Result of Service

Effective implementation, management, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of the GEF Circular Cities Beyond Plastics project, resulting in successful delivery of project activities and strengthened support to participating cities in transitioning to a circular economy and reducing marine plastic pollution.

Work Location

In Office

Expected duration

27 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of global consensus on environmental issues by keeping the environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat is seeking a Project Manager to support the implementation of the GEF-funded Project on reducing marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin American and Caribbean Cities (Circular Cities – Beyond Plastics) through a circular economy approach to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, in line with government and business commitments on addressing marine plastics and plastic pollution. The project is executed by the Cartagena Convention Secretariat on behalf of UNEP in six cities in three countries Colombia, Jamaica and Panama. The project aims to reduce regional marine plastics and plastic pollution by enabling city-level governments and businesses to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, thereby responding to national, regional, and global marine litter and plastics-related action plans, resolutions, and commitments. This consultancy will be implemented with financial support from Circular Cities Beyond Plastics. Scope of Assignment The proposed activities under this assignment include: 1. Participate in the implementation and evaluation of project activities, etc.; monitor and analyze project implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions. 2. Draft, validate and manage the agreements to be signed with partners under the project 3. Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. 4. Provide technical support and assistance to participating cities in their attempts to reduce plastics through the adoption of circular economy approaches 5. Develop city-level monitoring methodology and indicators; support their application in cities 6. Provide substantive support in the organization of consultations and meetings, including the Project Steering Committee Meeting and advancing the draft agendas, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. 7. Represent the project at regional and international meetings and conferences and make presentations on assigned topics/activities. 8. Contribute to capturing the following information on the project- progress, challenges, opportunities and learnings - encountered during implementation. 9. Lead the coordination of activities related to budget and funding, monitoring and reporting (progress reports, monitoring reports, budget revisions, financial statements, annual Project Implementation Report, etc.) 10. Participate in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. 11. Manage the flow of information from the field and coordinate activities related to budget and funding, monitoring and reporting (project preparation and submissions, progress reports, monitoring reports, financial statements, annual Project Implementation Report, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, project budget revisions etc.), following the reporting requirements of the Implementing Agency. 12. Undertake regular reporting to the Executing Agency and Steering Committee(s) on progress, challenges, opportunities and learnings encountered during implementation. 13. Support the management of relevant procurement processes needed at city and regional level, which includes drafting ToRs of consultants and subcontracts, manage relevant procurement processes, including advertising the call for proposals, collecting applications, interviewing candidates, signing and managing contracts, ensure procurement processes are aligned with procurement guidelines/requirement of GEF, UNEP and the relevant local governments if relevant. 14. Organize and convene regular status update calls with Project partners and the Implementing Agency. 15. Work closely with other colleagues, including consultants supporting the Project Management Unit. 16. Perform other duties as required. The consultant responsible for this assignment will report directly to the AMEP Programme Management Officer, Laverne Walker, at the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat monthly regarding the status of deliverables as outlined in the Terms of Reference The onboarding process will be handled by UNOPS, and payment will be remitted subject to the approval of deliverables by UNEP's Cartagena Convention Secretariat.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental/natural resource management, conservation, management, or a related field is required. A first level degree in environmental management or related field (Bachelor’s) in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental or natural resources management, or related area at regional and national level is required. Demonstrated experience in project management and stakeholder coordination is required. Experience working on plastic pollution projects focusing on the circular economy is highly desirable. Experience working with governments, intergovernmental organizations, or UN agencies in the Wider Caribbean Region is desirable. Good project coordination, organisational, and interpersonal skills are desirable. Good understanding of region-specific challenges on waste/plastics management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

No Fee

THE 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.