GEF FSP - Expanding coverage and strengthening management effectiveness of the protected area network on the island of Mauritius - Project Assistant (Mauritian National)

The Project Background:
Mauritius, like most oceanic islands, has high levels of floral and faunal endemicity and has suffered high extinction rates caused by a growing human population, habitat destruction and degradation. In order to safeguard the remaining biodiversity, the Government of Mauritius have established a terrestrial protected area network (8027ha). This is supplemented by a number of different types of less secure conservation areas (7,168ha), under varying levels of protection. Under current conditions, the terrestrial protected area network (PAN) is however not effectively safeguarding the country’s unique terrestrial biodiversity. This project seeks to strengthen the systemic, institutional and operational capacity to: (i) identify, prioritize and target gaps in representation that can be filled through protected area expansion, and complementary conservation, efforts on private and state-owned land; (ii) develop regulatory drivers and an incentives framework to support PA expansion, and complementary conservation, efforts on private and state-owned land; (iii) establish and administer a conservation stewardship program to implement PA expansion initiatives on privately owned or managed land; (iv) effectively plan, resource and manage an expanded PAN comprising both private and state protected areas; (v) cost-effectively mitigate the threats to, and pressures on, the unique biodiversity contained within the expanded PAN (notably the spread of invasive alien species); (vi) ensure better integration of the PAN into the country’s socio-economic development priorities, in particular development of the tourism industry, to ensure its long-term financial sustainability; and (vi) respond effectively to the needs of, and meaningfully involve, different stakeholder groups in the ongoing planning and operational management of the expanded PAN.
 
Organisational Context:

The Project Assistant will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. He/She will be responsible for the overall administration of the project. The Project Assistant will report to the Project Manager. Generally, the Project Assistant will be responsible for supporting the Project Manager in meeting government obligations under the project, under the national execution modality (NEX).
Applicants are required to upload their completed P11 forms along with the CV in a single file.  P11 forms are available on the UNDP Mauritius website  (http://un.intnet.mu/undp/html/mauritius/jobs.htm)

Summary of Key Functions:

• Liaison and Project Coordination;
• Project data collection, monitoring and evaluation, reporting;
• Assistance to PAN Project Manager.

1. Liaison and Project Coordination:

• Ensure effective coordination between all the actors in the Steering Committee (SC), in implementation of project activities;
• Ensure collection and disseminating of information pertaining project’s dynamics along the operational management PAN Project Manager – UNDP Environment Officer and SC
• Establish and maintain a permanent and an efficient communication channel with head actors of the SC ;
• Advise all project counterparts on applicable administrative procedures and ensures their proper implementation;
• Maintain project correspondence and communication;
• Receive, screen and distribute correspondence and attach necessary background information;
• Assist in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops;
• Prepare agendas and arrange field visits, appointments and meetings both internal and external related to the project activities and write minutes from the meetings; 

2. Project data collection, monitoring and evaluation, reporting:

• Continuous data collection from PAN for project’s activities/interventions monitoring and evaluation;
• Prepare continuous evaluation reports and submit to the PAN Project Manager
• Collect, register and maintain all information on project activities; 
• Monitor project activities, budgets and financial expenditures; 
• Support the preparations of project work-plans and operational and financial planning processes;
• Maintain project filing system; 
• Follow-up on timely disbursements by UNDP CO; 
• Maintain records over project equipment inventory;
• Assist in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurance, etc. against project budgets and work plans; 

3. Assistance to PAN Project Manager:

• Perform as secretary to meetings led by the PAN Project Manager or Environment Programme Officer with partners and stakeholders and to monitor follow up actions on decisions taken;
• Perform any other cognate duty to be assigned by the PAN Project Manager.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports;
• Assist in procurement and recruitment processes;
• Prepare routine correspondence and memoranda for Project Managers signature;
• Perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including screening and collecting of projects documentation, projects data entering, preparation of revisions, filing, provision of information
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure