills and experience

Education:
- A university degree in environmental policy, environmental studies, political sciences or related field.

Experience:
- At least 2 years of professional experience in a field related to the assignment are required. Previous work experience in environmental issues preferably with UNDP in areas of international, environment, project management and related work would be an asset;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:
- Proficiency in Slovak and English; Knowledge of Russian is a distinct advantage.

Please note that this is both internal and external announcement, however external candidates will be considered only if possible internal candidates are not found suitable for the post.

Only Slovak nationals are eligible to apply.