UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background and Organizational Context
As the recently elected New Dawn Government together with its Cooperating Partners including UNDP Zambia move into 2022, and advance further into the Decade of Action with only 8 years left to achieve the SDGs, the world and individual countries are still grappling with COVID-19 response and socio-economic recovery. In this context, as it develops its new Country Programme Document (CPD), UNDP Zambia revisits its approach to programming and delivery to ensure constant relevance and effectiveness in supporting the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to address key issues and most important priorities, while concurrently exploring innovative and creative ways to accelerate the achievement of the objectives set out in intertwined Agendas 2030, 2063 and the finalized 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) using a strategic approach to planning resulting in an efficient and effective delivery of the Country Programme to promote sustainable human development.

Against this backdrop and building upon the lessons learnt over the past years, UNDP Zambia is ensuring that it has the required capacity to rollout the vision of repositioning its CO programme to ensure that UNDP delivers on its mandate effectively in Zambia. The Environment, Energy and Climate Change Cluster is one of three pillars of the Programme Section along with the Governance and Gender and the Inclusive Growth and SDG Acceleration. Each Unit is headed by a Programme Specialist, Head of Unit and supported by a Programme Analyst and a Programme Associate in addition to the dedicated personnel of projects under each cluster.

Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Environment, Energy and Climate Change acts as the senior technical advisor on Environment, Energy and Climate Change for SDG acceleration in Zambia. S/he leads the CO efforts to ensure the achievement of the country programme results and provision of thought leadership and strategic positioning on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, environmental sustainability and sustainable natural resources management, resilience building, green growth and recovery and cross thematic problematics.

Success in achieving results for this portfolio relies on the development of strong national and international partnerships from a wide range of diverse stakeholders. The Programme Specialist, Head of Unit, is responsible for mobilizing joint advocacy, expertise and resources across UNDP global and regional initiatives in these fields, engaging with global and regional networks, and connecting with cooperating partners, academia, NGOs and private sector in involving them to successfully implement UNDP programmes in these fields. S/he will act as the thought-leader in her/his area of expertise in various fora including UNDP support to UN coherence and stronger UN Development System (UNDS) in Zambia.
Duties and Accountabilities
1. Provide effective UNDP leadership in sector policy development and provision of quality technical and policy advisory services relevant to Environment, Energy and Climate Change focus areas to the Government, UNDP and the UN System and other key stakeholders 

• Serve as the UNDP focal point for the provision of overall technical and policy support to the GRZ on matters related to inter alia integration of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaption Plans (NAPs) and other climate change action strategies into sector, national, and sub-national development plans and budgets, promotion of climate and disaster risk informed development, promotion of access to clean renewable energy systems, enhancing environmental sustainability and sustainable natural resources management and overall technical and policy advisory support for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Provide top quality climate change, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy environmental sustainability and sustainable natural resources technical and policy advisory support to relevant Government institutions and GRZ counterparts with focus on strengthening institutional capacity for policy, strategies and programmes formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Support conducting of thorough climate, disaster and environmental risk and vulnerability assessments to effectively contribute to resilience building of ecosystems, people and livelihoods and contribute to collaborative preparation/revision of Common Country Analysis (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD), project documents, Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and other internal and government planning documents.
• Identify opportunities in the practice areas for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies.
• Operationalize the implementation of UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies while seeking and identifying the possibilities for joint programming and interagency collaboration.
• Analyze and present thematic issues in coherence and adherence to UNDP policies and the Strategic Plan signature solutions in the focus areas.
• Identify, in close collaboration with national and international partners, strategic programme areas of cooperation with a particular focus on the NDCs, NAPs, Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, Renewable Energy Strategy, the 8NDP and other strategic national strategies.
• Keep abreast of all significant developments, both in Zambia and internationally, on climate change mitigation and adaptation from various platforms such as Conference of Parties (COPs) for various UN Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD and related frameworks), disaster risk reduction, renewable energy and sustainable natural resources management, environmental protection and monitoring,  natural resources-based livelihood systems and nature-based solutions to climate and disaster risks, climate resilience and low carbon green growth for sustainable development resilience building and green growth, gender responsive and inclusive green solutions and coordinate closely with counterpart GRZ institutions, international stakeholders, lead agencies and adapt work plans and programme strategies, as required.
• Prepare regular strategic and technical notes, briefings to the attention of the Senior Management on emerging priorities, areas for strategic investments and development of new partnerships.
• Collaborate with UNDP Regional Hubs and HQ platforms to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, policies and knowledge products.

