Consultant for Go-blue Project Management and Coordination at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Scope of Work

• The Go Blue project has an ambition to enable Kenya’s transition to a sustainable, resilient and equitable blue economies across the JKP region through a holistic approach, policies and management that underpin thriving coastal communities, healthy and productive marine ecosystems for present and future generations. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit (MCEU), the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Providing technical support in development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and progress reporting of tasks related to ‘Go Blue Result Area 2 – “Connecting People, Cities and the Ocean: Innovative Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast” focusing broadly on demonstration projects support, development of project Guidelines, project data and knowledge management strategy and infrastrucgture; and other JKP regional frameworks,
• Support Project Management Unit (PMU) in preparation of a Go-Blue data and knowledge management strategy, data infrastructure, capacity building and sustainability plan.
• Contribute to the preparation of briefing notes, concept notes and presentations on the Go-Blue project in synergy with related projects within MCEU and other relevant Units within UNEP,
• Support organization of meetings and contribute to the preparation of Go-Blue meeting agendas, workshops and meeting concept notes, identifying participants, preparation of background and working documents, meeting reports and where appropriate, handling logistics and preparing mission reports,
• Collaborates with the MCEU project team and the Go-Blue Project PMU in reviewing project progress reports and, annual work plans and budget; support implementing partners with reporting requirements, guidelines, rules, and procedures and ensure completeness and accuracy of data submitted,
• Lead the preparation of legal agreements such as Small-Scale Funding Agreements (SSFA) and Project Cooperation Agreements (PCA) with partners for implementation of project activities and processing through the UNEP’s Partners Portal, g) Lead in monitoring of project implementation in accordance with the agreements and through liaising with implementing partners, JKP and UN-Habitat (for joint projects), county and national government entities, h) Review the Performance of Implementing partners, conduct consultation, and jointly prepare an acceleration plan and coordinate its implementation
• Facilitate, in close collaboration with MCEU team, the review and finalisation of Land-Sea Planning (LSP) guideline, Rapid Readiness Assessment (RRA) and Lamu CSP review/revision, and GoBlue data and knowledge management strategy and future hosting options.
• Create and maintain an experts and institutional database of partners implementing interventions related to the Go-Blue project,
• Contributes to preparation annual work plan and budgets, revisions, and other related issues, as well as preparation of Unit contributions for various periodic reports,
• Draft and/or contributing to quarterly, mid-year and annual reporting on the progress in implementation of the Go-Blue project, including updating project progress in UNEP system as required,
• Support UNEP in preparation of final comprehensive project progress report to donor.
• Support the communication work by working in close collaboration with the Communications team and implementing partners to broadcast achievements and lesson learned,
• Ensure necessary knowledge management products are developed for shared learning using the Go-Blue knowledge portal or Nairobi Convention Clearing Mechanism as an online platform,
• Support the development of robust exit strategies for the various activities as part of project closure, so as to ensure long term sustainability of the Go Blue project.
• Assist project officers in projects monitoring and evaluation, carrying out periodic status reviews, identifying issues and consulting with key partners to design joint solutions,
• Support organization of events organized by MCEU, Marine and Freshwater Branch and UNEP in general,
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in marine sciences, environmental studies specializing in marine and coastal environment, project management or discipline related to work of marine biology and/or coastal ecosystems, or related areas is required.
• at least two years of work experience working in coastal and marine conservation and management, experience in ocean governance and using geospatial tools will be an added advantage. Work experience in an international organization is required.
• Familiarity with Sustainable Development Goals in relation to SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 14 on life under water is desirable.
• Demonstrate previous experience in project management and coordination, including strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, in - Kenya and the JKP region is desirable. 
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills, preferably with proven experience working in project management is desirable.