CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT

DETAILS OF THE POST OF
PROJECT COORDINATOR
CARIBBEAN HUB CAPACITY BUILDING RELATED TO IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS IN AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND
PACIFIC COUNTRIES

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified nationals of African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP) to fill the above mentioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station in Guyana.

BACKGROUND

The European Commission is supporting African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in strengthening the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the national, sub-regional and regional levels through a 4-year Programme that addresses a number of critical environmental issues. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the overall coordinator and facilitator of the Programme, which is divided into two components:

Component 1 aims for the implementation of MEAs through three regional hubs in the respective regions.

Component 2 aims to implement specific MEAs through four Executing Agencies (UNEP Risoe Centre, SAICM Secretariat, UNCCD-GM and FAO). The CARICOM Secretariat will serve as the Caribbean Regional Hub of the Action.

The overall objective of the Caribbean Hub is to strengthen and enhance the capacity of Caribbean ACP countries to effectively implement and comply with MEAs and related commitments thereby resulting in sound management of their environment and natural resources. This will facilitate Caribbean countries to address development challenges associated with the adverse effects of climate change, loss of biodiversity, drought, land degradation, waste management and other threats to the environment. The implementation of the Action will contribute to the implementation of strategies for sustainable development, increasing the prosperity of the region and reducing poverty and improving peoples’ livelihoods.

The specific objective of the Caribbean Hub is to strengthen the implementation of MEAs at the national and regional levels in Caribbean ACP countries through the enhancement of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat as an environmental hub for the Caribbean countries. The Caribbean Hub will in turn deliver quality capacity-building services to Caribbean ACP countries, such as project writing skills, negotiation and lobbying skills, legislative drafting, information management and exchange.
3. FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Responsible for the designing and planning of the Caribbean Hub component of the Action for Capacity-Building related to the MEAs; assisting Caribbean ACP countries in addressing their capacity needs in the implementation of MEAs; positioning CARICOM as the focal point and contact with UNEP and other Regional Hubs, Executing Agencies, and partners; and monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the work programme

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates should possess at least the following:

(i) A Postgraduate Degree in Environmental Law, Environmental Management, Natural Resources Economics, and/or Policy or a related discipline plus 5 years post qualification experience, at least 3 of which should be relevant experience at the middle to senior management level in the stipulated area of work, including the promotion and implementation of effective environment policies.

OR

(ii) A Bachelors Degree in Environmental Law, Environmental Management. Natural Resources Economics, and/or Policy or a related discipline; plus 8 years post qualification experience, at least 5 of which should be relevant experience at the middle to senior management level in the stipulated area of work, including the promotion and implementation of effective environment and natural resources policies.

Candidates should also possess:

(i) A working knowledge of environmental law, planning, natural resources management and natural resources conservation;
(ii) Knowledge and an understanding of environmental and natural resources issues in the Caribbean region;
(iii) Experience in Project design, management and implementation
(iv) Computer proficiency in MS Office Suite and MS Project
(v) Strong communications competencies including written and oral presentation skills; and
(vi) Sound interpersonal skills

5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Director, Sustainable Development, the Project Coordinator, will be required to:

a) PROVIDE support to ensure that the Caribbean hub is functional and integrated into the relevant institutional processes;

b) FACILITATE the strengthening of institutional arrangements for regional collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of MEAs in the Caribbean ACP countries;

c) ASSIST in the development of a framework to assist Caribbean ACP countries to take advantages of available opportunities in the implementation of the ACP EU MEA project;

d) LIAISE with relevant stakeholders in the region and extra-regionally, as appropriate, to foster collaboration on research and development, information and knowledge sharing and to support the successful implementation of the ACP EU MEA Project;

e) DEVELOP partnerships with regional and international institutions to address the relevant MEAs and network with environment professionals in support of the initiatives of the ACP EU MEA Project;

f) PROVIDE technical support and policy advice on matters pertaining to the implementation of MEAs in Caribbean ACP countries;

g) ASSIST with the requisite information to improve implementation decisions;

h) ASSIST in the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the implementation of the Action in the Caribbean ACP countries;

i) ENSURE that adequate arrangements are in place for the continuity of the operations after the end of the programme;

j) SUPERVISE the work of a Project Assistant;

k) REPRESENT the Secretariat in the implementation of the Action; and

l) UNDERTAKE any other duties that may be assigned from time to time in furtherance of the aims and objectives relating to the Action.

