POSITION TITLE: ENMAPS National Project Manager – Philippines
DEPARTMENT: Programmes
DURATION: One Year (renewable)
DUTY STATION: Philippines
REPORTING TO: ASEAN ENMAPS Project Manager – Chief Technical Adviser (PM-CTA)
COORDINATING WITH: The National Implementation Unit Head
TERMS OF REFERENCE
A. BACKGROUND
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), established in 2005, is ASEAN’s response to the challenge of biodiversity loss. It is an intergovernmental organisation that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) and with regional and international organisations on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such natural treasures.
The ACB, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is implementing the GEF project, Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), which is designed to address the coastal and marine ecosystem challenges in the ASEAN region through enhanced collaborative management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and through integrated coastal management (ICM) and ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM).
The objective of the project is to develop and improve the management of networks of MPAs and marine corridors within selected Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) in the ASEAN for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity and support for sustainable fisheries, and other ecosystem goods and services. This regional project has a strong upscaling focus, including engagement with ASEAN working groups and LME governance mechanisms, and leverages on complementary investments across the ASEAN region. The ASEAN ENMAPS is implemented for five (5) years, beginning in March 2024, in selected MPAs and marine corridors with high conservation importance in the ASEAN region with pilot sites across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The ACB is seeking dynamic, innovative and committed candidates for the position of ENMAPS National Project Manager – Philippines.
B. SCOPE OF DUTIES
The Programmes Department is the primary oversight of the ASEAN ENMAPS project with the technical and management support of the Project Management Unit (PMU). The ASEAN ENMAPS National Project Manager-Philippines will be working under the PMU, directly reporting to the ASEAN ENMAPS Project Manager – Chief Technical Adviser (PM-CTA). S/he will also closely coordinate with the respective National Executing Agency of the project in the Philippines.
S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project focusing on selected sites in the country, and will lead the coordination and collaboration needs of the project at the national level in order to contribute to and support the achievement of the project’s objectives. S/he will also contribute to the design of marine protected area networks among sites pre-selected by the project and with her/his knowledge of local governance, stakeholder capacities and preferences and inputs from the Safeguards Consultant. The ASEAN ENMAPS National Project Manager – Philippines will support all field-based consultation needs and support the ASEAN ENMAPS implementing partners in the course of project life. S/he will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing marine protected area networks and marine corridors, thereby contributing to the sustainable management and protection of marine biodiversity in the ASEAN region.
The ASEAN ENMAPS National Project Manager-Philippines shall perform the following specific roles to ensure that the project objectives are efficiently achieved:
- Project Coordination and Communication support:
a. Coordinate and oversee the implementation of project activities;
b. Coordinate and collaborate with other foreign-assisted projects of the national executing agency to ensure harmonisation of project activities;
c. Ensure alignment of national activities with overall project objectives and work plans;
d. Facilitate communication between the national focal entity, project stakeholders, and the PMU;
e. Engage with project stakeholders both at the national and site levels to facilitate collaboration on complementary activities including those implemented by co-financing partners;
f. Assist in communicating and socialising the project to national-level stakeholders in accordance with the project knowledge management and communications strategy and action plan;
g. Track co-financing contributions to the project at the site and national levels; and
h. Supervise site officers. - Provide technical assistance to national- and local-level stakeholders in implementing project activities that support the design process for MPA networks, marine corridors, and project safeguards:
a. Support the Fisheries Consultant and collaborate with the Fisheries and MPA Specialist in preparing the design of MPA networks and associated marine biodiversity conservation corridors based on findings from scientific studies, modelling, social, and environmental assessments, and institutional analyses.
i. Support the consultation processes to complement ecological connectivity studies, such as modelling of larval dispersal and analysis of target fish stocks, their habitats, conservation status, and migratory patterns;
ii. Support the implementation of orientation and training processes that may be convened to further stakeholders’ understanding of MPAs, MPA networks, connectivity and fisheries trends; and
iii. Support the preparation of meetings that may be convened among experts and stakeholders that may be convened relevant to designing MPA networks.
b. Support the development of the project safeguards plan, by
i. Facilitating the conduct of stakeholder consultations and assessments, ensuring active participation from women, indigenous communities, and local resource-dependent populations;
ii. Facilitating discussions on management and governance arrangements of MPA networks and associated marine corridors that will be identified in the course of project implementation; and
iii. Supporting the identification of social and environmental opportunities and benefits as well as the means to avoid, minimise, mitigate, and manage adverse impacts that the project may have on local stakeholders. - Support Capacity Building
a. Identify capacity-building needs and organise training sessions and workshops for stakeholders;
b. Support the development of educational and awareness materials related to MPAs and biodiversity conservation; and
c. Facilitate the conduct of the capacity-building activities for local stakeholders on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, livelihood identification and development, and ecosystem management. - Support Project Implementation
a. Support the implementation of integrated coastal management; marine spatial planning; ecosystem approach to fisheries management strategies; Blue Economy investment projects at the MPA network sites; and learning, knowledge management, and networking;
b. Support the implementation of the project safeguards plans, reporting to the Gender & Safeguards Specialist; and
c. Supervise and support the technical and administrative needs of project consultants and Project Site Officers. - Conduct Project Outputs and Outcomes Monitoring and Reporting
a. Support the development of annual work plans and budgets;
b. Carry out monitoring and evaluation duties and providing feedback to the ASEAN ENMAPS PM-CTA, M&E Specialist, and other members of the project team, particularly:
i. Monitor project progress and ensure timely delivery of outputs and milestones;
ii. Measure project indicators in accordance with the project M&E plan; and
iii. Communicate the results in the required format and timeframe to the M&E Specialist.
c. Prepare and submit quarterly progress reports to the national focal entity and regional project management unit;
d. Conduct and facilitate assessments of project performance, e.g., focus group discussions for assessment of METT scorecard and capacity development scores. Prescribe ways by which project performance (national and sites) can be upgraded; and
e. Ensure compliance with project budgets and financial procedures. - Perform other related tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor(s) from time to time.
C. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Work Experience
● Master’s degree in marine biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or any other related fields and five (5) years of related work experiences, or its equivalency requirements:
- Completed academic requirements in master’s program in marine biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or any other related course and seven (7) years of related work experiences; or
- 18 units earned in master’s program marine biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or any other related course and nine (9) years of related work experiences; or
- Related bachelor’s degree in marine biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or any other related course and 12 years of related work experiences;
● Knowledge on and experience in MPAs, biodiversity conservation, and resource valuation
● Minimum of three (3) years relevant experience in national project implementation and managerial/supervisory experience in implementing, coordinating and monitoring of development program/project
● Must have at least three (3) years of experience working with the national government and familiarity with the government processes on biodiversity conservation
Skills
● Proficiency in local languages is a must
● Excellent knowledge of the English language and with exceptional writing presentation and communication skills
● Adept at working with international partners and national biodiversity agencies and related national partners
● Ability to work independently
● Advanced skills in MS Office applications
● Adept at working within a multicultural working environment
Nationality
● Must be a citizen of Philippines
D. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Core Values:
● Strong work ethics, professionalism, and respect for diversity
● Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
● Prudence, dependability, and accountability
● Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
● Treats all people fairly
Core Competencies:
● Communication, teamwork, planning and organising, problem-solving, commitment to continuous learning and technological awareness
E. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb.hr@aseanbiodiversity.org:
- A letter of intent of no more than two pages, elaborating how his/her qualifications and experiences make him/her suitable for the position. Address the letter to Acting Executive Director Clarissa C. Arida. JP 2025-02 ENMAPS National Project Manager (Philippines) should be indicated in the aforesaid letter.
- Updated curriculum vitae, diploma, or transcript of records
- A completed Job Application Form (which can be downloaded here)
The deadline for submission of completed applications is on 12 April 2025. Only applications with complete documentary requirements (Letter of Intent, completed Job Application Form, and curriculum vitae) will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. All applicants will be given notice as to the status of their application. Previous applicants may apply again.
F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The ACB does not ask for payment at any stage of its recruitment process (application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees) nor authorises anyone to officially receive applications from prospective candidates, except through the ACB Human Resources Division. The public is strongly advised to be vigilant when dealing with financial transactions online and to report any suspicious individuals or accounts representing the ACB.
