Background
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The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is a capacity building programme that aims to build the profile, and improve the management, of Development Minerals. The programme is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP. Phase I of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme was implemented in partnership with UNDP in 2015-2019; Phase II since 2019 and Phase III since 2023.
Development Minerals refer to minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured and used domestically in industries such as construction (e.g. sand and gravel), manufacturing (e.g. gypsum), infrastructure and agriculture. Development Minerals provide crucial inputs for domestic economic development, are economically important for national and local economies, and critical for urbanization and job creation.
The Programme aims to increase employment and incomes of artisanal and small-scale mining and mineral processing enterprises (ASMEs), including economic opportunities for women participating in ASMEs, throughout the minerals value chains. The Programme also aims to promote scaling up of innovations in low-carbon materials made from Development Minerals.
The programme in Phase III is implemented at global, regional and country levels; country-level implementation is undertaken in Cameroon, Fiji, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Training and support is provided to artisanal and small-scale miners, mineral processing enterprises and communities, as well as government authorities and business development service providers with the goals of: 1) supporting policies, formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining operations and improving the business environment; 2) increasing and stabilizing incomes of artisanal and small-scale mining and mineral processing enterprises; 3) addressing environmental and social impacts; 4) supporting women-owned and -run enterprises; 5) facilitating knowledge exchanges between African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The Programme is also implemented at the continental level, providing support to the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC). The Fiji based country coordinator will be employed to support implementation of activities at country level for each of the five focus countries, including one for Fiji. The coordinator will be contracted by UNDP and work closely with relevant government agencies, implementation partners, institutions, and non-state actors.
The focus of Phase III in Fiji will be: 1) supporting local Fijian businesses and government to transition from production of carbon intensive imported Portland Cement to low carbon limestone calcined cement (‘LC3’) produced from local materials; 2) building Fijian and regional capacity to deliver sustainable development outcomes from Development Minerals through support for the Stone for Development Work Integrated Learning Program for young Pacific geoscientists; and 3) encouraging circular economy approaches and responsible practices in the sourcing of raw materials for cement and concrete production, including the utilization of wastes from the quarry sector for cement manufacture and ore-sand by-products from the mining of critical raw materials, like copper. Collectively, these objectives have been termed ‘The Blue Concrete Initiative’.
It is expected that long term benefits of Phase III activities will include growth in employment opportunities, particularly in the quarry and cement sectors, more sustainable mineral extraction practices, reduced carbon emissions from cement production, and greater resiliency in regional cement supply chains and ability of Pacific Island Countries to acquire key construction materials necessary for climate adaptation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, direct supervision of Team Leader Effective Governance and Inclusive Growth and reporting to the Programme Manager of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (UNDP-Brussels), the Project Country Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the programme team in the UNDP Pacific Office, and other UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, relevant government agencies, institutions and non-governmental organizations to ensure successful implementation of the country programme.
A general overview & Organigram is in the Annex, showing the position of this function within the office and unit structure.
The Project Country Coordinator will provide technical, policy, programmatic, operations, knowledge management and partnerships support in the focus country as follows:
Provision of technical and operational support:
- Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of country-level activities for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme.;
- Responsible for country-level oversight and quality assurance of programmatic activities;
- Support the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme team in delivering training and capacity building activities;
- Prepare regular reports on the Programme activities in the country;
- Coordinate meetings of a project steering committee in Fiji.
Provision of policy and programme support:
- Working closely with Fiji’s Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and the Programme partners, including the industry to ensure the implementation of the Programme in Fiji;
- Provide support in the identification, development and design of country-level studies, sector capacity assessments, and capacity development roadmaps;
- Provide support in organizing country-level policy dialogues aimed at bringing about changes to regulation and national standards related to development minerals, including those dealing with responsible minerals extraction and the development of low carbon construction materials;
- Guide and support partners in undertaking public-private dialogues to strengthen value chains, particularly for low carbon and sustainable construction materials;
- Advise and support the project partners for policy dialogues including in relation to carbon credits and trading;
- Provide support in organizing community dialogues around mining of Development Minerals;
- Monitor the quality of small grant proposals and projects with in-country partners;
- Where necessary work with the implementation team in raising additional financial support for the programme to implement LC3 and Blue Concrete in Fiji;
- Ensure linkages with various Govt. Departments and develop, nurture and strengthen inter-departmental synergy;
- Undertake other activities as needed.
Facilitate knowledge management and partnerships support:
- Provide support to the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme’s knowledge management networks and portal, including convening online training participant alumni activities;
- Draft training/workshop proceedings, lessons learned and emerging best practices reports, annual progress reports and other knowledge products;
- Provide support to the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme team in building strategic alliances and partnerships at the country level on the programme’s thematic focus areas;
- Take the lead in organizing technology fairs and networking events at the country-level;
- Contribute to advocacy and communications by identification and curation of knowledge sharing and communication opportunities;
- Where necessary, organize regional knowledge exchange events.
Support to Country Office Initiatives:
- Ensure linkages with the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Programme and other relevant thematic Programmes.
- Support coordination and curation of knowledge products on thematic components ensuring accessibility and utilization for programing and communication.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
Impact of the results:
- Country-level processes and guidelines are in place to ensure effective implementation of the country-level initiatives for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme;.
- Synergies between training and other in-country activities of the programme are realized due to effective knowledge management and knowledge sharing;.
- In-country programme activities are effectively implemented, monitored and reported
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
- Strategic Thinking. Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
- System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Digital
- Data Collection. Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
Business Development
- Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Business Management
- Results-based Management. Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
- Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
External Relations & Advocacy – General (across the functions)
- Event Planning and execution. Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics and Development Planning, Public Administration and Policy Planning, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Geosciences or Chemical/Civil Sciences/Engineering is required. OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in any field of economics and development planning, public administration and policy planning, development studies, or natural resource management, geosciences or chemical/civil sciences/engineering.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
- Background in communications and knowledge management is an advantage.
- Experience in the implementation of programmes/projects on sustainable development, extractive industries, natural resource management, value chain development and/or small-scale mining is desired.
- Experience in communications and knowledge management is desired.
- Field experience is desired.
- Knowledge of and experience working with Fiji government institutions and processes is desired.
- Knowledge of the customary protocols to assist in community work is highly desired.
- Strong knowledge of, or experience working on, mining, development minerals, and construction materials and climate resilience is an advantage.
- Experience and knowledge of the implementation and outcomes of the Development Minerals Program in Fiji undertaken over Phases I and II is an advantage.
- Experience working in fields related to sustainable minerals extraction is an advantage
Required languages:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Fijian and/or Fiji Hindi is required.
- Fluency in additional UN languages is an added advantage.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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