Outcome Lead (Climate Action) [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 Philippines, a lower Middle-Income Country (MIC) in Southeast Asia, is a medium human development country with an HDI value of 0.699. Philippines achieved significant progress towards the SDGs on social development indicators such as health, education and social protection. However, pockets of poverty and income inequality persist. 

The Philippines is affected by the global polycrisis, compounding the country's development challenges: climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. These interconnect with hazards, exposure, vulnerability and insufficient local coping and adaptive capacities thus amplifying high incidence of disasters, increasing loss and damage and now demands addressing multidimensional risks to build resiliency. 

The Government of the Philippines has made significant efforts in building resilience to climate change (including through climate finance), protecting biodiversity, promoting circular economy and transition to a low-carbon economy, promoting sustainable transport and energy efficiency. The Government articulates its vision through the following documents, among others:

•            National Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2028

•            National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050

•            NDC Implementation Plan 2020-2030

•            Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028

•            Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050

In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Philippines for the period 2024-2028, the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2024-2028 underlines UNDP’s work to promote Climate Change, Disaster Response, Resilience, Circular Economy and Environmental and Natural Resources Sustainability in the Philippines. UNDP’s support targets advocacy, policy research and formation, capacity and partnership building and coordination, technology testing and transfer, piloting models and promoting participation of businesses and local communities, aiming to support the Government in implementing the above policies.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have the analytical, planning and implementation capacities that can address links, choices and connections across many issues and sectors.  We seek individuals who can apply global best practice to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in the Philippines. 

You will have strong knowledge and demonstrated experience in one or all of the following: climate action; institutions and partnerships development; and peace building.  Your role will be to contribute to building and managing a multi-million dollar portfolio of activities that help to shape effective development policy and programs in the Philippines.  You will work collaboratively with your colleagues to ensure holistic, integrated, effective and efficient programming.  You will also work with our sister UN Agencies, UNDP HQ and Bangkok Regional Hub staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Team Leader - Climate Action manages a portfolio of activities that contribute to effective achievement of progress in the SDG dimensions of Planet and Prosperity: circular and green economy, resilient urbanization, environmentally sustainable economic growth, biodiversity conservation and natural resources management, climate finance and climate adaptation and mitigation. He/She will have demonstrated knowledge of and established partnership with Government institutions both at national and sub-national level. He/She will have demonstrated substantial experience of programming with GEF, GCF and other relevant global environment initiatives. He/She will have strong familiarity of policy, programming and advocacy issues in relation to Climate Impact, Disaster Risk Management and response. He/She will be familiar with the management of multidisciplinary teams and relevant exposure to international institutions.

The role of the Team Leader will be to ensure proper management and achievement of the country programme assigned outcome. The Team Leader through monitoring of implementation and use of evaluations, reviews and knowledge management products will contribute to pipeline development and resource mobilization.

The Team Leader will manage a team composed of 3 Programme Analysts supported by a Programme Associate and Programme Assistant. The Team Leader will supervise directly all Project Managers assigned in their portfolio and will support cross-practice cooperation and coordination, portfolio management to maximize impact and focus on CPD outcome results.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervision and performance management of Climate Action Programme Team.

•     Lead the effective implementation and strategic direction of relevant Outcomes of the UNDP programme
•     Management of the CO programme and supervision of the Programme
•     Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization
•     Provision of top-quality advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

As a member of the CO management team, ensures the effective implementation of the relevant outcome of the Country Programme and supports the strategic direction of UNDP focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of UNSDCF, CPD, Project document and other documents.
• Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation 
• Operationalization of UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners (including national and local government partners, development partners, CSOs and private sector) and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
• Analysis and presentation of UNDP Portfolio and results.
• Ensure that new programmes incorporate gender equality and women’s empowerment at the design stages, supporting the gender marker targets of the Country Office and UNDP’s global Gender Equality Strategy
• CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.

Ensures effective management of the CO programme and supervision of the Programme team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

• Providing high quality guidance and supervision to UNDP staff within the Climate portfolio, including technical advisory teams interfacing with UNDP partners.
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment and monitoring of programme and management targets and quality assurance and achievement of results.
• Achieve Programme and Management target at outcome level as well as guide the acceleration of implementation in the portfolio of pertinence. 
• Design and formulation of CO programmes within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. 
• Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Team Leader  may be delegated to perform the function of Manager Level 2 (or higher) in Quantum for development projects and act accordingly to the CO ICF.
• Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.
• Follow up on DIM/NIM and CO audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
• Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with Senior Management, other teams in the Country Office, BRH and focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Actively developing strong partnerships with national and international partners (government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, IFIs, vertical funds, private sector, civil society), contributing to raising the profile and credibility of UN/UNDP in the area of Climate Change, Environment, Energy, Biodiversity and Climate Finance.
• Generation of a predictable, multi-year pipeline of non-core resources contributing to sustain UNDP’s progamme;
• Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes.
• Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and partners priorities. 
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of key climate change, environment, circular economy, energy/energy transition, biodiversity and climate finance policy issues and challenges, identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to country programme and policy goals, leading to the formulation of substantive policy advice
• Coordination and support to development institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Maintain effective network with development partners and Government at national level and subnational level and where necessary link up with the corporate Global Policy Network of UNDP and other international actors. 
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
   

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. The key results are to achieve the delivery and quality impact and overall success of the country programme by reaching UNSDCF/ CPD goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organizationns programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
• Communication: Ability to 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

Business Direction and 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 on other parts of the system

2030 Agenda: Planet 

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate change Policies: including international climate change regime and application
• Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: concepts and advancing resilient development
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery :Climate Risk Management

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Management, Urban Planning, or related field relevant to the position is required. OR. 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated 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 of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments is required.
• At least 5 years’ experience in resilient development, climate change, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, circular economy, resilient cities will be an asset.
• At least 5 years of senior level management responsibilities of similar size of portfolio and complexity will be an asset. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. 
• Experience working with a UN agency, Government or International Institution is desirable.
• Having strong experience in developing, overseeing and managing development projects is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Filipino is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language desirable.

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. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.