National Project Coordinator (Office Based) [Open to Internal and External Applicants]

UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) aims to create an enabling environment where our national governments have the capacities for inclusive and sustainable human development; meet their regional commitments, and internationally agreed objectives including the SDGs. The MCO focuses on policy and knowledge advisory services that facilitate poverty reduction, improved democratic governance, economic recovery, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, social inclusion, and human rights. UNDP partners with governments and people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life of everyone. We are on the ground in around 170 countries, to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP’s work in the region continues to evolve and includes three clusters: Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE), Prevention, Recovery and Resilience (PRR), Poverty and Governance (P&G. The MCO hub is in Barbados, with Project Offices in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.

Caribbean countries are still in the transition from disaster management to disaster risk management, which combine with a limited preparedness for the new challenges posed by climate change, compounded by uncertainty on future tourism markets and a lack of fiscal space.

The European Union DG INTPA (International Partnership) has designed the EU Caribbean Resilient Programme (EU-CA-RES) to strengthen resilience to the impacts of crisis, including those caused by climate change by (i) increasing coverage and adequacy of inclusive shock responsive and gender inclusive social protection schemes, as well as (ii) accelerating the recovery capacities. This programme is implemented jointly by UNDP, UNDRR, UNICEF, and WFP.

Within these specific interventions, UNDP has designed an action which objective is to increase the resilience to external shocks in the Caribbean. The Specific Objective of this action is to make individual, communities, business and institutions better prepared to prevent, minimize impacts and recover from slow and rapid onset events. The Outputs to be delivered by this action are to:

• Strengthen Caribbean Institutions and communities’ policy, governance and finance capacities to plan and implement resilient recovery processes
• Enhance Caribbean countries’ capacities in conducting Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and developing Recovery Frameworks

Under Output 1 of this action one activity focuses on improving community level recovery preparedness, which aims to address the challenges in scaling-up disaster risk reduction interventions at the community level due to the disconnections from the national to the local development planning process and insufficient financial resources. This activity will improve recovery preparedness in highly vulnerable communities through training of communities in recovery and disaster resilient construction technologies and practices, with priority given to developing the skills of youth and women. The most vulnerable communities may also be supported in the reconstruction of critical community infrastructures such as roads, bridges, community centers, markets, and houses to be resilient and green approaches. The initiative will also explore opportunities and the possibility for jump starting local economic recovery through circular economy opportunities. Other support may also include preparation of community-based recovery plans, local PDNA training, cash for work activities and/or youth skills training.

Scope of Work

The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the activity on community recovery preparedness and the technical support for the implementation of the other project activities. More specifically:

• Technical support for the design and implementation of the activity on community recovery preparedness.
• Technical support for the implementation of the other EU-CA-RES project activities
• Quality Assurance of results achieved, within the specified constraints and costs.
• Advocacy and partner engagement.

Technical support for the design and implementation of the activity on community recovery preparedness:

• Conduct day-to-day management and coordination of the Project’s activity on community recovery preparedness in the selected communities.
• Provide technical inputs for the design, development, and implementation of agreed activities such as trainings and stakeholder consultations.
• Organize field missions to communities in support of project implementation, data collection, and monitoring.
• Assist in monitoring project risks initially identified, submitting information on new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Team for consideration.

Technical support for the implementation of the other EU-CA-RES project activities:

• Support the project team in the planning of EU-CA-RES activities and ensure alignment with government priorities and needs.
• Coordinate with the project team and facilitate logistically in-country missions of international experts deployed to support the implementation of project activities.
• Technically support the experts in (1) implementing the activities, and (2) following-up in-country the implementation with the key stakeholders involved when expert team.
• Ensure interlinkages of the community-based activity within the overall logic of the project in the specific country context.
• Ensure communication, involvement, and leadership of government institutions and facilitate ownership.

Quality Assurance of results achieved, within the specified constraints and costs:

• Ensure quality control and timely delivery of activities.
• Brief and consult with the EU-CAR-ES Project Manager and the UNDP MCO on progress made and provide information and advice to contribute to related initiatives.
• Support timely submission of substantive and financial reporting of project activities in targeted countries according to UNDP and EU requirements.
• Support M&E activities for the project implementation in targeted communities.

Advocacy and partner engagement:

• Work closely with the UNDP MCO to identify strategic partnership with key stakeholders at community level.
• Contribute to the development, strengthening and nurturing of partnerships with the national and local government, community leaders, marginalized groups etc.
• Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information gathered during projects’ implementation.
• Carry out any other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building

• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP MCO- Prevention, Resilience and Recovery (PRR) Cluster Lead and EU-CAR-ES Project Manager, the National Project Coordinator is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the activity on community recovery preparedness of the EU-CAR-ES Project, including planning, implementation, coordination, reporting, monitoring and evaluation. The National Project Coordinator will support the overall implementation of the project and the delivery of results (specified) in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Working with Evidence and Data

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Digital Awareness and Literacy

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

TECHNICAL - FINANCE
Budget management

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

TECHNICAL – _PROCUREMENT
Procurement management

• The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements

• Secondary education is required, OR
• Advanced university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in development/environmental studies, disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation or a relevant related field will be given due consideration but not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in supporting the management, coordination, and administration of sustainable development projects with preference for programs/projects related to climate and/or disaster risk reduction and/or recovery implemented at community level.

Required skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• Experience as well as knowledge in the areas of climate, disaster risk reduction and recovery, including pre-disaster preparedness for recovery management, disaster recovery and or sustainable development.
• Experience in project management and or coordination of donor funded projects in sustainable development, climate adaptation, environment, disaster recovery & management or related field.
• Experience working with communities in the planning and implementation of development initiatives is required.
• Experience in engagement with multiple stakeholders at the community level and establishing inter-relationships among the community, government and international organizations.
• Experience in capacity building projects involving disaster preparedness and post disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) and its use in recovery planning is required.
• Previous work experience in a UN common system or international/regional development organization, government or NGO is an asset.

Required Language(s)

Fluency English and national creole is required.

All applicants must be nationals of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or have legal status to work in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines e.g., CARICOM Graduate/Skilled National Certificate (CSME)

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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