National Project Coordinator

Job Title: *National Project Coordinator (ADAPT4R)*

Duration: 1 Year (with performance-based renewal up to 4 years)

Type of Contract: Third party

Salary : Rs. 1,50,000/- Per Month

Duty Station: New Delhi

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Strengthening Resilience of Vulnerable Communities in Sri Lanka and India to Increased Impact of Climate Change (ADAPT4R) is a five-year project supported by Adaptation Fund (AF) constituted under UNFCCC and executed in India by Ministry of Environment, forest and Climate Change and WFP as Multilateral Implementing Entity. The regional project targets the dry zones in Sri Lanka and drought prone districts on the eastern coast in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The project’s main goal is to strengthen the climate change adaptive capacity and food security of vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka’s dry zone and India’s eastern coastal states, utilizing a regional, integrated approach. Leveraging differentiated skills and experience in the two countries, and using participatory and bottom-up approaches, the project will enable vulnerable groups to use last mile climate services to plan and implement targeted adaptation measures best suited for different livelihoods and localities, supplemented by livelihoods diversification and enhanced linkages to existing financial services. A regional feedback loop will provide valuable real-time lessons for scaling up and out, both within and beyond the two countries.

The project will achieve its goal through the following two objectives:

1. Strengthen access to reliable, timely and targeted last-mile climate services, and develop a system to co-produce, disseminate and scale up tailored Agromet and hydromet advisories

2. Enhance the adaptive capacity of income-poor farming households facing high climate risks, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups, to develop and implement local adaptation plans informed by climate advisories, resulting in improved practices, and diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods
The project will target smallholder farmers in the inland, dry areas of the project localities, and vulnerable groups in both countries including marginalised communities e.g., PVTGs, women- and youth-headed households, and food-insecure households.

JOB PURPOSE AND KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Not all inclusive)

As part of the National Project Management Unit (India), the National Project Co-ordinator technically guided by Head of Climate Change, Resilience and DRR Unit of WFP and reporting to Nodal Officer, MoEFCC, will primarily be responsible for the successful management and implementation of the ADAPT4R project. In the delivery of relevant components of the project, the National Project coordinator, will be expected to work in close collaboration with the National Project Co-ordinator of Sri Lanka, State Project co-ordinators, leads of respective national ministries and state departments in India to ensure effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the project activities to achieve stated outcomes and outputs in accordance with the agreed project document.

The NPC acts as the administrative and executive manager of the Project and with the PMU shall manage the execution of the Project and in adherence to rules, regulations and standards of the Adaptation Fund. Working in close co-ordination with the MOEFCC ADAPT4R nodal officer and overall supervision and technical guidance of WFP, the NPC will perform following roles and responsibilities in close co-ordination with the state governments:

Project Planning and Implementation

• Co-ordinate, support and lead development of project implementation plans, annual plans at the regional, national and state level in consultation with the respective stakeholders.

• Assume responsibility for managing the project budget and ensure that Project funds are made available when needed and are disbursed and accounted for properly in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

• Support state project management units and the state/national governments to prepare annual financial requirements and facilitate funds disbursal.

• Prepare bid documents for project procurements and ToRs for experts/consultants working on the various aspects of the project and support the selection process.

• Be responsible for execution of project activities in accordance with the annual plan, and ensure quality standards are maintained.

Co-ordination and Partnerships

• Facilitate constitution of various national and regional steering committees and organize their periodic meetings for facilitating coherent project implementation.

• Support constitution and organization Technical Advisory Group meeting and ensure technical oversight to the project through regular consultation, preparation of guidelines and material.

• Liaise with various ministries to facilitate alignment and convergence of project activities with the key government schemes of MoEFCC, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Rural Development, Jalashakti, IMD etc.

• Identify partners for potential partnership and collaboration for project strategies such as Agriculture Universities, technology partners, range of agriculture and non-agriculture partners, financing institutions, IT solution providers, training partners through the Government schemes and others to support the project.

• Support in organizing dissemination and advocacy events for cross-learning and sharing within the country and at regional level.
Technical Support and Capacity Strengthening

• Coordinate timely and quality implementation of overall project components providing technical support and ensuring appropriate linkages among the components and among implementing partners.

• Support development of technical program guides, training manuals and other resources for innovative approaches.

• Liaise with technical leads in WFP and other technical expert/TRG to prepare strategies, plans for knowledge sharing, cross-learning, to increase effectiveness of the project.

• Encourage innovation and scale-up throughout the project lifecycle for promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable adaptation approaches.

• Evaluate environmental and social risks and effects throughout the project’s life cycle, appropriate to the project’s nature and size, as well as the possible risks and repercussions.

Project Management, Reporting and Communication

• Monitor the progress of project activities being implemented by State Governments, and implementing partners, provide feedback on their performance and coordinate with the project steering committees to take corrective measures as needed.

• Lead organization of workshops, trainings and technical consultations and ensure timely preparation of reports.

• Organize regular NPMU- SPMU review meetings and support the project staff in performance management.

• Act as a principal representative of the project during review meetings, evaluations (baseline, midterm and end line) and in discussions and, hence, be responsible for preparation of minutes, review and evaluation reports including technical, financial, and field investigation reports.

• Contribute to the periodic project reports including annual project performance reports, financial reports in accordance with AF reporting requirements and quality standards of WFP.

• Supervise and support regular monitoring of project progress, the indicators, results and risks, including social and environmental risks, gender analysis included in the project results framework.

• Coordinate the development and dissemination of awareness raising materials at the various levels in coordination with communication unit.

• Overall responsible for supervision and handling of human resources including State coordinators, and NPMU staff.

• Performing other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or higher level) in environmental studies, environmental sciences, natural resource management, climate sciences, sustainable development, agricultural economics, Agronomy, or closely related field from an institute of repute.

Experience: A minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible work experience is preferred, in Climate resilient and alternative livelihood strategies, substantial experience of on ground implementation of sustainable livelihood options and working at the national/ state level in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO is required. Experience of working on rural financing, understanding community actions and providing training in the related field as well as working on climate change adaptation is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication abilities.

• Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, civil society, academia and NGOs.
• An up-to date understanding climate issues and its impact on resilient livelihoods, various relevant programmes, global frameworks and policies, climate adaptation and resilience strategies, potential use of renewable energy and other technological advances.
• Demonstrated understanding of food and nutrition security and learning ability and good knowledge about climate advisories & agriculture issues, and familiarity with government policies and data sets agriculture and climate.
• Knowledge of Global frameworks and updates in the field of climate change, soil conservation and agronomic/agro-tech practices, and national priorities.
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and other software analytical software.
• Knowledge of UN and the Government system would be an asset.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of supply chain and food security, environment and climate resilience, livelihoods, gender and nutrition experts across India.
• Tact and diplomacy.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi; ability to speak in other Indian languages is a plus.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.
• Very strong communications skills, both in writing and speaking.
• Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action orientation.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an independent but consultative manner.
• Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. A written test will be used as a form of screening. In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide in advance a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/ certificate(s) required for this position.
• This is a national position therefore candidates who are non-Indian nationals will not be considered.
• WFP is committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. WFP adheres to “zero tolerance policies” in the workplace.

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply