1. Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP has been supporting the Government of Ethiopia at various levels by building capacity and mobilizing resources to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes in ways that support its bold ambitions of becoming a carbon neutral middle-income country by 2025 and meets its commitment to SDGs, Paris Agreement, and AU Agenda 2063, and its national plans and strategies such as the Ten-Year Perspective Plan, Climate Resilience Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In this context, UNDP Ethiopia country office prioritizes engagements around policy as well as community level engagements to enhance the country’s resilience through building national capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In this connection, with financial and technical support by the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)[1], the” Ethiopian Global Basic Observation Network – Systematic Observation Financing (ETH-GBON-SOFF) project “was designed by the Government of Ethiopia in collaboration with UNDP and the Norway Meteorological Institute (MET Norway).

Ethiopia’s economy is highly dependent on climate, with agriculture, water resources, power generation, and other key sectors being weather-sensitive. Extreme events like floods and droughts have increased in frequency and intensity due to climate change, disproportionately affecting women, children, and disadvantaged communities. The country has experienced eight major droughts in the past 15 years, severely impacting food security, with millions requiring food assistance. Strengthening weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information services is crucial for building resilience. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) resolution on the Global Basic Observation Network (GBON), Ethiopia is required to operate 29 surface weather stations and 5 upper air stations, reporting data consistently. Surface stations must report hourly, while upper air stations should report twice daily. The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute (EMI) is responsible for collecting and exchanging weather and climate data with the global community, in accordance with Proclamation 201/80, Article 3, and agreements under the WMO. Currently, Ethiopia only operates 16 manual surface stations, which provide observations five times a day, with intervals of three hours during daylight hours. There are no active upper air stations or reporting. As a result, Ethiopia is significantly behind in meeting its GBON obligations, which impacts the accuracy of weather and climate forecasting at the global, regional, and national levels, as well as the effectiveness of early warning services. 

UNDP, in partnership with the Ethiopian Meteorology Institute (EMI) and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway), is implementing the Ethiopian Global Basic Observation Network – Systematic Observation Financing (ETH-GBON-SOFF) project. The project aims to enable EMI to upgrade its existing 16 surface and 2 upper air stations, install an additional 13 surface and 3 upper air stations, and enhance human and ICT capabilities in order to meet its obligations under the WMO-GBON framework. Through financial and technical assistance, the project will improve Ethiopia’s observational network, data collection, and data sharing with the global community. As a result, the quality and accuracy of weather and climate forecasts will improve, strengthening Ethiopia’s climate change adaptation and resilience to extreme events. The project will also contribute to better global and regional weather and climate modeling. UNDP is the SOFF Implementing Entity for Ethiopia, working in collaboration with EMI as the Implementing Partner and MET Norway as the Peer Advisor. The project follows the UNDP Support Services to National Implementation Modality (Support to NIM).The project consists of four components:

Outcome 1: GBON institutional and human capacity development.

Outcome 2: Put in in place GBON infrastructure.

Outcome 3:  Sustain compliance with GBON.

The project has four planned interventions. These are: a. putting in place new land-based weather stations and related equipment, ICT systems, data management systems and standard operating practices; b. Improving land-based weather stations and related equipment, ICT systems, data management systems and standard operating practices; c. Setting up new upper-air stations and related equipment, ICT systems, data management systems and standard operating practices; d. Improving upper-air stations, related equipment, ICT systems, data management systems and standard operating practices in place.

2.  Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the project, including all project administrative matters and substantive outputs. All work of the Project Manager will be carried out in line with the Country Programme Action Plan and in full compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations. The management and coordination process will be pursued through undertaking appropriate actions in project formulation, implementation and evaluation. Strong emphasis will be placed on ensuring cohesion with other UNDP initiatives.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Planning and implementation of Ethiopian Global Basic Observation Network – Systematic Observation Financing (ETH-GBON-SOFF) project; 
2. Programme management, monitoring and oversight; 
3. Building strategic partnerships and alliances; 
4. Building knowledge and capacity. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Planning and implementation of Ethiopian Global Basic Observation Network – Systematic Observation Financing project: 

• Lead the participatory project implementation processes at all levels, having analyzed the social, economic and environmental trends in the localities, regions and country as a whole, and establish the implementation plans for the project, having taken into consideration the grassroots aspects; 
• Track financial delivery trends and ensure that the planned activities are implemented on a timely basis to ensure results; 
• Plan and manage the project reviewing exercise, as well as solve emerging problems and manage implementation risks; 
• Propose areas for continuing support, based on changing country and regional trends, priorities, social and economic conditions; 
• Manage the preparation of Programme Steering Committees and other meetings and follow up on all decisions taken to ensure implementation and/ or timely action; 
• Submit required and other project reports (progress, financial, procurement, etc.) for management information, oversight and action. 