6. EXPECTED RESULTS

The Expected Results of the Project are:

Result 1: Needs prioritization - An inventory of existing MEA-related governance frameworks will be undertaken to identify capacity gaps and needs toward assisting Caribbean ACP countries in meeting and sustaining compliance with MEAs. The outcomes from the needs prioritization will define the scope and nature of the specific project activities of the Caribbean.

Result 2: Negotiation Training - This shall involve the provision of both formal training courses and regional and national training skills workshops on the entire multilateral environmental negotiation process. This will include (i) preparations for and conduct during the negotiations as well as follow up implementation of the outcome of negotiations; (ii) Guidance and training in the development and drafting of national position papers. The Caribbean Hub will also provide training and advisory services and support the review, development and/or strengthening and harmonization of national legislation, regulatory and administrative frameworks and policies as well as institutional arrangements for the implementation of MEAs.

Result 3: Improved knowledge management systems for exchange and utilization of data on natural resources - This activity will improve information management and utilization, including centralized coordination of information related to MEAs, as well as facilitate exchange of relevant information and case studies on best practices and lessons learnt relating to MEAs implementation and capacity building activities.

Result 4: Improved capacity to mainstream MEAs into development plans and strategies - The activity will facilitate the mainstreaming of MEAs into PRSPs and national and regional policies and strategies.

Result 5: Increased public awareness, access to information and knowledge of MEAs.

Result 6: Integrating the Caribbean Hub into the region - Strengthening the capacity of institutions as well as those of national MEA focal points particularly to develop and negotiate appropriate mandates and modus operandi as well as appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks will be one of the key priorities of the project.

7. EMOLUMENTS AND BENEFITS

An attractive remuneration package will be offered.

8. RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT

Appointment with the Caribbean Community Secretariat will be on contract for twenty-four (24) months and may be renewable based on satisfactory completion of services. It will be subject to such regulations, rules, orders and instructions as exist and as may be introduced from time to time in respect of service with the Project.

An officer recruited from outside the duty station, on first appointment, will be provided with economy class air passage by the most direct route.

In addition to passages, the officer will be granted the following:

(i) ocean freight charges, including insurance, for shipping personal and household effects to Guyana, not exceeding 600 cubic feet;

(ii) cost of transporting baggage, personal and household effects from the home of the officer to the place of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation to the place of residence in Guyana; and

(iii) cost of packing and crating personal and household effects.

A settlement grant will also be paid to an officer recruited from outside the assigned duty station on assumption of duty in Guyana.

9. LEAVE

The officer will be eligible for the grant of vacation leave at the rate of twenty-one working days a year and fourteen days sick leave a year. All leave earned to be taken within the period of contract.

10. PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

The officer will be granted the privileges and immunities extended to officials of the Caribbean Community in accordance with Article 9 of the Community’s Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Guyana.

11. GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Subject to acceptance by the Secretariat’s insurance carrier, the Sagicor Life Inc, the officer is required to participate in the Secretariat’s group health and group life and accident insurance scheme, paying the full premium in each case by monthly deductions from his/her emoluments.

12. APPLICATIONS

Applications in English, with full curriculum vitae details, including nationality, date of birth, work experience, educational qualifications, summary of professional skills and/or expertise, language proficiency, list of professional publications, three referees (at least two of whom must be familiar with the applicant’s work), and other relevant information, should be sent to the:

Adviser, Human Resource Management,
Caribbean Community Secretariat,
Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown,
GUYANA
and sent by email to applnhrm@caricom.org

13. The Secretariat will commence considering applications from 15 July 2009.