Project Coordinator (Adaptation planning)

Result of Service 1. Objective and scope of the consultancy:

The main objective of the position of National Project Coordinator is to assist the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and UNEP in the coordination and implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the Green Climate Fund funding proposal document. The National Project Coordinator will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Officer and will be primarily responsible for supporting the results of the project. To complete this objective, the National Coordinator´s main duties and responsibilities will include: - Plan, manage, coordinate and execute the daily activities of the project, ensuring that the vision and values of the United Nations are respected, particularly in matters of sustainable development, gender equality and climate resilience. - Provide strategical advice and leadership for the implementation of the project, including aspects of impact, cost-effectiveness, punctuality, and the quality of the deliverables. - Lead the preparation of Annual Operating Plans, procurement plans and budgets for the project. - Ensure that the operations, financial and logistical management, procurement processes, and project activities are carried out in accordance with the project proposal, and the procedures of UNEP - Plan and guide the monitoring, tracking and evaluation of the implementation of the project, including the timely preparation and submission of Interim Progress Reports (IPR), as well as any other management, financial or progress reports requested. - Develop terms of reference and assist in the process of identification, selection, recruitment and coordination of individual consultants and consultancy firms. - Coordinate and ensure the good functioning of the Project Management Unit and the good management of technical and financial resources of the project. - Provide inputs and feedback to the products generated by the project. - Facilitate the liaison with government, public and/or private institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure their involvement in the delivery of the results. - Coordinate and facilitate the visibility of the project and supervise all communication activities related to the achievements made in the framework of the project. - Ensure that printed/physical and digital records of project documents, are organized and available for easy reference. - Support the preparation, approval and following-up of capacity assessments or legal agreements with partners when needed. - Lead collaborative partnerships for the implementation of the project and maintain effective communication with partners and stakeholders to receive inputs and disseminate the results. - Carry out other tasks inherent to the objectives of the position, as indicated by UNEP and the NDA.

Work Location SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Expected duration 12 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities 1. General Background of Assignment

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in the compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions.

The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment is effectively undertaken in the development of the its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have agreed on the implementation of the project "Develop capacities to advance the process of the National Adaptation Plan in the Dominican Republic" framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project will be implemented through a partnership between UNEP and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic.

The project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the Dominican Republic to the effects of climate variability and climate change through the creation of adaptive capacities. Specifically, the project’s objective is to strengthen the country's capacity to identify, prioritize, plan and implement measures that address adaptation needs in the medium and long term. Additionally, the project seeks to integrate adaptation, at different levels, into the planning and execution schemes of the relevant sectors. The implementation of the project results will consider the involvement of all sectors, as well as stakeholders, including different ministries, national and local government institutions, civil society groups and the private sector.

The project seeks to achieve its objective through: - Strengthening the institutional, legal, policy and planning frameworks. - Involving key stakeholders in the planning and implementation of adaptation actions. - Producing relevant and high-quality knowledge. - Developing country capacities at different levels.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is recruiting a National Project Coordinator, who will be in charge of guaranteeing the proper coordination, execution, monitoring and reporting of the project.

The National Project Coordinator will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Officer at UNEP LACO. He/she will also work in close collaboration with the Project Management Unit, the Adaptation Team in the Climate Change Unit as well as with staff from the Directorate for Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts.

The National Project Coordinator is expected to work over a 12-month period, 40 hours per week, from 8:00am to 4:00pm (Monday to Friday), and to be located in the Project Management Unit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The incumbent will also be required to travel on a regular basis to other regions of the country, as required by the project’s implementation and with costs covered by UNEP.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, conservation, environmental sciences, engineering, economy, architecture, development, social sciences, project management or a closely related field is required. If the degree is not closely related to these fields, two extra years of relevant experience will be required in lieu with a Bachelor’s Degree in any area. - Master's degree in environmental sciences, development, project management or a closely related field is desirable. Experience: - A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation, natural resource management, development or a close related field is required. - At least 2 years’ experience in project management is required. - Working experience with governmental institutions in the Dominican Republic is desirable. - Demonstrated solid knowledge of adaptation to climate change and/or environmental planning is desirable. - Demonstrated solid knowledge of environmental and climate change policies in the Dominican Republic is desirable. - Experience in capacity building programs associated with environment and sustainable development is an asset. - Experience with GCF or GEF projects is an asset.

Language: - Fluency in Spanish is required - Confident level of English in writing and verbal skills is required

Competency: - Professionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., human resources, budget/work programme, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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 and 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.

Skills: - Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent project document. - Ability to design and develop technical documents. - Excellent organization and planning skills. - Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations). - Ability to work independently and as a team. - Motivated and dynamic to jump-start activities

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.