Overview
The Programme Specialist will substantively contribute to the formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies, focusing on natural resources, climate change, and disaster risk reduction in Lao PDR.
Key Responsibilities
- Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies.
- Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country.
- Contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
- Contribute to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document, Integrated Work Plan and other strategic documents.
- Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with main partners and other UN Agencies.
- Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
- Ensure effective management of the CO programme within assigned thematic/sector areas.
- Contribute to design and formulation of CO programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation.
- Ensure design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities.
- Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of assigned programme areas.
- Track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
- Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability.
- Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
- Ensure effective use of data in programme implementation.
- Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
- Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
- Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure implementation of management responses.
- Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes.
- Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes.
- Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
- Develop partnerships with UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society.
- Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation.
- Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.
- Identify opportunities for initiation of new projects.
- Substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
- Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline.
- Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
- Identify policy-driven issues.
- Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned.
- Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks.
- Implement relevant, high-impact advocacy with key partners.
- Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions.
- Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation.
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
- Organize training for operations/ projects staff on programme related matters.
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience working at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in the area of environment, climate change, and/or development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of environmental management, environment conventions and treaties, especially on biodiversity, climate change, forestry, water, health and circular economy.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
- Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
- Proven communication and coordination skills/experience.
- Experience in programme development, project implementation and monitoring, financial management, collaboration with government and the international development community would be an asset.
- Experience in biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, land management, ecosystems, pollution and waste management, water resources management/irrigation, livelihoods or poverty-environment work/linkages is an asset.
- Experience in maintaining existing partnerships and developing new relationships.
- Experience with research and report writing.
- Experience in resource mobilization.
- Experience working with a UN or multilateral development agency, or international forum.
- Experience supporting or managing multi-stakeholder projects, preferably in a UN or development context.
- Proven familiarity with UNDP’s programme and operations procedures (e.g., POPP, Quantum).
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Natural Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Water Resources Management, Development Studies with Environmental Specialization, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
