Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the countries to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has been a trusted development partner of Thailand for more than 50 years, helping to reduce inequalities and exclusion in areas such governance, environment protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation. In each of its thematic areas of work, UNDP at the request of its national partners provides relevant policy advisory support, technical assistance, advocacy, and knowledge to help Thailand achieve its global commitment on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

UNDP is therefore working with its national partners to identify and tap into alternative and innovative financing mechanisms for development. This process involves broadening outreach and forging wide-ranging partnerships with stakeholders – including other UN agencies, the government, the private sector, philanthropic Foundations, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and International Finance Institutions to advance the country’s development strategies and objectives.

UNDP is currently looking for a Climate Action Portfolio Manager with with background on sustainable energy, climate adaptation and mitigation. We seek individuals with communication, analytical, planning and implementation capacities to address links, choices and connections across many issues and sectors.

Background and scope of the climate action portfolio:

Among several on-going and pipeline climate related activities, UNDP is working on topics related to: support to the implementation and reporting of climate policies (e.g. Nationally Determined Contribution, Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy, Biennial Transparency Report), climate finance, climate change adaptation and climate resilience for agriculture and water management, just energy transition/emission reduction, climate education, and others. The elements of human rights, gender, youth, minority groups, and most vulnerable communities are incorporated as core cross cutting issues in all the initiatives.

In this context, under the direct supervision and strategic guidance of the Integrated Team Leader, UNDP in Thailand is looking for a Climate Action Portfolio Manager. They would work cooperatively within an integrated programme, comprising analysts and professionals (operations, policy advisors, project and programme team). They would also provide substantive and management support to the Integrated Team Leaderand in exchange with other key project managers, to develop and implement relevant initiatives under the Climate Action Portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate Action Portfolio Manager will be based in Bangkok as part of the UNDP Thailand country office and will report to the Head of Programme. The Portfolio Manager will work in coordination with the other project managers of the Climate Action Portfolio.

1. Coordinate effective projects planning and implementation of the Climate Action Portfolio

• Day-to-day management of activities related to key projects under the climate action portfolio;
• Coordinate with relevant implementing partners and UNDP to ensure that expected outputs are delivered in a timely manner;
• Ensure that the projects are implemented in compliance with UNDP and Government’s Procurement and Human Resources Guidelines, and Financial requirements;
• Ensure that the projects are executed according to approved workplans and within established budgets;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures) form;
• Implement and support results-focused project activities.
• Performance of other duties as required in support of project implementation

2. Implementation of reporting and monitoring policies and strategies of the portfolio

• Effective monitoring for ensuring implementation of project activities;
• Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and the results;
• Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the Project Steering Committee and Working Group for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
• Prepare the Project Progress Reports (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the relevant UNDP team;
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and activity progress reports to UNDP as well as adequate financial management of allocated resources;
• Oversee timely preparation of reports for UNDP to donors and other stakeholders;
• Prepare presentations to donor partners, government and other stakeholders as required.

3. Liaison, partnerships and coordination with external and internal partners and portfolio development and resource mobilization

• Contribute to coordinate with key partners and stakeholders at national and local level to effectively implement the Portfolio activities;
• Support to create strategic partnerships with government, non-government, and private sector stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Actively support the design and implementation of the portfolio resource mobilization strategy, developing concept notes/project proposals, and maintain close relationships with donor partners;
• Provide oversight of the development of a new project proposal on Just Energy Transition and related topics to the Mitigation Action Facility;
• Closely liaise with other UNDP Thailand teams to ensure coherency and synergy with other UNDP projects and thematic areas;
• Build relationships with other UN agencies and build upon common activities to ensure maximum impact of project activities especially when targeting vulnerable groups such as children, youth and women; and,
• Advise team members and management on new developments regarding key partners and stakeholders.

4. Facilitate knowledge building and management:

• Provide quality advisory services to the UNDP Thailand and Implementing Parnters and facilitate knowledge building and management
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories; and,
• Contribute to the design and implementation of appropriate learning strategies for stakeholders
• Update and co-design the portfolio communication strategy

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for theefficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated

  elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and

  approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client”s upcoming needs and concerns.

Partnership management

• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
• Emerging partnerships: Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships
• Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s deree or equivalent) in Climate Change, Environmental Sciences/Engineering, Energy Engineering, Disaster Management, Environmental Economics/Management,, International Relations, Political Science and/or relevant field is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with Master’s Degree) OR 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Climate Change, Environmental Sciences/Engineering, Energy Engineering, Disaster Management is required.

Required skills and competencies:

• Experience in project/ portfolio management including coordination, financial management, risk management and partnership management.
• Experience in identifying and executing opportunities to improve operational efficiency
• Experience in working effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience in policy analysis and development on just energy transition or climate resilience (or related fields) is an asset.
• Research experience on just energy transition or climate resilience (or related fields) is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies of climate change is an asset.
• Previous experience working with government, donors or the UN is an asset.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.