National Technical Project Coordinator - Consultancy

Result of ServiceThe Consultant is expected to complete all tasks and deliver all outputs, as specified in the Functional Description 4 (work plan). Work LocationSkopje, Office-based Expected durationTwelve 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. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects. The consultant will be engaged for the purposes of the GEF6 project implemented in North Macedonia titled “Promoting Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Through Strengthening Legal and Institutional Framework, Capacity Building and Restoration of Most Vulnerable Mountain Landscapes Improving management of protected areas”, executed with support from UNEP Vienna Programme Office. UNEP Vienna Programme Office is currently supporting the execution of the GEF6 funded project “Promoting Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Through Strengthening Legal and Institutional Framework, Capacity Building and Restoration of Most Vulnerable Mountain Landscapes Improving management of protected areas” in North Macedonia, whose overall objective is to reduce the effects of land degradation and land use pressures on natural resources in the mountain landscapes through development and strengthening of national policies and institutional capacity building for sustainable land management (SLM) and to contribute to achieving the national land degradation neutrality target with integrated landscape management in north-western mountainous ecosystems of North Macedonia. To achieve this objective, the Project will support activities through the implementation of the following three components: 1) Strengthened legal and institutional framework and capacity building for SLM and SFM; 2) Implementation of sustainable land and forest management practices for reducing the effects of land degradation in three pilot sites in the most vulnerable mountainous region (testing and demonstration in selected pilot sites in the most vulnerable mountainous regions, as basis for lessons learned, replication and upscaling), and 3) Knowledge management and public awareness. The selected consultant will be required to support UNEP in the overall project coordination, from engagement of project partners, management, supervision, guidance and technical inputs to generated project deliverables, project reporting, as well as liaison with MOEPP and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation and promotion. The Consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Associate Programme Management Officer and UNEP WB Projects Coordinator of the UNEP - Vienna Programme Office – SCC, who coordinate the implementation of the mentioned project on behalf of UNEP as part of the overall programme. • Work as a team member of the PMU and with all project partners to coordinate and implement all aspects of the day-to-day work of project activities, and particularly with regard to natural resource management assessment, planning and evaluation, as well as relevant capacity development measures, • Registration and due diligence processes for project partners, • Development of TORs for specific project activities and drafting of corresponding agreements with project partners, • Monitor the work of project partners as per the signed agreements, • Follow and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document, • Review and provide technical inputs of the generated project deliverables of all three project components, • Provide inputs in the draft guidelines and effective framework on reforestation/afforestation activities, • Liaise between MOEPP, the targeted municipalities and selected experts’ team on the selection of pilot sites for application of identified SLM/SFM practices, • Participate frequently in the implementation of the identified SLM/SFM practices during the field work in the selected pilot sites, • Technical contribution for development of knowledge management products, in consultation with MOEPP, the municipalities and other relevant stakeholders, • Coordinate daily duties with the project management team and provide support in steering project implementation, • Coordinate and put systems in place for the timely and accurate technical, progress and financial reporting to the project management team from all project partners, sub-contractors and consultants, • Liaise with government institutions, targeted municipalities, non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholder on the project’s behalf, • Prepare materials and organize, in coordination with MOEPP and UNEP team, the GEF6 Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting, including minutes and follow-up documentation and communication, • When needed, promote the project and its components in relevant media, • Prepare monthly progress reports for MOEPP, GEF required reports and other reporting needs, • Coordinate the implementation of the project monitoring and evaluation plan, as outlined in the project document, • Contribute to development of new LD and BD-related project proposals, • Other managerial and technical activities during the project implementation. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in environmental/natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, legal sciences or a related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor degree or equivalent) in any of the abovementioned fields of studies with four additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • Minimum of four years experience in natural resource management and related project implementation and/or project management, with a proven track record of achieving results is required; • Experience in leadership and negotiation skills is required; • In-depth knowledge of project management is required; • Working experience in land and forestry management assignments/and technical skills in environment/forestry/agriculture aspects is desirable; • Experience working with the UN or other international organization is desirable; • Proof of successful accomplishment of contract/s with similar nature is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Macedonian is required. Knowledge of Albanian or other languages from the region is an asset. 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.