PAGE National Coordinator

In 2016, Barbados became a partner country in the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a joint initiative of five UN Agencies: UN Environment, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PAGE responds to paragraph 66 of the Rio+20 outcome document "The Future We Want", which calls upon the UN system to support countries interested in pursuing green economy policies. The partnership supports nations and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability to advance the 2030 Agenda to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies. Additionally, PAGE offers a comprehensive and coordinated package of technical assistance and capacity building services.

In Barbados, the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2005-2025 sets out the Government's main development agenda for the 20 year period 2005-2025. Goal four of the NSP is aimed specifically at "Building a Green Economy: Strengthening the physical infrastructure and preserving the environment." Goal four requires the protection, preservation and enhancement of physical infrastructure, environment and scarce resources as Barbados seeks to advance its social and economic development. It also calls for access to adequate water and energy supplies, a good transportation system and the development and maintenance of sound infrastructure.

In 2012, Barbados undertook, with the support of UN Environment, a Green Economy Scoping Study (GESS), which provided several concrete recommendations for the transition to a green economy in the country. The scoping study relied on an inclusive and multi-stakeholder governance mechanism, sector reviews including quantitative and qualitative analysis, a national validation exercise, and a regional knowledge sharing forum. It highlighted five key sectors for the country, namely agriculture, fisheries, housing, transport and tourism.

In February 2017, PAGE undertook its inception mission to Barbados whereby PAGE partners met with ministers and senior officials from Barbados in order to set priorities and design first year activities under PAGE. The mission included meetings among relevant UN agencies, key ministries such as Environment and Drainage; Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development; Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development; Finance and Economic Affairs; and Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade; along with other key stakeholders from business sector, the academia and civil society. The mission reinforced the outcome of supporting Barbados on focus areas for continued efforts towards an inclusive green economy, including (1) undertaking a feasibility study for the establishment of a SIDS-SIDS green economy Knowledge Transfer Platform; (2) developing a policy framework for greening the manufacturing sector to mainstream resource efficiency and promote eco-innovation; (3) conducting a “green and decent” jobs assessment and establish a green skills development support programme; and 4) establishing a set of indicators to support monitoring of green economy policies.

The Coordinator will contribute to the effective implementation of PAGE activities in Barbados by coordinating the delivering of the following agreed outputs as well as outputs in support of the overall coordination and effectiveness of PAGE Barbados. All procurement, contractual and administrative tasks needed for the delivery of the outputs will be carried out directly by the PAGE agencies.

1.  Outcome 1. The inclusion of Inclusive Green Economy goals and targets in National Development Planning

·         Coordinate the stocktaking study for Barbados, as per the terms of reference in Annex 1, in close collaboration with the University of West Indies and UN Environment.

·         Lead validation and dissemination of results from the stocktaking study by producing short communicates, briefings and organizing consultation meetings.

·         Draft a 4-year Logical Framework for PAGE Barbados, based on PAGE Theory of Change (as per Annex 2), a 1-year timeline/work plan for the inception phase (as per Annex 3), and the PAGE Barbados Sustainability Strategy (as per criteria in Annex 4) in close collaboration with the UN Environment, the Ministry of Environment and Drainage, the inter-agency group of PAGE Barbados and the Green Economy Technical Steering Committee.

II. Outcome 2. Analysis and reform of Sectoral and Thematic Policies

·         Liaise with Barbados Statistical Service on implementation of Labour Force Survey Module on “Employment in the Environmental Sector and Green Jobs in Barbados”, feasibility and costing established, in coordination with ILO.

·         Liaise with the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Green industry on the workstream “Greening the value chain in manufacturing industry to mainstream resource efficiency and promote econ-innovation” in coordination with UNIDO.

III. Outcome 3. Institutional and individual Capacity Development

·         Liaise with the University of West Indies on the development of a feasibility study on the establishment of a SIDS-SIDS green economy knowledge transfer platform, in coordination with UNITAR.

IV. Outcome 4. Coordination of PAGE engagement in Barbados

·         Coordinate the development of the Youth Engagement and communications strategy in close collaboration with Barbados’ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Environment and Drainage, ILO and UNDP.

·         Organize a high-level conference to mark completion of PAGE inception phase.

·         Support the organization of an expo innovation contest for capturing stories/case studies/best practices examples on green economy.

·         Prepare _(as needed) PAGE presentations, briefs and inputs for selected meetings, workshops and conferences related to green economy, green growth and the broader agenda of sustainable development in Barbados, convened by national and local stakeholders as well as by international organizations, as needed.

·         Provide (as needed) technical contributions to the terms of reference, selection of consultants for and work plans of other expected PAGE outputs, e.g. those related to assessments on green economy progress and green jobs, as needed.

·         Facilitate regular communication (as needed) among relevant key ministries and ministers including Minister of Environment and Drainage, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister of Labor, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development.

·         Lead communication with Green Economy Technical Steering Committee (GETSC and the Barbados Social Partnership), on behalf of UN partners.

·         Support partner ministries in preparing and submitting project reports under agreements signed by PAGE partners with the ministries, as needed.

·         Have regular communication with PAGE Secretariat and other development partners engaged in inclusive green economy and sustainable development as needed.

·         Provide inputs to PAGE communication team about PAGE activities in Barbados for the global PAGE website and national newspapers and websites

·         Support PAGE communication and outreach at the national level.

·         Any other activities to achieve PAGE objectives in Barbados.

NOTE: Most of the outputs will require more detailed consultations with national stakeholders and with PAGE agencies designated to support the respective outputs. The scope, timing and sequencing of the outputs are therefore subject to change. Here the guidance, technical oversight and quality support by designated officials from the Government of Barbados and the designated official of UNDP office in Barbados and UN Environment are essential, who may jointly adjust the outputs through common agreement with the Coordinator.

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

·         Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity

·         Acting as a team player and facilitating team work, initiative-taking

·         Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

·         Learning and sharing knowledge and encouraging the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing

·         Informed and transparent decision making

Development and Operational Effectiveness

·         Ability to efficiently and effectively manage complex issues with partners of the public and private sectors, including with people of different national and cultural backgrounds

·         Demonstrates good knowledge of Green Economy concepts

·         Demonstrates good  knowledge of the public and private sectors of Barbados

·         Understanding of results frameworks

Knowledge Management and Learning

·         Shares knowledge and experience

·         Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Leadership and Self-Management

·         Demonstrates problem-solving, teamwork and coordination skills and strong ability to manage demanding and complex programmes, focuses on result

·         Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Building Strategic Partnerships

·         Analyses general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives

·         Able to communicate technical concepts to policy practitioners, including senior government officials

Education: Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development, Business Management, Economics, Environmental Sciences or other relevant field

Experience: A minimum of 7 years working experience, with at least three years in project management and public policy in Green Economy related areas such as, but not limited to, energy and resource efficiency, food security, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, waste management, biodiversity conservation, etc. Previous experience of directly working with the Government of Barbados and/or UN agencies is highly desirable.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English. Excellent oral and written communication skills.