Jobs - 54773- Project Officer - (Open to Filipino Nationals Only

Project Officer - (Open to Filipino Nationals Only)

Location :

(Applicants must be prepared to be stationed in Guiuan, Basey or Hernani), PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-8

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons on record in the world, hit the Visayas (Central Philippines) on 08 November 2013 with a force equivalent to that of a Category 5 hurricane. Rainfall rates reached 30 mm per hour, wind speeds registered beyond 315 km/h and massive storm surges reached as high as five to six meters along coastal areas. Over a 16-hour period, the “super typhoon” passed over six provinces in Central Philippines, knocking out power, telecommunications and water facilities. Along the eastern coast of Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte, extensive damage was caused by powerful storm surges. Entire villages by the sea were swept away, claiming thousands of lives and causing heavy infrastructure damage in highly populated areas. Meanwhile, on the western coast and mainland areas of Samar and Leyte, severe winds flattened vast areas of farmlands planted with coconut and banana trees. Strong winds also caused damage, although to a lesser extent, along the coasts of Cebu, Panay and Coron.

Hardest hit were the islands of Leyte and Samar, particularly Tacloban City where 90 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed. Official government figures indicate that 1.1 million homes were destroyed, 16.1 million people were affected and 4.1 million were displaced. At least 6,300 people were confirmed dead across all areas hit by the typhoon.[1]

On 08 December 2014, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an Arrangement that formalized their collaboration in providing assistance to the affected population, particularly in the recovery phase. The Arrangement defined the terms of the project “Support to Typhoon Recovery and Resilience in the Visayas: Waste Management, Vocational Training and Cash-for-Livelihoods” which is funded by KOICA and implemented by UNDP in the hard-hit municipalities of Basey (Western Samar) and Guiuan and Hernani (Eastern Samar).

The overall goal of the project is to contribute in enabling the recovery and building the resilience of selected LGUs and com- munities in the Visayas affected by Typhoon Haiyan, while its objective is to strengthen the post-disaster environmental and economic resilience of its target areas. The project is implemented from December 2014 to June 2017 and is expected to lead to the following outputs: a) improved waste management system; b) increased access to vocational training towards livelihood diversification; and, c) optimized use of typhoon-damaged coconut trees to create cash-for-livelihood opportunities.

[1] National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, April 2014.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will perform the following functions:

Perform technical and administrative functions in support of the Project Manager in the implementation of the KOICA-funded project in Guiuan, Basey, and Hernani, including solid waste management, and other UNDP recovery efforts in the assigned duty station;
Conduct regular field visits and maintain close coordination with LGUs, communities and civil society partners on the ground to operationalize workplans and activities;
Prepare feasible and well-informed project concepts through Activity Designs, workplans, contracts, consultant TORs, budgets, etc. needed to ensure the timely and quality implementation of project activities and the achievement of expected results;
Perform regular project monitoring and evaluation functions in the field, identifying implementation difficulties and operational and strategic issues and recommending appropriate solutions or course of action;
Support the Project Manager and M&E Officer in the preparation of project reports;
Coordinate with other development actors on the ground;
Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

Professionalism;
Client orientation;
Integrity;
Flexibility;
Gender and cultural sensitivity;
Integrity.

Functional and technical competencies:

Ability to plan and organize;
Capacity for teamwork and independence;
Ability to prioritize tasks and multi-task;
Technological awareness;
Excellent project coordination and communication (oral and written) skills;
Ability to liaise effectively with local partners;
Capacity to work independently and as part of a team;
Ability to deliver under pressure;
Sound judgment and analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in social science, community development, development studies, humanitarian aid, public administration or other related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in crisis/emergency response, early recovery or management of development projects;
Experience in waste management activities and community-based development is preferred;
Prior experience in the UN and other international organizations is an advantage, as well as established networks and familiarity with areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Language requirements:

English and Filipino;
Knowledge of regional languages in the Visayas an advantage.

Note:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online and attach the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/ and send to us on or before 27 March 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.