Background

The project aims at ‘mainstreaming’ biodiversity conservation into tourism sector development in Jordan as a whole and more specifically in critical areas for biodiversity in the Jordan Rift Valley. The project is designed specifically to reduce threats to biodiversity from the current and future development of this fast growing sector. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Jordanian economy, accounting for 14% of GDP in 2010. Recent growth has been impressive: visitor numbers have grown by 27%, over the past six years or from 5.5 million in 2004 to 7 million visitors in 2010. A further significant increase in visitor numbers is anticipated (the number of tourists is expected to grow to 9.4 million in 2015). Currently the ecotourism sub sector accounts for 7% of total visitor numbers, up from 4% in 2004. There is a need to reduce the negative footprint of mass tourism on biodiversity—while catalyzing more responsible ecotourism, which if well managed could benefit biodiversity (for instance by financing protected areas).

The project supports strategic objective 2 of the GEF biodiversity focal area (BD-2): "Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into production landscapes, seascapes, and sectors”.  More specifically, the project will contribute to Outcome 2.1: Increase in sustainably managed landscapes and seascapes that integrate biodiversity conservation, through the adoption of internationally or nationally recognized environmental standards that incorporate biodiversity considerations in 194,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive areas in the tourism regions/zones and in 82,769 ha of protected areas. The project will also contribute to Outcome 2.2: Measures to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity incorporated in policy and regulatory frameworks, through the development and adoption of policies and regulations governing tourism activities that integrate biodiversity conservation in the tourism regions/zones and the Protected Areas adjacent to them as well as in the ecologically important areas between them. The project will further contribute to the realization of the first strategic objective for biodiversity—Improve Sustainability of Protected Area Systems, by seeking to capitalize on responsible tourism development to secure long term funding for PA management.

The long-term solution advanced under this project to address the identified threats is to change the course of tourism sector development, to reduce the negative externality on development (referred to as ‘mainstreaming’).   If threats to biodiversity from tourism sector development are to be effectively curtailed—action will be needed at three levels (1) at the national level—influencing regulations and investment strategies; (2) at the landscape level in the tourism zones—where physical development occurs and where there is a need to change the trajectory of that development to address direct and indirect threats; and (3) at the site level—in protected areas and sensitive corridors, where additional management intervention is needed to address direct pressures on ecosystems from visitation.  The project is designed to remove these barriers.

The project aim is to make the consideration of biodiversity a fundamental part of everyday planning and development for tourism in Jordan.  More specifically, the Project Objective is:
Biodiversity conservation objectives are effectively mainstreamed and advanced into and through tourism sector development in Jordan

This Objective will be achieved through three inter-related Outcomes, viz. –
Outcome 1 Regulatory and enforcement framework in place to avoid, reduce, mitigate and offset adverse impacts of tourism on biodiversity.
Outcome 2 Institutional capacities for planning, monitoring and enforcement strengthened in the Jerash, Petra and Wadi Rum landscapes so as to manage the impacts of tourism development on biodiversity within ecologically valuable and sensitive areas.
Outcome 3 Improved management effectiveness particularly in revenue generation, tourism planning and management, and community relations in Dibeen, Shoubak and Wadi Rum Protected Areas.

The UNDP Jordan CO seeks to employ a full-time National Project Manager (NPM) to lead the Project Management Unit which will be based in the UNDP Country Office in Amman.  The NPM will work closely with and report to the UNDP Environment Programme Analyst

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the overall supervision of the Project Board, and in partnership with the UNDP Environment Programme Analyst who will channel overall policy and technical advice from the UNDP Country Office, the NPM will have the responsibility for the delivery of the project outcomes and activities in accordance with the project document and agreed work plan.  He/she will lead the Project Team in the day-to-day implementation of the Project, coordinate and supervise the implementation of the project and manage Project resources  effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.  More specifically, the NPM will perform the following duties:

Project personnel management

Assume the ultimate responsibility for all professional personnel (fulltime Staff, Consultants and Contractors) engaged through project funds directly, and for all other personnel indirectly (through the relevant Implementing Partners); this includes drafting of terms of reference, technical specifications and other documents as necessary; and the identification and advice on the recruitment of project consultants to be approved by the PEB, as well as coordination and quality control of consultants and suppliers

