Programme Manager

Programme Manager

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Bonn, Germany

Background Information - Job-specific

The position is located in the ICAT Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, in the Country Support Team, which is accountable for delivering support to countries through direct projects and regional climate action transparency hubs. ICAT is engaged with more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean by implementing tailored, technical support. The portfolio of country projects is distributed among the members of the country team and the incumbent will be assigned specific countries, primarily French-speaking, to work with.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Manager will:

• Support the coordination of the implementation of the country projects and the work programme of the regional climate action transparency hub in Central Africa, as assigned;
• Support initiation of the new country projects;
• Support development of the ICAT Toolbox;
• Contribute to knowledge development and sharing.

The incumbent will be responsible and accountable for the following duties:

Programme management

• Provide support to the coordination and implementation of ICAT’s country/regional projects, including coordination of Implementing Partners activities;
• Review project cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and grant support agreements and lead on the substantive development of work plans and budgets for country projects;
• Provide review/input to scopes of work for grantee selection and procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the project agreements are reflected in agreements with implementing partners;
• Review country/regional projects deliverables and Implementing Partners reports to ensure requirements outlined in the respective agreements are being met;
• Track programme progress and results against targets, alert management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the Director and the Senior Programme Manager to prepare for internal reviews;
• Coordinate revisions to the relevant legal agreements, budgets and work plans by ensuring efficient information flow between implementation teams, management and donors;
• Review and edit summaries and analytical reports, communication and outreach materials, including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, and other UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits, as appropriate; research and prepare input for analytical, documents for the Director and the Donor Steering Committee.

Country and regional engagement

• Support the ICAT Director and the Senior Programme Manager in initiating and managing projects under ICAT’s country and regional work, including scoping country support and the regional hubs and liaising with country and regional focal points;
• Support effective capacity-building activities and peer-to-peer exchanges conducted to build long-term capacity of ICAT beneficiary countries;
• Participate in external meetings at the country, regional and global level. This may entail visits to ICAT partner countries;
• Establish and build relationships with ICAT partner country governments and partnering regional organizations, as well as relevant actors at the UN, international organizations, NGOs, donors, and climate change stakeholders to facilitate activities and improve the quality and relevance of programme implementation;
• Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and missions, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the Director and the Senior Programme Manager.

Support to the further development of the ICAT Toolbox

• Provide support on further developing the ICAT toolbox and ensuring coordination with implementing partners;
• Provide substantive input to ICAT’s knowledge base by drafting ToRs for new tools and methodologies to complement those already in the ICAT toolbox, and background notes and engaging with active and potential partners;
• Support the identification of suitable partners for the translation of ICAT methodologies into other languages (in particular) French and for outreach activities.

Knowledge development and sharing

• Organize, prepare and participate in the meetings of the Country and Toolbox Group including drafting the agenda, drafting minutes of decisions and actions, coordinating inputs from Implementing Partners;
• Support the organization of ICAT events, including meetings of the Donor Steering Committee, the Advisory Committee, the Initiative Coordination Team, and other ICAT stakeholder events, such as COP side events;
• Develop and maintain knowledge-sharing tools to capture on an ongoing basis progress on country work and regional engagement, linking all relevant stakeholders;
• Collaborate with partners and UN agencies such as the UNFCCC secretariat, PATPA, NDC Partnership, ETF Group of Friends, and UNDP;
• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the Senior Programme Manager.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental management/sciences, international relations, economics, education, development studies, and/or other relevant fields relevant for climate action transparency and capacity-building; OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of relevant working experience. Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management related to climate change and/or environmental management/assessment, in either public or private sector organizations;
• At least one (1) year of working experience related to Nationally Determined Contributions, climate policies, and/or policy impact assessments;
• Solid understanding of transparency in the context of Article 13 of the Paris Agreement is required;
• Experience in international cooperation and in working with developing countries and/or capacity building is desirable;
• Experience with coordinating multiple stakeholders, ideally in an international setting is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required;
• Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic/Chinese/Spanish/Russian) is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above);
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion;
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles;
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role);
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries;
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements;
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving;
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

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