Fiji: Project Manager - Climate Security Project

Aug 18, 2020 | UNDP
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Background

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 both according to timeframes under consideration and depending on the country contexts.

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 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 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 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, 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. The 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 directly supports the effective implementation and management of the “Climate Security” project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake Efficient and effective day-to-day planning, management implementation and monitoring of project activities and associated results:

• Prepare a detailed work plan, schedule and budget, for approval by the Project Board, and update it on a quarterly basis (or more frequentable if needed);
• Undertake pro-active day-to-day management, including coordination, and implementation of the project activities, following result-based management;
• Coordinate technical inputs in support to planned project activities in consultation with the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji RSD Management, project team as well as the relevant Government entities;
• Prepare terms of reference (TOR) for services to be provided  , prepare technical specifications for the goods to be acquired, and,  prepare Statement of Works (SOW) for civil works to be undertaken by individual consultants and/or commercial enterprises to be contracted by the project, for further review by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji RSD Management and the Technical Advisor housed in PIFS;
• Coordinate activities and manage technical, logistical and administrative processes to ensure the achievement of project outputs;
• Support tender committees for the procurement of services/goods /civil works, ensuring the compliance of documentation with the TOR/technical specifications/SOW and project objectives;
• Supervise project finance, logistical, and administrative arrangements, and project related procurement and HR procedures;
• Provide technical advice to relevant project stakeholders to perform tasks related to project activities efficiently and effectively;
• Provide advice and direction on strategic and policy issues to strengthen gender and social inclusion (GESI) initiatives in the project, including work plans and project implementation strategy, and, facilitate the creation of an environment to address GESI issues through the project’s activities;
• Manage communications and ensure relevant stakeholders are aware of project activities and progress;
• Prepare a proposal for the transfer of goods/civil works acquired/undertaken with the project resources (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance and replacement);
• Undertake project activities in line with existing UNDP rules and regulations, including related to financial, procurement and administrative aspects, and, at the same time, observing the project timelines; and,
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji –RSD Management.

Undertake day-to-day monitoring and reporting of project activities in close collaboration with project partners and stakeholder:

• Manage and monitor on a day-to-day basis the project team, including timely implementation, results –orientation and accountability for project results
• Prepare or provide, inputs to, regular reports (quarterly and annually), and ensure timely submission of the reports to the relevant entities, such as the Project Board;
• Monitor and report project progress on as per the project results framework and associated performance indicators and take appropriate action;
• Inform the – UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji RSD Management of any possible deviations from the project plan(s) and advice on possible corrective action.
• As delegated by the – UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji RSD Management, monitor and evaluate performance of service providers and other contractors.
• Oversee the logistical arrangements for the project management team;
• Make field visits, including collaborate with local counterparts and/or facilitate arrangements for joint monitoring visits to project sites as per the requirement of the project; and,
• Monitor project risks and support the development of mitigation measures thereof, relaying information to UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji RSD Management.

Align project activities with UNDP priorities:

• Ensure the principles of gender equality, social inclusion and disaster resilience (especially pertaining to Water Security) are effectively reflected in all relevant project activities;
• Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all relevant project activities, including reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, and analyses;
• Ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities is reflected, as appropriate;
• Consult regularly with other relevant UNDP projects on related activities where synergies are possible;
• Strive to engage groups and communities in project activities that affect them; and,
• Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.

Support implementation of project visibility and knowledge management activities:

• Contribute to the systematic capacity building of the project team and relevant counterparts through introduction of innovation and best practices, and, facilitate their application to project implementation;
• Capture and disseminate lessons learnt during project implementation;
• Regularly engage with and support knowledge management activities of the Climate Security Mechanism established at UN HQ in New York;
• Actively engage and promote teamwork, information sharing and collaboration within the project team and between relevant project partners;
• Provide substantive inputs to presentations, visibility activities, advocacy, and other project-related materials, etc.

Competencies

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow

• Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

• Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

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

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master´s Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, or other Environment, Climate Change or other similar fields.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of working experience in project or Programme management, including as Manager;
• At least 4 years of experience with climate security and resilience and/or environmental management;
• Previous experience with the implementation of projects funded by GCF or other environmental vertical funds (e.g. the Global Environment Facility) is an asset;
• Substantial, relevant and practical working experience in RMI or other Pacific Island Countries, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or developing countries,
• Experience in an international setting with the UN or with another international organizations an asset

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.