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 will be headed by a Project Manager which will oversee the day to day operation of the Project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the over-all guidance of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, the Project Manager is expected to oversee the day to day operation of the Project and ensure smooth implementation of project activities towards the achievement of expected project outcomes. He/She will be expected to supervise staff and manage relationships with project partners and other stakeholders. The Project Manager is expected to prepare periodic work plans and budgets as well as ensure monitoring of project’s progress. He/she is expected to network with various local and national stakeholders and coordinate with donors for updating and reporting purposes.Specific Functions:
Project Management and Implementation
- Provide appropriate technical and managerial support to the BMB in the implementation of the Project;
- 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;
- Oversee the preparation of the annual workplan, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives to be undertaken/explored, and ensuring mainstreaming and complementation with existing national programs and projects, and set delivery and co-financing targets;
- Oversee day to day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results, outputs, objectives and work plans;
- Engage the services of and discipline national Project staff and long-term and short-term consultants, subject to the guidelines set by the Project Board;
- 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;
- Prepare and ensure prompt submission 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;
- Ensure the preparation of a coherent project’s annual work and financial plan which conforms with the project’s expected outcomes and outputs;
- Ensure that BMB and UNDP is apprised of relevant project updates and developments as needed;
- Conduct periodic Project monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to site partners, as required;
- Advocate Project policies, comparative advantages and initiatives, and ensure visibility;
- Facilitate 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 National Programme Director (NPD) relevant to the Project.
- Ensure judicious use of project funds;
- Ensure that the project funds are used effectively and efficiently to deliver the expected project outcomes and outputs;
- Mobilize and report on the amount of co-financing generated for the project;
- Perform other functions as assigned by the National Programme Director.
Competencies
Functional competencies- Possess competencies in office management;
- Good communication and interpersonal skills required;
- Good knowledge on budget control and financial management;
- Strong personal management, and communication skills;
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office, internet use and budget/finance databases.
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:- Post graduate degree in the field of environmental science, biology or marine science.
- At least 10 years of combined relevant experience in development work, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management-related projects;
- At least 5 years of which in Program/project management including administration, finance, and supervisory work, preferably in national and/or regional (multi-country) projects and foreign-assisted projects;.
- Fluency in English and national language of the duty station.
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