Technical Specialist for Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Resilience (Open to internal and external applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP Cambodia Country Office (CO) works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), non-government organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors, and the private sector to accelerate the achievement of Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) and other national development priorities as set out in the Pentagonal Strategy for realizing the national vision 2050. 

In Cambodia, the UNDP Country Programme Document 2024-2028 (CPD) identified three transformational shifts as priorities for support during the next 5 years. The first shift is toward an economic growth model that accelerates inclusive growth, economic diversification, and human development. The second shift involves championing just energy transition, climate action, and nature-based solutions as the foundation for national wealth, well-being, and resilience to shocks. The third shift is towards strengthening institutions, civic space, and participation as enablers for inclusive growth, access to rights and equal opportunities for all, whilst ensuring that the society at large is using the full potential of digital transformation. The CPD is aligned to national priorities and policies, particularly Cambodia’s Vision 2050 and the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 2024-2028.

The Global Environment Facility round 8 (GEF-8) Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program - Restoring ecosystems for sustainable development in the Tonle Sap Basin and Siem Reap/Phnom Kulen landscape (ERIP) and Least Developed Countries Fund - Building resilient livelihoods through nature-based solutions in the Tonle Sap Basin and Siem Reap/Phnom Kulen landscape (LDCF),  are implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF Partnership.  The programme aims to promote integrated watershed and ecosystem management for improved livelihoods, climate resilience, and cultural heritage in the Tonle Sap Basin and Siem Reap/Phnom Kulen landscape. 

The Technical Specialist for Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Resilience will play a key role in providing substantive inputs and guiding support to the National Project Director(s) and the Project Management Unit(s) of the Ministry of Environment in implementing the two projects, drawing on UNDP Cambodia’s extensive experience in ensuring the programme’s achievements and impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative of Nature, Climate and Energy (ARR-NCE), the Technical Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst and Project Coordinator to support work of the Ministry of Environment teams in coordination with relevant UNDP regional centre staff in-charge of the two projects, national & sub-national government officials, experts nationally and internationally, civil society and private sectors to successfully implement the ERIP and LDCF projects.

The incumbent may also be required to take on other programmes/projects/initiatives within the scope of the TOR, depending on the workload at the time.

The incumbent will perform the following key functions.

Ensure strategic and effective programming and delivery of the implementation of ERIP and LDCF projects: 

• Provide strategic advice and technical inputs to the National Project Director (NPD), National Project Manager (NPM), and Project Management Unit (PMU) to ensure effective multi-stakeholder engagement following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan throughout the project implementation period; 
• Prepare Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors, and assist in the selection and orientation process; 
• Review the work of all consultants and sub-contractors, to ensure timely and quality delivery of expected outputs; 
• Ensure effective synergy among the various sub-contracted activities, and integration of project outputs;
• Provide technical input to the project teams by ensuring technical consistency, quality, and timeliness of delivery of the project’s workplan; 
• Provide technical input to the development of training and capacity development on trade-off analysis for environmentally sound strategic decision making;
• Revitalize the watershed management forums, guiding the development of agreements and mandates for the forum and guiding forum members on integrated approaches to watershed management; 
• Provide advice on the development of a roadmap for expanding investment through innovative financial models, ensuring inclusion of the latest global trends and innovations in the biodiversity and sustainable development finance landscape;
• Guide restoration activities in high conservation value forest areas of the Steung Siem Reap (SSR) watershed, ensuring application of best practice to achieve maximum ecosystem service benefits and sustainability or restoration efforts;
• Provide technical input on the production of communication material to promote visibility of project results, bringing experiences and lessons learnt to the regional and global;
• Bring national (and international) technical experiences to project planning and implementation to ensure that full use is made of lessons learned, and that best practices are used to achieve the project objective;
• In view of the critical importance of capacity building, maintain strategic oversight for the technical quality and timely delivery of the project’s capacity building activities for both projects;
• Provide technical advice and capacity building to the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and other institutional stakeholders at the national and local level on key strategic and policy issues related to integrating watershed management and planning, institutional strengthening processes, and appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems and knowledge management systems;
• Guide the project teams in providing hands on advice in identifying the specific project target communities and designing locally-specific implementation strategies for project deliverables at the community levels, the demonstration of said strategies and the concurrent joint learning from experience by concerned institutional stakeholders.

Ensure Gender, Social, and Environmental Safeguard Implementation and Monitoring:

• Provide ongoing support and guidance to the local Gender and Safeguard Specialist on their day-to-day roles as described above;
• Monitor progress in development/implementation of the project Environmental and Social Management Plan/Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMP/ESMF), ensuring that UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES) policy is fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled;
• Oversee/coordinate the implementation of all safeguard-related plans as laid out in the ESMF;
• Ensure social and environmental grievances are managed effectively and transparently;
• Review the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) annually, and update and revise the corresponding risk log; mitigation/management plans as necessary;
• Ensure full disclosure with concerned stakeholders;
• Ensure environmental and social risks are identified in a timely manner, avoided, mitigated, and managed throughout project implementation;
• Work with the M&E Officer and the local Gender and Safeguard Specialist to ensure reporting, monitoring, and evaluation that fully address the safeguard issues of the project.

Provide top-quality advisory services and facilitate effective knowledge management:

• Provide technical guidance for the development of annual work plans, review progress, and advise NPD(s), NPM(s), and PMU to ensure annual, mid-term, and end-of-project targets will be met;
• Advise to the NPD, and NPM with technical input in preparation of the Project Implementation Review / Annual Project Report, and quarterly narrative and financial reports for submission to UNDP, the GEF, other donors, and the Government, as required;
• Develop the Terms of Reference of the project Mid-Term Review and Terminal Evaluation;
• Integrate evaluation findings, real-time monitoring data, and applied learning to adaptive project management and policy advisory work;
• Write and communicate on best practices and lessons learned linked to programme and policy goals;
• Maintain effective network with development partners and Government at the national level and sub-national level and where necessary link up with the corporate Global Policy Network of UNDP and other international development actors;
• Facilitate knowledge building and management especially between the programme and projects and facilitate trainings for the UNDP staff and personnel and national counterparts on relevant programme issues.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

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 other parts of the system.

Business Management

• Communication : Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Partnerships Management: 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.
• Risk Management: Identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize, and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate: Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystem-based adaptation and management.
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Science, or other related Development Studies is required; or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in biodiversity and forest conservation, ecosystem restoration, or related field.

Desired skills and experiences:

• At least 2 years of the above experience should be in providing oversight and advisory services to multiple complex development projects in the  areas of nature, climate change, energy, development/climate financing or disaster risk reduction
• Experience in developing an international standard report with the consolidation of a complex national consultation process
• Proven experience in programme/project implementation. Implementation and management experience of GEF/GCF projects 
• Experience in partnership and networking establishment with multi-stakeholders, including government people, NGOs, and CSOs;
• Experience in implementing gender and safeguard guidelines, policies, procedures, and tools, as well as building capacity on environmental and social safeguard standards and management in the context of forestry, biodiversity, natural resource management, and climate change;
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of policy development processes
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support to project implementation in a developing country is essential. Work experience in Cambodia 
• Prior experience in a UN Agency and/or international organizations 
• Experience working in multi-national teams to implement programmes involving different funding and implementing agencies 
• Experience working, negotiating, and coordinating with high-ranking and senior officials 

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of the Khmer language is an advantage. 

Professional Certificates:

• Professional Certification in programme or project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE-2, MSP etc.) is an advantage.

Travel:

• The Technical Specialist will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and stationed in the Ministry of Environment. Provincial and international travel may be required from time to time. UNDP policies, rules, and regulations concerning duty travel will be observed and adhered to. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.