2. Provide leadership to ensure (i) the strategic positioning of the Environment, Energy and Climate change Thematic Area, through development of new pipeline projects, (ii) the oversight of Environment, Energy and Climate change Thematic Cluster and its expected results and (iii) day-to-day management of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Thematic Cluster

Strategic positioning of the Environment, Energy and Climate change Thematic Cluster

• Assist in defining the strategic direction of the Environment, Energy and Climate change Thematic Cluster.
• Provide technical expertise and lead the development of new initiatives in the areas of Renewable energy, environmental sustainability, sustainable natural resources management, climate change and disaster risk reduction followed by strategies to build partnerships and mobilize resources.
• Ensure effective and agile leadership of the Environment, Energy and Climate change Thematic Area to meet the challenges experienced during implementation of the programmes and projects with positive responsiveness to opportunities and promptly address of externalities.
• Draft unit strategy/position papers and prepare presentations in line with the developed mandate to present to a variety of audiences.
• Contribute to UNDP integrator role and make substantive contribution to Result Groups (RGs) of the UN Country Team (UNCT).
• Ensure operationalization of the CPD through timely development of relevant pipeline projects and effective and efficient implementation of ongoing energy, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction programmes and projects in collaboration with the main partners and other UN sister Agencies.
• Provide leadership to design and formulate UNDP climate and disaster resilience, renewable energy and sustainable natural resources management programmes, translating UN/UNDP and national priorities into sector and sub-national / local interventions.
• Represent the Unit in meetings as well as with donor coordination meetings related to the Unit thematic areas.

Oversight of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Thematic Cluster 

• Provide leadership and directions to ensure effective and efficient management of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Thematic Cluster.
• Review the Unit portfolio projects and suggest necessary programmatic changes/ amendments to ensure alignment with National Priorities, UNSDCF, UNDP strategic Plan, CPD, in addition to ensuring the proper incorporation of cross cutting themes (i.e. environment/climate change, youth/women employment, PWDs, human rights, gender mainstreaming, LNOB, etc).
• Lead the development of new initiatives and programmes in the areas of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
• Ensures mainstreaming of environment, climate change, DRR and renewable energy issues into all aspects of the CO’s programmatic interventions
• Prepare Unit work-plans while ensuring complementarities and coordination within the portfolio and with other CO Thematic Areas.
• Ensure timely and well-sequenced execution of approved work plans and programmes, using multiyear framework for planning, budgeting and reporting, including the development of strategies to ensure delivery acceleration and timely reporting of results while managing risks of exposure to audit recommendations and maintaining UNDP standing and reputation.
• Ensure effective utilization of technical and financial resources of the Unit to achieve the unit expected outputs.
• Ensure strategic and operational oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources as per commitments with key partners and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Perform effective monitoring of results to measure the impact of climate change and disaster resilience building, energy access, sustainable natural resources management programmes including the coordination of necessary evaluation exercises (Results of monitoring and evaluation used to draw crucial lessons and constructive learning for timely readjustment of programme).
• Monitor the implementation of the portfolio Work Plans, undertake regular reviews, report on progress and make necessary revisions.
• Prepare financial projections and monitor progress and delivery of the portfolio in close collaboration with Programme Compliance and Oversight Unit (PCOM).
• Ensure the effective implementation of the cost-recovery strategies and systems, including the systematic set-up and implementation Direct Project Costing (DPC) or Delivery Enabling Services (DES) in close collaboration with PCOM and the Operations.
• Advise the senior management team on delivery implementation challenges and seek support from the other Unit team leaders to resolve obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Ensure the timely organization of project audits under the portfolio and follow-up for prompt implementation of audit recommendations including updates in the Comprehensive Audit and Recommendation Database System (CARDS).
• Oversee the timely periodical progress and financial reporting in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations to all cooperating partners, donors, Government stakeholders and UN counterparts while ensuring the need for informative, clear and transparent reporting against signed project documents and committed resources and timetables highlighting transformational changes.
• Systematize the effective application of RBM tools throughout the full programme cycle from the design to implementation and reporting and during the timely closure of projects.
• Lead the preparation of public communication and advocacy materials in close collaboration with the Communication Unit.
• Oversee and ensure maintenance of risks and issues logs of each programme/project within the Unit, including the management and mitigation of risks and issues timely and appropriately while raising them to senior management attention as required.

Day-to-day management of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Team

• Provide day to day direction and leadership to guide and support the work of the unit team (including advisors, technical and programme specialists and support staff, consultants etc.), quality assurance, troubleshooting and supervision to the unit team.
• Advise on staffing requirements and administer recruitment processes in collaboration with PCOM and the Operations Section including the preparation of job descriptions, the composition of panels, the assistance with the written tests and interviews, etc.
• Ensure timely preparation and finalization of the Performance Management Document (PMD) or performance evaluation assessments for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change personnel.
• Regularly organize unit meetings, document the deliberations as well as agreed action points and ensure the timely follow-up of their implementations programme.
• Lead and coordinate the Environment, Energy and Climate Change contribution to cross-unit activities including the office response to corporate requests or periodical exercises such as the Results Oriented Annual Report (ROAR), the Integrated Workplan (IWP) exercises or similar processes.

