Project Development Expert

Project Development Expert Lesotho amd Malawi

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Remote | Nairobi

International

CON level

Speaks English, French

Application deadline: November 09, 2026 (9 days)

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Summary by Impactpool

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Project Development Expert to support biodiversity-related initiatives in Lesotho and Malawi. The consultant will lead the development of a UNEP/GEF project document and CEO endorsement request, ensuring compliance with GEF requirements. Responsibilities include conducting technical reviews, stakeholder consultations, and financial planning. The role requires a strong background in environmental management and project design, with a focus on sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

Candidate Requirements:

Master's degree in relevant fields

At least 10 years of experience in development projects

Experience in GEF project design

Demonstrated track record in document preparation

Fluency in English

Result of Service

• A UNEP/GEF project document and all its required annexes submitted to the UNEP PRC and cleared for submission to GEF Secretariat. • GEF CEO Endorsement Request and all its annexes submitted to GEF Sec.

Work Location

Remote working

Expected duration

8 months Part Time

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This consultancy assignment will support the work of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit in the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division. A.INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The Governments of Lesotho and Malawi, have secured funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNEP for biodiversity-related initiatives projects titled: “Strengthening Lake Malawi National Park management and reducing human wildlife conflict to enhance conservation and improve community livelihoods" GEFID 12113” and “Reducing human wildlife conflict and applying integrated management approaches to enhance protected areas management in Matšeng Biosphere Reserve GEFID 12158” These proposed projects have received a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) to prepare a Medium-Sized Project (MSP) document, based on the approved project proposal concept (PIF). The project will be executed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) and the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) respectfully. The PPG phase is considered as a preparatory phase and will need to support various data collection efforts and undertake validation of the key sections contained in the PIFs. The final output of the PPG phases will be a UNEP GEF project document and a GEF CEO Endorsement Request submitted to and approved by UNEP and GEF, with all required supporting annexes, UNEP's Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) and background information. In this regard, UNEP would like to recruit a consultant to undertake the assignment as described in this TORs. This consultancy post is located in UNEP / Ecosystems Division / GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation (BD/LD) unit. The PPG phase will include four interrelated steps: Step 1: Technical review • Baseline studies: this will include a desktop review of all relevant documents, actual and previous studies as per the approved PIF and PPG plans for the 3 projects. . • Studies to address any opportunities/risks identified during the UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF). UNEP’s Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) should be applied to minimize any associated risks for this project; the consultant will work closely with UNEP’s Safeguard Advisor to ensure the economic, social and environmental risks of the project are fully addressed. • Integration with development plans, policies, budgets and complementary projects. • Multi-stakeholder meetings with Government and partners (technical and financial) are planned to inform the development of this project and to identify on-going projects and other initiatives to be incorporated in the project document, including how activities of similar or complementary types could be implemented jointly and/or in parallel depending on the flexibility of the project calendars. • Completion of all the required GEF focal area tracking tools. • Stakeholder consultations during technical review: Mobilize and engage stakeholders during project design. Negotiate partnerships with on-going projects to align their activities and the project to build synergies, document these consultations. • A quick overview of the existing, legal, policy, institutions and regulatory frameworks related to Strengthening capacity for effective national implementation of and regional cooperation on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in Burkina Faso. • A quick overview of the existing regulatory frameworks; assessments to promote diversified, resilient and sustainable livelihoods to incentivize sustainable forest management practices within the Kenya’s coastal forests; existing institutional capacity at national, and county/local level on sustainable management of coastal forests including baseline assessment on knowledge management, stakeholder engagement and gender. • Description of the project's alignment with UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework, Kenya’s National Voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality Targets and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAPs) or reports, as well as with relevant conventions e.g. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), etc. • The review will focus on collecting data and key information on legal, policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks to support the effective development of a full project proposal for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization in Burkina Faso and OECMs in Malawi. Step 2: Institutional arrangements, monitoring and evaluation The outputs of step 1 will be used as technical input to step 2 for the formulation of the UNEP/GEF project document. Requirements of step 2 include: • Finalization of project results framework: Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented and Time-bound (SMART) indicators, and end-of-project targets. Special attention will be made to include socio-economic and sex disaggregated indicators. • Definition of monitoring and evaluation (M&E): A detailed M&E work plan will be developed, including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNEP -GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. • Description of Innovation, Sustainability (Environmental; Institutional; Financial; Social), and Potential for Scaling Up plan: The sustainability plan will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements. • Definition of the project' implementation arrangements: The organizational structure governing the project will be decided. This will include identification of the project steering committee; including delineation of responsibilities and coordination mechanisms; costs of the project management unit; and inputs required for implementation. • Sustainability plan: The sustainability plan will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements. It will also outline an exit strategy, seeking the continuation of key activities/achievements without the need for long-term international financing. • Definition of management arrangements: The organizational structure governing the project will be decided. This will include identification of the project steering committee and project staff. • Stakeholder consultations during step 2: Involve key agencies in the development of the project strategy to ensure strong national ownership. In close collaboration with key government representatives and other stakeholders, ensure full participation in the development of the project results framework and ensure agreement on the project objectives and outcomes. Undertake consultations to secure agreement(s) on project implementation arrangements, including roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of lead and partner agencies. Document these consultations. Step 3: Financial planning and co-financing investments: • Prepare a detailed multi-year budget following the standard template provided in the UNEP GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. • Explore multilateral and bilateral co-financing opportunities: undertake a series of consultations with partners to ensure a coherent and sustainable financing package for the project including post-GEF grant phase. • Ensure completion