Chief Technical Advisor - L5

Vacancy Code: VA/2009/EUO/IW/CTA/12-03

Position status:Non-rotational

Org Unit: International Waters, EUO

Duty Station: Astana, Kazakhstan

Duration: One year renewable for duration of project based on performance

Qualifications and  Requirements:

• Supervise and coordinate the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
• Provide managerial leadership of the CaspEco project - both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project, the PMCU, its staff located in five countries, its budget and its imprest fund.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
• Prepare annual work plans and implementation of project activities in full consultation with the SC and the Tehran Convention Interim Secretariat. The work plan will provide guidance on the day-to-day implementation of the project document noting the need for overall coordination with other projects and
on the integration of the various donor funded parallel initiatives.
• Catalyze the adaptive management of CaspEco by actively monitoring progress towards achievement of project objectives vis-a-vis the agreed progress indicators and applying the resulting insights to the project’s ongoing work; Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan,
if required;
• Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;
• Prepare GEF quarterly project progress reports and annual Project Implementation Reports (PIR), as well as any other reports requested by the UNOPS, UNDP and GEF;
• Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan;
• Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions;
• Assume overall responsibility for the meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
• Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;

Technical Input:

• Provide critical and significant environmental/natural resource-related technical input to project implementation based upon professional background and experience. This technical input to be agreed and detailed at project inception.
• Provide overall technical guidance and consistency of vision for project’s ecosystem-based management approach as manifested through the development of related sub-contracting documents;
• Effectively and efficiently implement the project activities towards full achievement of its stated objectives and for all substantive, managerial and financial reports from the Project.Engage in a constructive dialogue with the NFPs and project partners worldwide to maximize consistency and synergy between the various project components.
• Provide technical input to and be responsible for preparation of the development of Terms of Reference for consultants and contractors.
• Arrange for the timely recruitment and procurement of quality services and equipment and for implementation of project activities of in accord with applicable rules, regulation and standards;
• Foster and establish technical best-practice links with other related Caspian initiatives and, where appropriate, with other regional International Waters programmes.
• Interact on a technical, substantive level with the Tehran Convention Interim Secretariat and its Subsidiary Body in order to maximize sustainability of project-inspired outcomes under the long-term umbrella of the TCIS.
• Catalyze the development private sector partnerships for complementary technical activities and to improve sustainability of project-inspired actions.
• Provide overall technical guidance to maintain and develop the project web-site seeking and incorporating data and information from all project partners;
• Provide overall technical guidance to development of web-based Caspian Information Center and the PMCU’s Technical Documents Unit;
• Represent the project at the Steering Committee meetings, technical meetings and other appropriate regional and global fora.

Required Selection Criteria:

• Advanced University Degree in environmental management or a directly related field, e.g. applied marine science, natural resources economics;
• At least ten (10) years experience in fields related to the assignment including 6 years of experience at a senior project management level.
• Proof records of successful project management in developing countries
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to make significant technical and management contributions to project implementation under both Components 1 and 2.
• Demonstrated diplomatic and negotiating skills; familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the GEF and partners UNDP, UNEP, WB;
• Excellent knowledge of English;
• Familiarity with the region and with Caspian coastal countries,
• Knowledge of Russian language is an asset.

Application Deadline:

Other Useful Information:

Additional Considerations: