UNDP Jobs - 49605- State Project Manager, GoI-GEF-UNDP India High Ran

State Project Manager, GoI-GEF-UNDP India High Range Landscape Project (HRML) - (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

Munnar or Kottayam, Kerala, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Extendable)

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

High Range Mountain Landscape (HRML) in the Western Ghats mountains of peninsular India is a globally significant biodiversity region. Its key attributes are: a) high levels of endemism and biological diversity; b) Important Bird Area; c) presence of globally threatened species of fauna and flora; d) part of one of the five viable breeding centre of tiger in India; e) harbour the largest global population of Nilgiri tahr and a significant population of Grizzled Giant Squirrel (both threatened species); f) catchment of three major river systems of peninsular India; g) strong eco-cultural affinities; and h) support important economic sectors like cardamom, tea and tourism. At present, HRML is a complex mosaic of land uses where conservation, economic production and livelihood requirements assume equal primacy and profoundly influence each other. These contribute to competitive use of natural resources and affecting vital ecological processes. The rapidly altering developmental context, demographic contours, resource use configurations place a challenge for HRML’s long term ecological sustainability and livelihood security. The existing planning and policy framework, as well as the institutional arrangements in HRML are inadequate to address biodiversity conservation from a landscape perspective. The project aims to put in place a collaborative governance framework for multiple-use management of HRML. The project will attempt a paradigm shift from current sector based planning to an approach for integrated multiple-use management of mountain landscapes to deliver global environmental benefits. The project aims to achieve this through the following Outcomes: a) Effective governance framework for multiple-use mountain landscape management in place; b) Multiple-use mountain landscape management is applied securing the ecological integrity of HRML; and c) Strengthened capacities for community based sustainable use and management of wild resources.

The project region covers 3,000 sq. km spread across three districts of Kerala viz. Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur in Kerala.

UNDP aims to engage a State Project Manager for the implementation of the HRML Project. S/he will work closely with the State Project Coordinator. For operational purposes, the State Project Manager will also consult the Programme Analyst, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP, New Delhi. S/he shall assist the State Project Coordinator (SPC) and Programme Analyst, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP in coordinating with all relevant departments of the state government and national, state level institutions and other stakeholders in the implementation of the project. The State Project Manager shall lead the Landscape-level Project Management Unit (LLPMU) and the experts/agencies hired in the project. S/he will be responsible for the day to day management and implementation of the project in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities

The State Project Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:

S/he assist the State Project Coordinator (SPC) in implementing the project to ensure that its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established;
S/he shall assume the primary responsibility for daily project management in the State - both operational and programmatic matters – implementing, budgeting, planning and general monitoring; ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
S/he will prepare and ensure the action on the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Terms of References (ToRs) for the consultants to be engaged/ agencies to be hired for the studies related to the project;
S/he provide guidance to the team and the specialists in the implementation of the project;
S/he shall liaise and coordinate with all relevant departments (Kerala Government) to ensure linkages with the activities of the departments.
S/he shall send information to the technical officer and maintain a log of issues, risks and quality concerns that may require attention/ consideration from the project management units/ steering committees;
S/he shall lead on stakeholder consultations, pilot demonstrations, exposure visits and workshops envisaged under the project;
S/he shall ensure adherence to the project’s work plan; assume overall responsibility of organizing important events including steering committee meetings, workshops and consultations;
S/he shall ensure proper coordination among the consultants and agencies engaged and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan; maintain regular contact with National Project Management Unit (NPMU), Kerala Forest Department, High Range Sustainable Development Society (HRSDS), State level steering committee, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, UNDP, New Delhi and other stake holders;
S/he shall ensure sharing information on a timely basis to UNDP to update project factsheets, monitoring calendars, and Critical Results Path sheets;
S/he shall monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions; assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed AWP, reporting on project funds and related record keeping; liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms; ensure collection of relevant data necessary to monitor progress against indicators specified in the log frame;
S/he shall assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the log frame and undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by State Project Coordinator, Kerala Forest Department and Programme Analyst, UNDP and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change;
S/he shall get the necessary data collected for mid-term evaluation of the project.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Integrity and Confidentiality.

Functional Competencies

Technical Knowledge and Building Strategic Partnerships:

In-depth knowledge of biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, rural livelihoods and local governance;
Sound understanding of environmental issues related to production sectors such as tea, cardamom, tourism and urban development;
Demonstrable ability to build strategic partnerships with wide array of stakeholders working in the field of conservation and production sectors;
Promote accountability and Resource Based Management;
Understanding and exposure to project planning and implementation tools would be preferable;
Ability to carry out tasks with minimum supervision;
Ability to liaise effectively with officers at all levels in key government departments and institutions;
Outstanding communication, project management, monitoring and organizational skills;
Proficiency in handling MS Office programmes.

Communication skills:

Good facilitation and communication skills;
Good analytical skills to tailor and present information to diverse audience using appropriate communication methods.

Teamwork:

Ability to lead the project management team;
Results oriented and ability to find innovative solutions to a problem;
Builds and maintains constructive relationships with colleagues; treats people with respect, is cooperative, supportive and helpful with a positive contribution to the working environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree or equivalent in the field of Environmental Science/Natural Resource Management/Agriculture/Forestry/ Sustainable development or related field with excellent academic record;
Candidate with a higher degree such as doctoral degree (Ph.D) will be preferred.

Experience:

At least 7 years of work experience in relevant field;
Experience of working with governments/ government funded projects would be preferable;
Good understanding of conservation and planning matters;
Preference will be given to officers of Indian Forest Service (Kerala Cadre/ hailing from Kerala);
Sound experience in project development and management;
Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations.

Language:

Fluency in English and Malayalam including good writing, communication and drafting skills in English.

Travel:

Willing to travel extensively.

Note:

Remuneration package is Rs. 17,51,790/- per annum (all inclusive and taxable).