ThaiNGO

United Nations Development Programme

Terms of Reference

Post Title:                        Project Coordinating Associate– based in Ranong (Conserving Habitats for Globally Significant Flora and Fauna in              Production Landscapes Project)

Type of Appointment:   Service Contract (SC-6)

Organizational Unit:      Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development (IGSD) Unit,               UNDP Thailand

Remuneration:               Starting Baht 778,230 per annum

Duration of Contract:   1 year (Renewable subject to good performance and availability of funds)

Duty Station:                  Ranong, Thailand

Background:

Habitat loss and degradation has occurred and is happening as a result of combined rapid economic development and population growth resulting in an increasing demand for land for infrastructure (e.g. road and dam construction), agriculture and industry. The rapid expansion and intensification of industry and agriculture has also resulted in increasing demands on unsustainable use of natural resources. High demands for water within both agricultural and industrial has led to significant changes in the hydrology of many areas putting significant pressure on many freshwater species, an issue that is further heightened by high levels of pollution. Hunting of wild animals and endangered species for both domestic uses and international trade (both exotic pets and traditional medicine) remains a significant challenge in Thailand despite progress in the enforcement of laws and regulations. These threats are being further exacerbated by ongoing changes in climate that have the potential to significantly impact Thailand’s major rice crops and water resources.

The “Conserving Habitats for Globally Significant Flora and Fauna in Production Landscapes” Project intends to mainstream the conservation of globally important and endangered biodiversity into the management of production landscapes through improved management of critical habitats. At the national level, it will develop a legislative, regulatory and enforcement framework to guide endangered species (ES) and critical habitat conservation and management. This will be supported by capacity building within key ministries and agencies to enhance cross sector coordination in critical habitat management, and to effectively monitor critical habitats and ES to better inform decision makers.

Piloting three species namely Eastern Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone sharpie), the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) and the Water Onion (Crinum thaianum) in three geographical locations, the project will also build the capacity of local authorities, communities, private sector groups, and NGOs to develop environmentally friendly goods and services, which can provide a sound economic basis for ongoing critical habitat management and economic development. The project has been divided into two components, and will be implemented over a period of four years (2015-2018).

The first component of the project focuses on strengthening the policy and institutional frameworks in place at the national level to manage and support the conservation of endangered species and critical habitats. The component aims at directly addressing existing limitations in regulations and legislation, which do not provide clear guidance on the conservation and protection of ES and critical habitats. The approach will address gaps in existing legislation, develop frameworks to guide implementation of legislation, build the capacity of relevant institutions and support cross sector learning of best practice to facilitate the upscaling of ES and critical habitat conservation and protection within production landscapes.

The second component of the project focuses on the conservation of the Eastern Sarus Crane, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and the Water Onion. This will be achieved through both increasing national, provincial and local capacities to protect these species as well as identifying and supporting sustainable financing pathways for their conservation within production landscapes. Achievements in conserving these species will also be utilized as part of a process of sharing best practice in ES and critical habitat conservation throughout Thailand.

The project is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the Office of National Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) as the Implementing Partner, and the Zoological Park organization (ZPO) as the Responsible Party. The total GEF-supported funding is US$ 1,758,904, with US$ 11,137,234 co-financing from the Thai counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst – Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development (IGSD) Unit, UNDP Thailand; and the guidance of Project Manager, the Project Coordinating Associate will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the implementation of Conserving Habitats for Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscapes project activities in Ranong Province. He/she will provide coordination support to the project, including data collection and monitoring of Water Onion in Ranong and Phan Nga, facilitation and organisation of training workshops, press releases, project/UNDP/donor briefing notes, translations and logistics support. He/she shall liaise with local stakeholders in Ranong and as deemed appropriate and necessary by the project management unit. The budget and associated work plan will provide guidance on the day-to-day implementation of the approved Project Document. He/she shall be responsible for delivery of all substantive, managerial and financial reports from and on behalf of the Project. The Project Coordinating Associate will be based in Ranong with occasional travels to Bangkok.

Key duties and responsibilities will include:

Management support:

Plan and implement activities in the project sites;

Coordinate and maintain regular contact with project counterparts, including Provincial Office of natural Resources and Environment (PONRE), ONEP, ZPO and UNDP Country Office;

Prepare and facilitate the organization of focused group meetings and training workshops in the project site;

Provide the operational and administrative requirements of the project, including those related to project management and funding;

Develop the project site work plan and budget plan;

Development and implementation of the Project monitoring action plan based on Project Monitoring framework;

Maintain regular contact with project counterparts at the provincial level;

Prepare monthly and quarterly project site reports;

Provide inputs for project progress reports, as well as, any other reports requested by the implementing partners and UNDP;

Prepare budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial close of the project;

Present information for audit of the project, and support implementation of audit recommendations;

Provide guidance to the project staffs on routine implementation of the project;

Develop and implement the Project monitoring action plan based on Project Monitoring framework;

Implement Mid Term and Final Project evaluation in the project site;

Manage the project procurement plan, and support to timely procurement of services and goods;

Manage travel arrangements and processing of travel entitlements for project team missions;

Any other duties assigned by the IGSD Programme Analyst.

Data Collection:

Collect, analyse and maintain database relating to Water Onion and other endangered species;

Conduct and update mapping of stakeholders in conservation of Water Onion and its habitats;

Identify and implement inceptive schemes to conserve the habitat of Water Onion and provide sustainable financing pathways  for  their  conservation;  

Knowledge Building and Sharing:

Development and maintenance of the project filing system;

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme;

Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme;

Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Prepare and facilitate project site evaluations and write evaluation reports.

Competencies:

Functional Competencies:  

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 1.1: Support the preparation of information for advocacy

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation

Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases

Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives

Maintains databases of donor information

Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.1: Implementing processes and uses products

Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Responds positively to new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 1.1: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors

Maintains database of project files

Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis

Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position

Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks

Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning

Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.1: Research and analysis

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences

Client Orientation

Level 1.1:  Maintains effective client relationships

Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion

Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines

Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment

Self-development, initiative-taking

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

Creating synergies through self-control

Managing conflict

Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Informed and transparent decision making

Qualifications:

Education:

Secondary Education. Bachelor’s Degree in development studies, environmental studies, political science, economics, business administration, or other related fields is desirable.

Experience:

Minimum 4 years for Bachelor’s holders or 6 years for secondary education holders of progressively responsible for project coordination and administration is required at the national or international level;

Previous experience in development assistance, community development, livelihoods improvement or related work for a UN agency, a donor organization, or international NGO is an advantage;

Familiarization with UNDP/GEF operating and reporting systems is an advantage;

Good experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) with advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems;

Demonstrate ability to administerprojectbudgets,and track financialexpenditure;

Demonstrate ability to maintain effective communications with project counterparts and teams.

Language requirement:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai

Interested candidates should submit applications online with UN Personal History Form (P11) by  21 August 2016 at:

https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=4893

Qualified men and women are all equally encouraged to apply.

Only short listed candidates will be notified.