Project Development Lead, Fiji Project (GBFF 12162)

Project Development Lead, Fiji Project (GBFF 12162)

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Remote | Nairobi

International

CON level

Speaks English, French

Application deadline: October 21, 2026 (9 days)

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Summary by Impactpool

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Project Development Lead for the GEF-funded project aimed at restoring ecosystems and tackling invasive alien species in Fiji. The consultant will be responsible for developing the GEF CEO Endorsement Request Package, ensuring compliance with GEF policies and standards. Key tasks include project design coordination, monitoring the project preparation grant process, and preparing necessary documentation. The role requires strong expertise in biodiversity conservation and experience with GEF projects, with a focus on community-driven management and environmental safeguards.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced degree in biodiversity or environmental sciences

Minimum 7 years of experience in environmental planning

Knowledge of GEF policies and programming

Experience in biodiversity conservation and invasive alien species management

Experience in Small Island Developing States, particularly in the Pacific

Fluency in English with strong writing skills

Result of Service

CEO Endorsement Request Packages including UNEP's annexes for the projects "Restoring Ecosystems: Tackling Invasive Alien Species to Preserve Biodiversity in Fiji”

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

50 days over a 6.5-month period.

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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical guidance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacities of developing countries and countries with transitional economies. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit plays a key role in the implementation of GEF projects. Through this unit, the organization provides support to countries and partners in the development and implementation of GEF projects in focal areas of biodiversity and land degradation. The unit has staff located across multiple regions, with coordination handled from its headquarters in Nairobi, working closely with regional and sub-regional offices. It currently manages a portfolio of over 200 projects spanning Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and West Asia and Asia and the Pacific. The unit would like to recruit a consultant to lead the planning and execution of the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) process for the GEF funded projects (GBFF) “Restoring Ecosystems: Tackling Invasive Alien Species to Preserve Biodiversity in Fiji” (GBFF 12162). UNEP, acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the executing agency for the project, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) of Fiji, in the preparation of the GBFF project “Restoring Ecosystems: Tackling Invasive Alien Species to Preserve Biodiversity in Fiji.” As part of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG), UNEP is hiring a consultant to develop, in full compliance with GEF rules, policies, and standards, a GEF CEO Endorsement package for submission to the GEF Secretariat. In accordance with GEF procedures, the complete set of project documentation must be submitted to the GEF Secretariat by the stipulated deadline. Through the present announcement, UNEP seeks to engage an experienced consultant with a strong background in GEF project design, implementation, and monitoring, and with demonstrated expertise in biodiversity conservation, invasive alien species management, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, and community-based natural resource management. The objective of the assignment is to prepare the GEF CEO Endorsement Request, including all required annexes, for the project “Restoring Ecosystems: Tackling Invasive Alien Species to Preserve Biodiversity in Fiji.” The consultancy will be home-based, with travel to Fiji as required. The specific tasks to be performed by the consultant are as follows: • Organize, coordinate, and lead the project design; present a plan for the entire PPG from the beginning of the process, with a logical timeline, detailed agenda, and methodology. • Participate in field missions when possible. • Participate in periodic discussions, in the presence or virtually when needed, with the project design team and partners (i.e., governmental agencies and civil society) on the project progress and, when needed, on specific issues (i.e., organizational and governance structure of the project). • Monitor the PPG process at the request of UNEP´s Task Manager, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) of Fiji, and/or with key stakeholders, for purposes of informing them about the project and the ongoing PPG processes. • Periodically, inform UNEP's Task Manager and MECC of Fiji on the status of the work and highlight, in a timely manner, risks related to the quality of the information received and the fulfillment of the project's development schedule. Work in close coordination with and assign tasks to national consultants and ensure that all coordination and assignment tasks are communicated to and through MECC of Fiji • Review risks and their respective rankings and propose mitigation measures with inputs from the project design team and other relevant stakeholders. • Prepare and compile the CEO Endorsement, including all annexes and appendices. • 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 plan will be based on the standard template provided in the package template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. • 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, mid and end-of-project targets. Establish baseline and targets for indicators reporting on the UNEP Integrated Results and Resources Framework. 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 gender sensitive indicators. • Prepare draft responses to comments from the UNEP´s Project Review Committee (PRC) and the GEF Secretariat (GEFSEC) and submit them to UNEP´s Task Manager and MECC of Fiji The lead consultant is responsible for ensuring: i. The project proposal is fully aligned with Fiji’s national and sectoral policies, strategies, and regulatory frameworks related to biodiversity conservation, invasive alien species (IAS) management, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience, including consistency with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the National Invasive Species Framework and Strategic Action Plan (NISFSAP). ii. The project design enables integrated, cross-sectoral and community-driven management of terrestrial, coastal, and island ecosystems by strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing institutional coordination, and increasing awareness, technical capacity, and stewardship among Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, civil society, and relevant government agencies. Baseline assessment of institutional capacity and knowledge sharing networks for sustainability of project. iii. The package includes a Gender Analysis, a Gender Action Plan, and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, personnel ToRs, project workplan, procurement plan etc.; and iv. The package includes an assessment of environmental and social safeguards, encompassing, when needed, applicable mitigation measures. The consultant must also verify and, if this is the case, include the identification of potential institutional linkages with ongoing and proposed GEF Projects and other project-relevant initiatives. The Lead Consultant will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the National Expert and must ensure that all supervisory activities are communicated to and through MECC of Fiji. Reporting Lines: The Lead Consultant will report to Task Manager, GEF-Biodiversity, and Land Degradation Unit, under the supervision of Head, GEF-Biodiversity, and Land Degradation Unit, and MECC of Fiji. The consultancy will be home-based with possible project site visits.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in the same fields is acceptable with two additional years of qualifying relevant experience. • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in environmental planning, sustainable land management, management, and protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services is required. • Demonstrated knowledge of GEF policies and programming, as well as senior experience in GEF project formulation and writing of the GEF Project Document and CEO Endorsement is highly desirable. • Work experience in biodiversity conservation, invasive alien species management, ecosystem restoration, and nature‑based solutions, particularly in terrestrial, coastal, and island ecosystems, working with a wide range of stakeholders and international donor agencies, preferably with demonstrated experience working with GEF Implementing Agencies on GEF project design, implementation, and/or midterm and terminal evaluation reviews is desirable. • Work experience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in the Pacific region, on invasive alien species management, biodiversity conservation, and community‑based natural resource management is desirable. • Experience in leading and/or participating in multi-disciplinary teams addressing a range of environmental planning and management issues) is an asset; and Experience working in the Pacific Region is highly desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English with strong writing and editing skills is required.

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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Summary by Impactpool

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Project Development Lead for the GEF-funded project aimed at restoring ecosystems and tackling invasive alien species in Fiji. The consultant will be responsible for developing the GEF CEO Endorsement Request Package, ensuring compliance with GEF policies and standards. Key tasks include project design coordination, monitoring the project preparation grant process, and preparing necessary documentation. The role requires strong expertise in biodiversity conservation and experience with GEF projects, with a focus on community-driven management and environmental safeguards.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced degree in biodiversity or environmental sciences

Minimum 7 years of experience in environmental planning

Knowledge of GEF policies and programming

Experience in biodiversity conservation and invasive alien species management

Experience in Small Island Developing States, particularly in the Pacific

Fluency in English with strong writing skills

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Project Development Lead, Fiji Project (GBFF 12162)

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Remote | Nairobi

International

CON level

Speaks English, French

Apply