Background

UNDP Jordan and through its environmental program has been supporting the Government of Jordan to fulfil its commitments towards International Environmental Conventions and has launched several interventions in Aqaba and the surroundings to conserve Jordan`s unique biodiversity in landscapes and marine ecosystems. Support is primarily focused on enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of the management of natural resources and addressing direct drivers to protect habitats and species. 

UNDP Jordan's 2023-2027 country program seeks to support national efforts in reaching a solution pathway that achieves the goal of a more inclusive and resilient nation which can effectively address the development challenges it is faced with, through its five program pillars. Among these pillars is the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction that assists the country to integrate environmental concerns into national and sectoral plans and strategies; secure resources; and implement initiatives that advance inclusive, sustainable development, and strengthen livelihoods.

The Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth (formerly the Environment, Climate Change and DRR) Portfolio’s support for environmental management and nationally owned sustainable development pathways includes the following areas: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification; Water and Marine Governance; Climate Change and Drought; Energy; Waste Management; Green/Blue Economy; and Disaster Risks Reduction. UNDP Jordan Environment, Climate Change, and DRR Pillar has been supporting the Government of Jordan to fulfill its commitments towards International Environmental Conventions including the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and Climate Change International initiatives including Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the decisions made by the UNFCCC in implementing these treaties.

In Aqaba particularly, UNDP Jordan  has launched several interventions in the Gulf of Aqaba to conserve Jordan`s unique biodiversity in landscapes and marine ecosystems and support  boosting innovation to achieve sustainable development and deliver the global environmental benefits.

Among these, particularly focusing on the coastal and marine ecosystem, are Mainstreaming Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Supporting Ecosystem-based Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Developing the Aqaba Marine Reserve Registration File, Drafting Aqaba Marine Reserve Bylaw, Collaborating with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authoity (ASEZA) for Supporting Aqaba Marine Reserve Management and Operations This includes also working towards having the marine reserve included and recognized under several international designations such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, IUCN Green List, Blue Flag, etc.

UNDP Joran has recently launched the implementation of a new “the Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs” programme that is funded by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR).  The Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs programme will identify and protect coral reef climate refugia, advance science on reef resilience and restoration, and implement finance mechanisms to ensure the sustainable financing of MPAs and OECMs that harbour critical coral reef ecosystems. The programme will also accelerate the development of reef-positive business models, especially in the ecotourism, aquaculture, and waste management sectors, through a newly established Centre for Sustainable Blue Economy Innovation, which will also develop blended finance solutions for businesses and projects in these sectors that support coral reef conservation, community livelihoods, and enhanced community resilience to climate change. With the additional finance for conservation and investment from the private sector, the programme is expected to leverage at least an additional USD 30 million to support coral reef conservation in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Three priority sites within the GoA have been identified for the programme’s implementation: the Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR); the Northern Deep Corals (NDC); and the Southern Industrial Site (SIS). The AMR is Jordan’s only Marine Protected Area (MPA) and includes diverse habitats of coral reefs and seagrass beds. The NDC was the site of Aqaba’s main port for more than 60 years until 2015; despite this, the coral reefs at the site have maintained good coral cover, particularly in deeper areas, and have recovered quickly in the decade since the port was relocated. Finally, although the SIS is the site of significant port / industrial operations, coral reefs at the site continue to show extensive cover and ecological functioning, and a better understanding of the ecological performance of these corals would be valuable in increasing understanding of coral resilience to natural and anthropogenic stresses.

The vision for the Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs programme is “Coral reef ecosystems in the Gulf of Aqaba are conserved and restored, conserving biodiversity, supporting sustainable development, and increasing resilience to climate change”. The proposed programme will work towards this vision through a suite of inter-connected interventions to achieve the following four primary outcomes:

Outcome 1: Heightened protection of functioning, resilient coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Outcome 2: Integration of Red Sea coral reefs into the growing sustainability-oriented economy of Aqaba.

Outcome 3: Coral reefs in the region are regenerated and restored through new technologies and adaptive and science-based approaches.

Outcome 4: Knowledge management to support upscaling and replication of coral reef finance and business solutions.

The Gulf of Aqaba Program is the GFCR’s first regional (Jordan/Egypt program), and it will be nested in the wider Gulf of Aqaba context. It will build a consortium of institutions that includes key regional institutional actors as well as private sector players in line with the GFCR’s blended finance imperative.   The Gulf of Aqaba Program is envisaged to achieve its ultimate objectives through the mobilization of additional financial resources, coordination of multiple stakeholders, systematic research and monitoring, and a new vision that strengthens the economic benefits of coral reef conservation.

 The programme implementation period is projected to be from early 2024 until the end of 2030, and will consist of three phases of implementation: Inception (18 months), Consolidation (3.5 years), and Growth (1 year).   By the end of the programme, the programme will have: reduced the drivers of degradation impacting coral reefs with globally important characteristics of resilience to coral bleaching; spurred regional action across the entire Gulf of Aqaba on effective and coordinated management and information sharing to support coral reef conservation; improved scientific understanding of and piloted techniques for the restoration of resilient coral species; and established the Centre for Sustainable Blue Economy Innovation as the first source of funding  and incubator of reef-positive businesses and projects in the region.

UNDP is therefore and part of its collaboration with ASEZA seeking the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Chief Technical Specialist (CTS)  to provide technical advice and coordination to support the day-to-day management of the programme, in particular for activities related to coral reef and marine ecosystem science, monitoring, and conservation; regional scientific and policy collaboration; financing solutions for the conservation of corals; policy and regulatory changes; coral restoration approaches; and knowledge management and up-scaling.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio, the 

Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) will be responsible for providing strategic direction and overall technical backstopping to the project team in the implementation of activities as defined in the project document. He/She will provide technical support to implement the activities and deliver key outputs, that lead to the desired outcomes of the project.

The hired CTS will work with the UNDP office in Amman providing support to the project by working closely with the Implementing Partner (ASEZA), the Project team and the UNDP office in Aqaba . 

Technical support for the project daily activities

• He/She will work under the guidance of the the Team Leader of Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio, the CTS is expected to provide technical advice, support and capacity building to the project team and assist to organize and supervise the work of the project hired consultants.
• Coordinate the provision of the required technical inputs, including assisting in executing the implementation strategy, recruiting and supervising experts and technical advisors’ inputs, and ensuring coordination and leveraging resources from other initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support on both strategic project matters, quality control of technical expertise and aspects of day-to-day management as required.
• Work closely with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA),  Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) and other concerned entities within ASEZA and in institutions in Aqaba to ensure that the project`s activities are implemented in line with the project outcomes, outputs and time framework.
• Provide substantive contributions to the technical components of the project, prepare and/or review technical documents and terms of reference, reviewing deliverables among the project activities and outputs, organizing technical meetings, and providing technical guidance on project activities.
• Oversee and coordination of the technical inputs from the international and national consultants.
• Ensure that project activities under each outcome are planned and executed in a timely manner with high technical standards and implemented following the planned outcomes to achieve defined indicators. 
• Develop project`s annual workplans and the correspondent budget;
• Prepare project`s progress reports of various types and the final project reports as scheduled and organize review meetings and evaluation missions in coordination with UNDP.

Ensure strategic partnerships and communication and ensure the implementation of resource mobilization

• Provide strategic review and planning towards achieving indicators.
• Oversee and support a capacity building and training programs for all relevant national and local agencies, special interest groups and local communities. 
• Ensure synergy and integration with all relevant projects/interventions implemented by UNDP, specifically in relation to marine ecosystem conservation.
• Provide technical support to government partner agencies and other stakeholders with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training, thereby increasing their institutional and technical capabilities.
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder participation in the project implementation through coordination with all concerned institutions.

• Facilitate a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation by supporting the development and dissemination of lessons learned.
• Upon request of the Team Leader of Green Pathwasy and Inclusive Growth, participate in the resource mobilization program and assist in drafting concept notes related to the pillar thematic areas.

Institutional Arrangement

The CTS reports to the Team Leader of the  Sustainable Green Pathways & Inclusive Growth Portfolio. He/She will oversee, monitor, and support the implementation of the project`s components, primarily by means of full-time involvement in the project`s strategic and day-to-day management at the central and site levels.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience