Lead the Future of Conservation: National Project Coordinator (Consultant) – Apply Now!

Join the United Nations Environment Programme as National Project Coordinator – Consultant

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation? Do you have the expertise to lead international projects that make a real difference? If so, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has an exciting opportunity for you as a National Project Coordinator – Consultant for a groundbreaking project in Albania!

Lead the Future of Conservation: National Project Coordinator (Consultant) – Apply Now!

About the Opportunity

UNEP is seeking a dedicated and experienced consultant to oversee and drive the successful execution of its GEF7 Project titled Achieving biodiversity conservation through effective management and enhanced resilience to climate change in the existing protected area of the North Albanian Mountainous Region. This is a home-based role, offering the chance to make a significant impact on global environmental conservation efforts.

Duty Station: Home-based
Duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Location: Vienna, Austria (Supervision by UNEP Vienna Programme Office)
Application Deadline: February 10, 2025

If you’re a skilled project coordinator with a passion for sustainable development and environmental protection, this is the role for you.

The Albanian Alps National Park Project

The project in focus is an ambitious and innovative initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation and building resilience to climate change in Albania’s protected areas. The Albanian Alps, a crucial part of the country’s natural heritage, are being designated as a National Park (AANP), covering a vast area of over 82,844 hectares. This area includes renowned protected regions like Thethi and Valbona Valley, and it is home to unique biodiversity that plays a vital role in the region’s ecological balance.

Albania has made significant strides in expanding its network of protected areas, and in January 2022, it formally established the Albanian Alps National Park under government decree. As part of this expansion, Albania aims to promote sustainable management and enhance climate resilience in the Albanian Alps, thus positioning the project as a key initiative for environmental conservation in the region.

Key Responsibilities

As the National Project Coordinator, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective and efficient execution of the project. Your responsibilities will include:

1. Project Coordination: Oversee all aspects of the project, ensuring all activities are executed in line with the work plan. Collaborate closely with national and international stakeholders, government entities, and local partners to promote the project’s objectives.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the liaison between the Ministry of Environment, project partners, and other stakeholders. Facilitate smooth communication and collaboration throughout the project’s lifecycle.
3. Technical Leadership: Guide and supervise project partners, ensuring the technical soundness of their work. Provide expert input on project deliverables and ensure alignment with the overarching goals of the Albanian Alps National Park.
4. Risk Management and Reporting: Monitor potential risks to the project and propose mitigation strategies. Prepare regular reports on project progress, finances, and challenges. Ensure that project activities remain on schedule and within budget.
5. Knowledge Management: Contribute to the development of knowledge-sharing products, workshops, and training materials. Provide technical guidance to enhance the capacity of national stakeholders in managing the Albanian Alps National Park.
6. Capacity Building: Organize capacity-building activities and workshops in collaboration with national stakeholders. This will include training on best practices in biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of protected areas.
7. Ensuring Compliance: Uphold UNEP’s social safeguards and integrated policies, ensuring that all project activities comply with international standards for sustainability and environmental protection.

The Project Components

This initiative focuses on three primary components to ensure that the Albanian Alps National Park becomes a sustainable and resilient protected area:

1. Component 1 – Enabling Environment: Focus on creating an enabling environment for the effective management of the Albanian Alps National Park. This includes developing a sustainable financing model, enhancing management capacities, and conducting assessments of environmental needs.
2. Component 2 – Strengthening Practical Experience: Providing practical training to stakeholders in the Albanian Alps to better address threats to biodiversity and implement sustainable management practices.
3. Component 3 – National-level Adoption: Promoting the widespread adoption of sustainable protected area management practices throughout Albania. This will ensure that the lessons learned in the Albanian Alps are applied to other protected areas across the country.

Key Qualifications and Skills

To be considered for the role, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Advanced Degree: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in environmental studies, natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, or a related field. A PhD will be considered an asset.
• Experience: At least five years of experience in natural resource management, protected areas, or project implementation. A strong track record of managing and leading successful projects is required.
• UN/GEF Project Experience: Familiarity with UN and GEF project procedures and guidelines is highly desirable.
• Sustainable Development Knowledge: Understanding of financial and institutional sustainability, especially in the context of environmental conservation, will be beneficial.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Albanian is required for this role, as both languages are the working languages for the project.
• Proven Project Management Skills: Experience working with international institutions or governmental agencies, particularly within the UN system, will be an advantage.

Why Apply for This Role?

This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the sustainable development of Albania’s Albanian Alps National Park, a region of immense biological and cultural importance. You will be working with some of the brightest minds in environmental conservation, alongside passionate local stakeholders, to ensure the long-term success of the Albanian Alps as a protected area.

As a National Project Coordinator, your work will directly impact biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, and rural development in one of Europe’s most biodiverse regions. This project offers a unique chance to engage in a cross-cutting initiative that addresses some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

How to Apply

If you meet the qualifications and are eager to contribute to this vital project, apply today! The application deadline is February 10, 2025, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Visit the official UNEP Jobs Portal to submit your application. Remember, there is no application fee for this position, and the United Nations is committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates.

Project Keywords and Phrases

National Project Coordinator, UNEP Jobs, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Resilience, Albanian Alps National Park, Protected Area Management, GEF7 Project, Environmental Sustainability, UN Project Management, UNEP Albania, Capacity Building, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Financing, Project Coordination, UN/GEF Procedures, Environmental Stakeholder Engagement, UN Environmental Policy, Albania Protected Areas Network, Albanian Alps Conservation, Protected Area Best Practices.

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