Chief Technical Specialist [open To Internal And External Applicants]

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization focused on sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an Implementing Agency for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP provides specialized services for environmental projects. This role is within the UNDP Papua New Guinea Country Office, supporting a significant GEF-funded marine conservation project.

Job Purpose

The Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) will provide essential technical leadership, strategic guidance, and quality assurance for the 'Accelerating PNG's Sustainable Blue Economy' project. This role is critical for ensuring the project's interventions are of the highest standard, coherent across all outcomes and geographies, and aligned with international best practices. The CTS will also play a key role in building the capacity of the project team and national partners, ensuring the project effectively addresses threats to PNG's marine biodiversity and contributes to sustainable blue economy development. The position requires ensuring the project meets GEF, UNDP, and Government of PNG requirements throughout its lifecycle, fostering strong partnerships, and contributing to resource mobilization for long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

The Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) will provide overall technical leadership, strategic guidance, and quality assurance for the project, ensuring high-quality implementation aligned with international best practices. Key responsibilities include providing substantive technical leadership across all project outcomes, ensuring coherence in the integrated approach to blue economy, MPA governance, NbS, and NCA. This involves preparing and reviewing technical documents, analytical reports, and knowledge products, and ensuring consistency across target geographies. The CTS will guide project monitoring, risk management, reporting, and adaptive management processes, including overseeing the M&E plan and contributing to GEF PIRs. A significant aspect of the role involves capacity building and institutional strengthening for the project team and national partners, including designing and delivering training on technical and programmatic aspects. Additionally, the CTS will support partnerships, coordination, and knowledge management by liaising with global platforms and participating in relevant fora, and will provide strategic guidance on resource mobilization and financing opportunities.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years (with Master's) or 9 years (with Bachelor's) of progressive experience is required in marine biodiversity conservation, MPA management, marine spatial planning, or sustainable fisheries management, preferably with experience in the Pacific Islands or Papua New Guinea. Experience in supporting GEF-funded projects, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building is essential. At least 5 years of experience in an advisory or CTS role with an international organization is also required.

Skills

Strategic Technical Leadership, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Adaptive Management, Capacity Building, Institutional Strengthening, Partnership Management, Knowledge Management, Resource Mobilization, Marine Biodiversity Conservation, MPA Management, Marine Spatial Planning, Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Sustainable Blue Economy, Stakeholder Engagement, Computer and office software proficiency (MS Word, Excel), Web-based management systems.

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