International Technical Advisor

UNDP-UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative is a joint programme to provide financial and technical support to countries to build capacity for mainstreaming poverty -environment linkages into national development planning processes

Location: Uganda - Kampala

(ALD 4, 300 Series)

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Programme Technical Committee chaired by the Executive Director of NEMA and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and in collaboration with the International Technical Advisor, UNDP Uganda and the UNDP-UNEP PEI Africa Team in Nairobi , the International Technical Advisor shall undertake the following tasks:

1) Programme management in collaboration with the National Programme ManagerCo-ordinate implementation of programme activities e.g.:

a.Provide advice on identifying emerging issues and improving the annual workplan;

b. Supervise the consultancies and review and assess products/services provided by subcontractors, consultants and experts counterparts and notify/advise NEMA, MFPED, UNDP Uganda and PEI Africa on quality, and recommend appropriate actions to undertake for improvement of programme outputs;

c. Provide substantive support to programme activities aiming at integration of sustainable natural resources management into national and sectoral policy, plans and budgets, as per the workplan;

d. Lead the identification of capacity building needs and development of capacity building programmes related to sustainable natural resources management and their integration into development planning;

- Assist in preparation of quarterly, annual and financial reports, with a special view to capturing lessons learned and best practices for improving programme performance,

- Assist in monitoring and evaluation of programme activities;

- Keep NEMA/MFPED/UNDP Uganda/UNDP-UNEP PEI informed of any development in relation to the implementation of PEI programme, as well as the issues on poverty and environment in Uganda;

- Provide comments in writing on the substantive aspects of the quarterly and annual workplans and budgets before approval by NEMA/MFPED, UNDP Uganda and the UNDP-UNEP PEI Africa.

2) Advisory support to implementation of programme activitiesProvide technical advice to GoU on international experience in the mainstreaming of poverty environment issues into national development policy-making, planning and budgeting processes, including:

- Advice on processes and mechanisms which can facilitate and support the integration of poverty-focused environmental priorities into the national and sector development planning and budgetary processes;

- Provide technical inputs to improve the integration of environment in the existing development planning systems in the country;

- Provide advice in assessing capacity gaps relating to environmentally sustainable management of natural resources and provide guidance in organizing such capacity building activities by developing Capacity development proposals to ensure sustained integration of environment into development processes.

- On request advise and provide guidance to the ED NEMA and the Director Budget, MFPED on issues related to the programme and in their role of supervising and monitoring of environmental mainstreaming activities.

3) Maintain links with the UNCT, donor partners and international poverty and environment community
- Facilitate linkages between PEI Uganda and PEI programmes in other countries to identify opportunities for lesson learning between countries;

- Ensure that the PEI Uganda participates in activities of the global UNDP-UNEP Poverty Environment Initiative and contributes to the knowledge network of the UNDP-UNEP Poverty Environment Facility;

- Ensure that the PEI Uganda is informed by international best practice and identify opportunities for the PEI Uganda Team to participate in internal fora on poverty and environment;

- Present the PEI Uganda Joint Programme to other donors with a view to mobilizing additional funds;- Facilitate improved coordination of various UNDP and UNEP activities related to environment, natural resources and climate change in Uganda including active participation in the Development Partner Group on Environment and Climate Change.

- Provide technical support to the UNRC on environmental mainstreaming, including to ensure PEI is integrated with related UNDP country programme activities, including those relating to climate changes.

Reporting

The International Technical Advisor will be part of the Secretariat stationed in NEMA reporting through the Head of Planning Department to the Programme Technical Committee chaired by NEMA and the Ministry of Finance which in turn reports to the Programme Steering Committee co-chaired by the Government of Uganda and the UN.

The Advisor will be supported by and work in close collaboration with UNDP Uganda and UNDP-UNEP PEI Africa Team in Nairobi.

Profile and qualifications

Required is an expert with strong experience in development processes, environmental mainstreaming and experience of sub-Saharan Africa (ideally in Eastern Africa).

- At least a Master degree in a development related field (e.g. development, agricultural or natural resource economics) and/or environmental policy and management with strong knowledge of linkages between environment and poverty reduction;

- Minimum of 5 years professional experience in development and environment policy related field, including experience in national development planning process,
- Knowledge and working experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and ideally East Africa;
- Strong background in planning and budgeting; knowledge of UNDP programme management systems is an advantage;
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Strong team working skills and willingness to travel;
- Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Fluent spoken and written English;
- Computer literacy and ability to use Word Processing and office technology equipment.

Duration

The initial duration of the assignment is 12 months (renewable), with a proposed start date of April 2009.

The Joint Programme is expected to run until December 2011.

How to applyQualified candidates are encouraged to submit a CV and letter of motivation to by 27th February 2009.

Aplications are to be sent to martha.gitonga@undp.org.

Closing date: 27 Feb 2009
Reference Code: RW_7P5FLD-75