UNDP Jobs - 61898- National Project Coordinator (Botswana Nationals O

National Project Coordinator (Botswana Nationals Only)

Location :

Maun, BOTSWANA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

04-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with a possibility of renewal

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Prevalent land and livestock management processes in Ngamiland are likely to compromise the continued flow of ecosystem goods and services from the savannah ecosystem that are necessary to sustain the national economy, the the rich fauna and flora diversity found in the area and livelihoods of the communities dependent on its ecosystem goods and services. The long-term solution proposed by this project is to mainstream SLM principles into the livestock production sector, specifically in areas adjacent to the Okavango Delta where rangeland degradation is most intense.

Critically, local communities need to participate meaningfully in rangeland governance. However, inadequate knowledge and skills for adoption of SLM in livestock management and livelihood support systems, and policy and market distortions that provide disincentives for adopting SLM and sustainable range management principles in the livestock production sector are significant barriers. The project will be implemented through two components: component 1 on rangeland governance/management and component 2 on livestock marketing. Component 1 (rangeland governance/management) will focus on putting in places systems and promoting practices that improve the condition of the range to secure the flow of ecosystem goods and services to communities in the area.

Component 2 (livestock marketing) will facilitate the establishment of effective resource governance frameworks and markets to improve benefits from the livestock sector. This five-year initiative will bring together the Ministries of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (through the leadership of the Department of Forestry and Range Resources/DFRR) and the Ministry of Agriculture (through the leadership of the Department of Animal Production/DAP) and several local authority institutions, research institutions and non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and communities within Ngamiland.The SLM initiative begins in 2014 and will be completed in 2018.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is looking to recruit a dynamic individual (National Project Coordinator) to manage the implementation of project activities on a day-to-day basis, provide technical direction to the initiative and ensure effective and efficient use of project funds towards the achievement of the defined goals and objectives by the end of the project. In addition to being the overall project manager, the National Project Coordinator will be technically responsible for Component 1 of the project (rangeland governance/management).

The National Project Coordinator will be a locally recruited national selected based on an open competitive process. He/She 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. Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative (or a duly designated UNDP officer), and in close consultation with the Project Steering Committee (chaired by PS, MEWT or his/her designate), the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of defined project outputs for meeting government obligations under the project, under the national execution modality (NEX). He/She will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and project partners, and maintain close collaboration with other donor agencies providing co-financing.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs and deliverables, as per the project document;
Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with UNDP procedures for nationally executed projects;
Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel;
Prepare and revise project work and financial plans, as required by Project Steering Committee and UNDP;
Liaise with UNDP, Project Steering Committee, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
Facilitate administrative and technical backstopping to sub-contractors and training activities supported by the Project;
Oversee and ensure timely submission of the project critical milestones and deliverables such as the; Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial reports,Monitoring and Evaluation, documentation of lessons learnt and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, Project Steering Committee and other oversight agencies;
Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
Report progress of project to the steering committees, and ensure the fulfillment of steering committees directives;
Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community based conservation and development projects nationally and internationally;
Ensure the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
Assist community groups, local authorities, NGOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
Coordinate and assists scientific institutions with the initiation and implementation of all field studies and monitoring components of the project;
Represent the project at national and international meetings when directed to do so by the Project Steering Committee or project partners;
Carry regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and the activities of the project site management units.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Ability to perform a broad range of administrative activities aimed at effective and efficient financial and human resources management, including screening and collecting documentation, financial data processing, filing, provision of information;
Good knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to financial resources management, including screening and collecting documentation, financial data processing, filing, provision of information;
Solid problem solving skills;
Ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment and maintain deadlines.

Planning and Organizing:

Ability to plan own work; manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines;
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Communication:

Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise manner.

Teamwork:

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and respects diversity;
Positive and constructive attitude with good communication skills;
Works collaboratively with colleagues and encourages office staff to share knowledge to achieve organizational goals.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Client Orientation:

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view;
Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
Monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Technological Awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology;
Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced university degree (MS or PhD) in Range Ecology, Sociology or any relevant Social and Environmental Science discipline;

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience in natural resource management, water resources management, range; ecology/management,land-use planning or a related field;
At least 5 years of project/programme management experience;
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;
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.

Language:

A good working knowledge of English is a requirement.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, qualified people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.