Project Coordinator

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 20 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

This position is in Cluster 1: ‘Climate change and natural resource sustainability’ of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA - unescwa.org). The objective of Cluster 1 is to advance climate action and integrated and sustainable policies in the areas of water, energy and food security.

Under the overall supervision of the Cluster Lead, the incumbent reports to the Chief of the Food and Environment Policies.

Responsibilities The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the following duties: Substantive contribution to the project: -Works with project partner agencies to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of the assigned project; monitors and analyzes all aspects of project implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow up actions. - Drafts TORs for key inputs (i.e. consultants, training events, and procurement) and submit these to the supervisor for clearance and approval, and administer the mobilization of such inputs; - Prepares and updates project annual work plans and submits them to the supervisor for approval; - Provides technical advice and support to project partner agencies, review technical reports and monitor technical activities carried out by responsible parties; - Provides logistical and substantive backstopping to all project-related meetings, workshops and conferences, including meeting information notes, proposing agenda topics, identifying contributors, preparing background documents and presentations; - Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, section of reports and studies, input for publications, etc. - Supervises and follows upon all project activities and reports, and monitors progress according to quality standards; - Provides advisory services and technical assistance to stakeholders and Member States on project-related topics;

Administrative functions: - Ensures that all agreements with implementing partner agencies are prepared, negotiated and signed; - Ensures that all partner agencies mobilize and deliver the outputs in accordance with their letters of agreement or other agreements, and provide overall supervision and/or coordination of their work to ensure the production of the expected outputs; - Assists the chief in managing the project budget as per the project work plan; - Provides administrative support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including identifying participants, handling logistics, etc. - Supervises staff and local or regional short-term consultants working for the project; - Ensures the timely submission of work plans, reports, outputs and other deliverables to supervisor and other stakeholders for review and evaluation, as appropriate; - Tracks milestones and accordingly ensures necessary workflow, personnel and financial resource allocations; - Undertakes official travel as necessary.

Reporting: - Prepares project annual progress reports and the project final report and organises project review meetings and evaluation missions, in coordination with supervisor and implementing partner agencies; - Maintains the project website and ensure its update of all project related activities and outputs in a user-friendly manner. - Ensures an adequate archive of all project related reports and outputs in both hard and soft copies.

Competencies •Professionalism: Ability to identify, extract, analyze and format data from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. Has knowledge and expertise in the areas of food security and other related issues including water, climate change and agriculture. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

•Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, food security, water or environment or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in agriculture, food security, climate change, water or environment or a related area is required. Experience in project management in the Arab Region, preferably at the international level and in international organizations, is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is required.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment(s) and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice •This is a National Professional Officer (NPO/NO) position and is located in Lebanon. Only candidates with Lebanese nationality are eligible. •This position is available through 15 December 2021. Extension of appointment is subject to availability of funds, extension of the mandate, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance of the incumbent. •This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. •The candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred in order to attend assessments and interviews and, in the event of an employment offer, any costs related to travel and relocation to the duty station. - If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. •While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. - Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. - This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. - Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. - Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. •The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.