Project Coordinator – SSE – Commowealth of Dominica, Roseau, Dominica

Job ID: 29029 Practice Area - Job Family: Environment and Energy Vacancy End Date: (Midnight New York, USA) 04/03/2020 Duty Station: Roseau, Dominica Education & Work Experience: G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 9 year(s) experience, I-Master's Level Degree - 6 year(s) experience Languages: English Grade: SB4 Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC) Posting Type: External Bureau: Latin America & the Caribbean Contract Duration: Until April 2021 Suitably Qualified Nationals of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Nationals of the OECS countries who have legal status to work in the Commonwealth of Dominica and/or persons who hold the CARICOM Skills certificate are encouraged to apply. If you are the holder of the CARICOM Skills certificate, it is mandatory that you upload a copy of this document following the instructions under 'Adhoc Questions'. Background The Commonwealth of ominica has a national Protected Area system consisting of six terrestrial and one marine park, however, the reality is that only three of the PAs are legally constituted, while two of the noted sites have been partially developed commercially and are no longer considered suitable as national parks, the other site is a potential marine protected area that has yet to be designated. This PA estate is supported by The National Parks and Protected Areas Act No. 16 of 1975, amended by Acts 54 of 1986, Act 12 of 1990, and Act 8 of 2001 is the principal piece of legislation relating to the management of national parks in Dominica. The Act provides for the declaration of both national parks and protected areas, leasing of land for protected areas, the establishment of a System of National Parks and Protected Areas. The Act also makes provisions for the creation of a National Parks Service to manage a System of National Parks and Protected Areas. Despite the Act, there is no PA Management system, the designated World Heritage site has no buffer-zone hence the core zone is threatened as is the case for all other PAs. Systemic and site management of the PAs is poor and the revenue generation potential not maximized, hence PA is undercapitalized and local and global benefits are at risk. This project will use GEF incremental support to build Dominica's national capacity to manage its PA system with emphasis on the MTPNP and its buffer zone; to improve management effectiveness create sustainable livelihood activities and improve biodiversity conservation. Project implementation will ensure replication and dissemination of lessons learnt at the other sites (Parks, Trails, and nature Sites), and other GEF funded activities locally and regionally. This project will develop a protected areas management system in keeping with recommendations from previous initiatives like the OPAAL project and the National Parks Consortium Studies. Using the GEF funding this project will strengthen the sustainability of Dominica's PA system by developing a sustainable financial management plan, site specific management plan for Morne Trois Piton National Park, ensure the legal establishment of a buffer zone for MTPNP, create community atlases for local communities in and around the buffer zone thus establishing living landscapes. GEF funding will also be used to build capacity at the systemic and community level to effectively manage PAs and their buffer zones. UNDP wishes to engage an experienced project management practitioner, who has a strong background in sustainable development. The ideal candidate will have a nuanced understanding of interconnected issues of natural resources management, climate change, vulnerability, inequality and can quickly and effectively provide technical expertise to advance project objectives and enhance environmental protection and sustainable resource use in Dominica. As a project using a nationally implemented modality (NIM), the main responsibility for this project rests with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Under this arrangement, the Implementing Partner (IP) assumes full responsibility for the effective use of project resources and the delivery of outputs. It will be the responsibility of the Project Coordinator to liaise and work closely with the IP. This will include robust regular reporting on project progress against agreed work plans, and maintaining documentation evidencing the proper use of project resources in conformity to the Project Document and in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures. The National Project Director (NPD) will provide guidance to the Project Coordinator during implementation in terms of national policy priorities, liaising with and establishing relationships with stakeholders, etc. The NPD typically chairs the Project Steering Committee (PSC). Under a NIM, the GEF Implementing Agency (UNDP) is accountable to the GEF Council for the effective and efficient use of resources for the achievement of programmatic results. The GEF Agency therefore serves in a monitoring and quality assurance role, as well as providing any support services as articulated in the Letter of Agreement (e.g. recruitment of staff, procurement, travel). Under the direct supervision of the Cluster Leader, Sustainability Solutions and Energy , in the UNDP Multi-Country Office in Barbados, and guidance of the NPD in-country, and with coordination with the Head of Office in the UNDP Dominica Project Office, the Project Coordinator's main responsibility is to implement the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) within the constraints laid down by the PSC. Simultaneously, the Project Coordinator will report to the appointed NPD at the IP, where they will be physically located. In this role, it is anticipated that the NPD will provide support in terms of national policy direction and executing annual work plans (AWPs), liaising with and establishing relationships with stakeholders, etc. Duties and Responsibilities The Project Coordinator's prime responsibility will be to ensure that the project delivers the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. As such, the PC will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilisation of all project inputs; and supervision of project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PC will liaise with the Government, UNDP and other implementing partners and donors. The PC will report to the Project Steering Committee on overall progress of project activities. The Project Coordinator will lead the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) to ensure a human-rights based, gender-responsive and interdisciplinary approach to the projects that maximises sustainable development gains and minimises negative environmental and social impacts, delivering results in a manner that is cost-effective, efficient, transparent and demonstrates the added value of UNDP's work to the country. The Project Coordinator will work within the context of the wider UNDP programmes, and will ensure their work actively considers, integrates and builds synergies, working collaboratively with the programme team, including the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) Analyst and the gender focal point (GFP). The Project Coordinator will be expected to deliver results in the areas of: Partnership building

