Background

The "Mainstreaming Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Prevention, Control, and Management" project is a pivotal intervention undertaken by, the implementing partner, the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries under the National Implementation Modality (NIM) to address one of the most significant threats to native biodiversity and ecosystem integrity in the Republic of Mauritius. Funded through global environmental financing (GEF) mechanisms, the project started implementation in February 2021 and will end in September 2027.

The Project

The objective of the project is to safeguard globally significant biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems through the prevention, control, and management of invasive alien species (IAS) in the Republic of Mauritius. IAS control also has other multiple benefits, including that of curtailing crop wastage in the agricultural sector which impacts food security and sustainability. The Project identifies three impact pathways to achieve this objective:

1. Creating the policy and institutional frameworks needed for effective prevention, control and management of IAS to secure ecosystem goods and services under pressure from IAS. It builds the right enabling environments (policies, institutional coordination) for mainstreaming IAS prevention, control, and management. 
2. Establishing a multi-tier strategy for effective tackling of IAS - The strategy includes improved preventative measures at points of entry into the country and inter-Islands, early detection and rapid response programmes to eradicate new incursions. It also includes improved capacity to upscale proven methodologies for managing IAS on a landscape level. 

Up-to-date information for raising public awareness and enhancing understanding of the centrality of IAS programmes for protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, the economy, and livelihoods. It ensures that knowledge management supports monitoring, assessment and learning and forms the basis for adaptive project implementation, achievement of results, impacts, and upscaling of experiences in the Republic of Mauritius and in the region. This will ensure that the interventions of the project inform and influence the behaviours of a wider IAS constituency.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process following UNDP procedure, with input to the selection process from the Project partners. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer is responsible to assist and support in the implementation of project activities, while ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. He/She will be responsible for the technical implementation of project activities and achieving the results mentioned in the project document. 

Whenever the Project Manager or Project Assistant is absent, the Project Officer is expected to enable the team to function smoothly and deliver expected results. The Project Officer position is intended to assist the project in terms of relevant technical inputs, stakeholder engagement, capacity-building initiatives and communication activities, while aligning activities with UNDP’s environmental sustainability objectives and donor requirements.

Summary of Key Functions

• Provide support for the adoption of gender sensitive policies to manage IAS;
• Provide support for the effective prevention and management of IAS;
• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Support to the project team

 Specific tasks and responsibilities

• Provide support for the adoption of gender sensitive policy, regulatory and institutional framework, and capacity to manage IAS effectively
  • To assist the relevant authorities in terms of technical inputs for the endorsement and implementation of the reviewed National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan (NIASSAP)  and the associated legal amendments
  • To follow up with the relevant authorities to mainstream NIASSAP provisions into the relevant policies and legislation as per the legal amendments proposed
• Support the government in effectively preventing and managing IAS threats based on risks
  • Assist in the development and national implementation of sustainable biosecurity strategies for risk­ based management of priority pathways, species and ecosystems
  • Assist in developing skills for improved biosecurity put in place
  • Assist in implementing IAS control-led ecosystem restoration in high priority sites as chosen under the project
  • Assist in managing IAS threats in Mourouk Valley, Rodrigues, with a focus on the area chosen to be proclaimed as a Nature Reserve
• Ensure Knowledge management and learning
  • Ensure the implementation of knowledge management and learning systems so that management and decision-making by all relevant stakeholders are well informed
  • Contribute to the development of the National IAS Information System to inform effective IAS prevention, control, monitoring, and management, in partnership with key stakeholders
  • Contribute to the implementation of the National IAS Communication and Awareness Strategy
  • Implement participatory project monitoring, evaluation and learning framework
  • Use the Gender strategy to guide project implementation, monitoring and reporting
  • Contribute and participate fully in Monitoring and Evaluation exercises
  • Ensure a regular and systematic risk scanning and update of the project Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP)
• Support the Project Manager and team in the following tasks
  • Coordination with the Project Steering Committee and other stakeholders
  • Provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement
  • Ensures through the supervision of the Project Personnel and service providers, as assigned by Project Manager and UNDP that the various components of the project are implemented
  • Provide support and technical assistance to all project staff, consultants and sub -contractors as and when required through substantive analysis and inputs.
  • Assist in all quarterly, annual reporting and communication exercises

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

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Officer will work under the general supervision of the Project Manager and will collaborate closely with the National Project Director for National Implementation Modality (NIM) Projects.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Sciences, natural sciences, ecosystems management, or related Invasive Alien Species (IAS) management or related field is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields 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 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 at the national or international level in natural resource management, preferably in the context of wildlife conservation, law enforcement and awareness raising is 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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