MESCAL Project Manager

IUCN Oceania Regional Office, FijiMangrove EcoSystems for Climate Change and
Livelihood (MESCAL) Project Manager
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position: MESCAL Project Manager
Location: IUCN Oceania Regional Office, Suva, Fiji
Duration: 3 years fixed term
Reporting to: Water & Wetlands Program Coordinator
Background:
Mangrove ecosystems in the Pacific islands have been gradually decreasing in
area, despite the recognition that they provide many products and services
of immeasurable value. They are the first line of defence against many of
the effects of climate change and climate related extreme events. On
average the Pacific has seen a loss of almost 13% of mangroves across the
region over the past fifty years. While species may vary between countries,
the underlying drivers of mangrove degradation are similar according to
regional mangrove managers and specialists in the Pacific.
Given the importance of mangrove ecosystems for local livelihoods and as
natural insurance against climate change, IUCN has developed under its
Pacific Center for Environmental Governance (PCEG), a Pacific Mangrove
Initiative (PMI). The primary goal of the PMI is to increase resilience to
climate change by assisting Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs)
implement sound evidence based policies, plans and practices and targeted
capacity development in mangrove management.
Under this initiative, IUCN has developed the Mangrove EcoSystems for
Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL) project, funded by the German
Government. The primary goal of this €2.3 million project is to increase
resilience to climate change for the people of the Pacific Island countries
through the co-management of mangroves and associated ecosystems in Fiji,
Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga. This is an interdisciplinary
applied research and development project aimed at helping countries invest
in the management of mangroves and associated ecosystems for improved
livelihoods and adaptation to climate change. MESCAL activities will
include demonstration projects, governance, economics, carbon sequestration,
knowledge and information, communication and learning. The Project Manager
will serve as the Head of the Project Management Unit (PMU) located in the
IUCN Oceania Regional Office, Suva, Fiji.
Scope of Responsibilities:
To manage all aspects of project implementation and supervision, including
monitoring of implementation performance and managing and reporting of funds
used to achieve the following project outcomes.
1. Compilation of national baseline information about climate change
scenarios, use and values of mangroves and associated ecosystems
2. Facilitation of co management of mangroves for adaptation to
Climate Change
3. Improved conservation and or restoration of mangroves at selected
demonstration sites
4. Increased awareness, advocacy and capacity development in relation
to the value of mangroves to coastal communities.
Duties:
· Implement the broad MESCAL Project Plan, by facilitating the
implementation of annual workplans for the project and in-country
activities, in collaboration with relevant project partners and National
MESCAL project coordinators.
· In collaboration with Project Management Unit and National
Coordinators, oversee the implementation of the project activities
undertaken in the five participating countries, including ecological and
socio-economic surveys, delivery of training activities, operation of
regional workshops, developing awareness materials and activities.
· Manage performance of all project staff, both within the PMU and
in participating countries, regularly monitor their progress, and at least
annually submit written staff review reports to the ORO Human Resources
officer.
· Identify the need and prepare TOR for specific technical outputs
(consultants) in collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor and National
Coordinators, and oversee the recruitment and management of consultants and
delivery of quality outputs within the specified time.
· Manage MESCAL Project Finances according to the agreed Project
Budget (IUCN-BMU Contract, Schedule 1-Budget) and in accordance with IUCN’s
Finance management system, including producing a 2-monthly expenditure and
revenue summaries and advance payment request stipulated by the German
Government
· Monitor, and regularly report on the progress of the project
against the MESCAL annual plans of implementation, and agreed milestones for
the project and in each country, and identify issues that needs attention by
management.
· Provide six-monthly (brief) and annual (detailed) written reports
on the overall MESCAL project delivery, including by country, covering
issues such as project activities, outputs and outcome delivery, and
staffing, including short term consultants.
· Provide an annual Finance Management Report, plus the next year’s
budget, for the overall MESCAL project and by country, according to the
requirement of the IUCN Oceania Management system and the German Government
under the MESCAL Project Contract.
· Represent MESCAL at relevant local and regional fora.
· Maintain linkages with the other regional and national projects,
dealing with coastal ecosystem and climate change related issues and
identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other
agencies, organizations and donors for extending the project to additional
countries in the region.
· Maintain linkages with , and contribute towards the IUCN Oceania
Regional Office’s Marine and other related Programmes.
Please note: The above TOR contains the main responsibilities and duties of
this position. However in an ever evolving organization such as IUCN, staff
members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be
willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but
which are no part of their regular TOR. Where any task becomes a regular
part of a staff member’s responsibilities, the TOR should be changed in
consultation between the manager, the staff member and the HR Unit. Any one
of the three may initiate the consultation.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Education
Minimum of a postgraduate qualification in the field of natural resource
management, coastal ecology or related field, or an undergraduate degree in
one of these disciplines with extensive relevant experience in the
management of environment, fisheries or coastal zone.
Work Experience
· At least 10 years of relevant project management experience, with
at least five years’ experience in facilitating/managing coastal ecosystem
related projects at national and or regional levels, preferably in the
Pacific.
· Strong knowledge, qualifications and experience in mangrove
ecology would be highly desirable.

Competencies
· Demonstrated strong project planning and project management
experience, including financial management and monitoring and evaluation,
and in formulating and implementing field projects and programmes.
· Ability to exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve
complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
· Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated
ability for report writing and ability to communicate to a wide range of
audiences and cultures.
· Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and networking skills,
including the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish
effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
· Computer skills, incl. internet navigation and various office
applications. A working knowledge of Microsoft Project Planner would be an
advantage.
· Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
· Time management skills.
· Initiative, passion and commitment to making a difference to the
future of Pacific Islands coastal communities.

The salary for this position is in accordance with the IUCN Regional Salary
Range.


APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to email their application (indicating the Position
title), Curriculum Vitae and the names of two referees no later than June
15th 2011 to ulamila.bulamaibau@iucn.org Applications will not be accepted
after the closing date.