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

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. 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 Manager (PM) will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PM will report to the UNDP-CO, in close consultation with the host institution for all of the project’s substantive and administrative issues. From the strategic point of view of the project, the PM will report on a periodic basis to the Project Steering Committee (PSC). Generally, the PM will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the project, under the national execution modality (NEX). He/She will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and project partners, and maintain close collaboration with any donor agencies providing co-financing. The Project Manager will liaise and work closely with all partner institutions to link the project with complementary national programs and initiatives. The PM is accountable to the MoA and the PSC for the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the activities carried out, as well as for the use of funds. The PM will produce Annual Work and Budget Plansto be approved by the PSC at the beginning of each year. These plans will provide the basis for allocating resources to planned activities. The PM will further produce quarterly operational reports and Annual Progress Reports (APR) for submission to the PSC. These reports will summarize the progress made by the project versus the expected results, explain any significant variances, detail the necessary adjustments and be the main reporting mechanism for monitoring project activities. The PM will also be technically supported by contracted national and international service providers. Recruitment of specialist services for the project will be done by the PM, in consultation with the UNDP and the MoA.
 
The Project Steering Committee (PSC):
 
A National Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be convened by the MoA, and will serve as the project’s coordination and decision-making body. The PSC meetings will be chaired by the NPD. It will meet according the necessity, but not less than once in 4 months, to review project progress, approve project work plans and approve major project deliverables. The PSC is responsible for ensuring that the project remains on course to deliver products of the required quality to meet the outcomes defined in the project document.
 
The PSC’s role will include: (i) overseeing project implementation; (ii) approving all project work plans and budgets, at the proposal of the Project Manager (PM), for submission to UNDP Regional Center in Pretoria and GEF Unit in New York; (iii) approving any major changes in project plans or programs; (iv) providing technical input and advice; (v) approving major project deliverables; (vi) ensuring commitment of resources to support project implementation; (vii) arbitrating any conflicts within the project and/or negotiating solutions between the project and any parties beyond the scope of the project; and (ix) overall project evaluation. The PSC may include in its composition, representation of the following stakeholders: MoESD, NPCS, Forestry Service, MoF, MoT, UNDP and the MMPA or MDCF. The PSC representation and terms of reference will be finalized in the Project Inception Workshop (IW).
 
The PSC will be composed of high level representatives of the key ministries related to Protected Areas. It will provide high-level policy guidance and orientation to the project. The representative of the Ministry of Agro Industry and Fisheries will chair the SC. Hence, representatives from the following organizations/entities will form part of the Steering Committee:

• Ministry of Finance and Economic Development;
• Ministry of Agro Industry and Fisheries
• Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit
• Mauritius Wildlife Foundation
• United Nations Development Programme
• Private sector
• NGOs

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)

Reporting to the Head of Environment Unit and accountable to the National Project Director as well as the National Steering Committee, the project manager will be responsible for the following indicative tasks and deliverables:

1. Implementation of Project strategies
2. Management of the Project
3. Coordination of stakeholders and Project Steering Committee
4. Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management
5. Supervision of Project Personnel

1. Ensures implementation of project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document;
• Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with UNDP procedures for nationally executed projects;
• Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
• Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel
• Ensures the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
• Carry regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and the activities of any project site management units.

2. Ensures effective management of the Project assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the Project document achieving the following results:

• Prepare and revise project work and financial plans, as required by UNDP;
• Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, DGA and other oversight agencies;
• Facilitate administrative backstopping to subcontractors and training activities supported by the Project;
• Supervision of Project Assistant by sharing with him/her all information needed to pursue his/her tasks

3. Ensures Coordination of stakeholders and Project Steering Committee focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
• Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
• Report progress of project to the steering committees, and ensure the fulfilment of steering committees directives.
• Coordinate and assists scientific institutions with the initiation and implementation of all field studies and monitoring components of the project

4. Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community based integrated conservation and development projects nationally and internationally;
• Assist community groups, municipalities, NGOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
• Assist and advise the teams responsible for documentaries, TV spots, guidebooks and awareness campaign, field studies, etc

• 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:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• In-depth knowledge on development issues
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills 

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
• Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
• Strong IT skills
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

 Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• 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 external clients and other actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

• A Postgraduate degree in Environmental or Natural Sciences; PhD is desirable but not a requirement
• Post graduate qualification in management/project management is also highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of experience in natural resource planning and management (preferably in the context of protected area planning and management); as well as project/programme management experience;
• Working experience with the project national stakeholder institutions and agencies is desired;
• Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
• Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong computer skills;
• Excellent written communication skills.