Le PNUD recherche un Spécialiste technique (Partenariat), Brazzaville, République du Congo

 

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 andinspiring 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.

Central Africa is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been sufficient to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development.

On this basis, a coalition of willing donors – Norway, European Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, and South Korea – together with Central African partner countries – Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Gabon – have entered in 2015 into a collaborative partnership to establish in partnership with the United Nations, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). The objective of this initiative is to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. This objective will be attained through the implementation of country-led, national scale REDD+ and Low Emissions Development (LED) investment frameworks that include policy reforms and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable development.

The CAFI Trust Fund is the principal means to implement the Central African Forest Initiative. It is administered by the MPTF-Office (http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/AFI00). As per the updated Fund Terms of Reference and the direct cost Secretariat project document, the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) is hosting the CAFI Secretariat providing the secretariat administrative services under the oversight of the CAFI Executive Board.

On September 3rd, 2019, the Head of State of the Republic of Congo, D. Sassou-Nguesso and President E. Macron of France, representing the CAFI Executive Board (EB), signed a Letter of Intent with ambitious commitments underlying the Republic of Congo’s willingness to manage its natural resources sustainably: non-conversion of High Carbon Stock (HCS) and High Conservation Value (HCV) forests, protection and sustainable management of peatland areas so that they are neither drained nor dried out, and orientation of agricultural activities in savannah areas. Norway, France and the European Union committed to provide an initial amount of 45 million US dollars to the agreement from the CAFI Trust Fund, with an additional contribution of 20 million US dollars.

To coordinate the implementation of the Letter of Intent, on September 4, 2020, the Prime Minister the Republic of Congo signed a decree for the establishment of this coordination framework, composed of three key bodies:

  • An Interministerial Committee: a decision-making body headed by the Prime Minister and composed of 13 line Ministers, key to the policy dialogue with the CAFI Executive Board;
  • A Steering Committee: a concertation body also chaired by the Prime Minister, and composed of government, civil society and private sector representatives, CAFI and executing agencies;
  • A Permanent Secretariat: a managing body established at the Prime Minister’s Office.

To support the coordination of the partnership, in 2020 the CAFI Executive Board approved a Support Coordination Program to provide the means to build capacities within the Permanent Secretariat, including technical expertise to monitor and report on the implementation of the Letter of Intent commitments and to support dialogue with all stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, the Partnerships Specialist will support policy dialogue on the Republic of Congo and the CAFI partnership. She/he will be based in Brazzaville and will work closely with the technical specialist in charge of programming for the Republic of Congo, the Permanent Secretariat of the partnership team, and with technical experts recruited through the Coordination Support Program. She/he will provide intellectual and practical solutions in partnership, policy development, advocacy and resource mobilization management to properly position the Trust Fund within the Country and the designated stakeholders.

Lead the partnership strategy, contribute to the policy development agenda and support the governance bodies

  • Support the leadership in the political and technical engagements to develop and monitor the implementation of RoC`s LoI, multilateral and bilateral agreements with the relevant stakeholders.
  • Support and coordinate all stakeholder engagement efforts under with the supervision of the Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, liaising with partners to determine and document opportunities for initiating a strategic dialogue.
  • Facilitate dialogue and advocacy mechanisms, forums, south-south cooperation, political and technical exchanges within and across CAFI`s countries of operations.
  • Support in the design and deliver strategic investments and engagement opportunities with countries, donors and government partners to optimize programme efficiency.
  • Contribute to the development, update and implementation of the CAFI strategy on stakeholder engagement/participation for RoC.
  • Identify key engagement areas, develops engagement plans (mapping of actors for different topics, identify how to engage them in the process) to maximize CAFI`s programme strategies and interventions.
  • Prepare and coordinate stakeholder meetings such as preparing briefing notes/presentations, agendas and annotated agendas, compiling meeting documentation, preparing and coordinating correspondence, quality control of reproduction and distribution of documents, minutes and reports.
  • Along with the Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, identify and anticipate policy related risks and proposes solutions to the Head of Secretariat and the Executive Board
  • Establish indicators of monitoring and evaluation and information tools such as the stakeholder database and the stakeholder meetings preparations guidelines, in cooperation with the M&E Specialist.
  • Coordinate country engagement with relevant multilateral initiatives
  • Support effective operations of the governance bodies of the CAFI- Congo partnership (CAFI bodies for coordination and intersectoral / inter-actor dialogue) including preparing stakeholders before meetings, meeting organization, preparing talking points and communications , etc. and building capacity within the Permanent Secretariat.
  • Support preparing CAFI EB participation in high level dialogue (strategic information notes, bilateral meetings, mobilization of high-level representatives, etc.).
  • Organize and support cross-sectoral dialogue on LoI objectives & milestones achievements, risks of non-achievement, and opportunities for proactive corrective measures with the Permanent Secretariat.

