Org. Setting and Reporting
The objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements. The Global Mechanism is an institution of the UNCCD, mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources from public and private sector for activities that prevent, control or reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. As the operational arm of the Convention, the Global Mechanism supports countries to translate the Convention into action.
The Great Green Wall or Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel (GGW) is Africa’s flagship initiative to combat the increasing desertification. Led by the African Union and the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall, the initiative aims to transform the lives of millions of people by creating a mosaic of green and productive landscapes across North Africa. From the initial idea of a line of trees from east to west bordering the Saharan Desert, the vision of a Great Green Wall has evolved into that of a mosaic of interventions addressing the challenges facing the people in the Sahel and the Sahara. By 2030, the ambition of the initiative is to restore 100 million ha of currently degraded land; sequester 250 million tons of carbon and create 10 million green jobs.
As a programming tool for rural development, the overall goal of this partnership is to strengthen regional resilience and natural systems with sound ecosystem management, protection of rural heritage, and improved living conditions. The project is a response to the combined effect of natural resources degradation and drought in rural areas. It is a partnership that supports communities working towards sustainable management and use of forests, rangelands and other natural resources. It seeks to help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as improve food security and generate employment opportunities. The population of the Sahel is expected to double by 2039, adding urgency to the project.
One of the key outcomes of the One Planet Summit [ hosted by H.E. the President of the French Republic] were pledges of additional support for the implementation of the GGW. A programme has been established, called the “Great Green Wall Accelerator” (GGWA). This multi-stakeholder initiative aims to catalyse financial efforts by all donors, giving new impetus to this ambitious African initiative. The initiative’s partners have pledged almost €14 billion ($16.85 billion) in international finance for the 11 countries concerned by 2025 with additional pledges likely to follow. More than a hundred private companies have also committed to contribute to the implementation of agroecological transition objectives in the Great Green Wall countries.
The position is based in UNCCD Office in Bonn, Germany.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, and overall guidance of the Managing Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following specific duties:
• Manages the project: “Strengthening Coordination and Implementation of the Great Green Wall (GGW) Initiative”, the donor-funded project by developing technical report, relationship with the donor and ensuring a smooth implementation of the project.
• Provide guidance and technical support to the GGW countries’ national coalitions, strategies and pipelines of projects development.
• Provides technical advice to GGW countries teams on results indicators, reporting frameworks and monitoring activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on the assigned topics/activities.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with UN agencies, international, regional and national technical partners for the implementation of the GGWA.
• Develop, facilitate and coordinate a Taskforce on data collection, monitoring and reporting on the GGW activities with partners
• Design, implement and manage an online, comprehensive GGW information system, consisting of a database to track progress on projects development and implementation
• Establishes effective partnerships with public, CSOs and private stakeholders; connects project generators and developers with potential funders.
• Drafts proposals and coordinates marketing efforts for the GGW Accelerator programmes; provides feedback on, or undertakes as required, project planning and its implementation, including through the facilitating of workshops or other type of meetings that will assist donors in the operationalization of the project; organizes donors’ meeting; prepares written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, annual progress reports on the state of the implementation of the GGW.
• Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Global Mechanism and Secretariat.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concept and approaches relevant to monitoring and evaluating the implementation and impact of development projects. Knowledge of e-commerce and digital economy functional area; ability to prepare well-reasoned written contributions, promulgate coherent policies and interact with senior officers, technical staff and counterparts/partners. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
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.
Planning & organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; 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 .
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, management, economics, political science, international relations, social science or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project planning and management, economics, international relations, social science or related area is required.
At least three years’ experience with results-based management frameworks and in advising intergovernmental organizations on monitoring and evaluation is required.
Experience in providing administrative or programmatic support to or in a field operation of an international organization in Africa is desirable.
Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable as well as experience in implementing projects and promoting partnerships.
Languages
Fluency in oral and written English and French language is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages would be an asset.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a project post. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Any extensions of the appointments are subject to the availability of the funds.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
