Background

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Republic of Suriname lies on the North-Eastern Atlantic coast of South America, bordering with Guyana to the West, French Guyana to the East, and Brazil to the South. It has an area of 163,820 km² and a population of just under 600,000. With more than 15.2 million ha of forest cover (93% of its total area) based on data from 2019(Forestry sector report 2019) , Suriname is one of the most forested countries in the world. Historical annual rates of deforestation below 0.1% have allowed the country to be classified as a High Forest cover, Low Deforestation rate (HFLD) country. Forests landscapes provide a multitude of environmental and social benefits, including income and food security for local communities, national income from logging and mining, and global environmental benefits such as climate mitigation and biodiversity preservation. Suriname ́s forests act as a carbon sink, making it a carbon-negative country (net carbon capture per capita of 3.3 tons). In addition, Surinamese forests provide a variety of ecological goods, including, for example: timber, game, plant material for making household items, firewood, oil from palm fruits, medicinal plants, liana and leaves as thatching material, and sand and gravel for construction purposes, as well as maintaining key ecological services, such as water protection, soil quality and climate regulation.

Suriname’s forests are part of the Amazon biome. At the regional level, Suriname is located within two of WWF's Global 200 eco-regions, which are considered significant for the conservation of global biodiversity and where continuous forest remains intact (Guyana moist forests and Guyana Highlands moist forests). Surinamese forests host significant levels of biodiversity, which can be attributed not only to this significant forest cover, but also to the large variety of habitats, temperatures, and relatively low population pressures to date.  The National Herbarium of Suriname, in collaboration with the National Zoological Collection of Suriname, has identified 715 bird species, 187 moss species, 343 fern species, 318 freshwater fish species, 192 mammal species, 175 reptile species, 102 amphibian species, and 5,100 plant species in Suriname. Approximately 35 to 40% of the plant species and 20% of the animal species are endemic to the Guiana Shield. The IUCN Red List has recorded 83 vulnerable and endangered species in Suriname. To protect this rich biodiversity, important carbon stocks and the many ecosystem services provided by forests, Suriname has already dedicated 13.5% of its total land area to a national protection system to preserve forests and wetlands and is committed to maintaining its HFLD status by expanding protected areas and increasing efforts towards sustainable forest and ecosystem management.

Project context

The project aims to reduce the threats to biodiversity in the Suriname Amazon by securing equitable management of its protected and productive landscapes. Being fully complementary to the ongoing GEF project to improve the environmental management of ASGM, this project targets threats related to ill-planned and illegal forestry and infrastructure, recognizing these as interacting with ASGM. It will do so through integrated approaches that deliver mutually supportive conservation and sustainable livelihood benefits. The project strategy addresses the national scale by strengthening institutional capacities for integrated landscape management and conservation and promoting enabling policies for SFM and nature tourism, among others. Field based project interventions will take place in two target productive landscapes: 1) Saamaka/Matawai landscape; and 2) the Coeroeni/Paroe landscape. The four protected areas targeted by the project include: the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR), the Sipaliwini Nature Reserve (SNR), Brownsberg Nature Park (BNP), and the Brinckheuvel Nature Reserve (BNR) (see Annex 1 for maps and more detailed descriptions of these areas). The implementing partner (GBB  and the responsible partners (LBB, SBB) will contribute to the project objectives with their own funds (co-financing) through the articulation of their strategies and policies for protected areas, forest management and sustainable livelihoods with the activities and outcomes of the project, in collaboration with other public and private agencies. The latter actors will directly contribute to the project with their own funds for activities that contribute to the project objectives in the targeted landscapes and at the national level (HI&T, CI, ACT, WWF, Tropenbos, SFM Group).

The project will be implemented over a period of 60 months and will be coordinated through a project management team located at the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management in Suriname..

Scope of Work 

The project associate Technical and Administrative Monitoring supports the implementation and monitoring of project activities, including field reporting, monitoring and reporting on grant projects. 

Summary of key functions

The Technical and Administrative Monitoring Project Associate (TAMS) will provide high quality technical and administrative support under guidance of the project manager. S/he will work with government, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to coordinate project implementation in line with the objective and outcomes of the ASL2 project funded by the GEF and UNDP supported. 

