Location: Washington,DC, USA
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The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and supporting land and ocean health. Its financing enables developing countries to address complex challenges and work towards international environmental goals. The partnership includes 186 member governments as well as civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, with a focus on integration and inclusivity. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $25 billion in financing and mobilized over $145 billion for country-driven priority projects.
The GEF Land Degradation Focal Area (LDFA) team develops and finances projects and programs to address land degradation, desertification and drought aligned with the United Nations Convention Combating Desertification (UNCCD) strategy. The LDFA team works in close partnership with the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to support countries in developing their National Action Plans, implementing voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets, and enhancing capacities of concerned parties for convention reporting. The LDFA team actively participates in UNCCD related events and supports eligible countries in programming GEF resources to implement their UNCCD commitments.
The GEF is seeking an expert and experienced environmental specialist to serve as a Land Degradation Specialist in the LDFA team of the GEF Programming Division.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Land Degradation Specialist will work in a multi-disciplinary technical team of environmental specialists to actively participate in UNCCD related events and support eligible countries in programming GEF resources to implement their commitments under the convention. S/He provide timely review and processing of projects proposals submitted by through GEF-accredited agencies and provide sound upstream guidance to project proponents to foster coherence with GEF programming strategies.
S/He will also work within Regional Teams on functions that require cooperation and collaboration related to the programming of LDFA resources, as well as engagement with clients and stakeholders to ensure that GEF recipient countries to optimize their focal area investments to achieve global environmental benefits.
The Land Degradation Specialist will work under the guidance of the Land Degradation Focal Area Coordinator and will report to the Manager of the Programming Division.
Specific duties include the following:
* Provide analytical and synthesis support to managing the LDFA portfolio of projects, programs, and enabling activities, notably through data collection and analysis from the GEF Portal.
* Support GEF's engagement with the UNCCD (COPs, Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention) and liaison with the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism.
* Support the preparation of major reports (e.g. GEF report on the relations with Conventions and Other International Institutions, GEF report to the UNCCD COP).
* Proactively participate in knowledge management, results-based management, monitoring, and other operational activities such as providing website content.
* Contribute to the review of GEF programs, projects, and technical guidelines related to the LDFA, including in the context of the GEF's Integrated Programs.
* Support LDFA portfolio development and recipient country support as part an assigned Programming Division Regional Team
* Support the LDFA team in effective collaboration with Focal Areas, Integrated Programs, and regional teams, particularly through participation in Extended Constituency Workshops and National Dialogues.
* As directed, provide inputs to the CEO and senior management on country and thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents, etc.
* As directed, contribute to the development of LDFA strategies and programs, as well as to GEF-9 and later replenishment processes.
* Work on specific topics and tasks, as directed by the Manager of the Programming Division.
Selection Criteria
* Master's degree in natural resource management, sustainable development, or other fields related to environmental management
* At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the above fields, including experience with developing and implementing large GEF projects and with international environmental agreements and conventions
* Knowledge and expertise in fields related to sustainable land management, land degradation, desertification, and drought mitigation.
* Understanding of principles of design, implementation, safeguarding, and monitoring of projects and programs, particularly in the fields relevant to this position.
* Experience in developing countries, particularly in the development and execution of projects in land degradation and restoration and/or related environmental sectors
* Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and develop appropriate and sound relationships with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs
* Excellence in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of other UN languages, especially French, Spanish, Russian and/or Arabic is desirable.
* Understanding of the GEF's policies, procedures, and operational modalities
* Willingness to frequently travel to global, regional and national GEF related events
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Excellent organizational and time management skills
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
* Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment
World Bank Group Core Competencies