Environmental Projects Coordinator
Coordinate environmental projects and manage implementation effectively
Overview
Coordinate environmental projects and manage implementation effectively
You have:
- University degree in environmental science, biodiversity, environmental policy, biotechnology or related subject
- At least 7 years of relevant experience in project analysis, coordination, management and implementation
- Working knowledge of French limited knowledge of English
Organizational Setting
FAO has an environment projects portfolio (ongoing and pipeline) of almost USD 40 million (August 2023).
FAO Haiti is implementing a Global Environmental Facility (GEF-6) project in Northern part of the country (UNDP as Executing agency), finalizing the development of a GEF-7 project for Nippes and Grans Anse department (UNEP as Executing agency) and developing a GEF-8 project document for South Department (FAO as Executing agency). In addition, FAO Haiti is developing a Green Climate Funds (GCF) project document for South department (GEF-8 and GCF being co-financing the same project in the South). FAO Haiti also implement other environmental projects funded by AECID, Mexico and FAO internal resources (TCPs).
The GEF-6 project “Sustainable management of wooded production landscapes for biodiversity conservation” will generate major biodiversity, sustainable land management and collateral gender-sensitive socioeconomic/livelihood benefits by enhancing conditions and capacities among farmers in the North and North East Departments of Haiti to manage BD-friendly, sustainable and economically viable tree-based production systems (diversified cacao, coffee and home gardens). The project has three components (Component 1: Creation of enabling conditions for application and scaling-up of landscape management model; Component 2: Conservation compatible tree-based production systems as part of sustainable landscape mosaics; Component 3: Knowledge management and learning). The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through its biodiversity portfolio funds the project; UNDP will be the Implementing Agency and FAO will be the Executing Agency.
Reporting Lines
The consultant shall report to the FAO Representative OIC.
Technical Focus
The Project Manager (PM) as the leader of the Project Management Unit (PMU) is responsible for the implementation of the project with the Ministry of Environment (MdE). Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Haiti (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and with the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the Sub-Regional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) and in collaboration with relevant technical divisions at FAOHQ, and in close consultation with the National Project Director (NPD) from the MdE and the Project Task Force (PTF) the PM will provide technical orientation and backup in order to ensure the delivery of project outputs to a high standard, and in a cost effective manner, taking into account national and international best practices and results, and in accordance with FAO, Government and GEF norms.
The PM will be responsible for ensuring that GEF-6 project outputs and targets are met as per project framework that activities are carried out as planned, within budget and time schedule and that reporting, monitoring and evaluation functions are carried out as per project requirements. The PM will also work in close coordination with the NPD, international and national technical consultants and other project staff. She/he will plan and implement project activities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other relevant state and non-state stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the project. In particular, the PM will perform the following tasks:
Tasks and responsibilities
1. Planning, implementation and management of GEF-6 Project activities: • Provide overall guidance to, and supervision of, the PMU to identify, plan, design implement and monitor the progress of delivery of activities as itemised in the results-based work plan; • Provide day-to-day administrative and management inputs to the project team assuring smooth implementation of the project; • Help identify Technical Specialist/Consultant candidates and work with the LTO/LTU and the BH to ensure their timely recruitment • Support NPD in maintaining communication and coordinating with other institutions in order to identify and realize opportunities for complementarity and synergies, including monitoring and oversight of co-financing commitments; • Ensure a results-based approach to project implementation, including maintaining a focus on project results and impact as defined by the project results framework indicators; • Regularly promote the project and its outputs and findings on a national, and where appropriate, regional stage; • Lead interactions with stakeholders and liaise with government agencies and communicate, regularly advocate and engage in policy dialogue on behalf of the project; • Advise the NPD on the development and implementation of sustainability/exit strategies for the project in order to ensure that its impact s are sustained, further developed and replicated after the withdrawal of the GEF support; • Facilitate interdisciplinary inputs from partner institutions and agencies.
2. Human and Material Resources Management and Coordination of GEF-6 project • Establish and manage PMU and all PMU staff and all consultants ensuring they fully understand their role and tasks • Provide administrative and management/supervisory support to long and short term Technical Specialists/Consultants to ensure timely delivery; • Create strategic partnerships with MdE related to the project and coordinate and network with various stakeholders to take forward the project; • Ensure that the project team follows up on the adoption/implementation of the recommendations/inputs provided by Technical Consultants; • Coordinate with the Government counterpart and various stakeholders for effective coordination and dialogue in the field of biosafety • Provide administrative and coordination support to FAO Project monitoring missions, donor missions and project evaluators; • Managing the procurement process in accordance with FAO rules and procedures.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of GEF-6 project • Oversee preparation and implementation of project M&E plan, project communication and knowledge management plan • Hold periodic PMU meetings and other events to ensure that project is on track; • Act as the Secretary to the Project Steering Committee, organize and coordinate the meetings, preparation of agenda and minutes and of Project Steering Committee Meetings; • Prepare results based regular reports, annual reports, donor reports and briefs and be responsible for the elaboration of FAO PPRs and the annual GEF PIR; • Facilitate the submission of timely project implementation reviews and progress reports (narrative and financial) to the FAO Country Offices against the Programme M&E framework; • Facilitate and support the Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Project Terminal Evaluation (PTE) and conduct annual project reviews and annual audits Undertake field visits to monitor Project activities; • Facilitate effective communication of project progress to the Project Steering Committee related to the project
4. Coordination of the development, finalisation and operationalisation of the GCF, GEF-7 and GEF-8 projects • Ensure the finalisation of the GEF-7 and GEF-8 projects development • Supervise the recruitment of the GEF projects key managers
5. Development and coordination of the implementation of the other environmental projects including TCP • TCPs; SPA projects; SOILCARE
6. Undertake any other tasks assigned or relevant in support of efficient implementation of the project.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in environmental science, biodiversity, environmental policy, biotechnology or related subject • At least 7 years of relevant experience in project analysis, coordination, management and implementation • Working knowledge of French limited knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection criteria
• Experience with government institutions, including work and research and development, activities, in multi-stakeholder project or programme, co-ordination and management of international and national meetings/ workshops • Working experience with FAO and UN Agencies will be an advantage, including Operations and Human Resources management • Familiarity and prior experience with the specific FAO and GEF requirements and procedures are considered as an asset
Potential interview questions
| How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects? | The interviewer is assessing your ability to handle competing demands and work efficiently under pressure. | Discuss your approach to prioritizing tasks, mentioning tools or methods you use to stay organized. |
| Can you give an example of a successful project you managed? | The interviewer wants to learn about your experience and impact in project management. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience working with government agencies. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |