Asia Adaptation Project Specialist

Result of Service

Internalize new approved projects, respond to executing partner queries, review executing partner progress and technical reports, provide adaptive management and monitor projects within UNEP's portfolio of adaptation projects in Asia.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

12

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This post is located within UNEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Unit (CCAU) in the Adaptation and Resilience Branch in the Climate Change Division. The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; supports action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and fosters transparency in reporting. The Project Specialist will report to the Head of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit in Climate Change Division. The Project Specialist is required to manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF, AF and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia. The consultant will undertake the following duties, in close collaboration and coordination with designated Project Management Assistants and Finance Assistants for adaptation projects located in Asia and one focused on developing innovative financing mechanisms.

• Task 1: Project management
• Guide the Programme Management Assistants to develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions;
• Guide the Programme Management Assistants to prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes;
• Maintain regular communication with Project Management Units (PMUs) at the Executing Agencies, to oversee project implementation progress, provide guidance, identify challenges and initiate corrective actions as needed;
• Review and clear key technical deliverables, and initiate the processing of associated consultancy payments;
• Participate in Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings;
• Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to prepare annual work plans and update procurement plans, providing inputs to finalize them;
• In close collaboration with the Programme Management Assistants, Finance Assistants and Fund Management Officer, review and clear expenditure reports, prepare budget revisions and cash advances;
• Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects;
• Travel to undertake project monitoring and planning missions, as required and decided by the Portfolio Manager.
• Task 2: Preparation of project documentation
• Prepare and send half-yearly progress report templates to Executing Agencies, hold meetings with the Project Management Unit (PMUs), send guidance emails