Project Coordinator

Overview
Supervise the implementation of the Biodiversity Financing Plan in Venezuela.

You have:

A high school diploma is required.

A minimum of 7 years (with a high school diploma) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of experience as a project leader or coordinator in areas related to sustainable finance and/or environmental management.
Experience in environmental or sustainable finance, including the design and implementation of financing plans.
Experience and knowledge in economic and financial analysis applied to biodiversity or nature, mapping existing financial mechanisms, and assessing financial needs.
Experience in preparing technical reports, strategic studies, and products related to environmental financing policies.
Previous experience with UNDP projects or projects from another UN agency.
Experience in collecting and processing large volumes of data and information.

Contract
This is an NPSA-7 contract. This type of contract is known as a National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for Venezuelan nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-7 contracts.

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Details
Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) created a global program to help countries design a National Biodiversity Finance Plan. This plan includes a systems analysis of a country’s economy, including mapping existing financing mechanisms, subsidies with potentially harmful impacts on nature, the drivers of biodiversity loss and gain, public and private expenditures committed to biodiversity goals, and a country’s national financial needs for biodiversity [1]. The biodiversity finance plan should include a series of actions aimed at significantly increasing available financing by creating or strengthening financing mechanisms, reforming or phasing out harmful financial flows, and improving the effectiveness of available expenditures. The program facilitates the active exchange of experiences among countries and includes a knowledge-sharing platform.

Biodiversity Finance Plans are increasingly recognized as a relevant tool to help countries identify and close biodiversity finance gaps. In this context, programs such as the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (www.biofin.org) have emerged.

The implementation of the project in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela falls within the framework of the GEF8 program for the development of the first National Biodiversity Finance Plan. The project will be led by the project leader/coordinator, an expert in finance and environmental sustainability, with the support of a technical team and in coordination with a government project manager and the National Steering Committee.

For the implementation of the overall GEF8-BFP program at the national level, UNDP is recruiting a national team composed of an expert in sustainable finance focused on biodiversity conservation (project leader), a project program associate, an environmental policy expert, and a biodiversity finance specialist.

[1] For more information, consult the BIOFIN Manual, available at: www.biofin.org/sites/default/files/content/knowledge_products/WORKBOOK.2024.SINGLE.FINAL%20smaller.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of activities in the country, ensuring that an adequate work plan and budget are in place and implemented within the established timeframes, with an effective national team and strong partnerships. The Project Leader will work closely with the technical team, comprised of an environmental policy expert, a biodiversity finance specialist, and a program associate or project assistant, to ensure that implementation and monitoring mechanisms are established, regular meetings are held, and all planned workshops, technical studies, and other activities are organized in a timely manner and meet the expected quality standards.

The Coordinator is expected to have experience in inter-institutional coordination and provide technical knowledge and expertise in the global biodiversity framework and project management to ensure the integration and coherence of workflows/studies, as well as advisory services and quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the project’s duration. They will be generally responsible for the institutional and policy review, the review of biodiversity expenditure, and the assessment of financial needs. They will also lead the preparation of the Biodiversity Financing Plan and oversee the identification and implementation of financial solutions as requested. Specifically, they will be responsible for outreach activities to relevant national (government, donor delegation, academia, etc.) and international stakeholders, and for preparing synthesis reports, policy briefs, press releases, and briefing notes for the government, UNDP, etc.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management

Oversee the identification, selection, and supervision of national consultants and experts, and the Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
Draft/review terms of reference for national technical team members.
Monitor the recruitment process for national technical team members.
In consultation with the GPMTSU, develop/revise the work plan and budget, and submit draft work plans, procurement plans, and budgets in a timely manner.
Oversee the work of national experts and institutions to ensure that deliverables are provided on time, within budget and established deadlines, and to high standards of quality.
Facilitate, guide, support, and monitor the work of the national team.
Oversee the work of the project support program partner to ensure that administrative and logistical requirements and budgets are managed and implemented in a timely and appropriate manner, and in accordance with UNDP and donor rules and regulations. Organize all relevant project workshops in a consultative manner, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in biodiversity finance, including government, the private sector, NGOs, donors, the wider community, and academia.
Discuss with the Ministries of Finance and Environment, and other key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Planning, the establishment of a National Steering Committee, and monitor the formal establishment and regular convening of the Committee. Develop meeting reports to share with the Steering Committee, the UNDP office, and GPMTSU.
Maintain regular communication with the relevant Ministries of Environment and Finance for the development and finalization of all reports and deliverables.
Serve as a liaison between project processes and deliverables and relevant national biodiversity planning, such as updates to National Biodiversity Action Plans (NBAPs) and the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Ensure the timely identification of risks in project implementation and the continuous and assertive communication of these risks to GPMTSU. Organize regular meetings of the national team and monthly calls, or as needed, with the GPMTSU Technical Advisor.

Ensure the participation of national team members in regional technical meetings.
Organize and systematize the project’s historical information, maintaining an up-to-date and organized digital archive that includes all technical, legal, financial, and other relevant documents.
Prepare presentations, descriptive documents, and technical and financial progress reports at different stages of the project.
Participate in regional and global meetings organized by the GPMTSU.
Provide technical support (as needed) to the portfolio of projects related to biodiversity management, environmental management, and climate change, in order to contribute to the synergy of the environmental portfolio implemented by UNDP.

