Regional project coordinator

The UNDP initiated Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness (ERRP) Programme for south Asian region is designed to strengthen the institutional and community level capacity to plan and implement earthquake risk reduction strategies and disaster recovery preparedness in 5 South Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India and Pakistan) exposed to earthquake hazards. It also seeks to support regional cooperation through knowledge sharing and development of best practices in the context of the SAARC Comprehensive Framework on Disaster Management agreed in February 2006. The programme will have two levels of involvement, a) Regional Project, and b) Country level Projects.

The ERRP programme includes five key outputs

1) to conduct earthquake risk, vulnerability and capacity assessment in the project areas to support the Governments and communities;
2) to enhance capacities of government Institutions and communities living in high risk areas to adapt and implement earthquake preparedness planning and safe construction practice using appropriate earthquake resistant construction guidelines;
3) to strengthen the capacity of the Governments in disaster recovery preparedness (at pre disaster stage) to support enhanced recovery operations,
4) to develop capacities of the governments to implement national disaster management framework by supporting locally appropriate solutions for earthquake risk reduction; and,
5) to enhance the knowledge base of disaster stakeholders of countries and region by sharing, exchange and documentation of lessons and best practices for policy feedback and advocacy.
Outputs 1 through 4 will be implemented through nationally executed projects in the five selected countries. Output 5 will be executed through UN OPS. UNDP/BCPR will provide programmatic supervision for the project.
 
The Regional Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the Regional Project of the ERRP Programme and provide regional coordination support for 5 country projects.

Key results expected/Major functional activities

The incumbent should have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the challenges of the disaster risk reduction and post disaster recovery issues with particular focus on South Asian Region.
 
Under the supervision of the Team Leader of UNDP BCPR regional team in Bangkok and in coordination with the Regional Director of UNOPS regional Office in Bangkok, the incumbent will be responsible for overall programmatic and operations management of the Regional Project of ERRP Programme, with particular emphasis on project cycle management, coordination, reporting, technical, administrative functions and systems set up. In doing so, the incumbent will ensure strict adherence to UNDP and UNOPS prevailing rules and regulations as well as standard operating practices. The Regional Project Coordinator will report to UNOPS on all operational matters. The incumbent should have a set of skills including analytical and strategic thinking, interpersonal and communication skills of the highest order; capacity to manage, work with, coordinate and motivate a regional team and, excellent capacity to work with government institutions and regional project partners and country project stakeholders.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

- Lead, manage, and, supervise, the regional project, ensure smooth implementation of the regional project activities.
- Establish an effective administrative and management system to enable programmatic objectives to be met and operational matters to be adhered to; including the preparation/modification of annual work plans, project reports, drafting terms of reference for TA support;
- Initiate regional project activities as per work plan in collaboration with partners.
- Advise country Project Management Board (PMB) on programmatic matters
- Facilitate Technical Assistance for the country level and regional activities in collaboration with project partners. Supervise activities of the regional technical Assistance partners (e.g. ADRC, NGOs, etc.) and consultants.
- Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests for the project and ensure appropriate financial, budgetary and logistics support for the project with the support of UN OPS.
- Monitor project implementation, including setting benchmarks and indicators; and provide monitoring support for the regional and country level projects
- Perform quality control function of the project, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project outputs through a client- satisfaction approach;
- Coordinate and Liaise with country PMB and regional partners (SAARC sec., SAARC centers Donors, UNDP, ADRC, NGOs, etc..) on project implementation, including engaging in technical and substantive dialogue,
- Ensure mid-term project assessment and final evaluations for the regional project,
- Organize Project Steering Committee meeting and Report overall progress project to the Committee members.
- Prepare combined (Country and Regional) Programme progress report and send to UNDP, Donor and other relevant partners
- Ensure adequate visibility and awareness in relation to programme portfolio and support resource mobilization efforts and other duties, as assigned by the UNDP BCPR.

Required skills and competencies

- Advanced University degree in development studies, social, natural science or engineering and applied discipline relevant to disaster reduction and management issues.
- Minimum 8 years experience in project planning, management and capacity development in the areas of disaster risk reduction and post disaster recovery, particularly on earthquake and tsunami hazards.
- Ability to work in a team with staff and project partners from diverse national and cultural backgrounds in a productive and mutually supportive environment.
- Ability to take initiative and work independently with a wide range of UN Country Offices, government authorities and project partners
- Strong leadership, management and communication skills.
- Good computer skills with ability to produce reports without secretarial assistance.
- Flexibility with extensive travel and readiness to leave for missions with short notice.
- Excellent written and spoken English. Working level knowledge on at least one South Asian regional language is desirable.
- Strong knowledge of UN/UNDP policies, programming frameworks and procedures, proven ability to design and facilitate complex development interventions.
- Demonstrated initiative and perseverance, results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

Behavioral Competencies

- Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities.
- Analytical judgment to take the right decisions in cases where no precedence has been set.
- Track record of building and maintaining relationships across functional and geographical divisions.
- Strong sense of team commitment, and the ability to make the sum larger than the individual parts.
- Outstanding communication skills that enable him/her to minimize confusion and maximize understanding.
- Successful service management practice and know-how; and,
- Strong Service and Client Orientation