Under the supervision of the Task Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for GEF mitigation projects, the GEF Project Specialist is required to develop and manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF mitigation projects in Latin American and the Caribbean. Thematic areas of these projects include those related to net-zero nature-positive accelerator, energy communities, climate transparency, electric mobility, energy efficiency and sustainable cities.
Responsibilities:
Prepare and send project implementation review report templates to Executing Agencies for projects in the LAC portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion.
Prepare terms of reference (TORs) for mid-term (MTR) and terminal reviews (TR), support the recruitment process, ensure timely submission and quality of MTR and TR reports, and facilitate the implementation of their recommendations.
Review financial documentation, including expenditure reports and cash advance requests, as described in the “Project documentation” section below.
Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects.
Travel to undertake the previous tasks in country, as required and decided by the Task Manager. Project documentation.
Develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions.
Prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes.
Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to update their procurement plans and review such plans, providing inputs to finalize them.
Prepare project revision documents for technical and financial revisions for projects, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete for UNEP approval.
Review expenditure reports together with the finance team to ensure.
Correct amounts have been charged.
Expenditures are aligned with project deliverables and thus acceptable
Expenditure is not exceeding the budget line allocations and overall budget. Send feedback emails to Executing Agencies in order for the agency to complete the document correctly.
Review cash advance requests in collaboration with the finance team. Provide guidance to Executing Agencies in order for them to complete the document correctly.
Actively participate in the unit working groups and/or undertake research to identify measures to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management tools and operations.
Develop portfolio management proposals and/or implement measures aiming at: improving efficiency, cost control, and resource allocation strategies; facilitating decision-making; and enhancing effectiveness of the portfolio management system.
Regularly update project information on Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution system (every 6 months).
Support the creation/revision of flowcharts for the development, review and approval of technical and financial documents. Other unit support.
Engage in initiatives to improve internal and external communication, enhance working culture and streamline processes to achieve more impact as a team.
Articulate with other UNEP areas and institutions working on similar topics in the region and globally.
Engage with UNEP Regional Offices, Sub-Regional offices and country focal points -and Resident Coordinator offices when required- to guarantee political and programmatic alignment.
Education:
Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: management, engineering, law, business administration, environmental management, policy, economics, development, climate or development finance, architecture, urbanism, or a related discipline.
A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing projects related to climate change, environment or development is required.
Experience in working with national governments of Latin America and the Caribbean is required.
Experience in reviewing project documents, progress reports, workplans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is desirable.
Experience working with GEF, GCF, CDM or UNEP projects is desirable.
Experience in working for multilateral or bilateral funding entities in the field of climate change, environment or development is a desirable.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this consultancy, fluency (both oral and written) in English and Spanish is required.