Technical Tasks and Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical contact for project implementation with GPMTSU regarding all questions and issues that arise during project implementation.

Provide technical leadership and key expertise on all project-related matters and ensure horizontal integration and consistency of workflows/studies.
Provide overall guidance and quality control for the four main project deliverables.
Provide technical support to the national project team to ensure the consistent and high-quality completion of all BIOFIN methodology deliverables.
Ensure that drafts of all work are regularly submitted to the regional technical advisor and GPMTSU for review and to guarantee that feedback is appropriately integrated into national reports. Research and develop the sections on subsidies and financial incentives in the analysis of national policies and institutions related to biodiversity (PIR), in accordance with the guidance provided by GPMTSU and written guidance documents (especially the BIOFIN Working Paper), and coordinate the integration and coherence of biodiversity strategy guidelines with national policies.

Provide technical support for the collection, analysis, and conclusions of the quantification of national biodiversity-related expenditure across all relevant sectors, considering current and future trends (BER).

Support the collection, modeling, quality assurance, and validation of needs to achieve the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework at the national level (FNA).

Develop a Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) in accordance with the guidance provided by the GPMTSU global BIOFIN team and written guidance documents (especially the BIOFIN Working Paper). Pay special attention to the institutionalization of the plan at the government level.

Develop, together with the Program Partner, budget reviews, procurement plans, and work plans, and validate these instruments with the government counterpart.
Organize, together with the Program Partner and other professionals from the National Project Management Unit, training activities, workshops, and capacity-building activities in a consultative capacity, with the participation of technical experts and stakeholders, which may include the government, the private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or the academic sector.
Provide technical and strategic input to facilitate inter-institutional coordination among government entities, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and other relevant actors involved in the project, promoting the alignment of efforts regarding biodiversity financing.
Reporting/Communication/Monitoring and Evaluation

Report any delays in national deliverables, taking into account the work plan, to the UNDP Venezuela Program Officer, the focal point of the Ministry with jurisdiction over environmental matters, and the GPMTSU. Lead the monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the project at the national level, drafting monthly and quarterly reports for review by the regional technical advisor and submission to the global BIOFIN team.
Coordinate the development of workshop reports for the initial workshop and all subsequent technical workshops.
Monitor the project’s financial status and analyze transactions to ensure compliance with the agreed-upon project results, work plan, objectives, and budget.
Review all technical reports as needed.
Ensure the alignment of national work with global methodologies such as the BIOFIN workbook and others.
Serve as a liaison with relevant UNDP initiatives and programs and other organizations supporting project implementation, including BIOFIN, the NBSAP support program, the GEF Early Action Support Program 7, the Nature Hub, and other organizations and initiatives.
Review final reports on the national institutional and policy analysis, the biodiversity expenditure review, the financial needs assessment, and the biodiversity finance plan. Develop, in collaboration with the rest of the team, at least one brief project overview publication per year, such as press releases, website content, and/or multimedia.

Competencies

Expected Results: Level 3: Establish and align challenging and achievable goals for multiple projects.

Level 1: Plan and monitor your own work, pay attention to detail, and deliver high-quality work.

Think innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, a pragmatic problem solver, implements improvements.

Learn continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, share knowledge, learn from mistakes, ask for feedback.

Achieving Results: LEVEL 1: Demonstrate a clear focus on achieving quality and impactful results. Thinking Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Explore innovative approaches and unconventional methods. Learning Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Actively seek opportunities for professional and personal learning and self-development. Adapting Agilely:

LEVEL 1: Maintain a flexible attitude toward change and embrace new ideas, approaches, and ways of working. Acting Decisively:

LEVEL 1: Approach each situation with motivation and drive. Building Alliances and Collaborating:

LEVEL 1: Act in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, and show consideration for the needs and feelings of others. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Treat all people with respect, consider the ethical implications, and respond tactfully to all differences between individuals. Achieving Results: LEVEL 1: Demonstrate a clear focus. in achieving quality and impactful results Thematic Area

Name

Definition

2030 Agenda: Planet

Nature

Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Administration and Operations

Event Management (including retreats, training, and meetings)

Ability to manage events, including tasks such as venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, cash disbursements, and more.

Administration and Operations

Travel Policy and Procedures

Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel regulations, staff regulations, administrative circulars, and financial regulations related to travel.

Partnership Management

Private Sector Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify, develop, and manage partnerships that leverage the technical expertise and resources of the private sector.

Institutional Management

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize,

and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific objectives.

Finance

Financial Planning and Budgeting

Ability to implement and manage processes that help achieve UNDP’s short- and long-term financial objectives through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting.

Procurement

Procurement Management

Ability to acquire goods, services, and works from external sources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education (high school level) is required.

University studies (Bachelor’s level) in the field of Engineering focused on administration, economics, finance, environmental science, biology, geography, or related disciplines are not required.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years (with a high school diploma) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of experience as a project leader or coordinator in areas related to sustainable finance and/or environmental management.

Experience in environmental finance or sustainable finance, including the design and implementation of financing plans.

Experience and knowledge in economic and financial analysis applied to biodiversity or nature, mapping existing financial mechanisms, and assessing financial needs.

Experience in preparing technical reports, strategic studies, and products related to environmental financing policies.

Previous experience with UNDP projects or projects from another United Nations agency.

Experience in collecting and processing large volumes of data and information.

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 a

nd 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.
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