Background

Caribbean region countries share similar economic and sustainable development challenges, including a small population, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, and most importantly, vulnerability to climate change. Given the current condition of the marine environment, most coastal areas have few defences against the raging surfs of hurricanes and tropical storms, and the likely consequences would be significant coastal damage including beach erosion and infrastructure damage. Negative impacts associated to climate change on land, water resources and biodiversity have also been predicted, and ultimately, tourism and agriculture will be negatively impacted by these changes. Meanwhile, Caribbean countries emit such relatively small amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which mean that they will suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change.

 The Government of Japan has been one of leading donors in the target of climate change. Japan has delivered development assistance total of $17.6 billion to vulnerable countries from October 2009 to December 2012 for mitigation and adaptation. The Government of Japan intends to continue its assistance in this area to create enabling environment with a view to formulate a new framework applicable to all Parties by COP 21 in 2015.  Especially, the Government of Japan sees it important to assist Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), and in this context, is interested in establishing a new regional assistance programme for Caribbean and/or CARICOM in the area of climate change under the framework of the Partnership for Peace, Development and Prosperity between Japan and the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership aims to support countries in advancing the process of low-emission risk-resilient development by improving energy security and integrating medium to long-term planning for adaptation to climate change. In the pursuit of this objective, the initiative will support policy innovation through the development of a number of NAMAs and NAPs that will help guide Caribbean countries towards a green, low-emission and climate-resilient development pathway. The initiative will then also support the implementation of actual technology that is both low-emission and advances climate risk management, including demonstration in the target countries. The programme will strengthen institutional and technical capacities in selected countries for iterative development of comprehensive NAMAs and NAPs that are country-driven, and based on existing national/sub-national development priorities, strategies and processes. Each country will be able to tailor the specific assistance it will receive as informed by its priorities and needs.

UNDP wishes to engage a Project Manager with a strong climate change and project coordination background, and who can quickly and effectively lead project implementation with relevant country and regional counterparts in the Caribbean.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Barbados and the OECS, and with assistance from the Project Management Unit will help to achieve the following outcomes:

• Outcome 1: NAMAs and NAPs to promote alternative low emission and climate resilient technologies that can support energy and adaptation in Agriculture and Water sectors are formulated and institutionalised;
• Output 1.1. Technical support towards national and sub-national institutional and coordination arrangements in Caribbean countries to support the formulation of national roadmaps on the NAP process, including elements for monitoring the progress of their implementation;
• Output 1.2. National teams are trained in the use of tools, methods and approaches to advance the NAP process and budgeting;
• Output 1.3. Business-as-usual greenhouse gas emission baselines established, and climate change mitigation options for selected sectors relevant for the Caribbean region identified;
• Output 1.4. Design and implementation of NAMAs in the Caribbean with MRV systems and NAMA registries in place to monitor their execution;
• Outcome 2: Selected mitigation and adaptation technologies transferred and adopted for low emission and climate resilient development in the Caribbean;
• Output 2.1 Affordable climate-resilient community-based water harvesting, storage and distribution systems designed, built and rehabilitated in selected target areas (e.g. communal reservoirs, rooftop catchment, rainwater storage tanks and conveyance systems);
• Output 2.2 Crop diversification practices tested for their ability to improve resilience of farmers to climate change impacts.
• Output 2.3 Community-based water capacity and irrigation systems improved or developed to test their ability to raise agricultural productivity;
• Output 2.4 Climate resilient agro-pastoral practices and technologies (e.g. water management and soil fertility) demonstrated in selected target areas;
• Output 2.5 Small-scale infrastructure implemented to reduce climate change and disaster induced losses;
• Output 2.6 Energy pilot demonstrations applied to selected adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management interventions to catalyse low emission climate resilient technology transfer, development and investments in the Caribbean;
• Outcome 3 – Knowledge Network created in Caribbean to foster South-South and North-South cooperation through sharing of experiences, and knowledge in the area of climate change;
•  Output 3.1 High level policy events and financial tools to support the implementation of a mitigation actions programs in selected sectors (e.g. fiscal incentives, feed in tariffs, credits and guarantees) and to look at effective practices in NAPs and Community Based Adaptation;
• Output 3.2 Communication campaign on the benefits of mitigation and adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management interventions to catalyse low emission technologies for sustainable cities in island towns and communities;
• Output 3.3 Japan-Caribbean transfer of technical and process-orientated information on experiences, good practice, lessons and examples of relevance to medium to long-term national, sector and local planning and budgeting processes.

Summary of key functions

The Project Manager will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. This task will be conducted in coordination with UNDP Barbados and the OECS and other UNDP Country Officers in Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Suriname. S/he will work with UN agencies, governments, inter-governmental organisations, NGOs, donors, and the private sector in accordance with the objective and outcomes of the Japan-Caribbean CCP Project Document.

 In order to achieve the above outcomes, the Project Manager will be expected to conduct the following activities:

 Partnership building:

• Develops and maintains relationships with counterparts within each country and regionally to ensure buy-in and successful implementation;
• Builds strategic partnerships and synergies to enhance the impact and sustainability of the project outcomes;
• Liaises with key personnel of project partners to ensure adequate and timely technical inputs to the project;
• Development of strategic linkages with Japan, particularly in terms of technology transfer and knowledge sharing.

 Project development, planning and implementation:

• Coordinates the general planning, execution and monitoring of the project’s activities;
• Guides and supervises the work of the members of the Project Management Unit and the National Focal Points;
• Prepares annual work plans for endorsement by the Project Board;
• Prepares quarterly and annual financial and project progress reports for review by the Project Board;
• Assists in the mobilisation of goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications, with guidance from the Technical Specialists, and coordinating procurement processes;
• Supervises the execution of all contracts, approves intermediate payments against review of deliverables, and prepares final evaluations as a condition for final payment;
• Ensure that the administrative, technical and financial processes are carried out in conformity with UNDP regulations, policies and procedures.

 Project monitoring:

• Monitors and analyses project development and implementation, including coordinating and participating in monitoring missions;
• Monitors events as determined in the Annual Work Plan, and updates the plan as required;
• Uses Atlas and the Enhanced Resource Based Management platforms to periodically update project progress, achievement of targets, risk logs, etc.;
• Monitors financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports and oversees the overall financial processes for the project in collaboration with the Project Associate;
• Coordinates and serves as secretary to Project Board meetings;
• Manages and monitors the project risks initially identified; submits new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; and updates the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risk Log.

 Knowledge sharing:

• Develops, in collaboration with the Communications Specialist, a Communications/Visibility Plan for the project and support knowledge sharing activities;
• Facilitates information sharing and coordination of activities amongst beneficiary countries and the Government of Japan.

 Other activities:

• Undertakes such travel as may be required from time to time in connection with project execution;
• Undertakes any other activities required for the fulfilment of the mandate of the post.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, risk management and sustainable development, especially in relation to SIDS and the Caribbean;
• Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
• Analytical and evaluative skills;
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Teamwork:

• Ability to work together with the Technical Specialist, National Focal Points, the UNDP Country Offices and RBLAC, and the lead state agencies and local consultants;  also works in close collaboration with national counterparts and other partner institutions;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
• Builds and promotes effective teams;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and organising:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Communication:

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Strong partnership building and networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in international development, climate change and development, environmental sciences, natural resource management, disaster risk management, law, applied economics, social sciences, sustainable development or a related field;
• Certification in project management is highly desirable.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in related areas such as policy analysis and inter-sectoral issues; providing knowledge services, and support to institutional capacities for planning and strategic advocacy to governments and other partners;
• Three (3) of which should be progressively responsible experience in project or programme management;
• Sound understanding of climate change, adaptation, environmental management, risk resilience, vulnerability and impact, and other related sustainable human development issues;
• Sound understanding of national and local development planning processes, especially in SIDS;
• Extensive contacts with international experts and organisations involved in international studies on climate change and natural resource management in a changing climate;
• Previous work experience in a UN organisation;
• Previous work in any of the beneficiary countries is highly desirable;
• Previous experience in Japan or with Japanese institutions would be a distinct asset;
• Demonstrable computer skills including Word processing, spread sheets, PowerPoint.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Working knowledge of Japanese and other UN languages is an asset.

Please remember to also submit your completed Personal History Form (P11) along with your application. You can return to the previous page to obtain the P11 form or click here to download it for completion.