Extended deadline: Project Officer/Environment - Sustainable and Resilient Communities through Women Empowerment Project - UNDP Moldova
Background
Republic of Moldova is facing many significant environmental issues triggered mainly by the unsustainable use of natural resources and agricultural practices. As a result, there is continuous degradation and loss of fertile land and biodiversity and air and water pollution from point and non-point sources due to high motorization and dumping of waste and chemicals. All these along with the pending climate change risks directly and indirectly affect the living conditions and health of the population, and especially of women, as well as the economic development of the country, contributing to further increase in poverty, especially in rural areas.
In Moldova, the poverty rate is 7.5 times higher in rural areas than in large cities. Since a significant part of the rural population is engaged in subsistence agricultural activities, the risk of falling below the poverty line is high in years of climate-related extreme events. Rural population is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts , especially women and women-led households, who are not able to provide resources and services needed to ensure water, food and energy supply for their families . Moreover, rural poor have limited knowledge regarding the sustainable and environment-friendly agricultural and forestry practices that would increase adaptation and resilience capacities of communities and ecosystems.
The strategy of the project is to build inclusive sustainable and resilient communities and create an enabling environment for women’s economic, social and educational empowerment trough the following outcomes: (i) sustainable, climate resilient and environmentally-sound livelihoods defined and local capacities&knowledge on environment, climate change and gender enhanced and implemented successfully (ii) NGOs capacities to provide expertise to LPAs and women in the field of resilience to climate change, sustainable development and gender mainstreaming; (iii) environment-friendly and climate resilient practices and projects implemented by women headed households, women agri-producers and communities; and, (iv) sustainable and climate resilient practices and business models disseminated and replicated.
The proposed project is fully aligned with the national priorities in the area of gender, environment protection, climate change and agriculture and the country’s commitment to pursue European integration and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The planned interventions will specifically contribute to implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy 2017-2021, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2014-2020, the National Environmental Strategy 2014-2023, the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy 2014-2020, Strategy on Biological Diversity 2015-2020 and to the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.
In accomplishing the first outcome, the project will be guided by the UNDP 5-step capacity development approach with focus on women and men (including women from vulnerable groups – women with disabilities, elderly women, young women, rroma women etc): engage women on capacity development; assess capacities and needs; formulate a capacity development response; implement a capacity development response; and evaluate capacity development. The individual level capacity (technical skills, knowledge, and experience) will be tackled by the proposed project and would enable the target women groups to have a better understanding of the environmental sustainability and to cope with climate change events and risks.
The second outcome will capacitate NGOs to provide expertise to LPAs and women in the field of resilience to climate change, sustainable development and gender mainstreaming.
In implementing the third outcome, the project will provide financial, technical and informational support to women headed households, agri-producers and communities for piloting environment-friendly and climate change resilient practices in agriculture, forestry and other relevant areas aligned with their economic and social needs. The project will provide micro-size grants to 60 women-headed households, medium sized grants to 10 women agri-producers and 30 communities to support environment-related and climate change resilient activities and expand livelihood opportunities.
The last outcome aims to support preparation of case studies, best practices, lessons learned and other relevant information on climate adaptation solutions and sustainable and resilient livelihoods from the pilot communities to enable their replication and scaling at the national level. The experience will be shared and replicated beyond project borders through sharing events, agricultural extension networks, environmental forums, mass-media and other communication tools.
The project will be implemented in Nisporeni, Calarasi, Basarabeasca, and Leova districts and one district from Gagauzia region (to be determined at the inception phase) and one district from the Transnistrian region (to be determined at the inception phase).
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Officer will be part of the Project Management Team (PMT) and will, under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, be responsible for co-managing together with the Capacity Building/Gender Officer the successful implementation of project components 1, 2 and 3. The Project Officer will lead a team of short-term experts and the activity of contractors selected within the grant component.
The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients.
More specifically for Component:
Sustainable, climate resilient and environmentally-sound livelihoods defined and local capacities&knowledge on environment, climate change and gender enhanced and implemented successfully:
Succesiful coordination of the district-level environmental and climate-change vulnerability assessments for subsequent mainstreaming of climate change and environmental concerns into local development plans;
Efficient coordination and implementation of the mentorship provided to LPAs on application of environmental legislation;
Ensures provision of high-quality capacity building activities and training events for LPAS and other project beneficiaries from target regions on env&climate legislation/resilience to climate change;
Support development of guides on environment, climate-related legislation and gender responsive for LPAs;
Provide support to target districts for application of legislations related to climate and environment as well as support in integrating gender aspects into local planning documents;
Strengten the NGOs capacities to provide expertise to LPAs and women in the field of resilience to climate change, sustainable development and gender mainstreaming:
Together with the Capacity Building Officer, and based on the needs analysis carried out under component 1, coordinate successfully activity of selected NGOs to provide expertise to LPAs and women on environmental and climate-change related legislation, challenges and response measures;
Environment-friendly and climate resilient practices and projects implemented by women headed households, women agri-producers and communities:
Coordinate successfully provision of technical and informational support required by the women headed households, agri-producers and communities for piloting environment-friendly and climate change resilient practices in agriculture, forestry and other areas aligned with their economic and social needs;
Support to preparation of the feasible projects and business plans, 100% delivery of grants allocated to women-led households, women entrepreneur and communities from the pilot area;
Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and guidance in sub granting management for contractors to provide support to LPAS, to women agri-producers/businesses and women-led households;
Guide, coach, mentor and monitor the sub-projects’ beneficiaries on implementing the projects in terms off resilience to climate change;
Identify and document best practices from the field and ensure wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements;
Identify the project’s areas for support and interventions on environment; advise the project team on environmental policies and trends and relevant linkages to the project;
Other duties as might be necessary in connection with the climate change and environmental focus of the project.
Additional Responsibilities
In close coordination with the Project Manager, assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently all project activities and resources (human, financial, physical / material assets, etc) under components 1,2,3 of the project in order to meet expected results;
Prepare the required TORs and build, motivate and lead a high performing team consisting of short-term experts;
Undertake personnel performance appraisals for the experts supervised/coordinated;
Assist the Project Manager in the development of annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and assist in developing periodical project and other reports and close monitoring of activities and disbursements;
Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning;
Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievement and the communication strategy. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels, knowledge codification;
Provide regular reports to the Project manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.
Competencies
Required skills and competencies
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Desired additional skills and competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
Shares knowledge and experience;
Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities and implement them on request time and date;
Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s/ GCL’s strategic initiatives;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Strong research and networking skills;
Intellectual curiosity;
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter;
Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents;
Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document;
Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs;
Leadership and Self-Management
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy.
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education:
Master’s degree in Local Public Administration, Economics, Public Finances, Business Administration, Environment Management and/or Economics or other relevant fields.
Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.
Min. years of relevant Work experience:
At least 3 years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in the areas of community-based development and/or project management in the environmental field involving a significant element of community engagement and capacity building in the public, private sector.
At least 2 years of previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm.
Previous experience in implementing community development projects in close collaboration with regional and local authorities in the targeted regions, within external assistance programs is required.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Required Language(s) (at working level):
Fluency in both oral and written Romanian and English is required.
Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.
Required documents:
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the N-PSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.
UNDP is an employer committed to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both male and female.
UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.
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Please note that the person selected for this position will be offered a contract with UNDP under its National Personnel Services Agreement (N-PSA) modality. The UNDP Service Contract modality is phasing out over the coming year. More information about the N-PSA is available here https://bit.ly/341OFXC
Vacancy End Date: 4 November 2021
To apply please address the link: https://bit.ly/3CxlmeD
