The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is seeking a highly motivated Project Manger to lead its Mangrove EcoSystems for Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL) project. This innovative project is based in the IUCN Oceania Regional Office in Suva, Fiji is working in 5 countries in the Pacific. This position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work across the region in addressing ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation to climate change while working to enhance both community and mangrove resilience to threats including climate change. The position is currently available and will operate until the end of 2013.
Background:
Mangrove ecosystems in the Pacific islands have been gradually decreasing in area, despite the recognition that they provide many products and services of immeasurable value. They are the first line of defence against many of the effects of climate change and climate related extreme events. On average the Pacific has seen a loss of almost 13% of mangroves across the region over the past fifty years. While species may vary between countries, the underlying drivers of mangrove degradation are similar according to regional mangrove managers and specialists in the Pacific.
Given the importance of mangrove ecosystems for local livelihoods and as natural insurance against climate change, IUCN has developed under its Pacific Center for Environmental Governance (PCEG), a Pacific Mangrove Initiative (PMI). The primary goal of the PMI is to increase resilience to climate change by assisting Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) implement sound evidence based policies, plans and practices and targeted capacity development in mangrove management.
Under this initiative, IUCN has developed the Mangrove EcoSystems for Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL) project, funded by the German Government. The primary goal of this €2.3 million project is to increase resilience to climate change for the people of the Pacific Island countries through the co-management of mangroves and associated ecosystems in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga. This is an interdisciplinary applied research and development project aimed at helping countries invest in the management of mangroves and associated ecosystems for improved livelihoods and adaptation to climate change. MESCAL project activities will include demonstration sites, governance, economics, carbon sequestration, knowledge and information, communication and learning. The Project Manager will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) located in the IUCN Oceania Regional Office, Suva, Fiji.
Scope of Responsibilities: Reporting to the Water & Wetlands Program Coordinator, the Project Manager will manage all aspects of project implementation and supervision, including monitoring of implementation performance and managing and reporting of funds used to achieve the following project outcomes.
1.Compilation of national baseline information about climate change scenarios, use and values of mangroves and associated ecosystems
2.Facilitation of co management of mangroves for adaptation to Climate Change
3.Improved conservation and or restoration of mangroves at selected demonstration sites
4.Increased awareness, advocacy and capacity development in relation to the value of mangroves to coastal communities.
Duties:
•Implement the MESCAL Project Plan through development and implementation of annual workplans for the project and in-country activities, in collaboration with relevant project partners and National MESCAL project coordinators.
•Oversee the implementation of the project activities undertaken in the five participating countries (with National MESCAL Coordinators), including ecological and socio-economic surveys, delivery of training activities, operation of regional workshops, developing awareness materials and activities.
•Manage performance of all project staff, both within the PMU and in participating countries, regularly monitoring their progress.
•Identify the need and prepare TOR for specific technical outputs (consultants) in collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor and National MESCAL Coordinators, and oversee the recruitment and management of consultants and delivery of quality outputs within the specified time.
•Manage MESCAL Project Finances according to the agreed Project Budget (IUCN-BMU Contract, Schedule 1-Budget) and in accordance with IUCN’s Finance management system, including producing a 2-monthly expenditure and revenue summaries and advance payment request stipulated by the German Government
•Monitor, and regularly report on the progress of the project against the MESCAL annual plans of implementation, and agreed milestones for the project and in each country, and identify issues that needs attention by management.
•Provide six-monthly (brief) and annual (detailed) written reports on the overall MESCAL project delivery, including by country, covering issues such as project activities, outputs and outcome delivery, and staffing, including short term consultants.
•Provide an annual Finance Management Report, plus the next year’s budget, for the overall MESCAL project and by country, according to the requirement of the IUCN Oceania Management system and the German Government under the MESCAL Project Contract.
•Represent MESCAL at relevant local and regional fora.
•Maintain linkages with the other regional and national projects, dealing with coastal ecosystem and climate change related issues and identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other agencies, organizations and donors for extending the project to additional countries in the region.
•Maintain linkages with , and contribute towards the IUCN Oceania Regional Office’s Marine and other related Programmes
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Education
•Minimum of a postgraduate qualification in the field of natural resource management, coastal ecology or related field, or an undergraduate degree in one of these disciplines with extensive relevant experience in the management of environment, fisheries or coastal zone.
Work Experience
•At least 10 years of relevant project management experience, with at least five years’ experience in facilitating/managing coastal ecosystem related projects at national and or regional levels, preferably in the Pacific.
•Strong knowledge, qualifications and experience in mangrove ecology would be highly desirable.
Competencies
•Demonstrated strong project planning and project management experience, including financial management and monitoring and evaluation, and in formulating and implementing field projects and programmes.
•Ability to exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
•Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated ability for report writing and ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and cultures.
•Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish effective working relationships with all partners and stakeholders.
•Computer skills, incl. various office applications and a working knowledge of Microsoft Project Planner would be an advantage.
•Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
•Working knowledge of advocacy and communications in a development context (relevant Pacific experience desirable).
The salary for this position is in accordance with the IUCN Regional Salary Range.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to email their application (indicating the Position title), Curriculum Vitae and the names of two referees no later than September 30th 2011 to ulamila.bulamaibau@iucn.org
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.
