Chief Technical Advisor

Chief Technical Advisor  

Funded by GEF through UNDP, implemented by WCS with the Myanmar Forest
Department

Overview

The Chief
Technical Advisor (CTA) will be responsible for ensuring strategic and
technical quality and consistency of the project, by providing overall
technical supervision, advice, guidance and support for strategic
implementation to achieve the project’s objectives. The CTA is also expected to
facilitate adaptive management for innovation during the project
implementation.

H/She will
render technical advice and inputs to the National Project Director (NPD),
Project Manager (PM), MOECAF and other government departments (such as local
Forestry Department offices), and will provide technical oversight to Technical
Advisors in the Regional Landscape Support Unit, international and national
consultants and subcontractors to ensure a consistent approach at national, subnational
and site levels. H/She will communicate with the UNDP Country Office in a
timely manner regarding important issues arising during project implementation.
H/She will lead on providing technical clearance for reporting, monitoring
& evaluation (Tracking Tools and Scorecards), and documentation required
for the project’s Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Terminal Evaluation (TE). H/She
will also lead on preparing
and reviewing Terms of Reference for contracted project inputs.

Duties
and Responsibilities

The CTA will
closely work with the PM and report to the NPD. H/she will perform technical
tasks as follows:

1. 
   Advise the MOECAF, Forest Department and
   subnational and local Forestry Department offices and other agencies on key
   strategic and policy issues related to biodiversity conservation strategy and
   protected area planning and management in support of the project, Myanmar NBSAP
   and national and local development plans;
2. 
   Be responsible for quality assurance of
   biodiversity conservation analysis and related conservation and sustainable
   development studies, and draft synthetic reports and documents to support the
   decision making process;
3. 
   Provide technical inputs for preparing
   ToRs and developing methodology in the execution of various technical studies
   to be carried out through the project, as well as assuring quality of technical
   reports compiled by consultants;
4. 
   Ensure the technical quality of the
   project inception report, annual progress reports, Project Implementation
   Review (PIR), mid-term review self-assessment reports, and terminal evaluation
   self-assessment reports;
5. 
   Provide technical support for
   coordination of the project, as well as measurement and documentation of
   project progress and impact;
6. 
   Provide technical inputs to mid-term
   review and terminal evaluation exercises, especially clearance for Tracking Tools and Scorecards;
7. 
   Support MOECAF/Forest Department and
   subnational government agencies in implementation of their strategic plans;
8. 
   Produce policy briefing papers and
   project technical and periodic reports for advocacy and knowledge management as
   appropriate;
9. 
   Ensure that sound conservation
   principles are adhered to during project intervention and be responsible for
   monitoring that intended biodiversity conservation outcomes of the project are
   attained;
10. Assist
    the MOECAF/Forest Department and subnational government agencies through
    related policy and strategy development processes, as well as any internal
    streamlining processes to ensure that adequate human and financial resources
    are properly budgeted for and included for effective biodiversity conservation
    outcomes and effective PA management;
11. Ensure
    that the MOECAF/Forest Department and subnational government agencies institute
    effective and sustainable biodiversity monitoring and evaluation mechanisms at
    both local and national levels, including support for PA management planning, PA performance monitoring,
    scientific database consolidation and knowledge management;
12. Facilitate
    and provide training courses to strengthen capacity in the biodiversity
    conservation assurance mandate of the MOECAF/Forest Department and subnational
    government agencies;
13. Act
    as a champion in important domestic and international events for promoting the
    project’s impacts and policy advocacy, including interaction with  media 
    when delegated by NPD;
14. Contribute
    to the project’s communications and outreach efforts, including inputs to
    information materials;
15. Assist
    in promoting inter-institutional cooperation within the conservation and
    related sectors around areas of mutual interest and concern;
16. Assist
    the PM in liaison work with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and
    other groups to ensure effective coordination of project activities;
17. Document
    lessons from project implementation and make recommendations to the Project
    Board for more effective implementation and coordination of project activities;
18. Support
    the promotion of gender equity in the programme where possible, and;
19. Perform
    other duties relevant to the project and his/her expertise.

Key
Indicators for Performance

1. 
   Quality technical products (assessment
   reports, policy documents, issue papers, regular progress reports, speeches,
   advocacy materials) developed and produced through the project;
2. 
   Sustainable biodiversity and law
   enforcement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms instituted;
3. 
   Knowledge management system instituted
   with viable biodiversity and PA database and monitoring mechanisms;
4. 
   High rating of quality of annual
   progress reporting and evaluation reports;
5. 
   Attainment of the projects’ targets in
   particular METT (Management Effectiveness
   Tracking Tool) score increase, policy and regulatory improvements,
   PA system expansion, institutional capacity improvement, sustainable financing
   scorecard improvement, reduction of threats to PAs, etc.

Competencies

• Strategic technical and intellectual
       skills in the substantive area with global dynamic perspectives;
• Leadership, innovation, facilitation,
       advocacy and coordination skills;
• Ability to manage technical teams and
       engage in long term strategic partnership;
• Entrepreneurial abilities and ability to
       work in an independent manner;
• Ability to work effectively in a team,
       with good relationship management skills ;
• Strong managerial and coordination
       skills, including ability to coordinate the development of large, complex
       projects;
• Demonstrated ability to operate
       effectively in a highly complex organizational context;
• Ability to maintain high standards
       despite pressing deadlines;
• Excellent communication (both oral and
       written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners and
       people, skill for conflict resolution and negotiation;
• Excellent writing skills, especially in
       the preparation of official documents and reports;
• Good knowledge of Myanmar’s
       environmental and socio-economic context.

Required
Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced degree in conservation,
       natural resources management, environmental science or related fields,
       preferably in biodiversity conservation and management.

Experience:

• At least 15 years of professional
       experience in the field of ecosystems and biodiversity management, in
       particular experience working on ecosystem management, conservation and
       protected area management issues;
• Extensive experience with project
       development, implementation and management (experience in multilateral and
       government-funded conservation projects is preferable);
• Working experience
       with international organizations or having worked as a CTA or consultant
       is an advantage, preferably with knowledge of GEF, UNDP policies,
       procedures and practices;
• Experience in working in the relevant
       fields in Myanmar and with its government, experiences working in
       international organizations in Myanmar or abroad is a strong asset;

            Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is
       required; good knowledge of Burmese is an asset.

Based

Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Please apply on-line by using the following link: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/searchopenings.aspx?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168