Provincial Coordinator (Simbu)

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Development challenges in Papua New Guinea are as diverse and complex as the country itself. To respond to these challenges, UNDP in Papua New Guinea concentrates its efforts on building the country’s capacity to promote inclusive, green, and pro-poor growth, effective governance, and sustainable and resilient development. We help our partners in identifying relevant solutions to complex development challenges and offer policy and implementation services to address these challenges.

Guided by the UNDP’s Country Programme Document for Papua New Guinea 2018-2022, the Country Office’s policy, advisory, programmatic, and implementation services focuses on the following areas:

• Peace: promoting inclusive governance, justice, and peace
• Prosperity: inclusive, greed and sustainable growth
• Planet: sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, strengthened climate and disaster resilience and management.

In addition to these areas of focus which reflect country’s developmental priorities, UNDP emphasizes gender, climate change, social protection and inclusive growth, in all aspects of our work.

The country office is located in the capital city Port Moresby and hosts approximately 80 personnel. UNDP also maintains project office presence in Buka (Autonomous Region of Bougainville), Mendi (Southern Highlands Province), Wabag (Enga Province), Wewek ( East Sepik Province), Kokopo (East New Britain Province) and Kimbe (West New Britain Province. 

The project, Sustainable Financing of Papua New Guinea’s Protected Area Network, will extend the Government of PNG’s ability to fulfil its protected area mandate and implement the Protected Area Policy to: (i) secure stable and long-term financial resources for the management of protected areas across the country; (ii) ensure that these financial resources are allocated to contribute to improving effectiveness of the management of the protected areas across the country; and (iii) ensure that they are managed cost-effectively and efficiently with respect to their conservation and other complementary development objectives. In recognition of this need, the project will assist with the development of a diversified mix of conventional and innovative funding sources and consolidate revenues to finance the ongoing costs of establishing and managing protected areas, and assist the Government to establish a Biodiversity Fund – that will be built on a secure, accountable and transparent financial mechanism, for receiving, administering and disbursing funds. The project will, therefore, result in a system that will provide catalytic and long-term financial support that will lead to stable ecosystems (both within and outside of protected areas), coupled with the social transformations to make that happen (including transforming institutions to become supporters/facilitators of that process, and the establishment of long-term partnerships).

UNDP/GEF partners with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) through the Sustainable Financing of Papua New guinea’s Protected Area project aims to support development and testing of mechanisms to catalyse revenue streams for conservation management in selected pilot sites, notably Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Island (output 3.2). This project will support similar activities in two other pilot sites Sepik Wetlands and Bismarck Range (including Mt Wilhelm and Wanang Conservation Area).

• Supervise and oversee, coordinate, monitor and regularly report on the implementation of the GEF 6 Project on Sustainable Financing of Papua New Guinea’s Protected Area Network in the pilot site.
• Provide support and assistance and actively work with the implementing partner in the project site.
• Actively work with provincial administration, civil society, private sector and other relevant representatives to support the establishment of the provincial-level coordination mechanism and structure that will lead and support better resource decisions in the province and be able to communicate issues raised to the Provincial Administrations or other appropriate authority.
• Provide the Project Manager (PM) with weekly updates by email, on progress, results, challenges, proposed solutions and actions for the following week.
• Ensure there is proper coordination of provincial workplan and maintain better working dialogue with the partner NGOs and the communities to ensure grievances are communicated and resolved.
• Responsible for capacity support to CCA communities and NGO partners for delivery of outcomes of biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods, as necessary.
• Manage and coordinate all meetings, conferences and missions of UNDP PNG in accordance with agreed terms of reference.
• Support and facilitate continuous information-sharing on the protected area among stakeholders.
• Provide technical support to communities to access additional funding support through sources such as GEF Small Grants Program, IUCN CEPF, USAID PACAM, among others.
• Extend coordination support for UNDP-supported projects on the environment in the province;
• In an event of a natural disaster, serve as the focal point for UNDP in the province in close cooperation with other UN agencies and government counterparts.
• Communicate with other provincial coordinators appointed by the project, to share information on activities and support each other to resolve implementation challenges.
• Assist the CTA and PM to ensure the relevant agreements established between the Provincial Administration and CEPA/UNDP are being implemented, monitored and reported.

Institutional Arrangement

The Simbu Provincial Coordinator will report to and directly supervised by the Project Manager. The Provincial Coordinator will be also expected to work with the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor and the project team. 
 

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:

LEVEL1: 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.

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win—win’ situations.

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

• Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate .

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.

• Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
   

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, forestry, biodiversity conservation or any related discipline. 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in environmental science, forestry, biodiversity conservation or any related discipline.

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience forestry, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk management, and development programs/projects.

• Experience in project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations.
• Proven network in Simbu Province.
• Familiarity with UNDP policies and procedures is an advantage
• Experience in UN organization is an asset
• Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, integrated web-based management systems, spreadsheets and databases

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
• Treats all people fairly without fear or favor.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary;
• High-level planning, organizational, and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure to meet challenging deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials, civil society and donors; 
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure; and 
• Proven cross-cultural communication and the ability to function effectiveness in an international, multi-cultural environment. 

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in written and oral English and  Tok-Pisin is required.