The Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Apia covers four Pacific island countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa & Tokelau), and manages regional programmes for 10 additional countries. The new UN programmatic framework (2013-2017) has been designed, first time ever, in joint coordination between 14 Pacific countries, resulting in a common Sub-Regional Programme Document for Pacific Island Countries and complementary results matrices for each country. Most of MCO’s is focused in climate change and environment (CC&E, 95% of the total budget), although the office also provides significant support in poverty eradication and governance.
The MCO’s portfolio has been successfully expanded in budget, delivery and areas, turning from a very small office (around US$ 20m of budget in 2008) to a medium one (US$ 85m by the end of 2013) and potentially to a medium-large one in the future (potential portfolio of around US$ 120m). Programme delivery has also increased ($2.7m, $4.3m, $4m, $6.8m and $6.9m), exceeding scorecard targets. Regular resources only account for 8% of annual expenditure. Moreover, the MCO stands 9th in the ranking of UNDP global GEF fund delivery at $4.7m (2011 figures).
The ultimate objective of the CC&E programme in UNDP is to have a positive impact on the social benefits derived from the sustainable use of natural resources and the enhanced resilience to the effects of climate change. In this sense, financial oversight, effective strategic planning and M&E frameworks will be critical to ensure its successful implementation, measure its results and further develop the portfolio. Management and coordination is also gradually moving from a project-based approach to a sector-wide approach to get economies of scale, be more efficient and create synergies.
The Climate Change and Environment (CC&E) Programme Officer will report directly to the CC&E Programme Manager as responsible for management of the Multi-Country Office (MCO)’s CC&E projects, including strategic planning, formulation and technical oversight. The incumbent is expected to regularly travel to the covered islands to support oversight and coordination on the ground. The Programme Officer analyzes political, social, economic and environmental trends and participates in formulation, management, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio.
The CC&E Programme Officer works in close collaboration with the programme management and operations units, programme staff in other UN Agencies, staff of UNDP HQs and regional and sub-regional centers.