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The GEF approved two projects for Cape Verde in 2009 to be implemented by UNDP through national designated agencies. The total projects budget is 4.8 M for period 2010-2013.
One is a biodiversity project, aimed at consolidating the country’s protected area system. The other is an adaptation project which focuses on increasing resilience to climate change in the water sector with funds from the Least Developed Countries’ Fund (LDCF).
THE BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
The project will strengthen and expand Cape Verde’s national system of Protected Areas (PAs) for both terrestrial and marine units. Cape Verde’s biodiversity is globally significant. It is threatened, however, by a variety of anthropogenic pressures. In coastal and marine ecosystems, localized pollution driven by rapid tourism and real estate developments, exacerbated by unsustainable fishing, lead to a continuous loss of coastal habitat. In terrestrial ecosystems, overgrazing and land degradation aggravated by invasive plant species, are pervasive threats to ecological equilibrium. Ultimately, climate change looms in the horizon as another consequential threat for Cape Verdean ecosystems.
The management of Protected Areas is a vital instrument: (1) to safeguard Cape Verde’s unique biodiversity; and (2) to engage communities surrounding PAs in a sustainable use of natural resources supported by environmental conservation. However, several barriers militate against the effectiveness of the nascent national system of PAs.
These are linked to: (1) evolving PA management and governance frameworks, i.e. legal, institutional and policy issues; (2) emerging operationalisation of PAs, and (3) persistent capacity gaps in the national management of PAs, despite recent interventions. In this context, this project aims (1) to strengthen and consolidate Cape Verde’s PAs system through the establishment of new terrestrial and marine PA units, and (2) to promote participatory approaches to management and conservation to ensure the overall sustainability of PA systems.
This project will enhance Cape Verde’s national capacity in the sustainable use and conservation of its unique biodiversity endowment while improving the livelihoods of communities within and surrounding PAs.
THE ADAPTATION LDCF PROJECT
The project is based on the priority adaptation option identified in Cape Verde’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA).
The impacts of climate change on Cape Verde water resources, particularly on water availability, are predicted to adversely affect human health, agricultural production and food security in both rural and urban areas. Predicted climate change scenarios are likely to constrain long-term development through: (i) increased frequency and severity of drought; (ii) increased rainfall variability, including more frequent events of short and intense rains, causing flash-floods in several catchment areas; and (iii) progressive sea level rise and salt water intrusion in freshwater reservoirs closer to coastal areas.
Consequently, a major challenge for Cape Verde is to mainstream climate change adaptation measures into integrated water resource management across different institutional, social and spatial frameworks. Technical capacity of both government and local communities to manage the emerging threats imposed by climate change is required. The likely impacts of climate change are still poorly understood and the need for adaptation not sufficiently incorporated into relevant frameworks. The proposed project will build adaptive capacity and increase the water sector’s resilience to climate change.
Financial resources from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) will be used to address systemic, institutional and individual capacity gaps to manage water resources for human, agricultural and other uses in the face of a changing climate. This will include focused capacity building measures that are additional to the existing baseline both at the national and municipal level for water planning and management systems, and development of policies, strategies, decision-making processes, relevant budgeting and monitoring systems. The project will also support the demonstration and implementation of climate-resilient irrigation techniques and freshwater management options in five catchment basins located in rural area of two of Cape Verde’s islands. Lessons-learning and relevant knowledge dissemination will equally be enhanced.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Under the overall supervision of the DRR /P and the Project Steering Committee, the incumbent will:
- Provide technical and strategic assistance for project activities, including planning, monitoring and site operations, and assuming quality control of interventions;
- Provide hands-on support to the National Project Coordinators, project staff and other government counterparts in the areas of project management and planning, management of site activities, monitoring, and impact assessment;
- Finalize the Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors, and assist in the selection and recruitment process;
- Coordinate the work of all consultants and sub-contractors, ensure the timely delivery of expected outputs, and ensure effective synergy among the various sub-contracted activities;
- Assist the National Project Coordinators in the preparation and revision of the Management Plan as well as the Annual Work Plans;
- Coordinate the preparation of the periodic Status Report when called for by the National Project Coordinators;
- Assist the National Project Coordinators in the preparation of the Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), the inception report, technical reports, and the quarterly financial reports for submission to the UNDP, the GEF and any other donors and Government Departments, as required;
- Assist in mobilizing staff and consultants in the conduct of a mid-term project evaluation, and in undertaking revisions in the implementation program and strategy based on evaluation results;
- Assist the National Project Coordinators in liaison work with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and other groups in order to ensure the effective coordination of project activities;
- Document lessons from project implementation and make recommendations to the Steering Committee for more effective implementation and coordination of project activities; and
- Perform other tasks as may be requested by the National Project Coordinators, Steering Committees and other project partners.
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP GEF Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
- Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues
- In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants;
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences;
- Skill in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations;
- Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others;
- Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise
Management and Leadership
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback
- Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients and exoertnal actors
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Master degree with expertise in the area of Natural Resource Management or Environmental Management in general;
Experience:
- At least 7 years of professional experience in related areas.
- Strong skills in monitoring and evaluation and experience in implementing environmental projects;
- Previous experience with GEF projects is an asset
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in the UN Language French and English,
- A good working knowledge of Portuguese is an asset
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