Programme Coordinator (Project of Assistance to Strengthen Participation in and Implementation of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA POA))

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The objective of the consultancy is to effectively manage, coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the project activities in accordance with the project documents, with a view to promoting participation in, and full implementation of, the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement.

Work Location

Home-based, with possible missions. Presence in New York City region preferred due to possible meetings in New York.

Expected duration

1 March to 31 August

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the consultant shall be directly supervised by the Senior Legal Officer in charge of Capacity-Building and Trust Funds (the Head). The Programme Coordinator will manage and coordinate the implementation of the programme activities and will have a role in liaising and collaborating with internal and external partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU).

Scope of work: The Programme Coordinator is expected to be engaged in four main areas of work: 1. Programme management: Manage the development and delivery of programme activities, deliverables and timelines; assist in the formulation of project budgets, track and report on project budgets; and coordinate the work of human resources associated with the programme. 2. Programme liaison: Coordinate programme delivery with partners and other entities; provide updates on the status of implementation of the programme with the programme partners. 3. Programme communications: Outreach and relations with external partners: Support the Head’s function as the main point of contact for the programme, including coordinating and maintaining programme communications with Government officials, partners in the UN System and key stakeholders. 4. Programme reporting: Prepare reports on programme activities, and ensure reporting requirements are fulfilled, both internally and as agreed-upon with FAO.

The Programme Coordinator may also be asked to contribute to the preparation of the substantive outputs of the Project, as appropriate. Programme Management: • Provide overall day-to-day coordination of the Project. In coordination with the Head, establish, develop and maintain appropriate administration systems and procedures to help ensure programmes are delivered on time, to budget and to the required quality standards. • Organise programme activities, such as in person and/or online conferences, workshops, or training sessions, making necessary logistical and technical arrangements and liaising with resource persons and beneficiaries. • Provide support to the programme’s core team in organising meetings and providing secretariat support to relevant programme teams. • Manage programme documentation, including creating and updating documents (e.g. core programme documents, papers, publications, draft meeting agendas, minutes etc.). • Monitor and support programme financial administration in close collaboration with the relevant offices, and assist the Head in monitoring programme expenditure against budgets. • Gather, analyse and present data, compile reports, set up databases as required, carry out preliminary research, prepare/draft presentations, prepare briefing notes and correspondence. • Ensure the programme core team operates in a productive manner, through a clear division of labour, the setting of specific annual goals by all team members and the organization of regular online and face to face meetings, including regular planning meetings. • Monitor and analyse programme development and implementation; review relevant documents and report; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions. • Assist in the preparation of substantive outputs, as required.

Programme Liaison: • Support the Head in maintaining and updating, as needed, the implementation plan in consultation with FAO, to achieve programme objectives, setting strategic direction for the Project of Assistance, and ensuring results respond to countries’ requirements and donors’ expectations. • Coordinate the implementation of the programme with the programme partners and in close consultation with FAO. • Ensure strong collaboration with FAO on all areas of strategic planning, management, oversight implementation and donor communication. • Liaise with regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements, as needed.

Programme Communications, Outreach & Relations with External Partners: • Support with mobilizing external partnerships to enhance support to the Project of Assistance and expand experience sharing to a broader constituency. • Support the strengthening of partnerships with relevant national partners, UN System Agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/Arrangements, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Alumni networks, the private sector, and scientific institutions to support the implementation of the Project of Assistance. • Support the engagement with, and maintain regular contact with, key sectoral policy counterparts in Government, UN System Agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/Arrangements, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Alumni networks; and respond usefully and timely to requests for advice and information. • Participate in field missions (when possible and subject to the availability of resources), in accordance with the requirements of the Project of Assistance. • Identify and support the development of communications (online, print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with stakeholders. • Support the development and maintenance of the programme website, including posting regular news items. • Prepare publicity materials (e.g., brochure) and quarterly programme update. • Set up and maintain a database of contacts for publicity/email distribution; • Establish and support outreach of the programme via social media, including working closely with FAO, the United Nations Department of Global Communications and partners of the Project of Assistance.

Programme Reporting: • Support the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and prepare quarterly, and annual technical progress reports, and others as may be required. • Coordinate activities related to budget and financing (programme preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Undertake survey initiatives; design data collection tools; review, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration or management or a related field, or an advanced university degree in international law, law of the sea, sustainable development, environment/ocean-based science, marine economy-related development or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Programme or project management certifications are an asset (i.e. PMP, PMI-ACP, Project+, Prince2, Prince2Agile). A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in ocean affairs or related fields is required. Experience in international fisheries management is highly desirable. Previous work experience in the UN system is highly desirable. Experience in developing and/or delivering capacity-building programmes, at any level is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.