Job Abstract

Senior Biodiversity Specialist

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.
The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $24.7 billion in grants for over 5,700 projects in over 170 countries.

The GEF Secretariat is a Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank for administrative purposes and has approximately 70 professional, administrative and client support staff.

The Secretariat is seeking a Senior Biodiversity Specialist to support the Programming Division with a series of program management, analytical and policy needs.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The GEF Secretariat is looking for a dynamic and experienced Senior Biodiversity Specialist to participate in the Latin America Regional Team to support the implementation of the GEF-8 and cycle and beyond to support the GEFSEC’s mandate to deliver global environmental benefits by supporting developing countries in their commitments towards several Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements. The ideal candidate should have a workable understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and of the dynamics of a complex set of GEF client countries. The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, at least some experience with projects in developing countries, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the GEF Council and across different agencies of the GEF.
The Sr. Biodiversity Specialist will provide support to the Programming Division specifically with a focus on Latin America and work across regions and thematic focal areas, as required.

Project Review and Regional Team Participation

Under the supervision of the Manager of the GEF Programs Unit, the position will….

1. Participate in the Latin America Regional Team, and contribute in the continued implementation of the Programming Division business model including country resource programming, updates, and adjustments and participate in resource programming in the Regional Team with GEFSEC staff, GEF Agencies and Countries, including strategic role at the regional and country dialogues.

2. Play an important role in developing strategies and programs to enhance GEFs impact and support the management of GEF’s portfolio of ongoing projects (including direct access projects) through implementation, monitoring, and evaluation activities with GEF Agencies and countries.

3. Manage reviews of project proposals to be financed by the GEF Trust, according to the agreed project review criteria, provide guidance on major issues involved in the development of project proposals and assist in overall preparation of work programs to be presented to council.

4. Participate in the GEF work within the Latin America Regional Team on GEF issues, including participation in country dialogues, expanded constituency workshops, and the GEF Country Engagement Strategy. As required represent the GEF at a senior level at selected international; political, scientific and operational forums.

5. Participate in the political outreach to relevant countries in international fora, in particular with the Rio Convention (CBD) and other related international instruments

6. Provide quality inputs to the CEO and senior management on country and thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents

7. Support the development and implementation of results-based management (RBM) and the integration of knowledge management in RBM, operational processes and procedures as requested.

8. Undertake additional duties as required by Director and Manager of the Programming Division.

Participation in Biodiversity Focal Area Team

1. Under the guidance of the Manager of Conventions and Funds Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, participate and follow the UNCBD meetings and negotiations and lead the political outreach where required. Promote regular and informed communication about the biodiversity program of the GEF, with the GEF Family and the UNCBD Parties and Secretariat.

2. Under the guidance of the Manager of Conventions and Funds Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, contribute to effective coordination of GEF’s strategic engagement related to the Convention and other international negotiations, and the biodiversity focal area. This will include CBD COP as well as other Conventions’ meetings as relevant, consultations on draft guidance preparations, and provide support to the CEO and GPU Director for their engagement.

3. In collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, contribute to the biodiversity focal area team as a BD specialist and in related tasks force teams and their dynamics.

4. Contribute to the GEF replenishment and provide constructive inputs to the new programming and policy reform/directions.

5. Support the development and delivery of GEF reports, Council documents, engagement plans, and other work products related to 1 above and as indicated by MEA Lead.

Selection Criteria

• The candidate should possess a Masters with at least eight years of experience, or a Ph.D., with five years of experience in the field of biodiversity, natural resources management/environmental sciences, economics, or other relevant discipline.
• The candidate should have at least 5 years of work experience managing biodiversity projects and programs in developing countries.
• The ideal candidate should have been exposed to working with Indigenous Peoples on environmental issues and/or in Asia countries in general.
• Ability to deal with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, developing country counterparts, and NGOs would be an advantage.
• Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically.
• Excellent technical and working knowledge in various sectors
• Proven record of constructive and positive engagement in leading a program and policy dialogue with client Governments, donors and other stakeholders;
• Proven ability to work in teams, both as a team leader and team member
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Second language (French, Spanish or Portuguese) is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team player within and across teams.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment in an international setting;
• Working knowledge of the operations of the Global Environment Facility and its Agencies.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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