JOB OFFERS: Responsible for monitoring the implementation of the BESNET II project – UNDP

Open recruitment (announced)

Announcement end date: 05/03/2024

General
Description of assignment title
Responsible for monitoring the implementation of the BESNET II project

Country of assignment
Cameroon

Expected start date
01/03 /2024

Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host organization
UNDP

Type
On-site

Duration: 10 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Yaounde

Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP works in around 170 countries and territories, contributing to the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnership capacities, institutional capacities and build resilience to sustain development results.

The world is going through a critical period. At UNDP, we see this period as a tremendous opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP works to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities until 2030.

For several years, UNDP with the support of different donors, Japan, Germany, Sweden , European Union has made early recovery and stabilization in communities hit hard by the crisis its priority.

More recently, UNDP is committed to implementing the regional stabilization strategy, adopted in May 2018 by the States Parties of the LCBC and endorsed by the African Union.

The socio-economic situation and endemic unemployment of young people and women in the intervention areas call for immediate interventions to consolidate the return trend and bring irreversible stabilization into orbit. The implementation of these immediate actions requires the presence within the National Stabilization Window team of a communications and reporting assistant who will work under the supervision of the project coordinator in collaboration with the entire team based in Maroua and Yaoundé as well as with colleagues from other projects.

Context
Cameroon is one of eight countries (Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago and Viet Nam) globally, which benefit from support from BES Solution Fund under the initiative “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network – BESNet). Under the coordination of the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED), the strategic and financial contribution of UNDP through BESNet and the support of UNEP-WCMC, extended to scientists and experts thematic, a series of activities carried out under the first phase of a project resulted in the production of the first national report on the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES). The satisfactory conclusion of this first phase essentially justifies the choice of Cameroon for a second phase designed to materialize the implementation of the key recommendations of the national report configured in the form of project axes.

Furthermore, Cameroon’s NP-SPBES was presented as an example of good practice of the national BES platform mechanism during the IPBES-7 stakeholders day. The IPBES National Focal Point/NEA Co-Chairman of Cameroon has been selected as Vice-President of the IPBES office for a three-year term. Many authors participating in the NEA are increasingly involved in other BES processes at the national level, such as the development of the sixth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and consultative activities around post-2020 biodiversity framework leading to CBD COP15 in 2020.

As part of its mandate in the area of environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation, UNDP will pay particular attention to different scales to achieve the following support components: (i) collaboration between scientific communities , policies and practitioners for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity, (ii) access to factual and relevant data for policies and the use of new knowledge, (iii) the multi-sectoral triangular network of key parties -nantes at the regional level, (iv) sharing knowledge on BES through increased generation, dissemination and communication of information. It is in this context that, placed under the supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, Head of Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience Unit and the Technical Advisor No. 1 (BESNET Focal Point in Cameroon), the UNV will provide support based on his past experience within the ministry. Essentially, it will facilitate the implementation of the BESNET II project by ensuring good collaboration between UNDP and MINEPDED.

The methodological approach will refer to technical and operational participation in close synergy with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED).

Description of the task
Under the direct supervision of the technical advisor No. 1 of the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED), Focal Point of the BES-Net II Project in Cameroon, the UNV will have for role:

 Support the focal point in all stages of project implementation;
 Design the Terms of Reference for the workshops, the recruitment of consultants, the roadmap, the Work Plan in perfect coherence and collaboration with the UNDP;
 Monitor activities, particularly field actions, evaluations, basic studies necessary to achieve results;
 Support the focal point in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations and other documents;
 Prepare invitations and ensure dispatching;
 Prepare internal and external meetings with stakeholders and ensure reporting of discussions and coordinate the implementation of recommendations;
 Preparation of quarterly and annual monitoring reports;
 Produce periodic information notes, taking gender into account;
 Carry out any other tasks requested by supervisors.

Expected results:

 Effective support from the focal point in all stages of project implementation;
 Effective production of the terms of reference for the workshops, recruitment of consultants, the roadmap, the work plan in perfect coherence and collaboration with the UNDP;
 Monitoring of activities including field actions, site visits, evaluations, basic studies necessary to achieve results;
 Effective support from the focal point in the preparation of power-point presentations and other documents;
 Effective preparation of invitations and dispatching;
 Effective preparation of internal and external meetings with stakeholders with production of reports;
 Effective preparation of quarterly and annual activity reports;
 Effective production of periodic information notes, taking into account the gender aspect;
 Effective execution of all other tasks requested by supervisors.

Eligibility Criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Applicant must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Experience required
3 years of experience in
– Education/training: (University at Master 2 level); Demonstrated interest and/or experience in the field of climate change, ecology, ecosystem restoration, species conservation and natural resource management;
– Proven experience in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration of degraded lands;
– Having a solid understanding of the basic principles of biodiversity, ecosystems and species is essential;
– Have experience in project management;
– Have a good knowledge of national and international policies related to the conservation of biodiversity and regulations;
– Have technical capacities for collecting environmental/CC data, developing reports, concept notes, project documents, terms of reference and support for the establishment of a documentary database;
– Good interpersonal skills, good networking and communication skills;
– Flexibility and openness to learning and new experiences;
– Willingness to contribute to work as a member of a team;

Area(s) of expertise
Natural and life sciences, Energy and environment, Development programs

Driving license
–

Languages
French, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Level of training required
Bachelor degree or equivalent in climate change, ecology, ecosystem restoration, species conservation and natural resource management

Skills and values
- Ability to work in a group with a team spirit;
– Good analytical and synthesis skills and experience in mastering the national context, with an emphasis on experience of collaboration with the Government;
– Good communication and negotiation skills;
– Attitude regarding training;
– Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious working relationships;
– Perfect command of both languages (English and French);
– Good basic computer skills and experience in database management.

Other information