Project Associate in Nuratau landscape

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

Background

In September 2023, the Government of Uzbekistan adopted the National Development Strategy of Uzbekistan (NDS) until 2030, also known as “Uzbekistan Strategy 2030”. The document outlines the country’s primary development objectives and pivotal reforms across various sectors to be realized by the end of this decade. This marks the third NDS that has been adopted by the government since 2017, with the preceding two covering the periods of 2017-2021 and 2022-2026. The NDS until 2030 encapsulates various sustainable development aims of Uzbekistan, through creating education, healthcare, and social protection systems that align with international standards, and establishing a comprehensive environmental framework. The new strategy outlines a set of 100 priority actions that the government will take to advance progress across five key areas: fostering opportunities for individual self-fulfillment, ensuring the welfare of the population through sustainable economic growth, conserving water resources, protecting the environment, and crafting a public administration system that will focus on citizens’ needs. 

The project aims to address the degradation of high value steppe grassland, shrubland, and forest dryland ecosystems, and support the restoration of these ecosystems where degradation has already occurred. As such, the key environmental threat addressed is ecosystem degradation, of grassland, shrubland, and forest ecosystems. There are multiple direct causes of degradation, including overgrazing, and excessive cutting of trees and shrubs (primarily for domestic energy use). There are a large number of root causes and drivers of these direct causes of degradation. Key drivers of degradation include uncontrolled animal husbandry, increasing demand for industrial and fuel wood, uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest resources, and expansion of agriculture into forests (especially riparian forests). 

The objective of the project is to scale innovative integrated approaches to ecosystem restoration and conservation to catalyze transformational shifts in three high value landscapes in Uzbekistan. The project is part of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 8 - global Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program. 

The four components proposed by this project have been designed within available GEF and co-financing framework to address the corresponding drivers of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity decline, which are driven by multiple drivers of unsustainable land use practices.

The project will deliver Global Environmental Benefits using a participatory approach that ensures promotion of women, youth and vulnerable groups and equitable participation opportunities. This will result in the improved management of 1.3 million hectares of land across the West Tian Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitangtau landscapes. The targeted ecosystems are characterized as classic rural mosaic landscapes, with multiple types of HCVF, dry steppe rangelands, and smallholder agriculture. 

The project will implement integrated multi-stakeholder management mechanisms and support innovative approaches such as the development of catalytic financial mechanisms to achieve restoration at scale.

Results will include restoration of 139,958 ha of pastures and forest, 349,597 ha of landscapes under improved practices, conservation of 881,000 ha of Key Biodiversity Areas, a 20% improvement in the management of 142,278 ha of protected areas, and the mitigation of 7,524,608 tCO2e, as restoration of rangelands and forests also generates climate mitigation co-benefits.

The Project contains 4 components: Component 1: Enabling conditions created for increased ecosystem restoration through informed and inclusive policy, planning instruments, incentives, and structures Component 2: Innovations in ecosystem restoration resulting in transformation impacts that generate global environmental benefits and livelihoods Component 3: Leveraged and sustainable financing to promote and scale-up ecosystem restoration and global environmental benefits Component 4: Knowledge Management and Linkages to the Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program 

In this regard, UNDP is now seeking an experienced Local Assistant who will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the immediate implementation of all project activities in the Forish district of Djizakh region and Khatirshi and Nurota districts of Navoi regions, including local consultants/service providers hired under contract and subcontractors on the ground. The Project Associate will report to the Project Manager, as well as task leaders and the international technical advisor on all project-related matters in the Nuratau Landscape. The incumbent will ensure that all activities are delivered in line with UNDP’s standards and contribute to the achievement of the project’s intended results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

Under the overall guidance of the Project Specialist and National Technical Coordinators for Pasture/Livelihoods and Cross sector Planning/Forestry, and in close coordination with local stakeholders and beneficiaries, the Project Associate will support and facilitate the effective coordination and delivery of project activities in the Nuratau Landscape as per the specific tasks and responsibilities below:

1. Planning and reporting 

• Provide support to the project technical team on technical aspects of all relevant project planning, implementation and reporting related to ecosystem restoration in the pilot area.

 • Prepare inputs and support as requested during preparation of Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) and GEF tracking tools, ensuring compliance with results-based management and donor visibility requirements.

2. Technical support and coordination

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders on behalf of the project team, national consultants, contractors and project partners (IUCN etc.) to obtain any support and guidance required for management and implementation of project activities in the pilot area within the Component 1 and 2;

• Maintain liaison and facilitate communication with all relevant government local agencies and all Docusign Envelope ID: B49351DB-CEFA-8E06-81D1-198C3A0E27AC 3 project partners/stakeholders, including donor organizations, NGOs, beneficiaries, to ensure effective coordination of all project activities in the pilot area;

• Facilitate technical and logistical support to subcontractors, national consultants and project partners (IUCN, etc) during on site field work and training activities supported by the Project;

• Assist in the monitoring and documentation of all field experiences and lessons learned.

3. Communication and Monitoring

• Facilitate the full and timely implementation of relevant aspects of the project implementation monitoring plan including the compiling of baseline data and ongoing progress and impact data regarding the various pasture, livelihood and forestry components of the project in the pilot sites of Nuratau landscape.

• Work in cooperation with the Project Communications Specialist in order to ensure accurate and meaningful communication of results and impacts in regard to ecosystem restoration and local community/household livelihood benefits in the pilot area.

4. Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the project.

• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.

• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the project.

• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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

4. Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the Project Specialist, Chief International Technical Specialist and the National Technical Analysts for cross sector and district spatial planning, forestry restoration, PA oversight, pasture and livelihood, the Project Associate will bear the main responsibility for ensuring the overall effective implementation of all activities related to the above specified activities of the project in pilot area. The incumbent will ensure that all activities are delivered in line with UNDP’s standards and contribute to the achievement of the project’s intended results.

Competencies

Achieve Results: 

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pay attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline 

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback 

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confident 

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business direction & strategy/Strategic thinking

Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business direction & strategy/Effective Decision Making

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Development/Integration within the UN

Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Business Management/Monitoring & Evaluation

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

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.

2030 Agenda: Planet/Nature

Environmental Governance: Global Environmental Governance

2030 Agenda: Planet/Nature

Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Sustainable Land Management and Restoration (outside Conservation/Protected Areas and Systems)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education is required. University degree (Bachelor`s degree) in any of the following areas: Environmental Science or Environmental Management, Forestry or Natural Resource Management or a related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in administration and finance areas.

Required skills:

Experience demonstrating strong organizational and administrative skills, result and client-orientation, and ability to work with local partners;

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

Experience in land degradation neutrality and climate adaptation practices 

Prior experience in projects in the field of ecosystem conservation and forestry management 

Experience working with local partners at the national and municipal level

Required Language(s):

Fluency in Uzbek and English is required. 

Good command of Russian is desirable.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply

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

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