Project Manager

The Philippines is located within the Coral Triangle, which is a global centre of marine diversity, with diverse coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove and beach forests, fisheries, invertebrates, seaweeds, and marine mammals. The Philippine waters have been identified as the “center of centers” of marine shorefish biodiversity because there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the country than anywhere in Indonesia and Wallacea. The country has nine marine biodiversity corridors which were identified based on their position as transition areas between the marine biogeographic regions and their strategic importance as gateways for the exchange of propagules and energy.

The primary government response to protect this important biodiversity has been the establishment of marine protected areas or fish sanctuaries as mandated by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and Fisheries Code. At present, there are only 33 MPAs under NIPAS which are government managed and 1,620 under Fisheries Code which are Local Government Unit (LGU) -managed. However, overfishing and illegal fishing, pollution from coastal and commercial development, conversion, extractive industries and many more continue to pose environmental threats to the country’s fragile coastal ecosystem. Despite the number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), both state and LGU-managed, it was assessed that its current spatial coverage of the MPAs was ineffective in improving species habitat to enhance fishery productivity and biodiversity. Similarly, effective MPA management is still hindered by inadequate bio-geographic representation and spatial coverage, insufficient and unpredictable funding levels for the long-term sustainability of MPAs and an MPA system; and weak institutional framework for the identification, establishment and management of a national marine PA system and incoherent policy frameworks, mandates and strategies amongst central and local actors that inhibit the sustainable management of marine resources on a seascape basis.

To address these barriers, the DENR, in partnership with BFAR and several CSOs, will implement a 5-year project entitled “Strengthening the Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas” which aims to strengthen the conservation, protection and management of key marine biodiversity areas in the Philippines.

Hence, to ensure that the objectives under this Project are implemented accordingly, a project management unit will be set-up in BMB. The PMU will be headed by a Project Manager which will oversee the day-to-day operation of the Project.

Under the over-all guidance of the Biodiversity Management Bureau and UNDP-ISD, the Project Manager is expected to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Project and ensure smooth implementation of project activities towards the achievement of expected project outcomes. 

He/She will be expected to supervise staff and manage relationships with project partners and other stakeholders. The Project Manager is expected to prepare periodic work plans and budgets as well as ensure monitoring of project’s progress. He/she is expected to network with various local and national stakeholders and coordinate with donors for updating and reporting purposes.

Summary of Key Functions: Timely and quality substantive inputs project strategies and activities;

• Timely and quality substantive inputs to workplans and budgets;
• Adherence to UNDP/GEF standards and rules;
• Timely monitoring and tracking of project results and finances;
• Relationship with partners and stakeholders;
• Timely organization of events;
• Quality of knowledge and advocacy products.

1. Contribute technically to the development of project strategies in the management of biodiversity in coastal and marine areas

• Provide appropriate technical and managerial support to the BMB in the implementation of the Project;
• Provide technical inputs towards the enhancement of the coastal and marine program of BMB;
• Identify areas for support and intervention related to the project

2. Provide substantive technical support to the implementation and management of the Project

• Provide technical inputs to the annual workplan and budget;
• Lead the implementation of project activities;
• Lead the coordination of the call/request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees, and capacity assessment of Responsible and Collaborating partners;
• Review, coordinate and monitor the submission of Responsible and Collaborating partners financial and progress reports;
• Train Responsible and Collaborating partners on Results Based Management and monitor implementation.

3. Provide technical assistance and capacity development to project partners

• Coordinate and provide technical support in the implementation of project activities;
• Promote and maintain a suitable environment for teamwork among the national Project team, the Project Board/Project Steering Committee members, DENR-BMB, the Site-level Project Board, and UNDP CO;
• Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed

4. Provide technical inputs to the monitoring and reporting of the project

• Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using results based management tools;
• Draft reports on monitoring missions, project results, outputs and outcomes;
• Provide substantive inputs to the preparation of donor and UNDP report. 

5. Provide substantive technical inputs to the management of people and finances of the Project

• Monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/ revisions, as necessary;
• Provide substantive inputs to financial reports;

6. Provide substantive inputs to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies

• Provide substantive inputs to resource mobilization strategies; analyze and maintain information and databases;
• Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches, and donor profiles;
• Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as delegated. 

7. Contribute to inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for Coastal and Marine Program in the Philippines

• Provide substantive technical support to the National Project Director/ISD Programme Manager on inter-agency coordination related activities by drafting background reports and briefs.

8. Provide substantive inputs to advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to coastal and marine program;
• Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management methodologies, and products on coastal and marine environment;

Functional Competencies:   

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 1.2: Preparing information for advocacy

•  Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.2:  Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
•  Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.2: Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 1.2:  Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Develops a database of project profiles.  Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.2: Preparing information for global advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate

Client Orientation

Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in the field of Environmental Science, Biology or Marine Science or related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of combined relevant experience in development work, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management-related projects;
• At least 8 years of which in Program/project management including administration, finance, and supervisory work, preferably in national and/or regional (multi-country) projects and foreign-assisted projects;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and national language of the duty station

Important application information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note:  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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply.  All applications with be treated in the strictest confidence.

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