Programme Management Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and works with Member States and partners to strengthen resilience by providing policy and technical support to catalyse sustainable social and economic transformation for biodiversity, people, and peace. UNEP’s Ecosystem Division focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems to achieve benefits for nature and people, both today and for future generations. The UNEP-led ReLISA consortium includes UNDP, UNESCO, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), C4EcoSolutions, and UNIQUE land use GmbH, aiming to make the economic case for restoration activities and scale up investment in ecosystem restoration of savannah, subtropical thicket, and grasslands biomes in South Africa.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Officer position is located at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), specifically within the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Economics of Nature Unit, Ecosystems Division, at the Pretoria duty station. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Economics of Nature Unit and will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the project titled 'Restoring Landscapes in South Africa (ReLISA)'. This role involves monitoring and analyzing programme/project development and implementation, reviewing relevant documents and reports, identifying problems and proposing corrective actions, and liaising with relevant parties. The officer will facilitate collaboration among consortium partners and stakeholders to ensure coherent and timely implementation of project activities, manage the Project Steering Committee, and engage with political stakeholders to maintain dialogue with government ministries and agencies. The position also requires the identification and development of opportunities to advance ecosystem restoration investment and policy uptake in South Africa, as well as representation of ReLISA in national and international policy forums.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Management Officer include participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the ReLISA project; monitoring and analyzing programme/project development; reviewing documents and reports; identifying issues and proposing corrective actions; facilitating collaboration among consortium partners; managing the Project Steering Committee; engaging with political stakeholders; identifying opportunities for ecosystem restoration investment; representing ReLISA in policy forums; preparing written outputs such as policy briefings and reports; coordinating budget and funding activities; supporting UNEP offices on linkages between ReLISA and relevant policies; leading field missions; collecting and analyzing data to provide insights; and performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management and stakeholder engagement on environmental and sustainable development issues. Experience working with decision-makers in government and the private sector at national levels is required, along with experience in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and nature-based solutions projects in South Africa. Desirable qualifications include experience engaging with senior political stakeholders and working with the UN Common System or an International Organization. Additionally, two or more years of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental management, sustainable development, economics, applied economics, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management and stakeholder engagement on environmental and sustainable development issues. Candidates should have experience working with decision-makers in government and the private sector at national levels, as well as experience in ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation projects in South Africa. Experience engaging with senior political stakeholders and working with the UN Common System or an International Organization is also desirable, along with two or more years of experience in data analytics or a related area.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, but English is the primary language required for this job opening.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term limited appointment for an initial period of one year, with any extension subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The appointment is limited to the United Nations Environment Programme and is open to nationals of South Africa only. The National Professional Officer category requires candidates to be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. If no suitable local candidate is identified, South African nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, with the candidate responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to South Africa. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.