Background
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
Development challenges in Papua New Guinea are as diverse and complex as the country itself. To respond to these challenges, UNDP in Papua New Guinea concentrates its efforts on building the countryโs capacity to promote inclusive, green, and pro-poor growth, effective governance, and sustainable and resilient development. We help our partners in identifying relevant solutions to complex development challenges and offer policy and implementation services to address these challenges.
Guided by the UNDPโs Country Programme Document for Papua New Guinea 2018-2022, the Country Officeโs policy, advisory, programmatic, and implementation services focuses on the following areas:
Peace: promoting inclusive governance, justice, and peace Prosperity: inclusive, greed and sustainable growth Planet: sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, ย ย ย strengthened climate and disaster resilience and management.In addition to these areas of focus which reflect countryโs developmental priorities, UNDP emphasizes gender, climate change, social protection and inclusive growth, in all aspects of our work.
The country office is located in the capital city Port Moresby and hosts approximately 80 personnel. UNDP also maintains project office presence in Buka (Autonomous Region of Bougainville), Mendi (Southern Highlands Province), Wabag (Enga Province), Wewek ( East Sepik Province), Kokopo (East New Britain Province) and Kimbe (West New Britain Province.
The GEF-FOLUR Project
The project, Establishing Systems for Sustainable Integrated Land-use Planning across New-Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, funded by GEF-FOLUR, in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) will focus activities on the landscape of New Britain Island. At 3,330,890 ha, the island ranges from dense lowland plains to a central mountainous spine with peaks of over 2,000 m. With high levels of forest cover the island represents an area of high value biodiversity but is also at threat from rapid forest loss due to agricultural conversion with over 450,000 ha under permits for forest clearance. This pressure is driven by PNGโs socio-economic status, which includes a desire for economic development and income, rapid population growth and the high importance of agriculture in PNGโs economy, particularly Palm Oil and Cocoa. These impacts are exacerbated within the agricultural sector due to knowledge gaps in sustainable production, prevalence of unsustainable practices, unresponsive supply chains and limited access to finance. ย
In addressing these barriers, the project will help to deliver: 50,000 ha of land restored, 2,712,364 ha of landscapes under improved practices (excluding protected areas), 32.3 million metric tons CO2e of direct post-project. The project will also deliver direct economic and/or non-economic benefits to 66,647 individuals (28,838 females and 37,809 males). These results will be achieved through the following four interrelated components:
Component 1: Development of integrated landscape management systems Component 2: Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains to reduce land stress and avert degradation and deforestation Component 3: Conservation and restoration of natural habitatsย Component 4: Knowledge management and impact monitoringBased with the Project Management Unit, the Platform Coordinator will play a central role in coordinating actions required to develop and support the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms as Project deliverables. The Platform Coordinator will act as the key focal point to facilitate communication between government, private sector and civil society, as well as guiding technical inputs under Component 2 of the project and ensuring that these are fully integrated into the workplan of the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms. S/he will also play an important role in linking action at national level with that at provincial level through coordination with the National and Provincial Agricultural Specialists.
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Duties and Responsibilities
The Platform Coordinator, in coordination with the NATS, will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and play a key role in supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea through its Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) to ensure the success and sustainability of the Projectโs long-term objectives, particularly under Component 2 of the Project.
The Platform Coordinator, in coordination with the NATS, will coordinate Component 2 activities under the functional leadership of the Project Manager within the Project Team.
The Platform Coordinator will be working closely with private sector, provincial counterparts, and communities in coordinating stakeholder engagement with regards to development of the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms. This will be done in part through oversight of two Project Provincial Agricultural Specialist in West and East New Britain Provinces.
The Platform Coordinator will be based in Port Moresby with regular travel to the Project sites in West and East New Britain Provinces.
The Platform Coordinator Scope of Work will be implemented in close collaboration with the National Agriculture Technical Specialist (NATS) and Service Provider Firm(s) procured by the Project Team:
Provide central coordination of all actions for the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms to be established by the Project. Work with the NATS to facilitate the development of the commodity platforms and coordinate work of Service Provider Firm(s) or Consultant Groups. Provide technical support in the implementation of the and achievement of results. Collaborate across sectors in partnership with the PNG Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) and relevant commodity boards. Facilitate knowledge building and management for and from the commodity boards and platforms implementation. Use of commodity platforms for cocoa and palm oil ย to bring together private sector, government & civil society representatives. Develop and implement strategies to engage strategic stakeholders into the commodity platform activities with the National and Provincial Agricultural Specialist in West and East New Britain Provinces.ย Develop awareness raising materials and convene events on the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms, or commodity boards to increase awareness and support adoption across government. ย Support action on the review of existing legislations to identify how to coordinate the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms and how to integrate with subnational land use planning process. ย Ensure close coordination and advocacy with the relevant government agencies to ensure the endorsement and adoption of guidance and regulations for the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms. ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
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Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย
System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Negotiation and Influence. Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates โwin-winโ situations.Business Developmentย ย ย ย
Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.Business Managementย ย ย ย
Results-based Management. Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.Partnership managementย ย ย ย
Relationship Management. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.General (across the functions)ย ย ย ย
Public relations. Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.ย
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in agriculture economics, development practices, agribusiness, green commodities, or other related fields is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeย
Experience:
Minimum 5 years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in design, monitoring and evaluation, budget and financial resources in agricultural commodities ย Experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably with professional experience implementing projects with components of facilitating inter-sectoral and sectoral coordination. At least 3 yearsโ experience in palm oil and/or cocoa sectors is desired. Strong network and demonstrated ability to provide technical support and work closely with government officials, civil society and corporate sector. ย Demonstrable expertise working with agricultural commodities, management and governance issues. Demonstrable technical knowledge of PNG Government policies and procedures with agricultural commodities, management and governance issues. Knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is an asset. ย Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops is an asset. Ability to write clear and concise reports for an International audience.Required languages:
Fluency in written and oral Tok-Pisin and English is required.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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