Ecosystem Approach Programme Officer

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This position is located in the Ecosystems Division, at the Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) in Athens duty station.

Under the overall guidance of the MAP Deputy Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the Quality Status Report (QSR) Programme Officer, the incumbent will provide project management services to the project: Supporting the Southern Mediterranean Contracting Parties in implementing ecosystem approach to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) (EcAp MED PLUS).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the QSR Programme Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Ecosystem Approach Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Coordination and Project Management
• Coordinating and managing the EcAp MED PLUS project, working closely with UNEP/MAP components
• Monitoring the delivery of outputs and progress of implementation of activities in accordance with the Project Document, partner agreements, and project workplan – ensuring the quality of outputs and achievement of desired outcomes.
• Monitoring and assessing progress of implementation, identifying risks and proposing solutions and necessary amendments as required.
• Coordinating and managing the project budget,
• Preparing, coordinating and managing agreements with implementing partners, including providing oversight on their budgets and workplans.
• Ensuring harmonization and coherence of all activities and project outputs together with the Project Steering Committee.
• Executing Project Activities assigned to the MAP Coordinating Unit.
• Preparing written outputs as required, e.g. draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, as well as supervising their translation.
• Informing and advising implementing partners through the Project Steering Committee of any issues likely to affect the financial resources or scope of foreseen activities.
• Organizing the Project Steering Committee Meetings, including the preparation of documentation (agenda, progress reports, presentations, minutes/meeting reports), coordinating communication with the Project Steering Committee members (dissemination of invitations and documentation, support in preparation and during the meeting, and follow up.)
• Developing and managing the performance of impact assessment system for the project, including defining measurable indicators, ensuring adherence to the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework as well organizing any external evaluations as required.
• Disseminating the results of evaluations to all relevant partners for further review as a means to ensure the most effective implementation and results orientation of the project.
• Developing TORs and managing the work of consultants in the context of the expected outputs of the project as required.
• Handing administrative requirements of the project.
• Maintaining and managing documentation, records, and communication related to the project.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

2. Communication and Networking:
• Collecting information on latest developments on ecosystem approach at regional and global levels, reviewing and analyzing issues and trends, to contribute to the policy development of UNEP/MAP.
• Contributing to the organization of meetings, seminars, and/or public relations events that are required to ensure effective coordination and implementation of the overall Ecosystem Approach Roadmap and its activities including both substantive and logistical aspects of meeting organizations.
• Seeking opportunities for creating networks with relevant initiatives, institutions, NGOs, scientific community, with special emphasis on synergies with EU MSFD work.
• Coordinating and monitoring all the Communications activities of the project in collaboration with MAP Information Officer and respective MAP Components.

3. Any other duties as per the request of the office

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNEP/MAP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNEP/MAP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including the following outputs:
o Project activities are implemented in a timely manner.
o Risks are identified early on and appropriate measures are taken to avoid/mitigate them.
o Agreements with implementing partners are implemented in a timely manner.
o Project Steering Committee is organized and held as planned.
o The Donor, Coordinator, Project Steering Committee, and Implementing Partners are held abreast, as required, of developments on the project.
o Progress reporting is prepared and submitted to the Donor on time.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.