Programme Management Officer

UN Atlas; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ecosystem Division, based in Pretoria, leads the ReLISA consortium to advance ecosystem restoration investment in South Africa.

The role of Programme Management Officer supports development, implementation, and evaluation of the project, coordinating with government ministries, stakeholders, and the Project Steering Committee, and reporting on progress and budgets.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressive experience in project/programme management and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience with government, private sector, and public decision-makers at national level.
• Experience in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, or nature-based solutions in SA is required.
• Experience with senior political stakeholders, UN system, or international orgs desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the ReLISA project; monitor progress and corrective actions.
• Facilitate collaboration among consortium partners and stakeholders; manage the Steering Committee.
• Engage with government ministries, monitor policy developments, identify investment opportunities.
• Represent ReLISA in policy forums; support gender-responsive implementation and stakeholder engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
• Prepare written outputs; coordinate budgets, work plans, and reporting; conduct data analysis for decision-making.

Skills

Professionalism

Analytical thinking

Data collection & analysis

Research

Planning & organizing

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Environmental & sustainable dev. knowl

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Data analytics background desirable

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. Its Ecosystem Division focuses on conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems. This role is within the UNEP-led ReLISA consortium, which aims to increase investment in ecosystem restoration in South Africa by making the economic case for such activities. The position is based in Pretoria.

Job purpose: This Programme Management Officer role supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of the "Restoring Landscapes in South Africa (ReLISA)" project. The incumbent will monitor project progress, facilitate collaboration among consortium partners and stakeholders, and manage the Project Steering Committee. Key responsibilities include engaging with political stakeholders, identifying opportunities for ecosystem restoration investment and policy uptake, and representing the ReLISA project in national and international forums. The role also involves supporting gender-responsive implementation, stakeholder engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, preparing written outputs, coordinating budgets and reporting, and conducting data analysis for informed decision-making. The position contributes to advancing sustainable social and economic transformation for biodiversity, people, and peace.

Responsibilities: The Programme Management Officer will participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the ReLISA project, monitoring progress and identifying corrective actions. They will facilitate collaboration and coordination among consortium partners and stakeholders, and manage the Project Steering Committee, ensuring effective communication. The role involves engaging with government ministries and agencies, monitoring policy developments, and identifying opportunities for ecosystem restoration investment and policy uptake. The incumbent will represent ReLISA in policy forums, support gender-responsive implementation and stakeholder engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and prepare various written outputs. Responsibilities also include coordinating budgets, work plans, and reporting, supporting UNEP offices, leading field missions, and collecting/analyzing data for reporting and decision-making.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental management, sustainable development, economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted. A degree or program completion in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.

Work experience: A minimum of five years of progressive experience in project/programme management and stakeholder engagement on environmental and sustainable development issues is required. Experience working with government, private sector, and public decision-makers at the national level is necessary. Experience in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, or nature-based solutions projects in South Africa is also required. Experience with senior political stakeholders, the UN system, or international organizations, and in data analytics is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, conceptual analytical and evaluative skills, data collection and analysis, research, planning and organizing, communication (written and verbal), stakeholder engagement, project management, understanding of environmental management and sustainable development principles.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: