Project Coordinator - REDD+
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supports countries in climate change mitigation through REDD+ initiatives, focusing on national contributions, institutional arrangements, and access to results-based payments. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has launched a second phase of its REDD+ results-based payments program, allocating significant funding. FAO, as an accredited GCF entity, assisted Papua New Guinea (PNG) in securing USD 63.4 million for its National REDD+ Strategy 2017–2027. This project aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation drivers, enhance livelihoods, and strengthen institutional coordination across six provinces.
Job Purpose
The Project Coordinator will serve as the primary technical and operational advisor for the "PNG REDD-plus RBP for results period 2014-2016" project. This role is crucial for guiding the implementation of project activities across six target provinces, advising the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), provincial governments, and the Project Board. The coordinator is ultimately accountable for achieving all project results, ensuring effective execution of technical, administrative, and budgetary components in line with FAO, GCF, and PNG government requirements.
Responsibilities
Lead the daily management and coordination of the project team and activities, setting priorities and ensuring timely delivery of outputs. Develop and update project documents, including the Results Framework, and oversee their implementation and monitoring. Prepare Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP/B), procurement plans, and M&E plans, managing the project budget and proposing revisions as needed. Ensure compliance with FAO, GCF, and PNG government procedures. Resolve implementation issues across technical, administrative, and financial areas, escalating complex matters. Develop and adapt implementation approaches for provincial contexts. Coordinate inter-agency and inter-ministerial activities, negotiating arrangements with partners. Organize Project Board meetings, providing analyses and recommendations. Operationalize Project Board decisions at the provincial level. Provide technical and strategic advice on REDD+ implementation and results-based payments. Lead technical reporting to FAO, CCDA, and GCF. Supervise technical personnel, consultants, and implementing partners. Liaise with FAO technical units for expert mobilization. Ensure strategic alignment with FAO and PNG national strategies. Document lessons learned to inform policy adjustments. Represent the project and FAO in external engagements.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant experience in forest and/or land management, specifically related to REDD+ or halting deforestation, is necessary. This includes a solid understanding of the REDD+ process and experience in implementing emission reduction actions, MRV, or forest/land monitoring. Experience in managing or coordinating projects and leading multidisciplinary teams is essential.
Skills
Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects, including work plans, budgets, and monitoring plans, is crucial. The ability to lead project implementation, track progress, identify risks, and take corrective action is vital. Strong coordination skills with multidisciplinary teams, government institutions, and stakeholders are required. Experience in project budget management, operational planning, and monitoring expenditure is necessary. Proficiency in project monitoring, reporting, and results management is essential. Experience managing implementing partners and service providers, establishing partnerships, and drafting technical documents is highly desirable. Experience in forest monitoring and social/community-based forestry within REDD+ contexts is beneficial. Excellent communication and advisory skills are needed to present complex topics and resolve multi-stakeholder issues.