Administration Senior Assistant (Research Assistant) – Retainer

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York- based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives — the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and the Global Forest Initiative (New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform) under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature- based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives;
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice;
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
• Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity in order to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Support, National Reporting, and Capacity Building. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is a cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including work through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab, created in partnership with UN Environment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature and the National Biodiversity Initiative. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives.180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through blogs, case studies, and story maps.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This program connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, Learning for Nature seeks synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self- paced e-learning modules, and private training courses.

For further information please go

to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, www.unbiodiversitylab.org

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

As a cross-cutting service to the three initiatives referenced above, the Global Programme on Nature for Development requires research support on a continuous basis in order to ground the project’s activities scientifically, to complement program and project development, and to identify synergies with existing initiatives both internal and external to the UN system. The support needed also consists of support in ‘scanning the horizon’ for new initiatives and innovations in the sector, as well as assistance with special projects such as publications, communications, and research support to the Global Programme’s manager in her role advising UNDP senior management.

The Administration Senior Assistant (Research assistant) will carry out the following tasks:

• Support the development and design e-learning courses related but not limited to the contributions and nature and natural capital to sustainable development; biodiversity and ecosystems in national, local, and international contexts; forest management; local communities and indigenous peoples; social entrepreneurship and impact investing; involvement in global policy processes; spatial planning in national biodiversity reporting processes; communications about environmental change; sustainable supply chains and deforestation-free commodities; innovative finance solutions for the environment.
• With guidance from programme managers and/or project managers/coordinators, edit online learning materials, interactive learning activities and other knowledge products.
• Provide quality assurance for designed materials in multiple languages.
• Create online course rooms in English and Spanish, organizing course content within modules, quizzes and activities, using the content provided by the project team and in accordance with project team’s specifications.
• Test functionalities in course rooms to ensure that all the assets are fully accessible by final users.
• Provide technical support to the Learning for Nature community.
• Create and manage online spaces: upload content, track progress on and engagement in online events.
• Liaise with partners and coordinate the collection of partner content for a variety of e-learning offerings.
• Support the production of a variety of e-learning offerings, including through instructional design, webinar coordination and user support.
• Support knowledge management efforts and gathering and dissemination of best practices, including data analysis.
• Support communications efforts such as social media materials and photo stories.

Information on Working Arrangements:

• The contractor will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the contractor is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The contractor will be supervised by the Senior Technical Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development, and contractor and supervisor will determine progress and next step in mutual communication

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education

• A high/secondary school diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in the field of arts, environmental management/sciences, international relations, political science, business and management, social studies, development, and/or other fields relevant for biodiversity planning and research around topics prioritized by the Global Programme on Nature for Development is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in one of the mentioned fields can substitute 4 years of experience.

Required Experience:

• At least five (5) years of experience working on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual and/or practical level is required: education; instructional or graphic design; biodiversity/climate change; human/civil/indigenous rights; social entrepreneurship/impact investing; local economic development and civil society engagement.

Desirable experience (the following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience with specialized e-learning and instructional design software or datasets (e.g. Genially, Vyond, Canvas, H5P, Prezi, Padlet, etc.) and proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) is an asset;
• Experience developing and designing e-learning courses; editing and developing online learning materials; creating learning experiences and environments; designing interactive learning activities (e.g. quizzes, games, educational songs and videos, etc.) is considered an advantage.
• Experience coordinating with subject experts to develop e-learning content, and experience effectively conveying technical information to non-technical colleagues and clients is considered an advantage.
• Experience managing online learning communities is an advantage.
• Experience working in graphic design is considered an advantage.
• Experience in online education is an advantage.

Language:

• Fluent in English with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in additional languages, in particular if UN languages or Portuguese, is an advantage.

Competencies

Integrity and Inclusion

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading Self and Others

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Results Orientation

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

*Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer – A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work

Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (L-ICA 5- ICSC5)
Contract duration: Six (6) months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.*

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.