National Project Coordinator

Result of ServiceThe Consultant is expected to support and coordinate the completion of the tasks pertaining to the Functional Description 4 (work plan). Effective and timely project implementation and achievement of the planned results (i.e. overall project coordination from engagement of project partners, management, guidance and technical inputs to generated project deliverables, project reporting, as well as liaison with the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation and promotion). In the National Project Coordinator role, the consultant will work closely with various project partners to maintain a thorough understanding of project dynamics and knowledge products, events, documents and deliverables, as well as identifying the most important and key deliverables, as well as a knowledge of the project vision and goals. The consultant is also expected to monitor trends in the country, other similar projects, government and donor initiatives and stay well-informed of related developments to ensure the timeliness of the content produced for a successful project communications management. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration12 months part time Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects. The consultant will be engaged for the purposes of the GEF7 project implemented in North Macedonia titled “Biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and sustainable tourism development in North Macedonia” (https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/10676), executed with support from UNEP Vienna Programme Office. The main goal of the project is to reduce the effects of land degradation and land use pressures on natural resources in the mountain landscapes and, to support national and local stakeholders in the Shar Mountains of North Macedonia to develop and apply an Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) approach and thereby demonstrate in a pilot landscape the achievement of land degradation neutrality and biodiversity objectives in synergy with more secure and sustainable local livelihoods i.e. demonstrate the benefits of achieving synergies between biodiversity, SLM (Sustainable Land Management), SFM (Sustainable Forest Management) and rural development efforts, preserving the land resource base by ensuring no net loss of healthy and productive land, and learn the lessons crucial for scaling up such approaches nationally. To achieve this objective, the Project will support activities through the implementation of the following two components: • Practical application of integrated landscape approach to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and Biological Diversity (BD) targets in the pilot area of the Shar Mountains and dependent ecosystems service area (peripheral productive landscape); and • Support to national level the adoption and upscaling of Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) and related Land Degradation (LD) and BD best practices. The project will build on and strengthen, the existing thematic initiatives within the national land degradation and biodiversity focal areas, in particular the existing baseline efforts in the completed GEF5 BD and ongoing GEF6 SLM projects (UNEP), and the Development of Environmental Monitoring and Information System project (EU DEMIS project) – see the baseline, but adding to the extent and sustainability of impacts through their better integration and synergistic application at a landscape scale. The practical experience gained on the ground will provide important legal, institutional baselines, capacity and awareness building at the central level for issues related to LD specifically, and practical experience and lessons learned from the field of some forestry and arable land SLM practices. The proposed Shar Mountain multifocal project will use and build on the experience through the introduction of a more holistic integrated landscape approach that seeks to maximize benefits from synergies between LDN, BD and sustainable rural development efforts. Within this context, UNEP is looking to bring on board a consultant in the role of the National Project Coordinator, who under the supervision and overall guidance of the Head of UNEP – SCC Vienna Office, will be responsible to effectively support the implementation of services in the frame of the GEF funded project in North Macedonia. The selected consultant will be required to support UNEP Project Management Unit and other team members in the effective and timely implementation of the project and achievement of all planned results i.e. the overall project coordination, from engagement of project partners, management, supervision, guidance and technical inputs to generated project deliverables, project reporting, as well as liaison with MOEPP and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation and promotion. Specific tasks and responsibilities: - Work as a team member of the PMU and with all project partners to coordinate and implement all aspects of day-to-day work of project activities, ensuring alignment with the relevant Project Document, - Registration and due diligence process for project partners, - Registration of the GEF7 project and the GEF “Early Action Support for North Macedonia” project within the Ministry of European Affairs (i.e. Central Donor Assistance Database) and VAT exemption from Public Revenue Office (PRO), and facilitate the establishment of the Project Steering Committees for both projects, - Development of Terms of Reference (TOR) for specific project activities and drafting of corresponding agreements with project partners, - Oversee the coordination of project engaged consultants and experts to meet project objectives, while maintaining and ensuring technical soundness in implementation, - Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document, - Review and provide technical input of the project deliverables of the two project components, - Participate frequently and actively support the coordination and implementation of project activities during field work, - Coordinate and put systems in place for the timely and accurate technical, progress and financial reporting to the project management team from all project partners, sub-contractors and consultants, - Prepare and submit project progress reports, including expenditure, co-finance, and non-expendable equipment reports, as required by UNEP and the donor, - Prepare and submit the inception report, project implementation reports, quarterly financial reports, technical reports, and any other documentation as required by UNEP, the donor, or the beneficiary, - Provide regular updates on project progress, emerging issues, risks, and propose corrective actions, when necessary, - Contribute to the development of knowledge management products in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MOEPP), municipalities, and other stakeholders, - Ensure technical coherence and complementarity of project activities through regular coordination and quality assurance of expert inputs, - Liaise with government institutions, targeted municipalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders on the project’s behalf, - Active involvement and UNEP representation in UN RCO activities in North Macedonia, - Prepare materials and organize, in coordination with MOEPP and UNEP team, the GEF7 Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and technical meetings, including minutes and follow-up documentation and communication, - Contribute to the development of new project proposals, particularly for GEF8 projects, including transboundary BD projects, and LD projects in North Macedonia, - Facilitate mid-term and terminal evaluations for relevant project, ensuring the timely submission of evaluation reports, - When needed, promote the project and its components in relevant media, - Other managerial and technical activities pertaining to the project implementation. Qualifications/special skillsA first-level degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in environmental/natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, legal sciences or a related field is required. At least four years of experience in cross-cultural project design and implementation, with a proven track record of achieving results, in particular concerning natural resources management, environmental information management, capacity development etc. is required. Prior UN projects management experience, and particularly UN/GEF project experience and knowledge of UN and GEF procedures and guidelines is desirable. Familiarity and understanding of sustainable development, including financial and institutional sustainability, is desirable. Working experience in academic or governmental institutions is an asset. Proof of successful accomplishment of contract/s of similar nature is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Macedonian is required. In addition, knowledge of Albanian and/or other languages in the project target region is considered an asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.