Develop and maintain relationships with counterparts in-country and other project partners to ensure buy-in and successful implementation
Identify and engage champions and key stakeholders, including civil society, private sector, sub-national and regional partners engaged in relevant research and activities
Build strategic partnerships and synergies to enhance the impact and sustainability of the project outcomes
Liaise with key personnel of project partners to ensure adequate and timely technical inputs to the project
Actively seek and capitalise on opportunities for South-South cooperation and learning, both within the Caribbean as well as with other SIDS globally as relevant
Maintain a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the countries served, including developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and scientific institutions etc. as they relate to advancing key elements of the planning and implementation process
Regularly monitor and analyse the political, social and economic situation, and related global developments, to identify potential implications and opportunities.

Project planning and implementation

Lead the general planning, execution and monitoring of the project's activities toward the achievement of project objectives, facilitating a gender-responsive and human rights-based approach to the design and implementation of all project interventions through a results-based management (RBM) approach and applying the organisation's Enterprise Risk Management Policy, in collaboration with the PM, GFP and PM&E Analyst
Leverage existing results and solutions at national and regional level to deliver tangible and measurable results in target sectors
Ensure a cross-sector and interdisciplinary approach to developing and testing solutions, with analysis of opportunities and risks relating to natural resources, climate change and socioeconomic contexts, supported by the programme team
Actively seek and leverage collaboration and synergies with other partners to increase the impact of initiatives
Liaise with the Project Steering Committee (PSC) or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project
Prepare multi-year and annual work plans (MYWP, AWP) for endorsement by the PSC
Prepare and update annual procurement plans in accordance with the AWP
Conduct procurement processes, including developing technical specifications and scopes of work, conducting evaluations, preparing submissions for review by local and regional procurement committees and supporting contract monitoring
Supervise the execution of all contracts, review quality of deliverables, approve intermediate payments against review of deliverables, and prepare final evaluations as a condition for final payment
Submit for approval to the NPD and UNDP focal point requests to UNDP for the provision of financial resources, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the UNDP-provided format
Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project
Provide technical guidance in and facilitate with stakeholders the development and actioning of sustainability measures/plans relating to project results
Ensure that all administrative, technical and financial processes are carried out in conformity with UNDP, GEF and national regulations, policies and procedures

Project monitoring and reporting

Monitor and analyse project development and implementation, including field visits
Facilitate periodic monitoring visits by the PM or other UNDP team members
Monitor events as determined in the AWP and MYWP, and update the plan as required
Actively monitor and revise as relevant, in conjunction with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) Analyst, the projects' theory of change and results framework
Ensure implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan and update as needed, in coordination with the PM&E Analyst
Use UNDP's financial system Atlas (ERP) and the Corporate Reporting Platform to update project progress, achievement of targets, risk logs, etc. on a quarterly basis
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports and oversees the overall financial processes for the project in collaboration with the Project Associate
Coordinate PSC meetings and serve as secretary to PSC meetings
Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified; submit new risks to the PSC for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; and update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risk Log

