VACANCY: PROJECT MANAGER/COORDINATOR, CLIMATE CHANGE & DISASTER RESILIENCE MANAGEMENT
ABOUT THE OECS
Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management - Castries, LC
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. Under the Treaty of Basseterre (RTB, 1981) and now The Revised RTB (2010), Member States agree to cooperate with each other and promote unity and solidarity, including participation by Protocol Members in an Economic Union. Read More....
PROJECT SUMMARY
In the countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), large percentages of landscapes are under some form of human-altered land use pattern, while marine ecosystems are also being degraded by human activity. Deforestation from natural and human causes is a major threat to terrestrial ecosystems, causing exposure of soils to erosion, landslides, loss of fertility, and crop yields, which contribute to low incomes and poverty. While natural hazards (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, and hurricanes) have impacted the region’s forests, degradation from human activities such as poor land use and over exploitation, combined with limited conservation practices, exacerbate these threats.
The health of Caribbean marine ecosystems, particularly in the OECS Exclusive Economic Zones, has declined over the years, due mainly to habitat conversion, overexploitation, and pollution from suspended solids and chemicals, and more recently from the effects of climate change. The sources of these threats include increases in exotic invasive species, poorly planned and regulated coastal development, dumping of solid and liquid waste from cruise ships/hotels/resorts, and unsustainable extraction of natural resources (mainly from overfishing in marine ecosystems and sand harvesting for construction). In particular, the sustainability of conch fisheries is under threat.
The Eastern Caribbean Sustainable Terrestrial Marine Ecosystem Project is designed to promote and support effective management and sustainable use of the natural capital of the Eastern Caribbean through sustainable management of its terrestrial ecosystems.
The specific outcomes of the project are expected to be:
Outcome 1: Sustainable land management and climate resilience of terrestrial ecosystems are enhanced.
Outcome 2: Strengthened resilience and capacity of communities for deriving economic benefits from natural ecosystems.
Outcome 3: Healthy Queen Conch populations restored to facilitate a healthy coastal environment.
JOB SUMMARY
The Project Manager/Coordinator shall, under the supervision of the Programme Director (PD) of the Climate and Disaster Resilience (CDR) Unit (within the Environmental Sustainability Division (ESD) be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project activities and the delivery of the outputs, including to manage project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. His/her work will ensure that the project produces the specified results, to the required quality standard, within the specified timeframe and budget as indicated in the project document. He/she shall consult and coordinate with, as necessary, the senior representatives of partner institutions and relevant projects.
KEY DUTIES
- Under the coordination of the PD, manage the project in accordance with the project document, Results Monitoring Framework, Implementation Plan, and its Annexes.
- Assure the quality of the project services and outputs.
- Prepare annual work plans and budgets, manage activities, and monitor spending using guidance from the PD and the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
- Ensure adherence to the project’s work plans and budget.
- Assist in the preparation of revisions of the work plans and budget to be submitted to PSC for approval, as required.
- Monitor progress towards achievement of project objectives and budget implementation, and results in line with the Monitoring Plan, propose adaptive actions to the PD, and apply the resulting insights to the project’s ongoing work in coordination with the PD.
- Prepare project progress reports (bi-monthly) and annual reports, budgets, as well as any other reports requested by the PD and the PSC.
- Ensure coordination with project partners and provide managerial guidance for the preparation of the outputs for which the partners are responsible.
- Oversee compliance of their work with the project's annual work plans, budget, Results Framework, and Monitoring Plan.
- Review and supervise the work of staff, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Prepare terms of reference for subcontractors to be hired for the project.
- Arrange for the timely recruitment and procurement of quality consultancy services, goods, and works.
- Ensure adequate information flow, discussions, and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project.
- Liaise with key project stakeholders and ensure strategic partnerships with the responsible institutions of the beneficiaries at the national and sub-national levels, and coordinate with them for the implementation of the project and the achievement of the expected results.
- Provide technical input to project implementation based on professional background and experience.
- Provide technical guidance to project partners for the preparation of the outputs for which they are responsible.
- Provide specific technical input on the implementation and documentation of project activities.
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, environmental management, natural resources management, water resources management, agricultural engineering, economics, or a related field.
- 5 years of professional experience, including experience managing development projects and at least 3 years of work experience in fields related to the assignment, including agriculture, natural resources management, sustainable land management, marine conservation stakeholders’ consultation, and institutional capacity building.
- A Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification will be an asset.
- Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and ability to lead a team.
- Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
- Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.
- Strong analytical, writing, reporting, and presenting abilities.
- Demonstrated diplomatic and negotiating skills.
- Must be able to demonstrate the ability to make significant technical and management contributions to project implementation.
- Able to coordinate well with diverse individuals and teams and to negotiate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve results.
- Applies principles of ethics, transparency and non-discrimination.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
- Drives with purpose and vision and demonstrates decision quality.
- Communicates effectively and creates an environment of trust.
- Builds effective teams and ensures accountability.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
JOB LOCATION
The OECS Commission is headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia. The position of Project Manager/Coordinator is stationed at the OECS Commission headquarters.
The OECS Commission values workforce diversity and is open to considering eligible applicants of all backgrounds, genders, religions, and sexual orientations.
Strong emphasis will be placed on recruiting nationals from all OECS Member States. The Commission is particularly underrepresented by nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Martin.
Candidates from these Member States are encouraged to apply.
BENEFITS
The position is on a fixed-term establishment. The OECS Commission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, which will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The incumbent will be eligible for membership in the Organisation’s non-contributory Group Health and Life Insurance Scheme.
The deadline for all submissions is Friday, 23rd May 2025.
Only applications under consideration will be acknowledged.
