PROCARIBE+ Environmental/Marine Specialists (Technical Specialist, Environmental)

Functional Responsibilities:

The PROCARIBE+ regional Project Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU) will provide: project management services, communication, knowledge management, support/oversight and direct implementation services for the project’s activities, as well as the geographic and thematic coordination of those project activities that are to be implemented by the different participating countries and/or project Executing Partners (e.g. other UN Agencies and IGO’s, national governments, NGO’s, CSO’s, private companies, as applicable).

For the duration of the Project, the PMCU is also expected to exercise the function of (interim) Secretariat of the regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM).

In the above context, UNOPS seeks to engage technical specialists (Environmental/Marine Practitioners) to support the work of the Project Management and Coordination Unit and the implementation of the Project’s activities.

These positions will be expected to bring in substantive technical expertise on one or several matters of relevance to the PROCARIBE+ Results Framework, the Project Management Function of the PMCU and/or the support function of the OCM Secretariat.

The contract modality (Local ICA or International ICA) and duty station (Cartagena, Colombia or home -based) will be established based on the type of engagement (ongoing/regular position or retainer engagement).

Functional Responsibilities:

Upon the corresponding request(s) from and under the overall supervision/direction of the Project Manager/Regional Coordinator (PM/RC), and in close coordination with the other PMCU staff members and project partners, the PROCARIBE+ Environmental/Marine Specialists’ responsibilities may include:

Technical/Thematic project activities:

• planning, leading, overseeing and/or supporting/undertaking/monitoring/evaluating thematic project activities
• developing the technical elements of the Terms of References (ToRs) for contracts, co-executing agreements and service requests
• supporting the (technical) screening and selection of potential service providers
• providing (technical) advice, exercising (technical) quality control, risk/issue management, and compliance checks, and pursuing/promoting the overall coherence and synergies among the thematic project activities executed by other consultants, contractors and co-executing partners; this may include support for the development, implementation and systematic use of M&E plans and tools
• supporting PMCU team members and consultants/project human resources by providing the technical angle and inputs to their activities and deliverables
• providing the technical angle, inputs and requirements in the definition, fine-tuning and periodic revisions of the project budgets and work plans, project risks and issues assessments and management
• knowledge management

Stakeholder relations:

• liaising with project participants, stakeholders and beneficiaries (e.g. designated officials in the participating countries, other members of the PROCARIBE+ Steering Committee and Partnership(s), UNDP, UNOPS and prospective partners, donors and other stakeholders) on matters of relevance to the PROCARIBE+ initiative, in particular on (technical/thematic)
• preparing, or contributing to the preparation of PROCARIBE+ technical and progress reports, documents, and associated dissemination materials
• preparing, or contributing to the preparation of technical content and advocacy/awareness raising/dissemination materials for all relevant project meetings and/or other events where the project will be presented
• representing the Project at (technical/thematic) meetings, within the region and globally, and present the prepared materials at these events
• identifying opportunities, and actively advocate for, and secure additional stakeholder buy-in and support (incl. financial) for the PROCARIBE+ Project and next iteration of the regional SAP (and associated initiatives, as applicable)
• other outreach, communication and awareness-raising activities

Project management:

• reporting and providing recommendations to the PMCU members, based on (the findings of) his/her work
• when requested, and in coordination with other PMCU staff members, support the PM/RC in:

a) Supporting project management activities, ensuring compliance with UNOPS’ project management standards (UNOPS Project Management Manual) and all applicable GEF, UNDP and UNOPS rules and regulations, and Project Board decisions

b) Mobilization of project inputs, and reviewing and providing feedback on work delivered by project staff, responsible parties, other consultants and sub-contractors

c) when requested, present project deliverables and documents to the Board for their review and approval

The PMCU as Secretariat for the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM):

• when requested by the PROCARIBE+ PM/Director of the OCM, and in coordination with PMCU staff members, support the work of the OCM Secretariat, in:

a) technically supporting the delivery of Project Outputs linked to the mandate and work programme(s) of the regional OCM (e.g. the regional OCM Knowledge Hub; the regional marine data infrastructure blueprint, the regional “State of the Marine Environment and associated socio-Economics (SOMEE)” report, etc:).

b) preparing, supporting and contribute to the documenting of meetings of the Steering Group, Executive Group and Working Groups of the OCM

c) contribute to the preparation of draft work programmes and budgets for the OCM, incorporating (as applicable) recommendations and feedback from the Steering Group and Executive Group;

d) implementing/supporting the implementation of activities as determined in the work programmes of the OCM

e) performing other functions assigned to the OCM Secretariat by the OCM Steering Group or Executive Group

f) preparing/supporting the preparation of performance reports on the execution of the OCM Secretariat functions and present them to the Executive Group and the Steering Group

g) supporting the coordination with other relevant international bodies as may be needed for the effective discharge of the functions of the OCM Secretariat

h) other OCM knowledge management, outreach and communication activities

I) Other Related Duties, As May Additionally Be Requested/required

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Marine Sciences, Marine Governance, Environmental, Natural Resources or Marine Ecosystems Management, Natural Resources Economics, Marine Fisheries, or a similar/related field(s) directly relevant to the project’s scope and objectives
• Complementary training/certification in project management, multi-stakeholder processes and/or other topics of high relevance for the assignment will be positively evaluated
• A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in cases where a combination of academic qualifications and a minimum of 7 years of practical, consistently successful recent work experience relevant to the announced position can be demonstrated

Expertise and practical work experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of successful experience in supporting the implementation or evaluation of technical project activities, environmental consultancies, related advisory, communication and/or knowledge management services, or multi-stakeholder processes, ideally at both national and international levels is required
• Practical experience supporting the activities of complex, multi-year, multi-country sustainable development projects, in particular within the context of the UN system/UNDP/UNOPS and/or the GEF International Waters Focal Area, or similar, will be considered important assets
• Expertise in/sound knowledge of marine/natural resources governance/management, in fields/on topics relevant to this assignment
• Familiarity with the goals and regulations, rules, policies, procedures and practices of international organizations (GEF, UNDP, UNOPS, others…) will be considered an important asset
• Practical work experience covering/in the Wider Caribbean region, in a function(s) relevant to the announced position(s) will be positively considered
• Familiarity with the ongoing regional ocean/marine resources governance processes in the Wider Caribbean region, with the CLME Project/CLME SAP and CLME+ Project, and/or with related global, regional and national-level initiatives will be positively considered
• Prior exposure to and familiarity with diplomacy and protocol, and experience with its practical application in the context of regional or global multi-country processes, will be positively considered

Languages:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required;
• Fluency in/knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of other languages from the region – French, Portuguese, Dutch – would constitute an additional asset.

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Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.