Background

The Country Programme Document (CPD) for Turkey (2011-2015) is largely based on the Government’s Ninth Development Plan (2007-2013), which outlines Turkey’s long-term national development objectives directed at enhancing quality of life through an inclusive development process, and aligned to the new United Nations Development Cooperation Strategy (UNDCS) 2011-2015 for Turkey. Anchored around the current UNDAF mid-term review, two national MDG reports, an ongoing Assessment of Development Results (ADR) 2009 and thematic outcome evaluations, the new country programme strategy is built on the Corporate UNDP Strategic Plan (2006-2010) and the RBEC Rolling strategy (2010-2012) and developed in close consultations with the Government and the key development partners in Turkey.
 
Within this scope, the project will contribute to the Government’s efforts to create a bio-geographically representative national system of protected areas, as codified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2008). It will likewise help Turkey meet the protected area targets laid out in the Global Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-2020. The project also advances the country’s commitments under the Gift to the Earth declaration, whereby the Government pledged to extend PAs in nine identified forest landscapes, currently under-represented within the PA estate, five of which are within the Mediterranean forest directorates covered under this project.
 
For more details, please click here for detailed Terms of References.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager (PM), will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PM will be tasked with the day-to-day management of project activities, as well as with financial and administrative reporting. The PM’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the planned outputs and achieves the planned indicators and indicator targets by undertaking necessary activities specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The PM will also be responsible for meeting government obligations under the project and will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and other project partners. This will require linking the indicators to the work plan to ensure Results-Based Management.
 
S/he will be responsible of producing all outputs required and will maintain high standards of service delivery, including adherence to deadline, quick response time, accuracy and completeness of information, sensitivity to client needs.
 
The key functions (KF) of the Project Manager will include the following:
  • Supervise and coordinate the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual,
  • Assume primary responsibility for daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project,
  • Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project,
  • Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, (if required) prepare revisions of the work plan,
  • Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events,
  • Prepare, and agree with UNDP and OGM on, terms of reference for national and international consultants and subcontractors,
  • Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan,
  • Assure technical co-ordination among consultants and subcontractors,
  • Maintain regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the OGM Externally Funded Projects Department on project implementation issues of their respective competence
  • Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions,
  • Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping,
  • Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms,
  • Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the log-frame,
  • Provide technical assistance and co-ordination for sustainable forest management criteria & indicators, MRV and NAMA activities, biodiversity integration into forest management plans and carbon monitoring (Component 2 and 3).
  • Provide coordination and support for the project with other projects which will be developed and implemented by UNDP and GDF.
  • Follow-up and provide linkages global forestry process with the relevant project areas.
  • Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by UNDP or GDF.

Competencies

General Competancies:
  • Experience in managing similiar projects(i.e. projects related with forestry, sustainable development  etc.) including familiarity with technical assistance and capacity building components,
  • Skills in managing multicultural contexts with sensitivity to differences,
  • Ability to work under pressure,
  • Intitiative and independence,
  • Adaptability,
  • Excellent communication and proven leadership skills as a team leader,
  • Excellent mediating and facilitating skills,
  • Team-building capacity including strong personal communication skills, with particular attention to supporting the building of national staff capacities,
  • Ability to cope with difficult environment where formal instutions of government.
  • Good computer skills in common word processing (MS Word), spreadsheet (MS Excel), and accounting software.
  • Excellent both spoken and written English and Turkish language skills.
 
Corporate Competancies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s and Government of Turkey’s values and ethical standards,
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, GDF and partner organizations,
  • Knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations on procurement, human resources and finance is an asset.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

General Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Engineering, Management or Environmental Sciences or related fields,
  • At least 5 years of project/programme management experience,
  • Working experience with ministries, national institutions and forestry sector in Turkey,
  • Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
  • At least 8 years of experience in natural resource management,
  • Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project,
  • Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project.
Specific Experience and Qualifications
  • Strong knowledge on sustainable forest management in Turkey, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts,
  • Strong knowledge and experience on regional and international forestry strategies, programmes and implementations.
Assets:
  • PhD or higher degree in related fields.
  • Graduation form Forest Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Natural Sciences,
  • Trainings and experience on forestry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation,
  • More than 5 (five) years of professional experience.
  • More than 8 year’s in natural resource management,
  • Proven experience on designing and coordinating international projects on natural resource management,
  • Good knowledge on sustainable development and proven experience on sustainable forest management context,
  • Knowledge in administrative procedures of the Turkish Government.
  • Proven experience in working with UN organizations,