Project Assistant

Mission and objectivesUNDP TON organization mission TBD

ContextUNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace. The marine biological diversity of the Kingdom of Tonga is crucial to the well-being of its people and the country's economy. However, this diversity is under threat from various sources, including habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. The GEF project “Implementation of the Fanga’uta Lagoon Stewardship Plan (Tonga R2R Phase II) and replication of lessons learned from the Tonga R2R Phase I to priority areas in Vava’u” aims to protect Tonga's indigenous marine species and ecosystems through a holistic Ridge to Reef management approach. This includes strengthened governance, enhanced capacity building, and the development of resilient blue/green livelihoods. The project focuses on conserving wetland ecosystems and implementing an integrated strategy to prevent destructive activities, with the objective of effectively implementing the Fanga’uta Stewardship Plan (FSP) and replicating successful strategies in priority areas in Vava’u. The project consists of three interrelated components: 1) Conservation of critical lagoon ecosystems and catchment management. 2) Governance for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation, and 3) Awareness raising and knowledge management of ecosystem functions and services.

Task DescriptionSupport the Project manager to ensure efficient project delivery and results. • Assist in compiling information and data for planning, policy, budgeting, M&E, reporting and audit with UNDP, Department of Environment and stakeholders. • Assist in compiling information and data for the formulation of Annual Work Plan, Quarterly work plans, Face Form, Audit, Reporting deadlines. • Assist in drafting agenda, minute taking of meetings, coordination and delivery of meeting papers. • Assist in setting up meetings with Government high level meetings, Technical working groups, communication management committee, Project oversight, site visits and other relevant project meetings. • Support project implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. • Support data collection for monitoring, evaluation and learning, tracking of project progress for quarterly report update. • Support compiling and coordination of information and reports for gender analysis and gender mainstreaming at the project level. • Support risk registry, tracking and updating project risk log. • Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement and finance-related activities, contract management, recruitment, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions. Support partnerships and resource mobilization. • Develop contacts list to create database for Government, UN agencies, Donor and Development Partners, aid policy, calendar of events and key areas of relevant support. • Assist in liaising with UNDP and MOF Aid management division on aid coordination and project management support, project oversight meetings, and information sharing on Government and Donor Roundtable meetings. • Assist in keeping updated with established good working relations and regular communication with partners, project counterpart, stakeholders, and community focal points. • Assist in dissemination of high-quality information and visibility of the project activities among the stakeholders. • Assist project team in identifying and gathering information on opportunities for resource mobilization. Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation. 1. Assist the M&E officer in setting up M&E framework and Tracker system in collaboration with the M&E consultant in order to facilitate effective information sharing on project status, timely reporting and achievement of targets. 2. Assist in setting up project oversight meetings. 3. Assist with organizing of travel, field, and study visits to monitor project implementation and support logistical arrangement with meetings in Tongatapu and Vavaú Island. 4. Assist in preparation and compiling information for writing up reports for monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly annual performance. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project. 1. Assist with implementation of the project communication plan activities. 2. Assist in the communication activities of project design, implementation, and progress reports. 3. Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 4. Maintain organized records of visual, pictures, videos of the project data, field activities, case studies, human-interest stories, photographs, and other relevant documents that can be drawn upon in support of knowledge sharing and advocacy.

Competencies and valuesIntegrity Commitment to the UN Mission Respect for diversity Sustainability and Development Focus Professionalism Human Rights and Social Justice Learning and Development

Living conditions and remarksTonga is a traditionally conservative Christian country. Tonga has 176 islands, but only 36 are inhabited. Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga, is home to two-thirds of the country's population and deeply traditional, Tonga's indigenous governance was never completely lost. In 1900, It became a British protectorate, but withdrew in 1970. In Tongan islands, agriculture, fishing and money sent home by Tongans abroad, many of whom live in New Zealand, sustain the economy. Tongan waters are a breeding and calving area for humpback whales from June to November. The island has some active volcanoes, including Fonualei, Niuafo'ou, Late and Tofua.