National Project Coordinator

Result of ServiceThe National Project Coordinator will work as a full-time basis and lead the overall coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the GEF-funded project. The position will ensure that all project activities are executed efficiently and effectively, meeting timelines and quality standards. The Coordinator/Manager will be responsible for developing work plans, managing resources, overseeing staff and consultants, overseeing the subcontracts and deliverables, mobilizing input, and ensuring adherence to GEF and UNEP reporting and compliance requirements. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration24 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP Ecosystem Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is a regional intergovernmental mechanism and one of 18 Regional Seas programmes with nine participating countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam – aimed at the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment. COBSEA’s efforts are guided by the Strategic Directions 2023 – 2027 across three thematic areas: marine pollution prevention, reduction, and control; marine and coastal biodiversity, ecosystem conservation and management; and climate action. Within the marine pollution thematic area, COBSEA is mandated to reduce nutrients pollution as a regional and transboundary challenge in the East Asian Seas. Nutrient pollution in coastal waters and marine environments has rapidly accelerated in Thailand. Monitoring data shows that nutrient concentrations in rivers and coastal areas often exceed acceptable thresholds, in some instances by a factor of 100-5001. The agriculture, tourism, fishing port and seafood processing sectors are identified among the largest contributors. The release of excess nutrients by these sectors into Thailand’s coastal waters results in the excessive growth of harmful algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels in water, causing dead zones (hypoxia) that devastate marine life and biodiversity. This not only disrupts ecosystems but also threatens human health and the seafood and tourism industries, which are vital sources of income for many communities in Thailand. Thailand will address this issue as part of the GEF-8 Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program (CHO-IP), where it will contribute to the IP’s delivery of transformational change, addressing marine hypoxic zones by curbing coastal pollution from agriculture, industrial and municipal sources through policy and regulatory measures and infrastructure investments combined with nature-based solutions. The GEF-8 Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program (CHOIP) targets nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter released by agri-food (crops, livestock, poultry and aquaculture) and industrial and municipal systems, as nutrient pollutants generated by these sectors are the primary agents causing harmful algal blooms (HAB) and eutrophication that leads to hypoxia. The Thailand CHO IP will work at national level and aim to address marine hypoxic zones by curbing coastal nutrient pollution from tourism, agriculture, and fishing ports and seafood processing in Thailand. The project will address root causes and barriers by (i) improving existing monitoring systems, increase data sharing between stakeholder groups, and raising nutrient awareness among government agencies, NGOs and CSOs, farmers, and coastal communities; (ii) supporting policy coherence through interministerial sub-committee meetings and developing and implementing 6 nutrient pollution reduction strategies and action plans; (iii) testing and evaluating 7 pilots that address nutrient pollution in the agricultural, tourism and fishing port sectors, delivering capacity building programs on sustainable nutrient management practices; establishing a financing mechanisms for nutrient pollution management, and delivering sustainable nutrient investment training programs to private sector, investors and women entrepreneurs;(iv) ensuring knowledge products generated inside the project will be shared through the programme’s Global Coordination Project (GCP), participating in knowledge sharing activities inside and outside the CHO-IP, and communicating on project and programme achievements. Under the overall supervision of the COBSEA Coordinator with direct technical guidance and support from the UNEP/GEF International Waters Task Manager for Latin America & the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and global projects, initiatives and Integrated Programmes, the National Project Coordinator will work as a full-time basis and lead the overall coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the GEF-funded project. The National Coordinator will ensure that all project activities are executed efficiently and effectively, meeting timelines and quality standards. The Coordinator/Manager will be responsible for developing work plans, managing resources, overseeing staff and consultants, overseeing the subcontracts and deliverables, mobilizing input, and ensuring adherence to GEF and UNEP reporting and compliance requirements. The consultancy will be full-time and home based basis. Qualifications/special skillsA university degree in environmental science, natural resource management, public administration, business administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is highly desirable. ● A minimum of 5 years professional experience in project management, particularly in environmental and sustainable development projects is required; ● Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and coordination, including working with government agencies, development partners, and CSOs is required; ● Proven experience in managing GEF, UNEP, or other donor-funded projects, with a strong understanding of their procedures and compliance requirements is an asset is required; ● Familiarity with Thailand’s environmental policies, resource efficiency initiatives, and nutrient management issues is an asset. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: ● Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects are required; ● Proficiency in project planning, monitoring, and evaluation tools is required; ● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in spoken and written Thai and English is required; ● Financial and administrative management skills, including the ability to prepare and manage budgets and ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements is required; ● Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities effectively is required; ● Results-driven and proactive, with a commitment to achieving high-quality outcomes is required; ● Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with attention to detail and adaptability to challenges is required. LanguagesFluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken Thai is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.