Overview

Within the framework of the Declaration for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Pantanal of 2018 celebrated by Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, regional collaborative actions are being implemented within the framework of the upper basin of the Paraguay River that include a GEF international waters project which aims to “Promote water security by strengthening transboundary water governance, sustainable development, balancing multiple uses and promoting integrated management of the Pantanal - Upper Paraguay River Basin for the social and economic well-being of the population and for the conservation of the freshwater ecosystem, its services, its biodiversity and connectivity”.

The GEF Project is implemented by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the three countries and WWF.

To lead this transboundary project, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Regional Project Coordinator.

Major Function: 

The Regional Project Coordinator is a core position located within the Project Coordination Unit (PCU). In order to optimize the use of project resources while providing the right skills set to the project, the responsibilities of the Regional Project Coordinator and Technical Advisor are a mix of technical and managerial ones consolidated into one position.

Overall, the Regional Project Coordinator and Technical Advisor in its project management capacity will be responsible for project execution, must oversee that every activity is executed, in accordance with the required terms of quality, deadline completion and budget execution of the project, and will lead the delivery of the project’s expected results. 

This position is open to remote work; however, the candidates main place of work is Campo Grande Brazil, and work out of the governments’ offices dedicated to this purpose. This position also requires occasional travel to Paraguay and Bolivia and other locations. 

Key responsibilities:

The Regional Project Coordinator and Technical Advisor will report to the Executing Agency (EA) and to the Project Steering Committee (PSC). Specifically, the Regional Project Coordinator will be responsible for:

Administrative/managerial responsibilities

• Directly supervising the day-to-day work of the PCU through a team consisting of national technical assistants (Bolivia and Paraguay) national coordinator (Brazil) and administrative staff.
• Supervising the technical and management activities of the project and ensuring the quality of the outputs and reporting.
• Coordinate the selection of consultants for undertaking the proposed work and providing orientation to the work of the consultants for the preparation of technical products.
• Providing annual workplans, budgets, and periodic reports on progress of technical activities to the Project Steering Committee and other project oversight bodies.
• Providing the secretariat functions for the Project Steering Committee.
• Coordinating the reporting activities to the Implementing Agencies (UNEP and IDB), the Executing Agency, and ensuring adherence to the Implementing Agency’s administrative, financial and technical reporting requirements.
• Coordinating the development of information management tools to ensure evaluation, monitoring and replication activities, as defined in the Project Document.
• Coordinating the organization and execution of training and communication activities including workshops, training sessions, conferences and other meetings required by the workplan.
• Establishing and facilitating partnerships with relevant institutions and donors, including governments, international organizations, regional agencies, the academic community, and civil society, ensuring alignment with UNEP, IDB and GEF policies.
• Acting as public liaison for the project, coordinating communication and dissemination of information to ensure maximum project visibility within the region and within the GEF; with UNEP and IDB’s guidance.
• Presenting the work activities and results to stakeholders and other interested parties, including at international conferences.

Technical Responsibilities

In its technical coordination capacity, the Regional Project Coordinator and Technical Advisor will be responsible for providing overall technical guidance to project personnel and technical consultants including:

• Drafting technical ToRs for project activities and personnel.
• Ensure oversight and quality control of all technical activities undertaken or contracted by the Project.
• Serve as a central focal point for the Project on technical and co-ordination matters, including management of Project’s country coordinators/focal points and liaison with governmental counterparts from the three countries in close coordination with the IAs.
• Assess current and future coordination arrangements, a framework for protection and institutional strengthening needs for integrated river basin management (Component.1)
• Leading the coordination, the design and development of the TDA including complementary studies such as a transboundary ecosystem modelling and the implementation of the monitoring network (Component 2)
• Coordinate the process of formulation of the Strategic Action Plan for the basin and provide technical oversight of the different associated activities leading to agreements between countries (Component 3)
• Provide technical support to the Pilot project teams for implementing the different pilot projects and ensuring these include new technologies and sound approaches that fit local socio-ecological systems for the basin (Component 4)
• Ensure that the products for raising awareness, increasing participation and exchanging knowledge are promptly available during implementation (Component 5).

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience 

• A post graduate degree (Master level or higher degree) in water resources management, environmental management/science/policy, natural resources management or related field.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience working on river basin management/water resource issues, including specifically leading/supervising the development of watershed/basin management plans.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated technical experience in wetland management and/or technical work in eco-hydrology is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding of sustainable development, including financial and institutional sustainability.
• Experience working with stakeholders to promote sustainability and environmental awareness among diverse audiences. Specific experience working with institutions in charge of water/natural resources management from the beneficiary countries (Brazil/Bolivia/Paraguay) will be considered a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in project management at international and/or regional level.
• Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the GEF, UNEP and IDB and national and regional organizations involved in project activities.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary and/or cross-sector teams.
• Work experience in one or more of the participating countries and/or the Pantanal (or similar eco-hydrological systems) – Upper Paraguay River Basin region.
• Knowledge of water, energy, agriculture and natural ecosystems interlinkages (Nexus vision).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that require courtesy, diplomacy, and tact necessary to communicate effectively with partners, governments and staff.
• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Full written and oral command of English and Portuguese or Spanish (professional level).
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

If you wish to apply for this position and meet the requirements described above, please click the ‘I’m interested’ button and upload the requested information and documents by December 6th, 2024.