Project Technical Officer [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]

Grade: National PSA- Regular · Schedule: Full time

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Green and Inclusive Development (GID) Programme is one of the main areas of focus in UNDP Lebanon; currently implements numerous projects in Lebanon that range in thematic areas from climate change, biodiversity conservation, institutional support, industrial depollution, decentralized renewable energy projects and solid waste management. The programme also works on the support of host-communities in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and is the Social and Environmental Safeguards focal point for the office; therefore, the Programme also ensures the integration of environmental best-practices into the overall implementation strategy of UNDP.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF Partnership. UNDP oversees the Small Grants Programme (SGP) through the Vertical Hub and the Nature Hub of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.

Launched in 1992 as a corporate programme of the GEF, the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) has supported local action for over thirty years to address global environmental concerns. SGP aims to deliver global environmental benefits in the GEF focal areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation, and elimination of persistent organic pollutants through community-based approaches. To date, SGP has funded over 29,000 community-based projects covering more than 120 countries. It has gained considerable experiences at the community level, including adapting to climate change while addressing issues of the GEF focal areas. Further information can be found at: https://sgp.undp.org/.

The current project intends to recruit a Project Technical Officer to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the SGP activities in Lebanon in addition to other environment-related initiatives managed by the Green and Inclusive Development programme in Lebanon Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities:

a) Ensure effective management of the SGP Country Programme team

• Supervise the SGP Country Programme Associate/ Assistant and provide necessary guidance and coaching;
• Promote and maintain effective teamwork within the SGP Country Programme team, the National Steering Committee members, and with the UNDP CO team;
• Prepare and implement annual work plan, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives, with set delivery and co-financing targets; draft annual SGP Country Office administrative and project operational budget proposal
• Set annual performance parameters and learning objectives for the SGP Country Programme team, assess their performance and provide feedback.

b) Ensure Programme/Portfolio Development and Management

• Keep abreast of national environmental concerns and priorities as well as the socio-economic conditions and trends as they relate to the SGP and assess their impact on SGP’s work and programme.
• Ensure formulation and implementation of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS), and its periodic review and update.
• Manage the SGP grant allocations and country operating budget, maintain the financial integrity of the programme by ensuring adherence to SGP Standard Operating Procedures as well as UNDP rules and regulations, and ensure timely and effective use of SGP resources.
• Exercise quality control over the development of a portfolio of project ideas and concepts, and closely monitor the programme implementation progress and results.
• Organize periodic stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities, and potential applicants and other stakeholders to inform about SGP and its Strategic Initiatives.
• Work closely with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) in preparation of project concepts and proposals to ensure that projects fit with the SGP Strategic Initiatives, Country Programme Strategy, and technical guidance notes;
• Authorize and manage project planning grants as required.
• Oversee ongoing SGP grant projects and conduct periodic project monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to SGP grantees as required.
• Plan and serve as secretary to the National Steering Committee meetings.
• Support and closely coordinate with the National Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group where relevant, in the process of project proposal review, selection and approval, especially the initial appraisal of proposals and assessment of eligibility.
• Foster programme, project, and policy linkages between the SGP and the full or medium-sized GEF projects, planned or underway in the country, as well as those of other government, donors and development partners.
• Report periodically to the Central Programme Management Team (CPMT) on programme implementation status, including annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and update the relevant SGP databases.
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of SGP Country Programme and projects, and grant maker initiatives, in coordination with National Steering Committee (NSC) and CPMT.
• Perform and coordinate administrative tasks (i.e. procurement, travel) adhering to SGP SOPs procurement rules and regulation, as required for programme implementation.

c) Resource Mobilization and Partnerships

• Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders as well as promote the value, comparative advantages, and ensure visibility of the SGP.
• Assess interest and priorities of key donors and other development partners and develop/update and implement the resource mobilization and partnership strategy to mobilize resources from and develop partnerships with the government, donors and other partners to best leverage SGP resources and develop programme level partnerships.
• Support SGP grantees in securing co-financing and project level partnerships and assist in identifying opportunities and resources for sustaining and scaling up projects.

d) Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communication

• Document programme/project stories, lessons learned, and best practices in SGP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight.
• Access SGP and other global and regional knowledge, distill best practices and facilitate their dissemination and incorporation within SGP Country Programme and projects, UNDP CO, and to counterparts and partners;
• Support capacity building and networking of grantees to facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote uptake through Knowledge platforms, Knowledge fairs etc.

e) Ensure Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Monitor and ensure that SGP programme results and impacts are aligned with national strategies and priorities, as well as SGP strategies and approaches, and contribute to transformational change, global environmental conservation, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Oversee the development and implementation of an innovative, technically sound, and socially inclusive grant portfolio, ensuring quality, compliance, and delivery of intended results.
• Monitor the effective and efficient use of financial, technical, and operational resources to maximize programme and project impact and ensure value for money.
• Track performance and progress against approved work plans, targets, and results frameworks, and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure timely monitoring, reporting, knowledge management, and documentation of programme results, lessons learned, and good practices.
• Foster trust and accountability among clients, donors, and stakeholders through transparent reporting and proactive engagement, while identifying opportunities to enhance programme visibility, partnerships, and co-financing.

f) Manage the implementation of GID Environment/Nature related projects

• Provide technical support and coordination through leading the planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects activities in alignment with national priorities, donor requirements and UNDP regulations.
• Prepare annual workplans, managing budgets and disbursements in compliance with UNDP rules, and developing terms of reference and implementation strategies.
• Review outputs from consultants and partners, producing regular progress and donor reports.
• Coordinate closely with government entities, research institutions, and local stakeholders to assess[MB3] [UT4] needs, set priorities, and design/ensure effective interventions, while mobilizing technical expertise, organizing awareness activities, and promoting synergies with other local programmes and partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Technical Officer will be working under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, the SGP Regional Programme Specialist, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist of Lebanon’s Green and Inclusive Development Programme. The Project Technical Officer will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the SGP at the country level, including direct supervision of the SGP Programme Associate if applicable and coordination of the National Steering Committee.

“#LI-DNI”

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Management Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Direction & Strategy Systems 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

Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnership management 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

2030 Agenda: Planet Nature Local Action

2030 Agenda: People Gender Gender and Environment

Required Skills and Experience:

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Economy, Public Policy, Law, Environmental Economics/Management, Business Administration or other related field is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields with additional two years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in managing environment / natural resource management projects / initiatives at national or local levels.

Required skills and competencies

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages is required
• Experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

Desirable criteria

• Progressively responsible experience in project or programme management or related areas at international and/or national level is desirable.
• Proven experience in managing and/or providing services for the design, management and monitoring and evaluation of UNDP Programmes and/or development projects including results-based management is desirable.
• Experience in any of the GEF-SGP thematic areas at the national level is desirable
• Proven Knowledge of strategic programmes and operational policies of UNDP is an asset
• Proven experience working in a sensitive environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors (e.g. NGOs, CSOs, government, etc.) is desired.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage

Professional Certificates N/A

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 and 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.

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