Monitor financial resources for effective and transparent utilisation of available resources, in collaboration with the Financial and Administrative Assistant
Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports and other stipulated reports for submission to UNDP, the GEF and the PSC as relevant, including the annual Project Implementation Report (PIR); identify risks, challenges and causes of potential bottlenecks to implementation and action mitigation measures, including modification to activities where appropriate
Based on the review, prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as quarterly plans if required
Participate in periodic project evaluations and audits, including developing, implementing and updating the management response

Capacity building, learning and knowledge management

Facilitate information sharing and coordination of activities amongst stakeholders
Explore and facilitate mechanisms for replication and upscaling of successful results achieved

Capacity building, learning and knowledge management

Facilitate information sharing and coordination of activities amongst stakeholders
Explore and facilitate mechanisms for replication and upscaling of successful results achieved
Contribute to design and delivery of capacity building programmes at national and community levels based on prioritised capacity gaps/needs
Contribute to communications materials and reporting highlighting UNDP's work and the results achieved for people and countries through traditional and non-traditional media (e.g. news articles, blogs, photo stories, social media)
Actively and systematically incorporate the lessons from project audits, evaluations and other processes into the project to improve effectiveness and operational processes
Evaluate, capture, codify and synthesise lessons learned and stimulate the uptake of best practices and knowledge
With the PCU and stakeholders, identify and support the transfer of successful models, approaches and solutions in-country and to the global UNDP knowledge network

Project closure

Prepare Final Project Review Report for submission to the PSC
Identify follow-on actions and submit for consideration to the PSC
Ensure the completion of tasks in the project closure checklist, including preparation of reports and other documentation as required
Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, assets, etc to beneficiaries as appropriate

Team leadership

Guide and supervise the work of the members of the PCU
Ensure the cohesive functioning of the PCU, including actively building team cooperation and facilitating individual skills development as needed
Complete and ensure PCU completion of all UNDP mandatory courses

Other activities

Undertake such travel as may be required in connection with project execution and monitoring
Undertake any other activities required for the fulfilment of the mandate of the post

Competencies Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions Technical/Functional Natural resources management Knowledge of NRM concepts, frameworks, risk management and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise Climate change Knowledge of climate change concepts, frameworks, risk management and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise Gender Issues and Analysis Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work Change Management Ability to apply a systematic approach to adapt, control and effect change Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise Stakeholders Management Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and balance often contradictory expectations, building and maintaining relationships Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise Team Building Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise Brief and Speech Writing Ability to prepare quality briefs, reports and speeches Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise Required Skills and Experience Education: Postgraduate degree (MSc, MA, or higher) in natural resource management, agricultural management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, or related field Bachelor's degree and an additional 3 years of experience would be accepted in lieu of a postgraduate degree Certification in project management is an asset Experience:

At least 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in natural resource or agricultural management; work in contexts of land degradation, biodiversity conservation or climate resilience is desirable
At least 4 years of working experience in project or programme management
At least 4 years of demonstrated experience working effectively with and building capacities and partnerships among national governments, communities, and diverse stakeholder groups
Experience in applying multi-disciplinary approaches in capacity building, sector-level initiatives and/or development projects
Experience effectively using a results-based management approach, particularly in sustainable development projects
Sound understanding of national and local development planning processes
Previous experience in working with GEF projects and/or UNDP is an asset
Demonstrated evidence of research and/or reporting skills (e.g. published papers)
Demonstrable computer proficiency including Microsoft Office

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English Working knowledge of Creole is an asset Disclaimer Legal status to work in the Commonwealth of Dominica e.g. CARICOM Graduate/Skilled National Certificate More Information and Application Details

Tags: UNDP