Project Officer

Volunteering Environment

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The UNDP's LEH-GO-GREEN project, funded by the EU Delegation in Liberia, aims to enhance forest-based revenue and livelihoods in Liberia's Grebo-Krahn and Gola Forest landscapes. It focuses on improving natural resources governance and business environments, aligning with EU initiatives and Liberia's national priorities. Implemented with the Forestry Development Authority, it promotes community conservation agreements, sustainable logging practices, diversified livelihood opportunities, and carbon market participation. The Project Officer oversees field activities, including agroforestry, livelihood support, and community engagement, in collaboration with partners and local volunteers, ensuring alignment with national strategies and community needs.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager the UN Volunteer will be responsible to:

• Lead the process of engagement with project beneficiaries, including empowering and training the community volunteers and local communities on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM); • Facilitate the development of the implementation of forest management plans for all forests under Community Conservation Agreements and SFM; • provide technical support including training, and mentorship, and coordinate the activities of fifteen (15) community volunteers tasks with providing extension support to project beneficiaries, including farmers. • Provide backstopping, training materials and resources to build the capacity of forest management for local committees, eco-guards etc on use of GPS, ODK, mapping, inventory procedures etc • Provide technical input for carbon accounting for project interventions based on technical support from the Programme Coordinator and technical experts • Design and coordinate surveys analyzing biological data and continuous monitoring of the forest ecosystem; • With support from FDA Rangers, the staff will support forest patrols and monthly reporting on SFM interventions as well as report inappropriate harvests and other threats to forest conservation; • Ensure that a comprehensive database (clearly highlighting baseline information) on the principal species and uses for all timber and non-timber forest products are produced through community participatory mapping for resource planning and management; • Ensure equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms of resources within the CCA are in place and applied appropriately; • Prepare monthly reports against set targets and indicators with analysis of evidence of progress towards planned work and budget; • Ensuring stakeholders are involved at all appropriate levels; • Monitor and report on the implementation of project activities by project partners contracted by UNDP • Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of reports, and technical reports for submission to the Project Steering Committee/Board as required;

• Communication and Partnerships: Provide technical support to ensure that all of the above tasks are carried out and accomplished through effective communication and partnerships.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behavior; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority. • Commitment: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNDP in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments, and responsibilities; promotes UNDP’s cause. • Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way. • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well. • Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Forest management, including field experience on implementing livelihood programs, monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities • Skills in community development; • Good communication skills.

Liberia has become increasingly stable since the end of the civil conflict in 2003. The Government of Liberia is working closely with the UN and other members of the international community, including the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to support increased stability and development. Forest communities are in remote parts of the country with bad road conditions and limited or no social services. These communities provide for an interesting and enriching environment but also require a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. The Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

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Added 13 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: unv.org