Back Project Manager

The GCF NAP Readiness and Preparatory Support project titled ‘Increasing resilience to climate change impacts in marine and coastal areas along the Gulf of Thailand’ will be an important contribution to the implementation of Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), prepared by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), which provides an overarching planning framework for addressing climate change adaptation.

This project focuses on advancing climate change adaptation planning in relation to marine and coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand (“the Gulf”). Anticipated extreme events, sea-level rise, climate induced erosion, drought, and flooding are expected to affect local tourism, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and natural resources as well as create additional stress on land and water resource management.

The project is complementary to other initiatives supporting the NAP implementation in Thailand. Thailand’s NAP identified six key sectors/ thematic areas, namely: (i) water management; (ii) agriculture and food security; (iii) tourism; (iv) public health; (v) natural resource management; and (vi) human settlement and security. This project will focus on addressing gaps of current support programs. The project will work towards improving climate-responsive ‘natural resource management’ (thematic NAP area v) through the integrative approach of enhancing adaptation planning and budgeting in key marine and coastal economic sectors, e.g. targeting agriculture and fisheries (thematic NAP area ii) and tourism (thematic NAP area iii). It will be implemented in close collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). The overall timeline of Thailand’s NAP implementation allows this project to utilise best-practices and information from the other interventions, and to meaningfully expand the knowledge-base and regulatory framework, particularly for the sub-national level. Also, in perspective to revise and update Thailand’s NAP.

In this context, the project objective is to “Integrate climate change adaptation into marine and coastal area related planning and budgeting”. GCF resources will be used to address barriers that hinder information, knowledge, and coordination for adaptation planning; technical capacities for integration of risk informed approaches in planning and budgeting; and lack of options to attract financing for climate change adaptation, particularly from the private sector.

The project will be nationally executed as per UNDP Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) procedures and adhering with Readiness and Preparatory Support Framework Agreement reached between GCF and UNDP. The Project Manager will be responsible for executing the overall project management functions (planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation), technical support in collaboration with national and international experts from UNDP and other research institutes.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, Inclusive Green Growth for Sustainable Development (IGSD), the Project Manager will be expected to closely coordinate his/her activities with the UNDP Thailand Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), Team Leader for Inclusive Green Growth for Sustainable Development (IGSD), and Programme Associates.

Summary of Key Functions: 

• Overall project management functions (planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation);
• Technical support in collaboration with national and international experts from UNDP and other research institutes.

1. Coordinate and Manage the overall implementation of the project activities:

• Facilitate the day-to-day management of the project; responsible for the timely delivery of all project outputs;
• Manage human and financial resources to achieve results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document;
• Organize and coordinate project activities (such as workshops, studies and publications, advisory services and other activities and outputs), subcontracts, equipment and administrative support;
• Supervise and facilitate coordination with consultants and subcontractors engaged in delivering aspects of the project’s work plans;
• Timely organize Project Board (PB) meetings; this will include conveying/coordinating with the PB members; ensuring that all PB members receive relevant information ahead of meetings; presenting the project’s progress, work plans and priorities to the PB; taking notes during – and circulating notes after the PB meetings;
• Prepare annual work plans with indicative scheduling of identified main outputs and activities as guidance documents for the formulation and review of annual work plans;
• Provide guidance and reviews of technical specifications of project outputs and activities;
• Ensure close coordination between other relevant climate change projects and Programmes of UNDP and relevant partners;
• Ensure that the outcomes specified in the project’s workplan are delivered at the required quality standards and within the specified cost and time limits;
• Timely preparation and submission of required reports, including technical and financial reports to relevant parties;
• Monitor and assist with logistical arrangements for field trips for national and international consultants in accordance with UNDP procedures;
• Lead procurement processes required for the project and be responsible for timely procurement in coordination with UNDP procurement unit;
• Follow-up for financial requests, disbursement of funds, purchasing actions;
• Maintain project accounts in accordance with existing UNDP standard procedures and regularly monitor payments and fund flow;
• Controlling and monitoring the statement of expenditure with the UNDP Finance unit;
• Liaise with the various UNDP units, including General Services, Personnel, Accounting, Travel, Procurement Environment, and follow-up on project activities for good project execution;
• Coordinate the activities of the project and ensure continuous liaison with the key partners;
• Build partnership with relevant stakeholders from public and private institutions to fulfill the objectives of the Programmes.

2. Providing technical oversight and support to implement all project outcomes:

• Ensure technical oversight and quality assurance of various activities under the project’s outcomes and logical framework in coordination with UNDP Thailand Country Office;
• Provide technical inputs to the implementation of the different project activities and outputs – including by organizing and participating in meetings, trainings, workshops and other events and by providing analysis of results of the workshop/trainings/meetings/events, by providing technical inputs to workshop presentations, to studies, to advisory services and to other activities and outputs of the national Programme;
• Prepare, in consultation with the supervisor, TORs for consultants and comment on their reports;
• Facilitate the building of capacity and awareness of key stakeholders regarding climate finance readiness, including among the private sector and civil society;
• Develop relevant policy briefs, lessons learned documents, communication materials, website updates, and other relevant publications; 

3. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the overall project deliverables:

• Coordinate and monitor the Project Implementation activities;
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of required reports, including bi-annual progress and expenditure reports, per the requirements and standard set by GCF secretariat;

4. Gender and Social Inclusion Sensitivity:

• Ensure alignment of programmatic policy, processes and procedures as per the GCF GESI strategy;
• Prioritize selection of consultant process with due consideration of Gender and Social Inclusion perspectives as per the UNDP GESI strategy;
• Coordinate GESI focal point within relevant ministry as required to deliver the results of the project.

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication and Relationship Management

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject matter

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Building Strategic Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

Ability to provide inputs to resource mobilization strategies

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Client Orientation

Ability to establish effective client relationships

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Thai national with Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental management, engineer, marine science, climate change, biology, law, economy, public administration, business administration or any other relevant subject.

Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) or up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) of relevant professional experience in the areas of environmental protection, nature protection, and/or climate change;
• Demonstrated knowledge and working experiences with government’s system and policies and GCF’s policy, system and procedures;
• Knowledge of UNDP and/or international development organization’s policies and procedures relating to consultant contract arrangement, budget management, planning, reporting and documentation would be desirable;
• Expertise and experience in climate change and relevant sectors such as marine and coastal areas, agriculture, water, energy, and cross-cutting issues such as gender, private sector etc.;
• Experience in drafting ToR, monitoring & evaluation and reporting;
• Experience working for the Government of Thailand and/or UN is an asset;
• Act as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraints;
• Sound understanding of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their implications to the local government.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai.

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: 1 year with possibility of extension