PROJECT MANAGER

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PROJECT MANAGER

PROMOTING COMMUNITY BASED CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR PROJECT

INVESTMENT PROJECT 4

STRATEGIC PROGRAMME FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE

1. BACKGROUND

Jamaica is an Archipelagic State located in the Caribbean Sea. Sixty percent of the current population (estimated 2.7 million) resides within 2 kilometers of the coast of the mainland and a majority of the country’s GDP is generated in coastal areas. A substantial portion of the population lives in rural areas and relies directly or indirectly on agriculture to sustain their livelihood. The agricultural sector employs a significant part of the work force.

Considering these physical and socio-economic attributes, Jamaica—both the hinterlands and aquatic areas (freshwater and marine)—are extremely vulnerable to climate change and climate variability. The threats include: increases in extreme rainfall events and drought; sea level rise; storm surges; more intense hurricanes; and increased temperatures and ocean acidification.

Some of these events seem to have already been adversely impacting the country. Significant warming of the ocean around Jamaica has been observed.

• Data from the airport stations indicate historical warming of 0.20 – 0.31 °C per decade, with greatest warming occurring between June and August.
• This trend is validated by recent analysis of sea surface temperatures (SST) around Jamaica where a statistically significant annual increase of +0.15°C/decade from 1980 to 2015 was observed (CCCCC, 2015).
• The seasonal trends offer a better indication of the degree to which the waters surrounding Jamaica are warming. The seasonal trends in SST show that warming is occurring at rate of +0.09°C/decade for January SST and +0.17°C /decade for August SST.
• The annual SST is expected to increase locally by 2°C, which would warm the waters surrounding Jamaica to an annual average of +28°C with summer averages exceeding 29°C (CCCCC, 2015).

It is anticipated that this will lead to large-scale changes to the marine ecosystems with far-reaching consequences for associated livelihood activities as well as for the coastal protection provided by healthy coral reefs. The entire Caribbean region observed extremely warm sea temperatures in 2005 which caused the largest bleaching of coral reefs—an important fish nursery and habitat—in the region to date. This event wiped out as much as 70 percent of the reefs in some countries, causing the substantial decline of reef fisheries which led to appreciable losses to national economies.   It is predicted that the Caribbean waters may experience declines in fish catch potential in the range of 5–50% due to warming of 2°C by 2050 and more frequent bleaching events (Turn Down the Heat III report, World Bank, 2014).  This warming may cause a shift in the species composition of resident wild fish populations and fish species that are cultured.

Therefore, establishing effective measures to protect marine and coastal ecosystems and build resilience to climate change in the fisheries sector would be an important input in sustaining the country’s economic growth and rural livelihoods.

This reality has been highlighted in Jamaica’s National Development Plan, Vision 2030—the country’s long-term sustainable development program. Vision 2030 recognizes the need for a healthy natural environment and has climate change adaptation as a key outcome. Jamaica has developed a Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR) as part of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) that will assist in climate-proofing the country’s development. The SPCR is aligned to Vision 2030, and also builds on gaps and challenges identified in Jamaica’s development strategy.

The program was developed with input from stakeholders at the national and local levels, and reflects some of the priority areas identified from consultations. The areas of focus are: water resources; human health; agriculture and food security; tourism; terrestrial resources and biodiversity; coastal resources and human settlements; and financial resources.

In November 2012, the PPCR Sub-Committee agreed to allocate USD 5 million in grants to Jamaica in order to further advance the objectives and implementation of Jamaica’s Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR). This allocation was intended to support the Project “Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector”, which aims at enhancing community-based climate resilience among targeted fishing and fish farming communities of Jamaica. The key outcomes expected from the Project include:

1. Strengthened and climate-smart fisheries and aquaculture policy and regulatory framework;
2. Reduced vulnerability of the targeted fishing and fish farming communities to climate shocks;
3. Diversified and strengthened livelihoods of targeted artisanal fishers and fish farmers.

The above-mentioned outcomes will be accomplished through:

Component 1: Strengthening the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Regulatory Framework.

Component 2: Diversification, Alternative Livelihoods and Aquaculture for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture including: i) Community-based Aquaculture, ii) Coastal Mariculture/Poly-culture, and iii) Artisanal Longline fishery for Pelagic species. And,

Component 3: Capacity Building and Awareness Raising including: i) Training, ii) Support to fishers’ and fish farmers’ organizations, and iii) Awareness building and behavior change.

The proposed Project seeks to build the basis for long-term transformational change, focusing on the climate resilience of vulnerable populations in the fishery sector. This will be achieved by addressing climate-informed regulatory/policy framework to allow for adaptive management of the fisheries and the value chains; building capacity of fisherfolk to sustainably manage the fisheries to build resilience to climate impacts as well as to diversify their livelihoods; and increasing awareness and knowledge on climate impacts on capture and culture fisheries.  

The Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project is to be executed over a 5-year period by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Effective and efficient execution of the project leading to enhanced climate resilience among targeted fishing and fish farming communities of Jamaica in order to support climate smart livelihood opportunities, improved sustainable fisheries management including monitoring, control and surveillance to build climate resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems. 

