Background

Mauritius forms part of the Western Indian Ocean Islands, one of the 25 internationally recognized biodiversity ‘hotspots’. The tropical climate, topography and history of isolation, has resulted in the evolution of a diverse biota with a high degree of endemism. Terrestrial biodiversity is forest-dependent. However, much of the extant forest has been lost: land clearance and forest degradation has already impacted more than 90% of Mauritius Island’s land surface. Marine biodiversity is in a better condition, but is also threatened. Extensive reef systems surround all of the islands of the archipelago. Rodrigues, in particular, harbours a large reef expanse, three times the size of the island.

Most of the useable land on the island of Mauritius has been put to production use. In spite of the extensive degradation and transformation that has occurred in many areas, coastal ecosystems and adjacent landscapes still maintain their basic ecological functions. The coastal strip provides prime land for habitation, recreation and tourism, while seascapes provide the basis of food provision though fisheries and also the country’s main touristic attraction—beaches, nautical sports etc. Lagoon habitats are especially important in this regard. They contribute to the overall productivity of coastal waters by supporting a variety of habitats, including salt marshes, seagrasses, and mangroves.

The institutional context of the project covers the mandates of various ministries and institutions. The project is led by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute which is responsible for ocean matters in Mauritius. In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security and the Ministry of Fisheries have various mandates which concern the management of ESAs, the management of terrestrial biodiversity and the management of marine protected areas respectively. As tourism is one of the principal parameters of the project, the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure will be involved. Finally, given that one of the landscapes is found in Rodrigues, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly will also be concerned.

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been approved by the GEF Secretariat to prepare a Full-Size Project Document (FSP) for submission under the GEF-5 STAR to prepare a project on the theme of Mainstreaming biodiversity into the management of the coastal zone in the Republic of Mauritius”. In this context a team of Consultants led by an International expert and assisted by other experts, and the Project Manager is required to prepare the FSP, focusing on all components proposed in the PIF, and expected outcomes to be achieved, as outlined in the approved Project Identification Form (PIF).

The Project Manager (PM), will be recruited based on an open competitive process. He/She 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 UNDP and government obligations under the project, under the Direct execution modality (DEX). 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultants’ team is expected to produce, in a timely manner and in full compliance with the set deadlines, a UNDP-GEF Project Document and a CEO Endorsement document (using the appropriate templates). Coordinating his/her inputs under the guidance of the International Biodiversity Expert, the Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for both the technical and management co-ordination. The Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PM will manage the Project Preparation Grant (PPG), will be fully accountable to the project Steering Committee (SC) for satisfactory execution of the entire project and will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the Project, under the national execution modality. The PM shall perform a liaison role with government, UNDP, and all stakeholders involved with the project. The PM shall work under the supervision of the Head of Environment Unit and the National Project Director and shall report to it for the fulfillment of its duties.

In relation to technical responsibilities, the PM will be expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Review reports prepared by other consultants in the project development team;
  • Review relevant literature including technical reports, feasibility studies, project reviews, etc.;
  • Support Technical definition and capacity needs assessment;
  • Collect baseline data and contribute to the relevant analysis report;
  • Institutional and legal analysis and capacity assessment;
  • Participate in detailing of FSB budget, log frame, and all technical matters as required
  • Provide an assessment of the type and scope of projects that could be undertaken and of the most suitable geographic locations;
  • Prepare and ensure stakeholder analysis and engagement of stakeholders to ensure Co-financing resources for other Stakeholders for the Full Size Project;
  • Compile stakeholder analysis and engagement of stakeholders and prepare the report accordingly to be incorporated in the final document;
  • Institutional arrangements, monitoring and evaluation.
Technical guidance and support pertaining to the GEF modality (project scoping and budgeting, best practices, knowledge management, partnerships etc.) will be provided by the UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor overseeing the project, by the UNDP-GEF Environment Programme Manager, and by the UNDP Office in Mauritius, which will in addition provide operational support for a fast and effective PPG implementation.
 