Improved management of protected landscapes 

• Participates in field missions, including support to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Keep records of project funds and expenditures, including all project-related financial documentation are well maintained and readily available for the Project Manager.
• Maintain project expenditures and ensure that project funds are used in compliance with the Project Document and Government of Suriname financial rules and procedures.
• Prepare FACE forms for submission to UNDP.
• Provide necessary financial information as and when required for project management decisions.
• Provide necessary financial information during project audit(s).
• Support in preparation of annual budgets and prepare project expenditure reports and notify the Project Manager if there are any discrepancies or issues.
• Consolidate financial progress reports submitted by the responsible parties for implementation of project activities;
• Provide logistical and technical assistance in support to training events (including institutional coordination) and assist LBB in monitoring impact of training on target audiences.
• Assist HI&T for the development of grants for SKK, LBS, Fiti A Wan, SHTTC and individual tourism enterprises and monitor their technical performance.
• Provide technical and logistical support to rehabilitation efforts and oversee stakeholder engagement in piloting rehabilitation.

Gender-inclusive participatory management of productive landscapes 

• Provide on-demand logistical and technical assistance to SBB training events (including institutional coordination) and assist SBB in monitoring impact of training on target audience.
• Provide on-demand technical and logistical support to SBB in development of grants and monitor their technical performance.

Policies/incentives for protected and productive landscapes 

• Provide on-demand logistical and technical assistance to LBB and SBB training events (including institutional coordination) and assist in monitoring impact of training on target audiences, including application of UNDP Capacity Scorecard to GBB, SBB and LBB.
•  Support the activities for the development of Coeroeni-Paroe assessment and plan, in coordination with VIDS, ACT and RO.

Knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation 

• Assist the PM in matters related to M&E and knowledge resources management.
• Apply KAP survey to relevant stakeholder groups to measure impact of communication efforts.
•  Assists onthe development and monitor implementation of detailed work plan for monitoring, evaluation, sustainability and scaling for the project.
• Support to development of livelihood action plan and ESMP.
• Support to monitoring of project indicators, stakeholder involvement, gender and ESFM.
• Assist on ensuring the timely measurement of project indicators and make results available for progress reports, PIR and external evaluations.
• Assist in the preparation of project progress reports/PIR.
• Assist on ensuring all project documentation (progress reports, consulting and other technical reports, minutes of meetings, etc.) are properly included in KM system.
• Assist on ensuring project information on Amazon conservation and sustainable development, generated by the project, is systematized and publicly available.
• Provide PMU-related logistical assistance.
• Assist on  grantee selection process, and administrative management of grant contracts and consultancy contracts
• Support  operational management of training and communication events, including travel and workshop venues
• Gather necessary technical and financial information for the preparation of progress reports and PIR
• Elaborate and deliver financial information for progress reports, final reports and external evaluations. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate Technical and Administrative Monitoring (TAMS) reports to the Project Manager. On a day-to-day basis, S/he will work in close coordination with colleagues of the PMU, the Ministry of GBB, SBB and the UNDP Suriname Office, local and international consultants, other responsible partners, Key Ministries of the project.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Academic Education   

• Secondary Education is required. OR
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in international development, sustainable development; natural resource/environmental management, management, economics, or a climate change related field will be given due consideration but it is not a requirement.
• Specialized training in operations and logistics management or procurement would be an asset

Min. years of relevant Work experience  

• A minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience with a Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management is required

Required  skills and competencies             

• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with government agencies, local communities (including Indigenous Peoples and Maroon Tribes), NGOs, and private sector partners to ensure effective project implementation and inclusive participation.
• Experience in designing and applying monitoring frameworks, collecting and analyzing project data, and supporting the measurement of project indicators related to environmental conservation, gender, and social inclusion
• Proven track record of experience in managing project budgets, maintaining financial documentation, preparing expenditure reports, and ensuring compliance with donor and government procedures.
• Experience systematizing project information, preparing clear progress and technical reports, and facilitating knowledge sharing within the project team and with external stakeholders, using both written and digital communication tools.
• Very strong understanding of national and local development planning processes in Suriname
• Knwoledge and awareness of gender equality
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PP, Adobe Creative Cloud; etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems. Experience in using facebook and Twitter; 

Desired additional skills and competencies       

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the Caribbean region desired, specific Suriname 
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in climate change, sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impact, water management, disaster risk reduction and other related sustainable human development issues
• Very strong understanding of national and local development planning processes in Suriname
• Gender Sensitisation 
• High integrity, strong result orientation and drive for excellence and initiative taking. 
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills; with demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PP, Adobe Creative Cloud; etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems. Experience in using facebook and Twitter; 
• Proven ability to work under minimal supervision

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in written and spoken Dutch and English is required 
• Verbal Sranang Tongo is desired

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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