Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

? UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

The Central African region is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, is sucking out about 1.5 billion tons of CO2 of the atmosphere or 4% of the world’s emissions every year and provides a habitat to more than 10,000 plant and animal species. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been enough to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development. On this basis, a coalition of donors – the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of France, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Korea – together with Central African partner countries – Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Gabon – have decided to enter into a collaborative partnership to establish the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).

CAFI’s objective is to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. This objective will be attained through the implementation of country-led, national scale REDD+ and Low Emissions Development (LED) investment frameworks that include policy reforms and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable development. The CAFI Trust Fund is the principal means to implement the Central African Forest Initiative. It is administered by the MPTF-O and the UNDP Nature, Climate and Energy Team provides the secretariat services.

Cameroon signed the CAFI Declaration in 2015. While the two parties have not yet signed a Letter of Intent, important steps have been taken to advance the preparations of a partnership aimed at supporting the acceleration of Cameroon’s green economy, thus reducing the impact of Cameroonian value chains on deforestation while making Cameroon-produced goods more competitive in international markets and enhancing food security for the population. 

Under the supervision of the Technical Specialist for Programs of the CAFI Secretariat, a consultant is recruited to provide assistance to support the finalisation and operationalisation of the partnership between CAFI and the government of Cameroon, notably by developing a portfolio of programs.

Duties and Responsibilities
Support the programming, implementation and monitoring of CAFI supported programs including by preparing their instruction and presentation to the government of Cameroon and the Executive Board of CAFI
Support the operationalisation and monitoring of a CAFI coordination program in Cameroon, by finalising the program document (PRODOC); developing and launching a call for expressions of interest for, or the direct selection of, an implementing organisation; drafting terms of reference for and support the follow-up of the recruitment of program staff; supporting the program management unit in the production of annual work plans and budgets, financial and narrative reports, the organization of the project steering committee and the follow-up of its recommendations;
Develop draft concept notes, PRODOCs and calls for expression of interest for other programs envisaged for the CAFI portfolio in Cameroon;
Research and prepare technical notes on relevant implementing partners, and support the CAFI Secretariat in the process related to developing agreements with and, as appropriate, accreditation, new implementing partners. 
Prepare technical notes and presentations to the CAFI Secretariat and Executive Board as well as CAFI’s counterparts from the Cameroonian government, on the progress of developing and operationalising the program portfolio.
Support the development and implementation of innovative financial support mechanisms in Cameroon
Assist the CAFI Secretariat in developing and rolling out a standardised model for innovative financial support mechanisms supporting the sustainable development and reduced negative impact on deforestation of key value chains in Cameroon (such as major cash and food crops, mining, etc.), including by preparing technical analyses of relevant private sector actors and SWOT analyses of potential support mechanisms.
Support the CAFI Secretariat’s Technical Specialist on Private Sector and Carbon Finance in ensuring the streamlined development of innovative financial support mechanisms across CAFI’s partner countries.
Support the development of of a partnership agreement between CAFI and Cameroon
Support the CAFI Secretariat and Executive Board in their dialogue with the Cameroonian government by preparing technical analyses regarding proposed political commitments and milestones, governance bodies and monitoring mecchanisms for the partnership;
Assist the negotiation of mutually agreed objectives for CAFI and the government of Cameroon including by prearing up-to-date information and analyses on Cameroon’s national policy objectives and development strategies.
Enable and strengthen the policy dialogue between CAFI and the Cameroonian government by organising meetings and initiating outreach, as appropriate.
Represent and communicate on behalf of CAFI in Cameroon
Represent, upon consultation and approval from the Head of CAFI Secretariat, CAFI at different meetings and workshops and communicate on CAFI at the country level, including on CAFI objectives, programs and progress, collect and analyse comments received from stakeholders including from CAFI donors (embassies, etc.), government (ministers and ministers’ offices), implementing organisations, civil society organisations and private sector.
4.      Institutional Arrangement

Technical Specialist (Programs) will report to the P4 Technical Specialist (Private Sector and Carbon Finance in  CAFI Secretariat Geneva.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Direction & Strategy

 Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP`s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy

System 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

Partnerships Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

External Relations and Advocacy

Emerging partnerships

Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships

External Relations and Advocacy

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, Climate and Energy

Environmental Governance: Global Environmental Governance

2030 Agenda: Planet

Nature, Climate and Energy

Climate and Forests: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
 Master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science, public administration, law, rural development, land use planning, environment, or equivalent field 
Experience:
7 (seven) years of professional experience at the international level in the areas of environment, land use planning/management, climate change or REDD+ issues.

•    Demonstrated experience of sectoral land use thematics: spatial planning dynamics, land access and use, forest management, agricultural practices, etc.
•    Demonstrated work experience in monitoring and evaluation of large-scale programs.
•    Demonstrated work experience in the management and programming modalities of United Nations organizations, the World Bank and bilateral cooperation.
•    Relevant work experience in Cameroon or another country in Central African region is required.

Experience in capacity development, government support and policy dialogue.
 
Knowledge of Central Africa in general is essential and of the Cameroon in particular is an asset.

Demonstrated experience in partnership development 

Familiarity with bilateral and/or multilateral cooperation initiatives desirable and funding related to climate change, sustainable development, REDD+, sustainable agriculture, etc.
Fluency in English and French.
Knowledge of other UN official languages will be considered an asset.

  Travel:             

UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.
Disclaimer
Female candidacies are strongly encouraged. 

Important applicant information 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters 

Apply here: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/8009

Note: 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. 

Workforce diversity 

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We strongly encourage female candidacies. 

Scam warning 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.