Background

The Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) are those areas of the oceans outside sovereignty of any State, thereby encompassing the high seas and the area. In ABNJ no State enjoys the sole responsibility for, among others, the conservation of marine biodiversity and such responsibility is therefore being shared by all States in the international community in the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and with the support of relevant International Frameworks and Bodies (IFBs). 

With ABNJ encompassing approximately 95% of the oceans’ volume, it harbors intricate ecosystems that offer vast ecosystem services from provisioning and regulating to cultural and support functions. Given the Philippines geographical location, it is strategically one of the nations that can contribute to the protection and conservation of ABNJ. 

Hence, the objective of this grant is to support the Philippines in: (a) assessing the extent to which their current legal, policy and institutional framework allows for promptly becoming parties to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and enables their implementation of  the Agreement; (b) carrying out preparatory work in the context of their ratification, approval, acceptance or accession process towards becoming parties to the BBNJ Agreement; and (c) supporting their readiness to implement the BBNJ Agreement. There are two main components to achieving the above objective: 

Component 1: Creating the enabling conditions for the Agreement’s swift entry into force and initial implementation. The Project will strengthen the Philippines’ capacity and readiness towards the ratification and implementation of the Agreement.  

Component 2: Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. This will facilitate the design and operationalization of a gender-sensitive M&E system.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will work under the immediate supervision of and directly report to the Programme Analyst of the Climate Action Programme Team. S/he will work closely with the PMU and UNDP Country Office teams. 

The Project Coordinator facilitates day-to-day operations of the project, ensuring the timely delivery of outputs and compliance to UNDP policies and procedures. As member of the PMU, the specific functions of the Project Coordinator are as follows:

A. Ensure Project Management and Coordination

1. Ensure development and monitoring of project work plans, timelines, and budgets. Track progress against planned activities and milestones, proactively identifying potential delays or challenges.
2. Organize project meetings, workshops, seminars, and other events, including logistical arrangements, participant communications, and preparation of meeting materials.
3. Serve as a central point of contact for project communications, disseminating information to project team members, partners, and stakeholders.
4. Support communication and collaboration with government agencies, regional organizations, NGOs, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
5. Support Processing and Compliance in Procurement, Travel, and HR Requirements
   1. Support vendor set-up in Quantum
   2. Prepare various documents related to the procurement of goods and service.
   3. Responsible for the monitoring of purchase orders
   4. Processes travel requests and travel claims in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures
   5. Maintain up-to-date personnel files, employment contracts, contracts of contractors and systematically and periodically report to the head of the PMU on the necessary follow-up actions.

B. Provide technical support to Specialists

1. Conduct stock taking of literature and gather relevant information to support the work of the Policy and Legal Specialist and Coastal and Marine Specialist.
2. Contribute to the preparation of project documents, including policy briefs, legal analyses, scientific reports, presentations, and UNDP compliance reports (e.g., SES Plan, Community Health and Safety Plan).
3. Assist in the collection, organization, and analysis of data related to marine biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable resource management.

C. Establish strategic partnerships 

1. Contribute to stakeholder mapping to facilitate the development of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
2. Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned project.
3. Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies. 
4. Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners. 
5.  Support resource mobilization efforts and project development. 

D. Compliance, monitoring and quality assurance 

1. Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites. 
2. Liaise with the Finance team to ensure compliance, administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations. 
3. Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.

E. Facilitate knowledge management 

1. Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.

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

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:

Business Development    

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.

Business Management    

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. 
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect cleanse transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information informing conclusions and supporting decision making

Administration & Operations    

• Events management: Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field of expertise such as Coastal and Marine Resources Management, Sustainable Development, and other Environmentally related disciplines is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in development work, including previous management experience, preferably with extended specialized experience in any of the GEF focal areas at the national level.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Proficiency in software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• At least 3 years of cumulative experience in administrative and finance work, such as preparing written reports, project budgets, and work plans.
• At least 3 years of cumulative experience working with international non-government organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors, local government units, and national government agencies.
• Prior experience working with the UN System/UNDP on environmental projects, particularly those financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Filipino are required.

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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