Support implementation and monitoring of CAFI-supported programs, including CAFI Coordination support program.

  • Oversee and support the execution & technical/financial reporting of the CAFI coordination support program.
  • Support to the technical specialist in charge of programming, preparing instructions and presentations to the governance bodies of the Republic of Congo and CAFI.
  • Monitor program implementation by Implementing Organizations (IOs) with national program coordinators and participate in program steering committee meetings.
  • Support preparing CAFI EB participation in program steering committee meetings (strategic information notes, bilateral meetings, mobilization of representatives, etc.).
Knowledge management and related activities 
  • Contribute to the preparation of generic and country-specific background material, as well as other inputs that are supportive of conducting the strategic dialogue.
  • Establish and maintain a system to track progress in strategic dialogues and document their outcomes for proper reporting.
  • Ensure capacity to produce in-depth technical analysis and advice to stakeholders, mobilizing the necessary expertise (supporting consultants, roster, etc).
  • Analyze and synthesize lessons learned and stimulate the adoption of best practices and knowledge, including the development of guidelines and other knowledge material.
  • Stimulate knowledge management on results-based implementation approaches based on existing experiences in RoC, as well as lessons learned from the portfolio.
  • Contribute to the development of knowledge products on relevant technical issues.
  • Produce papers, policy briefs, and notes with strategic analysis and policy recommendations. Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyses, interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
  • Under request of the Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, support the supervision of the work of the personnel (for example, consultants) in charge of country specific policy dialogue.
  • Develop texts of the agreements and identification of solutions to outstanding negotiating position between CAFI and partner country.
  • Oversee the development and operationalization of country level policy dialogue mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and for dialogue with development partners.
  • Participate and represent CAFI in the different development partner coordination mechanisms (general and sectoral) in RoC to identify relevant points, issues and topics for CAFI’s consideration/action or for the consideration/action of the partner coordination group.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies

Core Competencies – UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.
  • Achieve Results – Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively – Level 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously – Level 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility – Level 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination – Level 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner – Level 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Level 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

  • 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
  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations.
  • 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
  • Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate and Forests – REDD+/UNFCCC and access to emission reduction results-based payments (GCF or carbon markets); Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.
  • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development, environment, land use, agronomy, or equivalent fields is required.
Experience:
  • Minimum 7 years of extensive work experience mobilizing policy dialogue and/or partnerships for environmental programmes in complex settings.
  • Solid technical knowledge in climate and forest area in Central Africa.
  • Strong theoretical and practical experience with the political dynamics of Central African countries.
  • Experience of development aid coordination is an asset.
  • Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization is an asset.
  • Field experience in stakeholder engagement in one of the CAFI countries is required.
  • Experience with political engagement with government counterparts, at a minimum with DG and Minister level, in more than one CAFI countries is required.
  • Experience in working with development partners at a minimum head of country office level is an asset.
  • Experience with leading staff in international settings required.
Language:
  • Fluency in English and French required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

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.
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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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