Project Analyst for the South East Marine Protected Area in Rodrigues

The UNDP GEF Partnerships for Marine Protected Areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues is seeking to employ a Project Analyst to be based on the Island of Rodrigues for the period of 1 year to provide analytical support to the Project Management Unit for the South East Marine Protected Area (SEMPA) – Rodrigues.

The island of Rodrigues (Republic of Mauritius) lies some 650 kilometres east of Mauritius Island in the south western Indian Ocean. The 90km fringing reef surrounding Rodrigues encloses a lagoon of approximately 240 square kilometres. An estimated 40% of the lagoon coral and associated ecosystem is severely impacted by destructive fishing practices, siltation from up stream erosion, and to a lesser degree, pollution from agricultural and sewage run off. Many communities in Rodrigues are dependent on the lagoon, with some 2000 fishers attempting to glean a living from the lagoon, 900 of whom are estimated to be working in the southern sector proposed to be developed as a Marine Protected Area under the project ‘Partnerships for Marine Protected Areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues’. Studies on the marine environment of Rodrigues are still in their nascent stages and there is a need to develop a better understanding of the lagoon bio physical processes and the associated socio economic.

The aims of this project are to:

1. Develop an enabling policy and institutional framework to sustainably co-manage MPAs throughout the Republic of Mauritius

2. Develop and adapt innovative co-management arrangements for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at a representative demonstrative site in Rodrigues.

This project will attempt to develop a co management process with the fisher community providing a sense of ownership and responsibility among the stakeholders for the lagoon and its resources, involving the fishers with the MPA management and planning from the outset.  As part of this process there is a need to reduce the human pressure (number of fishers) on the lagoon while attempting to safeguard and improve the socio economic conditions in the area. 

To achieve this end it is proposed to recruit a Project Analyst to support the Project Management Unit in the management and delivery of the project objectives in line with the national and regional policies and legislation.

The Project Analyst will inter alia:

• In association with the Chief Technical Adviser and UNDP Mauritius Country Office analyse the current status of the project and associated activities so as to identify the areas that need support and provide such support as required to the Project Management Unit (PMU) on a day to day basis.
• Work together with the Project Management Unit and the Chief Technical Adviser to ensure that the necessary training is in place and delivered for the SEMPA staff including where appropriate the PMU and the SEMPA Rangers.
• Assist the PMU with the drafting of Monthly and Quarterly Reports and Quarterly Financial Reports and ensure their timely delivery as required to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the UNDP Country Office.
• Assist with the minuting of meetings, ensuring that meetings are correctly and accurately minuted and that the minutes are circulated in a timely manner.
• Assist as required with the drafting of Terms of Reference of technical assistance and the terms for the purchase of additional equipment.
• Assist with the development of equipment maintenance schedules and ensure that they are implemented for the duration of the project.
• Support the PMU in the continued development of broad based community participation and in the delivery of the project objectives for the management of the SEMPA (Co-management of the area in conjunction with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, the community stakeholders and the other stakeholders such as tourism, agriculture, NGOs etc.
• Assist the PMU in ensuring the effectiveness of the SEMPA Management Board (SEMPA-MB) as a management tool and that there is good communication between the SEMPAMB and the community committees through the community representatives on the Board.
• Provide the PMU with the necessary advice and support for the activities and needs of the various community committees that have been set up to assist with the management of the SEMPA, such as the Community Resource Committees and the Community Advisory Council.
• Provide the necessary advice and support to ensure that the Community Participation Campaign is effective and achieving its targets of ensuring that communities are fully aware of how to participate in the management of the SEMPA and how to communicate with the management unit or the various committees.
• Assist with the development and where appropriate the delivery of necessary training sessions and seminars for staff and community participants as part of the process of achieving co-management of the SEMPA.
• Assist the PMU with the development of monthly, quarterly and annual work plans, project scheduling and the timely implementation of the UNDP GEF/RRA project.
• With the PMU, CTA and UNDP Country Office, assist with the continued project monitoring and evaluation, leading to an established monitoring and evaluation process being in place for the long term management of the SEMPA beyond the life of the UNDP GEF Project.
• Assist the PMU with the preparation of project review reports such as the Project Implementation Report (PIR) and Annual Progress Report (APR), and other project review and assessment criteria such as the Terminal Tripartite review and other technical reports as required.
• Assist where necessary with the coordination and communications between the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the UNDP Country Office and the Project based PMU.
• Assist the CTA and PMU in the preparation of Project Appraisal Report of activities carried out under the project
• Assist the CTA and PMU in the planning, organisation and scheduling of training and seminars, workshops, field monitoring supervision, coordination, progress reporting and liaison
• Assist the PMU and CTA in the development of an Exit Strategy and Plan for the project.

• Sound proven background in the ability to provide support for the implementation of the project through providing the necessary administrative and management support to the PMU based on previous experience of project management, project cycling and delivery of objectives.
• Administrative processes and the ability to prioritise activities within the context of working with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the National Government.
• Concise reporting and clear communications with all associated parties and as part of his/her duties provide monthly report on the developments of the SEMPA with the constraints and proposed solutions for the following month.
• Ability to work with Non Governmental Organisations and community based organisations and to create a cohesive approach to problem solving with such organisations

• A degree or diploma in management studies with proven project management skills working in private or public sector and with a demonstrable interest and commitment to marine conservation and sustainable community development through resource management.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in these fields is desirable.
• A science degree or diploma (preferably marine science) or qualifications and experience in the development and delivery of training will be advantageous.
• Fully IT literate and a good understanding of budget/financial and administrative management are essential.

Other Skills:

• SCUBA diving qualification, experience with community development, good inter personal skills with the ability to listen and communicate effectively orally and in writing is essential.
• The ability to understand the results and recommendations from technical and scientific experts and how to apply them in the context of the SEMPA will be advantageous.
• The candidate must have a sound understanding of the social, economic and political structure of working in Rodrigues.

Languages:   

• Fluency in English Creole and French is essential