Endeavour to create a strong team spirit, cohesive and mutually supportive, across the various Implementing Partners; encourage collaboration between individuals, the sharing of experiences and the solving of problems as a group; organize regular (monthly) meetings for this purpose (via telecommunications if necessary)

Assist with the clarification of specific duties and tasks by specific individuals at each of the four project localities according to their  Terms of Reference; ensure their full understanding of what is expected through agreement on deliverables and timescales; and agree on the resources and support that will be provided by the Project

Undertake individual performance assessments on an annual basis (or other period for Consultants/Contractors), acknowledging achievements and providing analysis and advice on problem aspects

Ensure that guidance and support are available whenever needed for all professionals

Ensure that Project personnel enjoy the conditions of employment as stipulated by UNDP, together with the responsibilities of their positions

Require regular (as agreed), formal and informal reporting on progress with the achievement of assigned tasks
 
Financial resources management

Support the Project Admin/Finance Assistant in his/her role as financial manager but retain the ultimate responsibility for financial resources for accountability purposes

Ensure total accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Project financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures

Work with the Project Admin/Finance Assistant to prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany Project quarterly and annual work plans and reports

Project outreach

Serve as the Project’s ambassador and advocate within the broader Central and Local Government systems and with local communities

Create and foster a good working relationship with the media (print, radio and television)

Represent and promote the Project at national and international meetings

Contribute to the production and publication of public information material

Establish and maintain good working relationships and cooperation with peer project managers from other related projects within Jordan and the region

Provide coordination of duty travel, seminars, public outreach activities and other project events

Project planning and implementation

Lead the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities, with the participation of all Project personnel; retain the ultimate responsibility for the finished plans and submit them to the Project Board and UNDP for their concurrence

Provide technical assistant to the project team and advice; require progress reporting and accountability for resources used

In cooperation with relevant Project personnel build effective working relationships with the Project’s key partners at the local level (Local Government, village leaders, communities, locals NGOs, the private sector, etc)

Work closely with co-funding partners to ensure that their activities/programmes are integrated and complementary with those of the GEF project

Maintain effective working contacts with project partners at the central and local levels

Implement project activities in collaboration with all partners, staff and consultants

Monitoring and adaptive management

Lead the implementation of the Project M&E Plan

Carry out monitoring visits to Project sites on a regular basis; survey (informally) the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders

Collate the results of monitoring, analyze them, and formulate proposals for adaptive management measures for consideration by the PEB

Implement the decisions and advice of the PEB

Reporting and accountability

The project manager reports mainly to UNDP, particularly to environment and climate change portfolio. In addition the project manager is expected to:

Provide a report to each PEB meeting noting progress and achievements, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration and guidance by the PEB

Assume the lead responsibility for the preparation and content of the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR), with the full participation of relevant Project personnel

Delegate to the Project Admin/Finance Assistant the task of preparation of implementation reports for UNDP (such as Atlas reports) but retain a supportive role

Jointly with the Project Admin/Finance Assistant, prepare quarterly and annual project plans and reports and present them to the PEB

Respond to request for reports on Project management and performance from any key stakeholders, through the PEB

Report to the PEB and the UNDP on any aspect of Project management whenever required

Competencies

Good manager of people and resources to obtain best results and be accountable
Strong managerial skills, results-orientation, team-building, motivational and leadership skills
Demonstrable knowledge of Biodiversity in Jordan; technical expertise to appreciate project aims; ability to speak the “language” with experts; dedicated and committed to Project aims
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and facilitation skills.
Excellent inter-personal skills; good communicator at all levels from political decision-makers to grassroots communities
Good analytical and planning skills (including financial); ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis
Broad experience working at the central and local levels in Jordan
Decisiveness, independence, good judgment, ability to work under pressure
Excellent networking and partnering competencies and negotiating skills
Ability to use information technology as a tool and resource

Required Skills and Experience

Education: MSc in Environmental Policy, Environmental or Natural Resource Management, or Public Administration
Experience: Minimum of ten years management experience in implementing development projects in the field of environment, preferably within the UN system or other development agencies. Experience in biodiversity and/or tourism project management an advantage.
Language requirements: Proficient in both written and oral English and Arabic.
Computer skills : Demonstrable skills in office computer use - word processing, spread sheets, etc