Programme management, monitoring and oversight: 

• Coordinate the project activities with relevant activities and initiatives of EMI and other Government institutions; 
• Develop and /or revise the project Annual Work Plans (AWPs), setting out in precise detail activities, targets, budgets, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations; 
• Manage project implementation in accordance with objectives, schedule and planned budget; 
• Review proposals and their budgets, submitted by the implementing regions, for funding and implementation;
• Facilitate payments to the Implementing Partners, following the UNDP and Programmes / Project Implementation Manuals (PIM) rules and regulations; 
• Ensure that the funds received by the Implementing Partners are spent effectively and efficiently, in line with the approved plans; 
• Track project resources and results regularly; 
• Review the financial and substantive reports received from the Implementing regions and liquidate the advances accordingly; 
• Manage all project activities, staff and consultants for timely implementation of requirements on Monitoring and Evaluation; 
• Coordinate awareness creation on all project activities; 
• Ensure timely preparation of annual project reports, work plans and other relevant project documents; 
• Oversee financial and administrative performance (financial plan, allocation and transfer of funds, oversee finance and administration officer); 
• Prepare Terms of Reference for consultants to be recruited and participate in the recruitment process and oversee their performance and ensure their optimal performance; 
• Hire, train, supervise and manage staff under the project office; 
• Lead monitoring and evaluation of project outputs; 
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution; 
• Participate in the project asset procurement processes and oversee the use of the assets;
• Participate in the audit exercises and follow up on the recommendations and issues; 
• Ensure complementarity and learning across the project and related initiatives 

Building strategic partnerships and alliances: 

• Ensure cooperation between the participating institutions of the project; 
• Organize and chair review meetings and serve as secretary to the National Steering Committee; 
• Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful project delivery; 
• Facilitate institutional linkages with the related initiatives, and participate in the meetings, inter-agencies missions and working group consultation processes; 
• Coordinate and communicate with the relevant stakeholders at all levels, for effective project planning, implementation, monitoring and overall management for the achievement of results; 
• Develop close working relationship with the UNDP Programme, Policy Advisory, Knowledge Management, Communication and Operations Units. 
• Support multi-sectoral engagement on Integrated and gender-responsive climate and disaster risk governance systems to reduce risks and vulnerabilities, improve early warning systems (EWS) and enable rapid recovery.

Building knowledge and capacity:

• Contribute substantially to knowledge-building initiatives at national, regional and local levels; 
• Help document key governance, financing, and political barriers to action on climate and disaster risk governance systems; 
• Through day-to-day interactions, develop a network of knowledge-sharing on Results Based Management (RBM); 
• Contribute to the UNDP website, newsletter, booklets, etc.; 
• Contribute knowledge and experience to the corporate and CO knowledge sharing networks and platforms. 

Other responsibilities:

• Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.

3.     Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the ETH-GBON-SOFF project and the direct supervision of the CRES Unit Team Leader or his/her designate and EMI Deputy Director General or his/her designate, the M&E officer will work in close collaboration with the programme, operations, and project teams in ETH-GBON-SOFF project at country office and regional project offices level to ensure successful implementation of

4. Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
   

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation – Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management –  Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, priority and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management –  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 Management –  Resource Management – Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business Management –  Results-based Management –Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools

Business Management –  Partnerships Management – Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management –  Risk Management – Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

5.  Required Skills and Experience 

Min. Education Requirement:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) with two (2) years of experience in meteorology, atmospheric science, environmental science,  or related area. 
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the related fields with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• Additional certifications in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) will be an advantage.

Experience: 

• At least two (2) years with (Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in project development, management and coordination, including results-based management, monitoring and evaluation related to climate change, meteorology, atmospheric science, or related fields at national and international level is required. 
• Demonstrate technical expertise and knowledge in meteorological principles, meteorological stations management and meteorological data administration and familiar with the roles and regulations of World Meteorological Organization, particularly GBON requirements, and the operational protocols for surface and upper air weather stations is required.
• Proven experience of effective and strategic partnership building with national counterparts, development partners and others is required.
• Proven  experience in capacity building and knowledge management in climate change, meteorology, atmospheric science, or related fields is required.
• Ability to administer budgets, lead a team, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels, and interact effectively with all teams involved in the project is required.
• Excellent communication skills and effective interpersonal and negotiation skills, proven through successful interactions with all levels of stakeholder groups, including senior government officials, business executives and local people/communities is required.
• Strong writing, presentation and reporting skills is required.
• Experience in use of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.); and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.
• Working experience in UN or international donor-funded projects will be advantageous is an asset.
• Have good knowledge on functions, activities and working principles of Ethiopian Meteorology Institute is an asset.

Language Requirement: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Amharic is required.