Lac Project Specialist

Result of Service
Internalize new approved projects, respond to executing partner queries, review executing partner reports, provide adaptive management and monitor projects within UNEP's portfolio of medium
- and full-sized GEF mitigation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Work Location
Home-Based
Expected duration
12 months.
**Responsibilities**:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority.
It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
This consultancy is in UNEP's Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, Climate Change Mitigation Unit, Latin America and the Caribbean team, and will be home based.
UNEP's Economy Division works with a portfolio of Global Environment Facility (GEF) medium-size and full-size climate change mitigation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The projects, which are in different stages of development (concept, design, implementation, closure), are executed by different partners (Ministries, NGOs, etc.).
The Economy Division, in its role as implementing agency, provides oversight and ensures adherence to GEF guidelines.
Under the supervision of the Task Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean for GEF mitigation projects, the Project Specialist is required to manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF mitigation projects in Latin American and the Caribbean.
Thematic areas of these projects include those related to sustainable cities, electric mobility, energy efficiency and climate transparency.
This consultancy is Home-Based.
The consultant will undertake the following duties:
Project management
- Prepare reports to the Task Manager on the progress and risk situation of projects in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) portfolio, and submit to the Task Manager strategy documents to effectively mitigate identified project risks;
- Prepare mid-term review (MTR) terms of reference and review mid-term review reports for projects, sending a summary of the MTR to the Task Manager when the review is completed.
Prepare an MTR implementation plan to facilitate Executing Agency implementation of MTR recommendations;
- Develop terms of reference for terminal evaluations
Project documentation
- Develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions;
- Prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes;
- Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them.
Request the Executing Agencies to update their procurement plans and review such plans, providing inputs to finalize them;
- Prepare project revision documents for technical and financial revisions for projects, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete for UNEP approval;
- Review cash advance requests in collaboration with the finance team.
Provide guidance to Executing Agencies in order for them to complete the document correctly.
Portfolio management
- Prepare a report identifying measures to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management tools;
- Develop and implement measures to visualize and graphically represent portfolio data for facilitating decision-making;
- Develop and implement measures to enhance the effectiveness of the portfolio filing system;
- Prepare databases for the uploading of information to the Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution system by the end of November, and upload information to the system;
- Undertake research to identify ways to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management and operations;
- Develop flowcharts for the development, review and approval of technical and financial documents.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: management, engineering, law, business administration, environmental management, policy, economics, development, climate or development finance, architecture, urbanism, or a related discipline;
- A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
**Experience**:
- Minimum five years of experience in managing projects related to climate change, environment, sustainable cities or development is required;
- Experience in reviewing project documents, progress reports, workplans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is required;
- Experience working with GEF, GCF, CDM or UNEP projects is an asset;
- Experience in working with national governments of Latin America and the Caribbean is required;
**Language**:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this consultancy, fluency (both oral and