Although climate change is cited as the most significant security threat to the South Pacific, its likely effects on security and potential conflict are yet to be widely explored by the international and regional organisations present on the ground. Climate change in the Pacific region has the potential for a myriad of cascading fragility and instability risks. These will affect men, women and youth differently, and vary across the region.
There are a range of critical climate fragility risks emerging in the Pacific Region that will require greater examination, monitoring and coordinated action by many stakeholders at the national, regional and international level to prevent potential irreversible economic, social, cultural and environmental damage with a range of potential security implications and a direct impact on social cohesion. Most critical issues amongst these include:
- Displacement and forced migration due to irreversible degradation of livelihoods, food sources and coastal erosion;
- Increased social tensions linked to access to land and fisheries resources;
- A decrease in national revenues that could affect the ability of these states to mitigate the social impacts of climate change;
- Challenges to the Blue Economy, particularly losses in fisheries and tourism revenue, at the same time as costs of disasters and climate change to national budgets is increasing;
- Decline in health and productivity of Pacific people as local food source degradation exacerbates dependency on unhealthy cheap imports coupled with an existing and growing NCD crisis.
- Reduced coping capacity and vulnerability of at risk populations with successive and strengthened natural disasters
- Impacts of sea-level rise on the jurisdictions of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with uncertainty on maritime zones and boundaries
To avoid reaching critical thresholds for social conflict and exhausting coping capacities, effective responses must be tailored to the unique political, economic, cultural, social, environmental and development circumstances of the region, and must work with and through national systems.
The project responds to these issues by providing capacity to Pacific Countries, with a focus on low lying Atoll nations, to assess, understand and address their critical climate security challenges. This will be achieved through: the application of tailored climate security assessment approaches; inclusive youth and gender-sensitive dialogues; partnerships with the range of stakeholders operating across the aspects of Climate Security and supporting the uptake of key findings in relevant national, regional and international policy and resourcing strategies. These activities will add value through key regional frameworks and initiatives such as the Boe Declaration and Action Plan. This Climate Security project is designed as a catalytic intervention to both strengthen capacity for global advocacy as well as capacity to plan and respond to challenges at the community, national and regional level in Pacific SIDS.
The project will be implemented by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji under the UNDP Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) and will be part of the Resilient and Sustainable Development (RSD) team. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader – RSD, the Project Manager and the Project Management Unit (PMU) directly supports the effective implementation of the Climate Security Project.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the National Coordinator (NC) is responsible for the management of the Climate Security project within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The NP analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, and provides policy advice services.
The NC will be working in close collaboration with the Project Manager, PMU and with the Resilience and Sustainable Development (RSD) Unit in directly implementing the Climate Security project in the three countries. This will include planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation and reporting and pulling together of project pipeline development under UNDP programme funds. The NC works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP Programme implementation. The 3 NC’s will be based at the 3 different countries but may be expected to travel in-country and offshore as part of work responsibilities.
Summary of Key Functions:
- Support Implementation of project Activities as outlined in the Project Document. strategies
- Ensure the day to day management of the Operation aspect of the Project.
- Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
- Provide update to the Government and Project Manager on the Progress/future plans/challenges of the Project
Support Implementation of project Activities as outlined in the Project Document. strategies
- Facilitate Planning and development of Annual Workplans (AWP) and identify Annual Project Targets in accordance to the Project document in close coordination with the Government and other Project Stakeholders
- Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
- Ensure the Procurement of acquired goods and services are done on time, in accordance to the UNDP Procurement Polices
- Lead/Support to the PM with organizing Project Board Meetings twice a year. This includes the preparation and the timely distribution of Project Board Papers.
- Updates the PM on Project Budgets and Expenditures, with support from the Programme Associate
- Facilitate the establishment of a monitoring system for all Project Activities
- Discuss and identify solutions to address issues/challenges during the duration of the Project that has potential to impact UNDP’s effectiveness, financial soundness and reputation
Ensure the day to day management of the Operation aspect of the Project
- Lead/support to the Project Manager in carrying out the following from the country level:
- Annual Work Planning
- Annual Budgeting
- Budget Revisions
- Procurement of Goods and Services
- Monitoring of Project Budget and Expenditure
- Contractual Management
- Quarterly progress reports (Narrative/Financial)
- Annual Progress Reports
- Supervise any the project personnel based in-country and report to the Project Manager to ensure consistency on quality of work performed
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of projects.
- Assist with the collection of technical. political, social and operational management situations on the ground that can affect the project implementation to assist in carrying out risk assessment
- Provide input to Audit management response, implement audit recommendation of the Project
- Assist with the development and implementation of communication activities in close collaboration with the RSD Communication Officer
- Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.
- Annual Work Planning
- Annual Budgeting
- Budget Revisions
- Procurement of Goods and Services
- Monitoring of Project Budget and Expenditure
- Contractual Management
- Quarterly progress reports (Narrative/Financial)
- Annual Progress Reports
Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Under the leadership of the RSD Team Leader and PM, build partnership with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas relating to the Project and , based on country needs and priorities.
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization/management.
- Management and implementation of partnerships with bilateral donors, GEF, GCF and UNDP corporate programmes (e.g. GEF Small Grants Programme) Participate in UN related Meetings as and when requested.
Ensures provision of top quality technical advice to the Governments and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification and compilation of sources of information related to policy-driven issues and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt that are directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Provide input required towards the development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Support and facilitate formal and informal meetings with Government and Project Partners as/when needed for Project Updates.
- Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during the project implementation and coordinates with Suva/in-country based team for wider dissemination
- Facilitate the Projects’ representation/and or participation in international forums to draw/share best practices and lesson learned
- Participate in site visits to capture project progress on the ground
- Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
- Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
- In-depth knowledge on development issues
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Natural Resources, Developmental Studies, Environmental Science/Management or related field.
Experience:
- 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: TBC