Field Coordinator (NPSA9) - Terekeka

Job Description

Background and Organizational Context

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 following a long and protracted civil war. Since then, two significant conflicts broke out (December 2013 and July 2016) plunging the country in a deep economic, social and political crisis which have undermined the development gains achieved since independence and exacerbated the continuing humanitarian crisis. The country is endowed with vast natural resources and economic potential that has not translated into improved standards of living for the citizens. It is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts with rising temperatures and the increasing severity of drought and flood events having major negative impacts on lives and livelihoods. Such impacts compounded food insecurity, conflicts and a macroeconomic crisis. Capacity-constrained institutions and fragile governance in the post-conflict context add to the challenges of climate change adaptation in South Sudan.

The environment and natural resources of South Sudan are the foundation for economic and social development to satisfy important economic, social, cultural and political needs of its peoples. However, climate change coupled with human activities are posing a threat to the quality of environment mostly resulting from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution from agricultural development. Land degradation poses serious threats to food security, water availability, adaptation and mitigation to climate change and the livelihoods of the people of South Sudan.

UNDP, with support from UNEP and GEF, is implementing a project that focuses on priority areas identified within South Sudan’s Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP), namely, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, environment, water resources, policy and institutional frameworks. The primary objective of the project is to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities in two states in South Sudan to the observed and predicted impacts of climate change. This objective will be achieved through a series of complementary interventions that will: i) increase the capacity of the government to implement climate change adaptation interventions; ii) upgrade the national meteorological network and support the production of short-range forecasts; iii) demonstrate the benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) for buffering against climate change impacts, as well as for increasing the provision of ecosystem goods and services; iv) improve access to water for agriculture and livestock; v) foster sustainable, climate-resilient production of crops, fodder and fuelwood to reduce pressures on natural resources; and vi) produce and disseminate knowledge on climate change adaptation to inform evidence-based decision-making in relevant sectors. These interventions are designed to generate sustained benefits beyond the project’s lifetime, with a focus on capacity-building, community ownership, and knowledge generation and dissemination.

Scope of Work

The Field Coordinator (FC) will coordinate, support, and provide technical backstopping in the implementation of project activities in the respective areas. This includes the daily responsibility to manage and coordinate the conduct of activities and delivery of results in accordance with the project document and agreed work plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

Coordinate the implementation of project activities, partners, and consultants ensuring the achievement of project milestones as per the workplan and in the quality expected;
Provide technical advice/guidance to project partners and implementors in areas concerning strategies, planning, management, implementation and evaluation to ensure smooth progress and quality in implementation;
Contribute and advise on the development of frameworks and courses/trainings and business ideas with key stakeholders;
Ensure the operation and sustainability of project activities, capacities, and institutions supported;
Provide technical advisory and policy guidance to states and partners in advancing climate change and environment programmes, including leading and facilitating strategic partnership discussions;

Monitoring and Knowledge Management

Monitor and maintain accurate records of project outputs and impacts, as well as, resilience building, climate change, and environment programmes;
Regularly report on progress, best practices, lessons learned, success stories, beneficiaries’ stories and field observations;
Support and/or conduct studies and researches;

Logistics and Administration

Provide administrative, logistic and liaison support for activity implementation;
Support development of the annual procurement plan for the project;
Support organization of periodic PSC meetings;
Oversee all logistical arrangements for meetings, treks, supervisory missions and training activities;
Prepare minutes of meetings and ensure that all relevant information is disseminated to all stakeholders;

Communication

Support STARR and CO Communication staff in the packaging and dissemination of project information staff and respond to any queries from stakeholders in a timely manner.

Institutional Arrangement

The Field Coordinator (FC) will support the County Administration in Central Equatoria State, local partners and communities. S/he will have a matrix reporting to the Project Manager and the Chief Programme Advisor. The FC will work closely with the Team Leader of the Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (STARR) Unit in the delivery of project activities.

Required skills and competencies

Core competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: agriculture/food security
Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: early warning

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Economics, Climate Finance, Natural Resources Management, Project Management or any other related field from a recognized institution. Bachelor’s degree in a related field in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Advance University/Master’s degree

Experience

Minimum 2 years (Master's degree) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in environment and climate change;

Experience working in a donor-funded project will be an asset.

Required skills

Proven supervisory experience, experience working and teams and engaging and coordinating multiple stakeholders and relevant institutions especially in South Sudan
Experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Strong communication skills (ability to moderate meetings, give presentations and knowledge of at least one local languages)
Good background and understanding of the local environment and social issues surrounding natural resource management in South Sudan, particularly major policies and strategies

Language

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required;
Working knowledge of Arabic.