3. SCOPE OF WORK

In carrying out the assignment, the project manager is expected, in the exercise of his/her duties, to use appropriate project management tools, good practices, draw on lessons learned from similar experiences where and when available, and employ a collaborative approach in ensuring that the project objectives are attained.   Where necessary in order to facilitate the delivery of the project objectives, the project manager is expected to  engage the collaboration of key stakeholder agencies such as the National Environment and Planning Agency, JCF Marine Police, JDF Coast Guard, , fisher groups and organizations, Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies, , National Irrigation Commission and the  private sector and other relevant entities.   

Specifically, the manager is required to:

1. Familiarise him/herself with the SPCR, project agreement, documents and agreements of other climate change-related programmes, reporting templates,  guidelines and systems of the World Bank (including for financial management, procurement e.g., STEP 1 safeguards, monitoring and evaluation) and the Government of Jamaica as well as  other reporting requirements relevant to the successful implementation of the project
2. Liaise with relevant partners and coordinate project activities to ensure that the activities in each component are implemented in accordance with the project agreement, the Project Operational Manual, the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), the Annual Operating Plan, and any other relevant project documents; troubleshoot with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)  to remove any bottlenecks that might arise during project implementation
3. Develop, with the assistance of the Project’s Financial Manager and Procurement Officer and key stakeholders, Annual Work Plans and budgets, and procurement plans as described in the Project Operational Manual for submission and approval by the Project Steering Committee and the World Bank
4. Ensure that the Project activities are implemented in compliance with the Project’s ESMF,
5. Collaborate with the Programme Implementing Units of the other PPCR investment projects, the regional PPCR,  and the PPCR Focal Point to enable on-going alignment between this and the other investment projects under the SPCR
6. Oversees the procurement of goods and services for the project in accordance with the procurement rules and guidelines established by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and consistent with the requirements of the World Bank
7. Plan and coordinate project activities (meetings, workshops, training, site visits etc.) to enhance stakeholder inclusion and  project  accountability
8. Monitor project implementation against the indicators detailed in the Project Operations Manual and prepare monitoring/progress reports (technical and financial) for submission to the Project Steering Committee and the World Bank and for input into the PPCR Results Framework
9. Coordinate mid-term and final reviews and prepare respective reports in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders
10. Supervise project staff and manage the day-to-day operations of the Project Implementing Unit, including the project budget  and keep up-to-date financial, inventory, contracts and other records to facilitate audit and evaluation of the project in accordance with GOJ and World Bank requirements.
11. Co-ordinate the various components of the project to ensure that deliverables are achieved in the required timeframe
12. Convene the Project Steering Committee and facilitate their involvement in the execution of the project through sub-committees, field visits
13. Develop and implement a project visibility programme to showcase project achievements, promote outcomes and benefits and to foster visibility for project sponsors
14. Represents the Project at meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops locally and internationally
15. Identify gaps in project design and make recommendations for changes, if necessary, to the Project Steering Committee and the World Bank
16. Oversee project close out activities
17. Any other duties assigned

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Annual Work Plan and Procurement Plan  and budget
• Monthly/ Quarterly/ Annual Reports (progress, financial)
• Presentation and briefs
• Applicable reports based on the Project’s ESMF
• Stakeholder Consultations and workshops and reports
• Terms of Reference for consultants; technical specifications for goods, works and services
• Visibility and Knowledge products
• Audited Financial Statements
• Monitoring and Evaluation Reports
• Asset Assignment Record/Schedule
• Exit Strategy
• Project final accounts/report and closing document

     5. CORE COMPETENCIES

The incumbent will possess the following competencies:

• Management, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Results orientation
• Facilitation skills
• Strong inter-personal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Negotiation and team building skills
• Knowledge of Government of Jamaica policies and procedures

6. SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Duration:   Five years (Two years in the first instance), subject to satisfactory performance and annual renewal of contract.

Type:  Individual Consultancy

Location: The Project Manager will be assigned to work in the office of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hope Gardens, Kingston 6.

  7. REPORTING

The Project Manager reports to the Permanent Secretary of MICAF with operational relation to the Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Division, MICAF.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The incumbent is required to possess:

i)  A minimum of five years of experience in the coordination and management of projects, preferably in an area related to natural resources management, climate change and/or fisheries.  

ii)  A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Environmental Sciences/Economics, Natural Resource Management/Fisheries/Aquaculture/Agriculture, or other related discipline. Experience, training and/or certification in project management are desirable.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Sciences/Economics, Natural Resource Management/Fisheries/Aquaculture/Agriculture, or other related discipline and seven years of experience in the relevant discipline.

iii) Fluency in English and good writing skills

iv) Experience in tropical countries will be an asset.

v) Knowledge and understanding of fisheries and climate change issues will be an asset

vi) Familiarity with GOJ and World Bank reporting procedures/standards will be an asset

Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than December 31, 2018 to:
Director
Fisheries Division
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
2c Newport East
Kingston 15
Please note that we thank all for responding, but only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.