JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Project and Science LeaderDepartment and Subdivision/Project (if any): Pacific Ridge to Reef Programme,
Location: Geosciences Division of the SPC
Reporting to: Regional Programme Coordinator
Number of Direct Reports: 2 (including 14 national project managers)
Purpose of Role:
The Project and Science Leader is responsible for managing the Pacific R2R Project through the supervision and management of all project initiatives. This role will provide high quality technical support and policy advice on integrated water, land and coastal management in Pacific Small Island Development States (SIDS). The Project and Science Leader will also manage and coordinate 14 national R2R demonstration projects in line with the project document and the GEF council approved regional R2R Programme Framework.
Date: November 2017
About the project:
SPC's Ridge to Reef (R2R) programme is implementing the International Waters (IW) project, funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), to test the mainstreaming of ridge-to-reef climate-resilient approaches to integrated land, water, forest and coastal management in Pacific Island countries. This will be conducted through strategic planning, capacity building and piloted local actions to sustain livelihoods and preserve ecosystem services.
Organizational Context and Organization ChartKey Result Areas (KRAs):
The job of the GEF Pacific Regional R2R Project and Science Leader encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas:
1. Project management and technical oversight of the GEF Pacific R2R Project
2. Science, policy and governance oversight
3. Monitoring and Evaluation of R2R Project Activities and Impacts in support and coordination with CCMEA
4. Communication, Information Management and Knowledge Sharing
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below
Jobholder is accountable for / Jobholder is successful when1. Project management and technical oversight of the GEF Pacific R2R Project
Ensures the project is delivered with maximum effectiveness, efficiency and professionalism through providing strategic guidance and support to partners.
Maintains close liaison with Regional Programme Coordinator and National GEF STAR Project Coordinator to ensure program synergy at the Multi Country level
Leads the implementation of the work programme in compliance with the GEF IW Regional R2R Project Document.
Manages the overall financial resources of GEF IW Regional R2R Project and take responsibility for the development and management of budgets and exercise due diligence in the management of funds;
Facilitates effective coordination and joint planning at regional and national levels to achieve the stated objectives of the program.
Provides supervisory support and guidance to Project Science and Technical staff and National Demonstration Project Staff.
Provides leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of National R2R Demonstration Projects ensuring the establishment and active involvement of the National R2R Project Steering Committees and linkages with the National GEF STAR R2R Projects. / Project implementation is meeting established targets and independent Mid and Terminal Evaluation assesses satisfactory implementation.
Annual work plans and work plan reports for the Project are produced and endorsed at Annual Regional Coordination Council meetings.
Close and productive linkages between National GEF STAR Projects and GEF IW Pacific Regional R2R Projects at National Level evidenced through Subregional and regional coordination meetings
Project implementation meeting ProDoc workplan and reporting in compliance with UNDP and SPC/Geosciences procedural requirements
Coordination evident from sub-regional and Regional Meeting Report and independently verified through independent Mid and Terminal Evaluations
Staff with appropriate skills and experience are providing effective and efficient support to project implementation and achievement of results.
2. Science, policy and governance oversight
Leads the development, coordination and publication of the State of the Coast Reports and its related components for 14 countries.
Leads the development of a regional and 14 national Strategic Action Frameworks.
Scientific and technical staff and consultants to deliver a high quality analytical service to decision makers and stakeholders, ensuring demonstrated and robust analytical methods that are fully described and shared. Assessment and analytical capacity is enhanced at National Level.
Establishes mechanisms and approaches for showcasing how scientific research contributes to informed decision making in integrated water, land and coastal management.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder leader roundtable networks established for strengthened ‘community to cabinet’ ICM/IWRM
Develop and maintain effective technical networks / Publication and endorsement of State of the Coast Reports and Strategic Action Frameworks and its related components, including: Pilot area diagnostic reports published online; Diagnostic reports for priority coastal areas published; Regional guidelines for characterizing and prioritizing coastal areas for ICM investment prepared and published.
14 national reviews of existing policies, laws, Executive Orders, Presidential Decrees and departmental strategic plans for water, forest, coastal management, including recommendations for the harmonization of governance frameworks.
Community leaders and local government create at least 14 networks through national and regional round-table meetings complemented by community tech exchange visits.
Local national, sub-regional and regional advocacy evident supported by reporting on the use and application of the science based assessment undertaken through the project.
Approaches showcased through the Regional Technical Advisory Committee
Local, national, regional technical networks established supporting communities of practice evidenced through national adoption of integrated water, land and coastal management policies and strategies.
Annual Regional R2R Council meetings demonstrate high level of engagement and commitment.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation of R2R Project Activities and Impacts in support and coordination with CCMEA.
National and regional formulation and adoption of integrated and simplified results for integrated multi-focal projects
Monitors all project activities, expenditures and progress towards achieving the project output and adapt and modify logical framework as circumstances demand to achieve project results.
Provides feedback to the R2R Programme Coordinator and National STAR Project Coordinator on project strategies and activities that could improve efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation and impacts.
Develops monitoring and impact indicators for the project success at regional and national levels.
Ensures Project Reporting requirements meet UNDP and SPC/Geosciences Division requirements; / GEF Focal area endorsed simplified results reporting tool.
Project implementation is meeting established targets and independent Mid and Terminal Evaluation assesses satisfactory implementation.
Common national development strategies and policies of integrated water land and coastal management and biodiversity conservation emerge through the R2R programme cycle.
National R2R indicators incorporated into M&E plans for 14 PICs.
Project reporting in compliance with UNDP and SPC/ Geosciences Division requirements and project cash flows maintained.