and acquisition of the required Co-financing letters: Co-financing letters will be collected from participating government institutions, bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners and NGOs that wish to provide grant, loan or in-kind contributions to the project. • Stakeholder consultations during Component step 3: During the implementation of the PPG project, consultation will be carried out with key stakeholders (including civil society organizations, indigenous people, gender groups, and others as relevant) and describe how they will be engaged in project preparation. All financial and technical partners and the government will be involved at an early stage for their commitment to ensure the cost-benefit ratio and agree on financial allocation and arrangements(s). Step 4: PPG Inception meeting and the validation workshop • The consultant will participate in the PPG inception meeting and validation workshop, either virtually or physically depending on the prevailing conditions at the time. The validation workshop will gather representatives from all relevant stakeholders to present, discuss and validate the final draft project document. UNEP is therefore seeking the services of an international consultant/team leader to develop the project document and the CEO endorsement request for these 2 projects plus their annexes. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the GEF Task Manager, based in Nairobi, Kenya and the overall guidance of the Head, GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, based in Nairobi. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT He/she will need to exercise flexibility and good judgment in designing a GEF project that conforms to the degree possible with the project outline presented in the PIF. The consultant will work as a team leader and will be supported by national consultants. The consultant will perform the following specific tasks: 1. Act as the PPG project design expert team leader 2. Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the staff of the Nature Kenya, that have been designated as focal persons for development of this project. 3. Provide an overall orientation to the PPG team in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline information. 4. Provide technical guidance during stakeholder consultation meetings/workshops including the validation workshop and produce reports. 5. Guide the national team in conducting assessments and consultations of key stakeholders, including regulatory frameworks, policies, knowledge, etc. 6. Perform the following tasks for the GEF Project Document Formulation i) Control quality of input and outputs of all consultants and sub-contractors. ii) Mainstream the project’s problem and barrier analysis among the project planning team. iii) Help determine the project’s system boundaries and scope. iv) Based on the inputs from national and international experts and key national stakeholders, compile baseline/situational analysis for the full-size child project (FSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices. v) Based on the inputs from national experts and the best international practice, prepare a quantified assessment of global environmental benefits to be generated by the project. vi) Based on the inputs from national and international experts conduct a stakeholder analysis and develop a gender engagement plan. vii) Define and validate the project outcomes, outputs, and activities based on a logical framework analysis and project’s theory of change. viii) Provide detailed information on the proposed activities. ix) Develop the results framework of the project with SMART indicators, baseline and targets. x) Facilitate the logical framework analysis workshop. xi) Finalize the project results framework as regards all activities. Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART indicators, and end-of-project targets. Ensure that all related activities are in conformity with GEF 8 focal area guidelines and indicators. Special attention should be paid to include socio-economic and sex-disaggregated indicators. xii) Reconfirm project strategy and finalize project sections on: (a) An assessment of the social, economic and financial sustainability of proposed project activities; (b) Assessment of alternatives to the project strategy and establishing the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy and suite of activities; (c) replication strategy for project activities; (d) assessment of the risks to the proposed project activities and identifying measure to mitigate these risks; (e) incremental cost analysis. xiii) Clarify the additionality of the proposed outcomes and activities and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines. xiv) Develop and describe the project’s institutional and implementation arrangements. xv) Ensure action points from the UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) process for the PIF stage are fully implemented during the PPG. Conduct the full UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) and compile a summary report indicating results of the PPG investigation and future actions. Address any opportunities/risks identified during a UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF). UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) should be applied to minimize any associated risks; consultant to work closely with UNEP’s Safeguard Advisor to ensure the economic, social and environmental risks of project are fully addressed. xvi) Develop the project’s sustainability strategy and the exit strategy according to GEF guidelines. xvii) Develop the GEF project budget per outcome as per either the old UNEP/GEF format or the new GEF format as will be determined xviii) Facilitate the process of developing and confirming the co-financing plan and developing a co-finance budget. xix) Prepare costed M & E work plan for all activities, with defined indicators, to be funded by the GEF including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The M&E plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNEP -GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. xx) Develop action plan for incorporation of gender aspects in the project, with quantifiable baseline and target indicators, as per GEF and UNEP guidance and based on the results of gender analysis. Define the gender sensitiveness of the project, and the best strategies for women’s empowerment (review relevant UNEP documentation on the requirements for gender mainstreaming into UNEP and UNEP GEF projects, including UNEP’s Policy and Guide on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; UNEP’s Gender Equality Strategy; UNEP’s Social and Environmental Standards; GEF’s Gender Mainstreaming at the GEF; GEF’s Policy on Gender Mainstreaming; and GEF’s Gender Equality Action Plan; to incorporate minimum requirements into project design, including outputs, activities, indicators); xxi) Working with the relevant stakeholders and the national and international consultants, ensure the quality of completed BD/LD tracking tools. xxii) Compile and produce a fully-fledged UNEP / GEF project document with all the required annexes and the GEF CEO Endorsement request document with all the required annexes/attachments. xxiii) Address all comments on the project concept by the Chief GEF BD/LD unit and the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC).

Qualifications/special skills

Minimum of master’s degree in relevant fields such as Biology, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Biodiversity, Land use Management and Ecosystem services (either with ecological or socio-economic background), agriculture, Environmental law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 10 years of experience in the development projects and/or programmes is required, preferably with some experience in the GEF projects design and consultancies is required. Demonstrated track record in the preparation of documents, project proposals, evaluation reports, etc. is required. GEF project designing and development, in at least two or more projects is required. Experience working with international organizations, including UNEP and the GEF, is desirable The following competencies are desirable:- • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards. • Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in multi-cultural environments. • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. • Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the project document.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this position.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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