Result of Service

Provide reliable technical and programmatic guidance to the project review processes and evidence of progressive improvement and compliance with UNEP’s corporate standards including RBM (Project Quality Design Matrix and the risk-based tiered approach) and UNEP’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF) through relevant performance indicators.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

9 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that 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. UNEP’s Policy and Programme Division (PPD) is responsible for the coherence, strategic planning, overseeing Results-based Management (RBM) and quality assurance (project reviews and oversight), gender and safeguards, performance review and monitoring. To ensure the highest standards of project quality and alignment with UNEP’s strategic frameworks, the PPD operates a robust review function at various stages of project development, from concept stage, through implementation and closure. This consultancy position is in PPD at the Nairobi Duty Station and reports to the Head of Project Review and Oversight Unit (PRO) Unit, with delegated authority. The Unit serves as secretariat and focal point for all concept and project reviews and leads the development and effective implementation of UNEP’s quality assurance mechanism. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Project Review and Oversight Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Quality Assurance Consultant will be carrying out the following tasks: • Undertake reviews of assigned project documents to improve quality of project design to strengthen the results-based approach to achieve concrete programmatic impacts; • Identifies potential safeguards risks, provides advice to project managers on appropriate actions; • Review projects submitted to the UNEP Project Review Committee for compliance using the Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF); • Support in strengthening capacity across the Organization in results-based management, including project quality standards and results-based budgeting to ensure alignment to UNEP’s programmatic priorities; • Analyse project development and implementation, review relevant documents and reports, identify problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; • Identify lessons learned from the project review process and project performance; • Analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources on quality assurance with innovative and actionable recommendations. The consultant will report to the designated day-to-day focal point appointed by the Head Project Review and Oversight Unit (Policy and Programme Division, UNEP); the latter will set the direction and provide the oversight controls of the assignment. Output expectations: – Quality Assurance Review Support – Provide high quality and timely reviews and clearance of UNEP’s projects and ensure that the projects comply with applicable policies and procedures. – Risk and Safeguard Review Support – Ensure projects are aligned with the environmental and social safeguards standards. Identifies potential safeguards risks, provides advice to project managers on appropriate actions. – Analytical Support – Research, analyse and present information on trends, performance and lessons learnt gathered from diverse sources in quality assurance. Present innovative and actionable recommendations to address systemic changes. Detailed deliverables: 1. An inception meeting with the UNEP team, produce a brief inception report covering the approach and workplan; Finalisation of the review and clearance of 6 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects; Support the rollout of implementation support. 2. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 5 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects; Support the rollout of implementation support. 3. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 6 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects. 4. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 3 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects; Production of analytical report including trend and performance analysis, findings and recommendations. 5. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 6 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects. 6. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 6 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects. 7. Finalisation of the review and clearance of 4 projects including RBM, risk and safeguard aspects; Support the analytical aspects to inform the annual report. 8. Production of analytical report including trend and performance analysis, findings and recommendations. The payment schedule is performance-based, associated with the above eight deliverables to be concluded during the period of the consultancy. The expected start date of this consultancy is 1 May 2025.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degrees (master’s or above) in Environmental Science, Social Science, Business or Public Administration, Project Management, Results-based Management or a related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with programme and project design; project implementation and management is required. Good knowledge of the UN/UNEP quality assurance, risk and safeguards system(s) and good understanding of UNEP’s project cycle is required. 5 years of relevant international experience in environmental, social safeguard systems is required. Demonstrated experience in data analytics (performance trends and patterns) in a development context is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.