PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER, P3

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNEP’s Climate Change Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services to advance climate change mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage in line with international environmental agreements and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The loss of forest, and the accompanying loss of ecosystems and the services they provide, threatens the security and livelihoods of local communities, reduces access to clean water, decreases soil productivity and accounts for 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, it has become apparent that the most significant threat to the world’s remaining forests is conversion for commercial agriculture – whether from large-scale operations or smallholder farmers – as well as other non-forest use. Many of the environmental benefits of intact forest are unpriced ‘externalities’, resulting in the market mispricing natural forest assets. By converting forest to land and then producing tradeable commodities that the market can price, land users are able to take advantage of this perceived arbitrage opportunity. Anticipated global economic growth and changing diets will strengthen the demand for agricultural commodities and place additional pressure on forests in the foreseeable future, meaning that the pressure will get even bigger than it is today without a changing paradigm how land is managed and agricultural commodities are produced. The challenge is to advance sustainable land use by developing business models that can manage sustainable commodity production while also maintaining forests and forest ecosystem services. Against that background, UNEP initiated the Climate Finance Unit which seeks to actively unlock and (re)direct public and private capital towards sustainable economic activities, including sustainable land use such as deforestation-free soft commodity production that lead to ‘net zero, nature positive’ impacts on the environment and improves rural livelihoods. Given the challenge that several countries are facing with respect to changing agricultural production, forestry and other land use practices in order to meet climate and biodiversity targets and the need to scale up sustainable private finance and investment to make this a reality, UNEP's Climate Finance Unit is seeking an experienced Project Management Officer, Agriculture Transition Finance to coordinate the implementation of the 'Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC)' initiative. This initiative, a partnership between UNEP, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the World Economic Forum (WEF), aims to deliver systems-level change in commodity markets to ensure food production no longer drives deforestation or habitat conversion.” This position is located in the Climate Change Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Climate Finance Unit and overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

Co-ordinates all actions required for the effective implementation of the Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC) initiative by: a. monitoring project implementation at all stages, including the analysis of implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; b. preparing and/or reviewing documents and revising as required; c. requesting actions for recruitment of experts and ensuring satisfactory and expeditious completion of action; d. reviewing requisitions for procurement of equipment with substantive offices and following up on the status of purchase and delivery; e. preparing and/or reviewing various project reports, i.e. periodic progress reports, technical contractors' agency terminal reports, and, as requested, project status reports, fiscal reports and briefing notes;arranging for the completion of projects and ensuring all documents and books are finalized. Lead activities for which UNEP is responsible in the IFACC initiative (a) Coordinate the activities on catalytic capital and agricultural transition finance, including joining calls, engagement with potential financiers (public and private) (b) Ensure timely delivery of all activities for which UNEP is responsible for. This includes internal coordination of UNEP personnel (staff and consultants) to ensure everyone has clear work-plans and these are periodically assessed to ensure timely delivery. (c) Travel on a needs-basis to ensure activities are completed and engage with relevant stakeholders (government agencies, finance institutions, agri-food supply chain companies, NGOs, catalytic capital providers). (d) Contribute to help unlock more catalytic capital for the agricultural transition in close collaboration with TNC (The Nature Conservancy), WEF (World Economic Forum) and external partners. Donor engagement, Reporting & Synergies (a) Engage with donor(s) of the IFACC initiative and ensure they are being kept up-to-date on delivery, challenges and achievements; (b) Ensure timely reporting, both substantive (content-focused) as well as liaise with the UNEP finance team to ensure timely financial reports to the donors, as well as in UNEP’s own system (IPMR, Umoja). (c) Liaise with other projects that the Climate Finance Unit is executing globally, including RSCF ((Restoration Seed Capital Facility) ) , RCF (Responsible Commodities Facility) , Restoration Factory among others, and more broadly by the Climate Change and Ecosystem Divisions to seek and implement synergies. Potential geographic expansion of IFACC to Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South East Asia: (a) Requesting actions for recruitment of experts to assess potential for geographic expansion of the IFACC initiative; (b) Liaise with partners and donors about the findings and decide on whether to geographically expand IFACC Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in the field of sustainable finance, sustainable agricultural supply chains, private sector engagement, and project management with a specific focus on sustainable land use. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies of the Land Use Finance Project; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable finance, economics, business analytics, environment or agricultural economics; or disciplines in quantitative fields (e.g. sciences, mathematics), or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable finance, sustainable agricultural supply chains, private sector engagement, or project management (or a combination thereof), with at least two (2) years at the international level is required. Experience working with or within private finance institutions is required. Experience engaging with corporates in the agricultural supply chain and with United Nations entities is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

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