While working under the leadership of the lead consultant, the Project Manager will also be responsible for the following managerial duties enabling the preparation of the final draft of the FSP by the 5th of June 2015:

  • Supervise and coordinate the delivery of project outputs as per the project document;
  • Prepare and revise project workplan and financial plan, as required by Government and UNDP;
  • Organize and realize field visits including to Rodrigues and Outer Islands, as required;
  • Organize workshops and project events as required;
  • Meet with relevant stakeholders, including Government, private sector, multilateral development banks, UN organizations, non-governmental organizations, local communities, and others
  • Oversee delivery of contracts;
  • Prepare and ensure timely submission of quarterly financial consolidated reports, quarterly consolidated progress reports, PPER, mid-term reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP in accordance with UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules, procedures and instructions;
  • Disseminate project reports to and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders
  • Report progress of project to the Steering Committee;
  • Ensure submission of the project and its review by GEF and revise document according to comments of GEF Council;
  • Undertaking any other activities that may be assigned by the Steering Committee.

The Project Manager shall be responsible for the following, in collaboration with the consultants’ team and stakeholders:

  • Establish well defined communication mechanism among key stakeholders / partners;
  • Establish institutional framework for all non-grant financial mechanism(s);
  • Obtain letter of commitment for all Co-financing;
  • Organize and coordinate stakeholder consultations during technical review: Mobilize and engage stakeholders during project design. Negotiate partnerships with on-going projects to align their activities and the project to build synergies. Document these consultations;
  • Provide assistance to the International Biodiversity Expert and other experts for the finalization of  implementation plan along with institutional structure & manpower plan for project implementation, monitoring and knowledge dissemination;
  • Provide assistance to the International Biodiversity Expert and other experts for the definition of a sustainability ;plan: The sustainability plan will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements, particularly the financing schemes. It will also outline an exit strategy, seeking the continuation of key activities/achievements without the need of long-term international financing;
  • Define management arrangements: The organizational structure governing the project will be decided. This will include identification of the project board and completed arrangements with the relevant national agencies as to who will oversee and manage GEF funds for the non-grant financial mechanism supported under Component #4
  • Organize and coordinate stakeholder consultations for the institutional arrangements, monitoring and evaluation: Involve key agencies in the development of the project strategy to ensure a strong national ownership. In close collaboration with key government representatives and other stakeholders ensure full participation in the development of the project results framework and ensure agreement on the project objectives; and outcomes. Undertake consultations to secure agreement(s) on project implementation arrangements; including roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of lead and partner agencies. Document these consultations
  • Prepare a detailed multi-year budget following the standard template provided in the UNDP-GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy;
  • Explore multilateral and bilateral co-financing opportunities: Undertake series of consultations with partners to ensure a coherent and sustainable financing package for the project including post- GEF grant phase
  • Ensure completion of required official endorsement letters: An official endorsement letter will be prepared by the GEF Operational Focal Point of the Government. A co-financing letter will be collected from participating government institutions, bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners and NGOs who wish to provide cash or in kind contributions to the project;
  • Coordinate stakeholder consultations - PPG activities will include studies and consultations with various stakeholders;
  • Organize and coordinate a validation workshop for the final draft Project Document.

Competencies

 Core 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
  • Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
  • Building and promoting effective teams;
  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
  • Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:     

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda -Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

  • Creates effective advocacy strategies;
  • Performs analysis of situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.
  • Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills proven through successful interactions with all levels of project stakeholder groups, including senior government officials, business executives, private sector and communities
  • Excellent communication skills
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches - Developing new approaches
  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
  • Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Developing tools and mechanisms
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise - In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Ability to lead, manage and motivate teams of international and local consultants to achieve results
  • Ability to effectively coordinate a complex, multi-stakeholder project;
  • Good capacities for strategic thinking and planning;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.
Client Orientation - Contributing to positive outcomes for the client
  • Anticipates client needs;
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
  • Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Minimum Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management, Environment Sciences, Ecology, Economics and related subjects.
Experience
  • Minimum 3 Years’ experience in coordinating Biodiversity projects;
  • Proven extensive experience and technical ability to manage a large project and a good technical knowledge in the fields related to the areas concerned;
  • Experience in project development would be an advantage;
  • Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude;
  • Knowledge of UNDP project implementation procedures, including procurement, disbursements, and reporting and monitoring would be an advantage;
  • IT literate i.e. be able to use MS Office Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as a minimum.
 Language Requirements
  • Fluency in English and French.