Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous references and background checks.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) current support to the Government of Mauritius in the energy sector includes several on-going and pipeline projects, which are in line with the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 40% and increase the share of renewable energy to 60% in the national energy mix by 2030.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP.

The UNDP Mauritius Country Office (CO) consists of two distinct units including the Environment Unit and Socio-Economic Development Unit with a diverse portfolio worth USD 65 M including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund (AF), European Union (EU), Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB), E-Health Portfolio and TRAC projects. The Environment Unit manages a portfolio covering various focal areas such as Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Biodiversity, Sustainable Land Management, and Chemicals and Waste. 

The unit will hire a project coordinator for the “Accelerating the Transformational Shift to a Low-Carbon Economy in the Republic of Mauritius” project which is implemented under National Implementation Modality (NIM).

The project is funded by GCF with implementation initiated in 2017. The objective is to overcome identified barriers to low carbon development and support the inclusive deployment of 25MW of PV system on the electrical grid. The implementing partner is the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, the Central Electricity Board, the Outer Island Development Cooperation, and the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator (PC) will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. His/ her responsibilities shall include:

• Overall management of the project, mobilization of all inputs, supervision of staff, consultants, and sub-contractors.
• Reporting to the Head of the Environment Unit and periodic reporting to the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
• Meeting government obligations under the project (NIM modality).
• Liaison with Government, UNDP, UN Agencies, NGOs, project partners, and donor agencies.

Summary of Key Functions

• Strategic project planning, coordination, and implementation,
• Management of the Project,
• Representation and Coordination,
• Management of communication flow,
• Partnership building and donor liaison.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

• Ensures strategic project planning, coordination and implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Provides guidance and manages the overall implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring,
  • Ensures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects including planning processes and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed-upon work plans with the UNDP country office and the participating ministries/organizations,
  • Ensures identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities
  • Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities,
  • Supports capacity building of national counterparts,
  • Oversees project implementation through close monitoring of results. Ensures effective application of RBM tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks,
  • Coordinates and follows through on decentralized local evaluations.
  • Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.
  • Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

• Responsible for effective project management focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Ensures smooth running of the project, builds an effective project team, promotes teamwork and an environment that is conducive to delivering results,
  • Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the project by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations. Continually find ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations.
  • Approves contracts and ATLAS transactions under written delegated authority from the Resident Representative and/or Country Director. Has Atlas manager rights as delegated. Responsible for the management of the project staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary,
  • Ensure timely and regular reporting,

  • Build capacity of the project staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing training/learning programmes.
• Ensures effective management of the three components for proper implementation as per the funding proposal achieving the following:
  • Contribute to preparation and revision of project work and financial plans, as required by UNDP, and support the operational and financial planning processes,
  • Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report, Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GCF and other oversight agencies,
  • Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports, and monitor all project activities, budgets and financial expenditures,
  • Assist in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurances etc. as well as follow up on timely disbursements by UNDP CO,
  • Maintain project correspondence and communication,
  • Assist in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops.

• Responsible for Representation and Coordination in the area focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Able to represent UNDP with UNCT and development partners if needed,
  • Provides strong coordination support to national authorities and other organizations through the establishment of a wider consultation process,
  • Ensures proper coordination and inputs to Interagency initiatives,
  • Maintains collaboration and coordination with the other project managers to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices.

• Promotes communication flow in the project focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Maximizes communication between the various portfolios and ensures that stakeholders (development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies and Government agencies) have one consistent UNDP counterpart,
  • Ensures internal communication and coordination at project level and effective and proactive communication between relevant project units,

  • Monitors the perception of the GCF project at the local level and suggest media activities that position the GCF project more strategically and effectively as a neutral broker for local development,

    Enhances local visibility for the project in development effectiveness,

  • Ensures that local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with Communication Office in the country office.

• Fosters partnership building and donor liaison focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Contributes to the development of the project Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy, including planning tools to implement the strategy,
  • Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the project level through innovative approaches to partnership development,
  • Encourages ways of increasing project funding such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local counterparts and following up with donors on local opportunities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Impact of Results

• The Project Coordinator is the UNDP senior representative in the project. The results of his/her work impact on the standing and reputation of UNDP in the country and with the Green Climate Fund. When requested by the Resident Representative or Country Director, the Project Coordinator represents UNDP in international and national forums, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Coordinator will work under the general supervision of the Head of the Environment Unit (who may delegate a direct supervisory role) in the UNDP MCO for Mauritius and Seychelles; and will collaborate closely with the Project Director for National Implementation Modality (NIM) Projects.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in engineering, Environmental Science, Business Administration or related field is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (Master’s degree) or 7 years (Bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience in the fields related to the assignment, at national is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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