4. Communication, Information Management and Knowledge Sharing
In collaboration with other executive team members develop regional and national R2R communication plans and means of monitoring their implementation and impact.
Lead R2R's strategies and practices to identify, create, extend, and enable the adoption of lessons learned and communities of best practice generated through the Project's activities with particular focus on increasing innovation, building capacity and continuously improving the use and accessibility to technically sound information.
Manage the development of an online searchable repository of information resources relating to policy, economic, scientific and technical issues relating to the integrated management of water, land and coast in the Pacific.
Provide supervision for the development of training modules for both online and workshop based delivery in the access and use of the information repository. / National and regional R2R communication
plans developed and incorporated into project implementation.
Project lessons learned and knowledge gained effectively shared with National Governments and stakeholders evidenced through the development of a R2R Community of Practice.
Information on the work of the R2R project is disseminated via the website, scientific publications, media publications, presentations and other appropriate communications.
National, sub-regional and regional meetings and workshops used to provide training and reported in meeting reports.
The above performance requirements are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this job will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):The R2R Programme is a global first for GEF in being a multi focal area, multi trust funded, multi nation and multi sectoral Programme. Its implementation seeks to maintain and enhance Pacific Island countries' (PICs) ecosystem goods and services (provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural) through integrated approaches to land, water, forest, biodiversity and coastal resource management that contribute to poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience. More specifically the GEF IW pacific R2R Project seeks to test the mainstreaming of 'ridge-to-reef' (R2R), climate resilient approaches to integrated land, water, forest and coastal management in the PICs through strategic planning, capacity building and piloted local actions to sustain livelihoods and preserve ecosystem services.
Managing implementation constraints and risks to 14 in-country Demonstration Projects which involves working with national demonstration project management staff, lead agency management and other national core agencies such as Finance, National Planning, Health, State Owned Enterprises and participating government and nongovernment organisations and businesses.
Managing and maintaining regional and national M & E programmes that take into account the wide range of scientific, technical, and political issues influencing integrated water, land and coastal management.
Ensuring the Implementation Agency (UNDP) and the Executing Agency's (SPC) reporting requirements are complied with and that funding impediments are quickly resolved so as to enable a seamless resourcing of Project delivery. This involves working with UNDP Resident Representative in Suva and Bangkok.
In order to meet this overall challenge there are a number of related challenges such as:
· Managing the R2R Project including high demands for adaptive management to resolve and progress the demonstration projects at national and regional levels.
· Facilitate national level stakeholders to partner in R2R activities and policy development.
· Building a collaborative and productive partnership between National Stakeholders.
· Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the R2R Programme.
· Ensure effective communications strategies are implemented to promote sustainable development.
Other challenges which face GEF Pacific Regional R2R Project and Science Leader are:
· Understanding the cultures and governments within the participating PICs. The incumbent needs to have a demonstrated record of having worked successfully and productively with National Governments to implement complex multi-sectoral projects.
· Capacity and skills shortage. The incumbent will need to have demonstrated capacity to harvest, retain and direct diverse skills and to be able to develop capacity at national and local levels.
· Regular travel within the region. The R2R Project and Science Leader of the R2RP will be required to travel extensively within the region that has many health hazards.
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
Key internal and/or external contacts
/Nature of the contact most typical
ExternalKey external contacts are:
· R2R National Focal Points
· SPC National Representatives
Water,
· Land and Coastal Resources Managers
· UNDP — GEF Implementing Agency Representatives
· CROP agencies
· Development Partners
· Demonstration Project Management Unit
· National and Regional Steering Committee
· National Inter-Ministerial Committees /
The external contacts for the incumbent are widespread. These range from National R2R Focal Points, SPC National Representatives, and Stakeholders engaged in Integrated Water, Land, Forest and Coastal Management to Preserve Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Store Carbon, Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods.
InternalKey internal contacts are:
· R2R Programme Coordinator
· R2R National GEF STAR Project Coordinator
· Technical personnel of other SPC and Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division Programmes
· R2R professional, technical and support staff / Develop linkages and coordinate activities between divisions, sectors and units.
Provide strategic advice on Project activities
Advice and management of Project staff
A significant extent of internal interaction is
with the professional, technical and support staff of the R2R Programme and Water and
Sanitation Programme.
Information sharing, coordination, advising,
Gaining cooperation, negotiating formal
Discussions with stakeholders, supervising, influencing, leading, implementation
Level of Delegation:
- Manages a work programme with an annual budget (including salaries) of approximately Euro 1 million per annum
- Prepares consulting contracts for signature by the Director or his/her designate
Personal Specification:This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications
Essential: / Desirable:A Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as social science, natural science, environmental policy and governance or engineering
A qualification in Project Management / PhD in social, natural sciences, environmental policy and governance, or engineering.
Knowledge/Experience
Essential: / Desirable:At least 10 years of relevant experience in international development in cross sectoral natural resources management with a minimum of 7 years operating in the Pacific Region at both strategic regional and technical national levels
Policy development and governance experience at senior level.
Successful management of multi-country projects and resources with proven skills in project team leadership, coordinating multi-disciplinary team inputs.
Proven ability to work effectively with partners and the ability to plan coordinate and manage complex multi-country projects.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills and the ability to express complex strategies in simple and actionable terms.
Proven analytical and problem solving skills associated with demonstrated ability to take initiative and work without supervision.
Advanced PC based computer skills, preferably with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Project PowerPoint and ability to use E-mail and the Internet. / Understanding of sustainable development issues in the Pacific, including an understanding of sector policies, how they fit in broader country sustainable development challenges.
Broad technical and strategic networks that can enhance project implementation.
Academic and/or other publications.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated understanding of GEF and Implementing Agency strategies, procedures and monitoring requirements.
Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies