Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, or any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP Jordan upholds a vision focusing on the achievements of Sustainable Human Development in Jordan, ending poverty and reducing inequalities. UNDP is at the heart of the UN’s work on sustainable development and a leader for the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals.

UNDP Jordan's 2023-2027 country programme seeks to support national efforts in enhancing people’s resilience in Jordan through robust interventions that increase people's equal access to sustainable resources, enhance green growth opportunities, and advance democratic governance, implementing a portfolio approach cutting across three outcomes focused on systematic transformation in three priority areas: (a) prosperous and productive people; (b) green and safe future pathways for climate action; and (c) holistic and transformative systems/policies and capacities across all sectors.

The Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio’s support for environmental management and nationally-owned sustainable development pathways include the following areas: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification; Water and Marine Governance; Climate Change and Drought; Energy; Waste Management; Green Economy; and Disaster Risks Reduction.

The global annual biodiversity financing gap is estimated at US$700 billion. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Panel of Experts on Resource Mobilization has highlighted that achieving the new biodiversity targets under the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) will require additional financial resources, increased resource efficiency, and the reduction of biodiversity-harmful financial flows. Closing the biodiversity finance gap demands transformative changes across economies and societies. To support the implementation of the GBF, it is essential to conduct detailed assessments of national policies and institutional contexts, review biodiversity expenditures, and develop and implement comprehensive finance plans.

CBD Parties face several key barriers to sustainable biodiversity financing, including limited awareness, coordination, and capacity among national stakeholders; insufficient knowledge and systematic documentation of biodiversity expenditure data; inadequate measurement and reporting of the negative impacts of finance contributing to biodiversity loss; poorly defined and understood biodiversity finance needs; limited use and mainstreaming of country-specific biodiversity finance solutions; and restricted exchange and uptake of global best practices in sustainable biodiversity financing.

To address these challenges, Target 19 of the GBF calls on all countries to develop national biodiversity finance plans (BFPs). These plans should assess the root causes of biodiversity loss, identify national biodiversity finance gaps, and outline strategies to reduce these gaps through various finance solutions. These solutions include reducing harmful resource flows, generating additional resources, and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of resource use.

In response to this need, UNDP has commenced the GEF funded "Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans" project, aiming at supporting countries in mobilizing resources at scale to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The project will address the current biodiversity financing gap, and help countries develop and implement national biodiversity finance plans (NBFPs). The project is expected to establish a transformative process for biodiversity finance in participating eligible countries. This involves engaging all relevant stakeholders, including Ministries of Finance and Environment, and the private and financial sectors, through a socially and gender-inclusive approach. The project will assist Jordan in conducting baseline diagnostics, strengthening capacity and institutions, and developing finance plans to mobilize resources at scale for the implementation of the GBF. The project activities will be implemented using highly participatory approaches, through active and meaningful participation of stakeholders across the government and beyond, with a lead role for the finance sector.

To support the implementation of this project in Jordan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jordan office is seeking to employ a Biodiversity Officer under the National Personal Service Agreement modality.

Duties And Responsibilities

Biodiversity Officer will function as part of the UNDP programme (Green pathways and inclusive growth) and will ensure smooth implementation of the project in accordance with the project document and UNDP procedures by conducting, as relevant and instructed, the following tasks:

Ensure Project Management And Implementation

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the projects annual work plans and the process of quarterly and annual planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
• Coordinate, monitor, and close follow-up of the activities of all consultants assigned by the projects to ensure timely provision of inputs and achievement of outputs and deliverables.
• Manage and monitor risks and issues, submitting newly identified ones to the Project Board for consideration and decision if required.
• Ensure the management and administrative requirements (technical, financial, communications, audits, evaluations, etc.) of the GEF are met.
• Ensure total accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the projects` financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures.
• Support preparing the required financial reports to accompany the Project’s quarterly and annual work plans and reports and in accordance with the UNDP procedures:
• Guide in submitting the narrative progress reports.
• Guide in submitting the final financial report of expenditures.
• Support with the post project evaluation.
• Prepare Terms of Reference for consultants and contractors.
• Compiles, summarizes and presents basic information/data on specific projects and related topics or issues.
• Review project documents for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.
• Implement project standard operating procedures in line with the government and UNDP’s regulations.
• Provide technical support for the preparation of results-oriented progress reports.
  
  

Build strategic partnerships and communication and support the implementation of resource mobilization:

• Working inclusively and closely with project’s concerned partners and stakeholders.
• Coordination of project activities with other involved governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Assist in establishing a trusting relationship with all concerned groups including relevant ministries and local NGOS.
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder participation in the project implementation through coordination with all concerned institutions.
• Support the project management unit in assessing tools and required resources to operationalize the newly updated and aligned Jordan’s 2050 NBSAP.
• Ensure that GEF as donor of the project is fully and visibly acknowledged, this include press releases, human interest stories, and photo stories.
• Facilitate a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation by supporting the development and dissemination of lessons learned.
  
  

Provides administrative support to the Project Management Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Guide and support the focal point for administrative and office coordination of project implementation activities to process and follow up on administrative actions, e.g., recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, and procurement of equipment.
• Support in updating the database of the relevant public and development partners, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project.
• In coordination with UNDP’s Communication unit and other relevant counterpart communications departments, support documentation of the project activities as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project, and resource mobilization for the project.
  
  

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice
• Ensure active participation in learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.
• Assists with writing of press releases and speeches related to events organized by the project and ensures an adequate media coverage for such events and any other strategic issues/activities linked to project implementation.
  
  

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Biodiversity Officer will perform his/her tasks under the supervision of the Projects Coordination Specialist at the Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth portfolio at UNDP Jordan Country Office, copied to the Program Specialist. He/she will be based at Ministry of Environment, and will be working closely with MoEnv focal point and the members of the Project’s Management Unit

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
  
  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Partnership management

• Emerging partnerships:
• Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships
  

Business Direction and Strategy

• Effective Decision Making:
• Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
  

Business Management

• 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.
  

Communications

• Creative Direction and Copywriting:
• Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple ways
  

2030- Agenda-Planet

• Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme:
• Nature-positive economy and Biodiversity Finance
  

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Agriculture Sciences, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Sociology or other related fields is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  
  

Experience

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in Biodiversity Conservation, Agriculture and Water, Natural Resource Management or other related field.
  
  

Required Skills

• Working experience in biodiversity conservation in Jordan.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholders’ governance system.
• Experience in projects management.
• Excellent knowledge in computer skills.
  
  

Desired Skills

• Experience working with the government institutions in Jordan.
• Experience in budget planning and management.
• Knowledge of GEF funded projects, or other multi-lateral funded biodiversity related projects.
• Experience in projects’ monitoring and evaluation.
  
  

Required Language(s)

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

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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