UNDP Jobs - 53026- MPA Conservation Officer

MPA Conservation Officer - (Open to Filipino Nationals Only)

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

Twelve (12) months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Possible extension depending on performance and funding availability

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Philippines is located within the Coral Triangle, which is a global centre of marine diversity, with diverse coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove and beach forests, fisheries, invertebrates, seaweeds, and marine mammals. The Philippine waters have been identified as the “center of centers” of marine shorefish biodiversity because there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the country than anywhere in Indonesia and Wallacea. The country has nine marine biodiversity corridors which were identified based on their position as transition areas between the marine biogeographic regions and their strategic importance as gateways for the exchange of propagules and energy.

The primary government response to protect this important biodiversity has been the establishment of marine protected areas or fish sanctuaries as mandated by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and Fisheries Code. At present, there are only 33 MPAs under NIPAS which are government managed and 1,620 under Fisheries Code which are Local Government Unit (LGU) -managed. However, overfishing and illegal fishing, pollution from coastal and commercial development, conversion, extractive industries and many more continue to pose environmental threats to the country’s fragile coastal ecosystem. Despite the number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), both state and LGU-managed, it was assessed that its current spatial coverage of the MPAs was ineffective in improving species habitat to enhance fishery productivity and biodiversity. Similarly, effective MPA management is still hindered by inadequate bio-geographic representation and spatial coverage, insufficient and unpredictable funding levels for the long-term sustainability of MPAs and an MPA system; and weak institutional framework for the identification, establishment and management of a national marine PA system and incoherent policy frameworks, mandates and strategies amongst central and local actors that inhibit the sustainable management of marine resources on a seascape basis.

To address these barriers, the DENR, in partnership with BFAR and several CSOs, will implement a 5-year project entitled “Strengthening the Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas” which aims to strengthen the conservation, protection and management of key marine biodiversity areas in the Philippines.

Hence, to ensure that the objectives under this Project are implemented accordingly, a project management unit will be set-up in BMB. The PMU which will be headed by a Project Manager will be assisted by technical staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the over-all guidance of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, the MPA Project Technical Officer is expected to coordinate, monitor and ensure technical aptness of all activities under Outcome 1 of the Project. He/she is expected to assist the Project Manager in ensuring the expected outputs of outcome 1 are met on time and within budget. He/she is expected to work with and network with various local and national stakeholders.

Specific Functions:

Project Implementation and Monitoring

Provide appropriate technical support to the BMB in the implementation of the Project especially Outcome 1;
Promote and maintain a suitable environment for teamwork among the national Project team, the Project Board/Project Steering Committee members, DENR-BMB, the Site-level Project Board, and UNDP CO;
Contribute in the preparation of the annual workplan, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives to be undertaken/explored, and provide inputs in ensuring mainstreaming and complementation with existing national programs and projects, and set delivery and co-financing targets;
Assist the PM in the day to day implementation of all activities and ensure conformity to expected results, outputs, objectives and work plans;
Monitor and ensure timely and quality outputs of experts and specialists needed by the by the Project and ensure timely review of outputs of consultants;
In the context of National Implementation (NIM) guidelines, provide assistance in developing operational policies for Project implementation and endorsing the same to the Project Board for deliberation and approval;
Contribute in the preparation of technical and financial reports to UNDP; recommending appropriate measures for enhancement of project efficiency and effectiveness and endorsing the same to the NPD for review/integration and eventual presentation to the project board and other stakeholders;
Contribute in the preparation of a coherent project’s annual work and financial plan which conforms with the project’s expected outcomes and outputs;
Coordinate with key staff of BMB and UNDP when necessary and needed;
Conduct periodic Project monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to site partners, as required;
Assist the PM in advocating Project policies, comparative advantages and initiatives, and ensure visibility;
Assist the PM in relevant project meetings, workshops, and other related events;
Maintain effective relationship with RPs, other NGOs, government institutions, donors, other project stakeholders and participate at events for project information dissemination purposes;
Perform other managerial functions as may be assigned by the Project Manager and/or National Programme Director (NPD) relevant to the Project.

Financial Management

Ensure judicious use of project funds;
Ensure that the project funds are used effectively and efficiently to deliver the expected project outcomes and outputs;
Assist the PM in the mobilization of co-financing for the project;
Perform other functions as assigned by the Project Manager and/or National Programme Director.

Competencies

Functional and technical competencies:

Possess competencies on programme/project management and implementation in the field of environmental management/protection and biodiversity conservation particularly on coastal and marine biodiversity;
Good communication and interpersonal skills required;
Good knowledge on budget control and financial management;
Good knowledge of Marine Protected Area establishment & management.
Strong personal management and networking skills
Excellent analytical skills;

Corporate competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in the field of environmental science, ecology, biology or marine science;

Experience:

At least 5 years of combined relevant experience in marine protected area management, coastal and marine conservation, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management-related projects;
Of which at least 3 years of which in Program/project management including preferably in national and/or regional (multi-country) projects and foreign-assisted projects;
Previous working experience with a UN agency an asset.

Language requirements:

Fluency in the English and national languages.

Note:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience. Interested applicants are requested to complete the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/ on or before 25 January 2015. Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.