Biodiversity Project Technical Specialist (open to all candidates)

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Job Description

  • Technical assistant, political and strategic advisors 
  • Supervision of the project's implementation towards achieving results
  • Coordination and knowledge sharing 
  • Synergies, partnership and resource mobilization

Job Industry

Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering & Environmental Sciences

Job Salary Currency

BIF

Job Salary Fixed

No

Key Deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative for Programme and Operations and the authority of the Resident Representative, the Biodiversity Project Technical Specialist will be part of the UNDP Sustainable Development Unit and will work closely with the consortium coordination team, the steering committee, and the technical advisory group. He/She will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

A. Technical assistance, political and strategic advice 

  • Provide strategic advice to UNDP Management on the positioning of the Office in the field of protected areas for biodiversity conservation.
  • Advising the government, local stakeholders and partners on policy and regulatory issues in the protected area management sector for biodiversity conservation.
  • Provide technical assistance for the development of protected area management plans for biodiversity conservation in Kibira and Rusizi National Parks.
  • Contribute to the analysis and preparation of technical notes relating to the field of protected areas and biodiversity.
  • Participate in strategic meetings and other activities requiring their expertise.
  • Contribute to the development of the Biodiversity Financing Plan.
     

B. Supervision of implementation towards achieving results
 

  • Supervise the Project Management Unit consisting of a finance and administration manager, a driver, and international and local consultants.
  • Prepare annual and quarterly budgeted work plans and ensure their effective execution, including proper use of financial resources, in accordance with the project document.
  • Develop terms of reference for potential consultants/service providers and ensure the proper execution of services;
  • Ensure the timely preparation and submission of periodic narrative progress reports and expenditure status reports to UNDP and financial partners.
  • Ensure that cross-cutting issues and programming principles are taken into account.
  • Regularly update the project data and risk log across the various platforms.
     

C. Coordination and knowledge sharing 
 

  • Acting as a liaison and facilitator between the various project stakeholders, including the private sector, governmental and public institutions, the DGD/Belgium, Enabel, the EU and other donors.
  • Supporting the preparation of meetings of the project's technical committee and steering committee;
  • Participate in thematic coordination bodies of inter-agency results groups on the topic of protected areas and biodiversity. 
  • Proactively apply best practices and lessons learned from global knowledge networks to benefit the project's objectives.
  • Organize training and capacity building for stakeholders in connection with the project document.
  • To ensure the sharing of knowledge through communication products and various publications.
     

D. Synergies, partnership and resource mobilization
 

  • Develop partnerships with government institutions, the private sector, civil society, United Nations agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors and other key stakeholders in relevant thematic areas based on UNDP strategic objectives, country needs and donor priorities;
  • Promote close cooperation with key project partners, and leverage synergies and complementarities with other climate change initiatives.
  • To help mobilize new funds to ensure the consolidation of the project's achievements and scaling up to other protected areas in Burundi. 
  • Perform any other tasks requested by the supervisor.
     

The incumbent performs all other duties within their functional profile that are deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities: N/A
 

Professional Qualifications

Industry Qualification
Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering & Environmental Sciences A higher-level university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environmental engineering, political and social sciences, protected area management and biodiversity conservation, international development, and other fields affiliated with sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and the valuation of ecosystem services is required, OR An undergraduate university degree (Bachelor's) in the aforementioned fields, coupled with two years of relevant professional experience, will be duly considered in place of a higher-level university degree. Technical training in protected area management will be considered an advantage. Experience: A minimum of 5 years (with a Master's degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in the field of sustainable development, including at least 2 years in the specific field of the environment, protected area management, biodiversity conservation and/or the enhancement of ecosystem services and the development of green economies or any other related discipline is required; Excellent ability to analyze, write, edit and produce notes, documents and programs in the biodiversity sector is required; Proven experience working in a multi-stakeholder environment with governments, civil society, the private sector, and technical and financial partners is required; Good knowledge and experience in project management under European Union, Belgian and UNDP funding is an asset. Direct field experience in a protected area will be considered an asset. Work experience in the sub-region, particularly in Burundi, will be considered an advantage. Having in-depth knowledge/experience on issues related to ecosystem conservation, development of protected area management plans, capacity building for eco-guards, and environmental education is an asset. Strong leadership, management and coordination skills, coupled with a proven ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects. The ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, to work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, in order to develop sustainable partnerships with collaborating organizations is an asset. The ability to manage budgets, to learn, and to work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project is an asset. Ability to coordinate and supervise multiple project delivery units in the implementation of technical activities in partnership with diverse subnational stakeholder groups, including the community and government authorities. Strong communication skills (report writing and presentation), particularly for responding to emails in a timely and accurate manner. Languages: French and English: fluency in both languages ​​is required for this position.

Essential Qualities

Essential Qualities
  • Expected demonstration of skills

Achieving results: LEVEL 3: Set and align ambitious and achievable goals for multiple projects, have a lasting impact. Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, generate scalable results / strategic impact.

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

Continuous learning: LEVEL 3: Create and exploit opportunities to broaden horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with agility: LEVEL 3: Initiate and promote change proactively, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate tasks or obstacles and take action to achieve better results.

Engage & partner: LEVEL 3: Political sense, navigating a complex landscape, promoting inter-agency collaboration. 

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People management (Insert below the standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP's expertise in personnel management can be found on the  website . 

  • Cross-cutting and technical skills


Corporate management and strategy & strategic thinking: 

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP objectives, based on a systemic analysis of potential challenges, risks and opportunities; linking vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions;
  • Ability to leverage knowledge from diverse sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in modeling future developments and possible pathways for UNDP.
     

Corporate Management and Strategy & Systems Thinking:

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interdependent elements coexist within a process or overall system, and to consider how changing one element may impact other parts of the system.

Business Development & Knowledge Facilitation:

  • Ability to motivate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management & Project Management: 

  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific objectives.

Business Management & Communication: 

  • Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously, both verbally and in writing; to adapt messages and choose communication methods according to the audience. 
  • Ability to manage internal and external communications, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
     

Partnership Management & Relationship Management:

  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, to establish, maintain and/or strengthen working relationships, trust and mutual understanding

Business Management & Portfolio Management: 

  • Ability to select, prioritize, and control the organization's programs and projects in accordance with its strategic objectives and capabilities; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with maintaining the status quo, while optimizing the return on investment.

 


Application Process

Close Date

24/02/2026