National Project Coordinator, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 12months

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, WASH

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

Background

This is a national consultancy for a National Project Coordinator, facilitating efficient coordination of the programme preparation phase in PNG to contribute to the elaboration of the Climate-Smart Social Services Regional Programme (The Programme). The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience and knowledge in project coordination and climate-related initiatives, ensuring the achievement of project preparation objectives within the stipulated timeframe.

UNICEF East Asia Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), in partnership with the Australian Committee for UNICEF, is developing a Regional Programme “Mainstreaming Climate-Smart Social Services in the East Asia Pacific Region” for 14 countries in the region. The Programme aims to finance climate-smart social services as a new asset class in climate finance in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Shared Socio-Economic Pathways. A Concept Note is being elaborated and program preparation expected to start in November 2023. UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific is recruiting an international consulting firm to develop the Programme Proposal.

Purpose and Objective

The UNICEF Country Office is recruiting a consultant National Project Coordinator is required in each of the targeted countries to ensure an effective liaison and coordination between the National Designated Authority (NDA), the designated line ministries and government agencies, the UNICEF country office, and the international consulting firm. The Consultant will be based at the NDA or at the UNICEF Country Office with field missions in the country and virtual meetings.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks around Project Management:

· Act as the primary point of contact between the NDA, the government agencies, key sector stakeholders, UNICEF country office, and the international consulting firm. This requires attending in-person meetings with the NDA, UNICEF, and other stakeholders.

· Coordinate meetings, discussions, and workshops among all parties, ensuring that programme preparation objectives are met, and consensus is reached.

· Maintain continuous communication with all stakeholders -including youth and children at critical steps, representatives from communities, women’s groups and organizations of persons with disabilities - to ensure coherence and avoid discrepancies. Address queries, concerns, and feedback from stakeholders promptly and effectively.

· Facilitate the organization of in-country workshops and virtual meetings.

· Monitor the progress of the Programme preparation against the planned milestones and deliverables. · Prepare monthly reports on the Programme’s preparation progress, challenges, and proposed solutions to the UNICEF country office and the NDA.

· Prepare a back-to-office report (2 pages) after any field missions.

 · Ensure the timely submission of all deliverables by the international consulting firm to the UNICEF country office and to the NDA.

· Manage the collection, analysis, and sharing of relevant data, information, and documents among stakeholders.

· Ensure the confidentiality and security of all project-related information.

· Develop and maintain a database on a spreadsheet of project documents, reports, and correspondences.

· Financial Management: Assist in managing the project preparation budget in coordination with UNICEF country office; Monitor expenditures and ensure adherence to the allocated budget; and prepare financial reports as part of the monthly report and facilitate financial audits as required. Tasks and activities: Monthly report produced with Programme Status; Reporting on Workshops, Key Meetings and Field Missions; Financial Report; and Work Plan for the next month. Appendix 1. Financial Report for the month. Appendix 2. Database or spreadsheet of information and documents Appendix 3. Stakeholders Engagement Plan Status The consultant will be responsible for capacity building and quality assurance to:

· Assist the NDA in enhancing its capacity to manage and implement Climate-Smart Social Services initiatives.

· Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development among the NDA’s staff involved in the Programme. · Ensure that all outputs and deliverables meet the quality standards and requirements set by UNICEF country office.

· Facilitate the resolution of any issues related to the quality and relevance of the Programme outputs.

· Review and verify the international consulting firm’s submissions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the terms of reference and the requirements of the NDA and the UNICEF country office, as agreed.

· Any other tasks as instructed by the UNICEF Country Office.

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability. 

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.