3. Ensure coordination, build synergies, expand and strengthen strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization and innovative financing models to support effective implementation of relevant Environment, Energy and Climate Change Thematic Areas and their scaling up
Coordination and Synergy Building

• Ensure coordination and build synergies within the unit and across the country programme as well as with UNCT and other stakeholders including the private sector, the civil society, the academia, and beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with the other unit heads to ensure complementarity/harmonization with the activities and plans of the other units.
• Coordinate and build partnerships with UNCT Result Groups (RGs) to enhance programmatic synergies in the area of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
• Coordinate with the Communications unit to ensure proper visibility programmes’ activities and timely reporting to Cooperating Partners.
• Engage regularly with the Strategic Policy Unit, to ensure alignment of programme goals with the revised GRZ and UNSDCF/UNCT priorities.
• Maintain close coordination with both Programme and Operations Sections by providing technical and programme support including the development of joint programmes when needed.

Partnerships Strengthening and Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and consolidate strategic partnerships, with government, non-government and private sector entities, development partners for joint programming and resources mobilization to achieve CPD outcomes/outputs.
• Determine and develop programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and development partners’ priorities.
• Initiate, nurture, and coordinate partnerships with UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors including the GCF, GEF and other Trust funds, private sector, civil society for programme support and implementation.
• Prepare substantive briefs, advocacy materials and technical reports to report on the areas of cooperation, and for identifying further opportunities for collaboration.
• Represent UNDP on the UN Joint Team Task Forces, Result Groups (RGs) and contribute to joint planning, programme, and policy development, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and advocacy activity.

4. Strategic results management and facilitation of knowledge management and sharing
Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues and make a synthesis of good practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and policy applications.

• Ensure a robust evidence base documented experience from the projects implemented under the portfolio, with research and analysis carried out, where possible.
• Coordinate capacity development support to national implementing Partners (IPs) and Responsible Parties (RPs) in collaboration with the national partners, PCOM and the Operations Section.
• Draft and advocate the adherence to UN/UNDP policy positions on relevant issues.
• Establish an advocacy network at national level and linking to regional and global networks.
• Contribute to local and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Capture and analyse results, and produce timely results reports for office reporting, with special focus on tracking capacity change and gender equality impact.
• Communicate results through the use of multi-media channels to share results and knowledge products.
• Organize learning and training relating to the Unit’s area of expertise for CO’s staff and implementing partners
• Manage the dissemination and application of knowledge, best practices and programme results for advocacy, resources mobilization, learning and practice development.
• Supervise the recording, documenting and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure the visibility of unit activities through regular updating on achievements, and provide advice on the visibility materials (newsletters, publications, blogs etc.).
• Proactively participate in UNDP regional and international fora on relevant thematic areas (This could include engaging in thematic discussions, contributing with analytical papers, publications, knowledge networks…etc).

5. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• As a member of the Country Office Management Team (COMT), s/he also helps drive integration of work at all levels, from the overall direction by setting to ideas generation, design, implementation to reporting on results, driving and developing partnerships and contributing to the communication for development results. S/he supervises a diverse team with various profiles and manages the deployment of additional long and short-term expertise when required.

Competencies
Core Competencies 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Business Direction and Strategy –  Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
• Business Management-Partnerships Management: Ability to 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
• Communication: 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 audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
• Partnership management-Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
• 2030 Agenda: Planet-Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery: Disaster and Climate Risk Governance
• Disaster Recovery Policy, Planning and Programming
• Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Planet Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: livelihoods
• Climate Change Adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions
• Climate Change Adaptation: strategies
• Climate Change Policies: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management
• Energy: Renewable Energy
• Energy: Energy access
• Environment: Poverty-Environment Nexus
• Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments and safeguards
• Extractive industries

Requirements:

Education 

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in environmental management, natural resources management, economics, business administration, social sciences or related disciplines or related field.

Experience

• Minimum  5 years of experience in working in the areas of: environmental and sustainable natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, resilience building, integrated approaches and nature-based solutions to climate change, disaster-risk reduction, renewable energy systems and energy access, gender-responsive and inclusive approaches for sustainable development
• Relevant experience at the national or international level in providing technical and policy advisory services in the general areas of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, disaster risk reduction and resilience
• Sound knowledge of multilateral environmental conventions and frameworks
• Sound expertise in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of complex environmental projects involving strategic national stakeholders and international organizations such as Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• Sound understanding of results-based management practices and quantification of environmental benefits
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems

Senior Management Experience

• Proven experience in middle/upper management positions for at least 3 years
• Minimum of 5 years’ track record of successful project/programme management experience with teams and budgets of comparable complexity and scope
• Hands-on experience in designing, planning, monitoring and evaluation of development projects

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period
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