Job Summary
Job Summary
Lead the design, preparation and submission of Global Environment Facility (GEF) Medium-Sized Project (MSP) documents and CEO Endorsement Requests for biodiversity, protected area management, land degradation and ecosystem conservation initiatives.
Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams and stakeholders to develop high-quality UNEP-GEF project proposals that meet GEF requirements and support environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable livelihoods.
Provide technical leadership throughout the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase, ensuring delivery of comprehensive project documents, safeguard assessments, financing plans, monitoring frameworks and implementation arrangements.Key ResponsibilitiesProject Design Leadership
Key Responsibilities
Serve as Project Preparation Grant (PPG) Team Leader and principal project design expert.
Lead development of UNEP-GEF project documents and CEO Endorsement Requests.
Ensure project design aligns with approved Project Identification Forms (PIFs), GEF policies and UNEP requirements.
Coordinate and manage contributions from national and international consultants.
Provide technical direction throughout project formulation and validation processes.Technical Review & Baseline Assessment
Conduct comprehensive reviews of baseline information, studies and relevant documentation.
Assess legal, policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks relevant to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
Analyze project alignment with national development priorities and international environmental conventions.
Identify risks, opportunities and implementation challenges impacting project success.
Integrate lessons learned and best practices from related projects and programmes.Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation
Lead consultations with government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations and community stakeholders.
Facilitate stakeholder engagement processes during project preparation and validation.
Build partnerships with complementary projects and initiatives to maximize synergies.
Document stakeholder consultations and recommendations.
Support consensus-building around project objectives, outcomes and implementation arrangements.Project Strategy Development
Conduct problem analysis, barrier analysis and Theory of Change development.
Define project boundaries, scope and strategic interventions.
Develop project outcomes, outputs, activities and implementation strategies.
Establish cost-effective solutions that maximize environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Ensure project compliance with GEF biodiversity and land degradation priorities.Results Framework & Monitoring Systems
Develop comprehensive results frameworks with SMART indicators.
Establish quantitative and qualitative performance targets.
Integrate gender-responsive and socio-economic indicators into project monitoring systems.
Prepare Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plans consistent with GEF policies.
Develop costed monitoring frameworks with clear responsibilities and accountability structures.Environmental & Social Safeguards
Lead implementation of UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) requirements.
Conduct safeguard assessments addressing environmental, social and economic risks.
Work closely with UNEP Safeguards Advisors to ensure compliance with UNEP standards.
Develop mitigation measures for identified project risks.
Prepare safeguard documentation and compliance reports.Financial Planning & Resource Mobilization
Develop multi-year project budgets in accordance with UNEP-GEF guidelines.
Lead preparation of co-financing strategies and financing plans.
Engage development partners and stakeholders to secure co-financing commitments.
Coordinate collection of co-financing letters and supporting documentation.
Conduct incremental cost analyses and financial sustainability assessments.Institutional & Implementation Arrangements
Design project governance and implementation structures.
Define project management arrangements and coordination mechanisms.
Establish project steering committees and implementation responsibilities.
Develop sustainability strategies and project exit plans.
Ensure strong national ownership and institutional capacity for project implementation.Gender, Inclusion & Knowledge Management
Conduct stakeholder and gender (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});analyses.
Develop Gender Action Plans aligned with UNEP and GEF requirements.
Integrate gender equality and social inclusion considerations throughout project design.
Support knowledge management and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Ensure incorporation of sex-disaggregated indicators and reporting requirements.Quality Assurance & Documentation
Review and validate consultant outputs and technical deliverables.
Ensure all project documentation meets UNEP and GEF quality standards.
Prepare final UNEP-GEF Project Documents and CEO Endorsement Requests.
Respond to comments and recommendations from UNEP review bodies.
Ensure completeness of annexes, tracking tools and supporting documentation.Qualifications
Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Biodiversity, Land Use Management, Ecosystem Services, Environmental Law or a related field.
A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Specialized knowledge of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and environmental policy is highly desirable.Experience
Experience
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in environmental, biodiversity or sustainable development project design and implementation.
Demonstrated experience developing Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects and proposals.
Experience designing at least two (2) or more GEF-funded projects is required.
Proven experience preparing project proposals, technical studies, evaluations and strategic reports.
Experience working with UNEP, GEF or other international environmental organizations is desirable.
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and international consultancy assignments.
Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation processes is highly desirable.Technical Skills
Technical Skills
GEF Project Design and Development.
Biodiversity Conservation Planning.
Land Degradation and Ecosystem Restoration.
Environmental Policy and Regulatory Analysis.
Theory of Change Development.
Logical Framework Analysis.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
Results-Based Management.
Environmental and Social Safeguards.
Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation.
Project Budgeting and Financial Planning.
Resource Mobilization and Co-financing Development.
Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion.
Risk Assessment and Management.
Project Governance and Institutional Development.Key Competencies
Key Competencies
Strategic Leadership and Project Management.
Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills.
Excellent Technical Report Writing Skills.
Stakeholder Facilitation and Negotiation Skills.
Team Leadership and Coordination.
Quality Assurance and Attention to Detail.
Results Orientation and Accountability.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
Adaptability and Professional Integrity.
Strong Communication and Presentation Skills.Personal Attributes
Personal Attributes
High ethical standards and professionalism.
Strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.
Demonstrates gender sensitivity and inclusiveness.
Organized, self-motivated and solution-oriented.
Capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines.Language Requirements
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.