The Global Climate Change Alliance project Phase two is funded through the Global Climate Change Alliance+ (GCCA+) programme of the European Union (EU) Global Public Goods and Challenges programme and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). The overall goal of this 5.5 mln EUR project is primarily to support Suriname in improving its existing climate change adaptation capacity, through:
i) increased resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities in Nickerie and Coronie districts through gender responsive climate actions
ii) Improved national governance in the areas of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
The project will support CC, Integrated Water Resource Management, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in two coastal Districts Nickerie and Coronie, specifically supporting implementation and/or upscaling of countries’ priority actions in the area of Sustainable use and Conservation of Mangrove areas. The project will also improve institutional capacities for improved water governance and policy. By using a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach, the project also aims to contribute to the achievement of several SDGs ( 6, 8, 11, 13, 15,17).
The project will be implemented over a period of 42 months and will be coordinated through a project management team located within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Suriname (following National Implementation Modality - NIM). This implementation support encompasses all activities of the programme in close synergy with the current and planned UNDP support projects as well as other projects in the area of Environment and Climate Change in Suriname, which include but are not restricted to: reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest degradation (REDD+) project; Amazon Sustainable Landscapes (ASL) project ;Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER); Emphasis on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining project (ASGM).
OVERALL SCOPE OF THE WORK
The Project Manager (PM) has the responsibility to ensure the effective and efficient day to day implementation of the project with the assistance from the Technical Officer (TO). The TO supports the implementation and monitoring of project activities, including field reporting, monitoring and reporting on grant projects.
The Technical Officer (TO) will provide high quality technical support under guidance of the project manager. S/he will work with government, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to coordinate project implementation in line with the objective and outcomes of the European Union funded and UNDP supported Global Climate Change Alliance Suriname Adaptation project Phase two. The responsibilities of the TO will also include, strengthening of project management capacities of stakeholders and partners and support stakeholder engagement in consultation and policy development processes; as well as mobilize private sector in national consultations and financing mechanisms. The PMU together with national stakeholders will need to motivate and engage all necessary resources to carry out its climate change adaptation focused programme through active participation of the public and private sector to achieve national climate goals.
The TO will under guidance of the Project Manager liaise and support the national partners and institutions in project implementation.
Partnership building
- Develops and maintains relationships with main counterparts within country (e.g. with government departments, NGOs, ’ organizations’, community leaders) to ensure buy-in and successful implementation.
- Supports project manager in management of institutional or stakeholders relations, including analysis, networking and engagement within the national institutions and policy making environment;
- Initiates productive engagement strategies in multi- institutional and multi- stakeholder environment;
- Supports promotion, collection, analysis and consolidation of input from multiple stakeholders or institutional actors;
- Communicates with institutions and stakeholders in the context of meetings, written communication or social media interaction;
- Stimulates creativity to enable delivery a fast-paced environment on complex and sensitive issues;
- Uses different media to discuss, brainstorm and exchanges ideas with stakeholders.
Project implementation and development
- Support implementation of the project in consistency with the Project document, AWP and UNDP policies and procedures for UNDP full support to direct implementation modality project.
- Participates in the development, formulation, implementation and evaluation of national activities related to the project; reviews relevant documents and reports.
- Supports researches, analyses and presentation of information gathered from diverse sources related to climate change adaptation; supports the preparation of various knowledge products, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
- Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
- Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings and conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
- In close consultation with the PM, UNDP country office, National Coordination Team and Chief Technical Advisor, ensure implementation and that project outputs as identified in the project document are achieved as advised and instructed by the Project Steering Board.
- Prepare and update project quarterly work plans and progress reports and any other deliverable for each component, and ensure timely submission of these to the PM for agreement and approval.
- Support in preparation of the documentation for the Project Steering Board meetings, review meetings and evaluation missions are prepared, in coordination with UNDP country office.
- Support the PM in the supervision of local or international consultants working for the project.
- Identify the needs and support the preparation of TORs for specific technical outputs (i.e. personnel, sub-contracts, training, and procurement) in collaboration with the national partners, PMU, NCT and UNDP colleagues.
- Support the PM in timely preparation and submission of financial and technical progress reports.
- Supports capacity building activities in-country: undertakes outreach and advocacy activities; participates in training and workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Facilitate the activities of other consultants e.g. identifying and coordinating with relevant stakeholders.
Project monitoring
- Monitors and analyses project component implementation, including coordinating and participating in monitoring missions, conducting field visits.
- Identifies problems and issues to be addressed, reports these to the PM and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions, captured in periodic monitoring reports.
- Participates in or leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
Other activities
- Supports the coordinates activities related to budget and financing (project preparation and submission, progress reporting, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
- Supports capacity building activities in-country: undertakes outreach and advocacy activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings and conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
- Supports the work of the Chief Technical Advisor and other specialists, including research and data collection, coordinating stakeholder consultations, conducting surveys, identifying strategic partners and synergies.
- Participates in the development, formulation, implementation and evaluation of national activities related to Climate Change Adaptation; IWRM, Sustainable use and Conservation of Mangroves, Distaster Risk Reduction, reviews relevant documents and reports.
- Performs other duties related to the work of the project as required.
Professionalism:
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, risk management and sustainable development.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
- Ability to exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various validated research and data sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases are required.
- Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
- Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Able to work under minimal supervision
Teamwork:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
- Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Planning and organizing:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in international development, sustainable development, natural resource/environmental management, management, economics, or a climate change related field.
Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management.
- Experience in the Caribbean region desired, specific Suriname preferred.
- Sound understanding of climate change, sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impact, water management, disaster risk reduction and other related sustainable human development issues
- Very strong understanding of national and local development planning processes in Suriname
- Demonstrated evidence of research and reporting skills (e.g. published papers, policy analysis)
- Gender Sensitisation is a strong asset
- Demonstrable computer skills including Word processing, spread sheets, PowerPoint
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Dutch
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
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Workforce diversity
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Contract Duration: one year renewable