Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a โleave no one behindโ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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Project Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Multi Country Office (MCO) is implementing the โRestoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Restoring Coral Reefs to meet a Changing Climate Futureโ project through an Adaptation Fund grant amounting USD 9,132,420. The project is being implemented under the Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) and involves executing partners in the Republic of Mauritius (Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping) and the Republic of Seychelles (Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change). The project implementation started in 2020 and will be run over a period of six years (72 months).ย
The Project
The overall objective of the project is to reduce the impact of climate change on local communities and coral reef-dependent economic sectors in the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles by implementing coral reef restoration with thermal tolerant corals as adaptation to climate change. The project objective will be achieved through the following outcomes:ย
Development of a sustainable partnership and community-based approach to reef restoration; Establishment of coral farming and nursery facilities; Active restoration of degraded reefs; Improved understanding and knowledge management of using coral reef restoration as an adaptation to climate change; Sharing regionally and globally the experienced learned in sustainable coral reef restoration; and Training to build capacity for long-term sustainable coral reef restoration.The activities of this project are geared to the attainment of 3 clear-cut Outcomes which are linked to:
Component 1: Enhancement of food security and reduction of risks from natural disasters through the restoration of degraded reefs in Mauritius.ย Component 2: Enhancement of food security and reduction of risks from natural disasters through the restoration of degraded reefs in Seychelles.ย Component 3: Knowledge, management and sharing, training and sensitization to build regional capacity for sustainable reef restoration.A Regional Project Manager (RPM) is required to ensure general management and proper implementation of the project.
Scope of WorkยThe Regional Project Manager (RPM) will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, and supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The RPM will report to the UNDP Multi Country Office (MCO), in close consultation with the host institution for all the projectโs substantive and administrative issues. From the strategic point of view of the project, the RPM will report on a periodic basis to the Project Steering Committees (PSC) at the regional level and to the Project National Coordinating Committees (PNCC) at the national level. Generally, the RPM will be responsible for meeting government obligations of the two countries under the project, under the Direct Implementing (DIM) Modality. S/he will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and project partners, and maintain close collaboration with any donor agencies providing co-financing.
Summary of Key Functions
Strategic project planning, coordination and implementation Management of the Project Liaison and Coordination Management of communication flow Partnership building and donor liaison.The RPM leads and supervises the project staff (chief technical adviser, project assistant, operation assistant, communication officer and gender & monitoring and evaluation officer) working in the project, ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination. The RPM ensures a client-oriented approach and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations in conformity with the UNDP Internal Control Framework and good management practices. The RPM advises the PSC/PNCC, cost-effectiveness and responses to emerging complex challenges in managing the project.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesEnsures strategic project planning, coordination and implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results: Provides guidance and manages the overall implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring. Ensures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects including planning processes and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP country office and the participating ministries/organizations. Ensures identification and promotion of programming and planning opportunities. Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities. Supports capacity building of national counterparts. Oversees project implementation through close monitoring of results.ย Ensures effective application of result-based management (RBM) tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks. Coordinates and follows through on decentralized local evaluations. Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations. Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
Responsible for effective project management focusing on achievement of the following results:
Ensures smooth running of the project, builds an effective project team, promotes teamwork and an environment that is conducive to delivering results.ย Supervises and coordinates the production of project outputs, as per the project document. Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the project by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations.ย Continually find ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations. Managing Quantum transactions under written delegated authority from the Resident Representative and/or Head of Unit.Responsible for the management of the project staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary:
Ensures timely and regular reporting. Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with UNDP procedures for directly executed projects. Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and subcontractors. Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel. Builds capacity of the project staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing training/learning programmes. Contribute to preparation and revision of project work and financial plans, as required by UNDP, and support the operational and financial planning processes. Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report, Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, EC and other oversight agencies. Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports, and monitor all project activities, budgets and financial expenditures. Guide in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurances etc. as well as follow up on timely disbursements by the UNDP CO. Will act as Secretariat to the PB/PSC. Maintain project correspondence and communication. Facilitate in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops. Prepare agendas, make necessary arrangement for the PB/PSC and project meetings, and other internal and external meetings related to the project and write the minutes of those meetings accordingly. Maintain a proper inventory of all project equipment.Responsible for Liaison and Coordination in the area focusing on achievement of the following results:
Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities. Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders. Ensures proper coordination and inputs to Inter-agency initiatives. Maintains collaboration and coordination with the other project managers to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices.Promotes communication flow in the project focusing on achievement of the following results:
Maximizes communication between the various portfolios and ensures that stakeholders (development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies and Government agencies) have one consistent UNDP counterpart. Ensures internal communication and coordination at project level and effective and proactive communication between relevant projects units. Monitors the perception of the Eco-Fish Project at local level and suggest media activities that positions the project more strategically and effectively as a neutral broker for local development. Enhances local visibility for the project in development effectiveness. Ensures that local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with Communication Office in the country office. Coordinate and assists scientific institutions with the initiation and implementation of all field studies and monitoring components of the project.Fosters partnership building and donor liaison focusing on achievement of the following results:
Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the project level through innovative approaches to partnership development. Encourages ways of increasing project funding base such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local counterparts and following-up with donors on local opportunities. Carry out regular Environmental and Social Impact monitoring, as required. Handle any grievances received and respond accordingly as per the Stakeholder Response Mechanism of UNDP. Advise community groups, municipalities, NGOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops and hands-on training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย Institutional Arrangementย ย The Regional Project Manager will report directly to the Environment Analyst (Team Leader of Environment Unit) UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, Country Office.ย
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact; Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems; Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences; Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands; Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results; Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration; Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.Functional/Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategyย
Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with oneโs authority, area of expertise and resources.ยBusiness Direction & Strategy
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.Business Management
Results Based Management:ย Ability to manage Programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.ยBusiness Management
Project Management:ย Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.Business Management
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.Business Management: Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.ย2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
SIDS: Blue economy. Ocean Governance: Ocean restoration and protection. Climate Change Adaptation: Coastal Resilience Required Skills and ExperienceEducation: Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental, Natural Sciences or Natural Resources Management, Business Management, Project Management or related field is required. A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in above mentioned areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ย Experience: Minimum of 5 years (with master'sโ degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of experience in natural resource planning and management, or project/programme management experience is required.ย
Required skills:
Relevant years of experience in international/regional project management. Experience in managing multi-stakeholder project. Experience in administration of budgets and preparing work plans. Experience of working with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.Desired additional skills:
Working experience with donor-funded projects (GEF, EU, World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, AFB, WHO, FAO, etc.) will be an advantage. Certification in Diving is desirable. (i.e. PADI or equivalent).Language:
Fluency in English and Mauritian Creole is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable. ย DisclaimerApplicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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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