Trinidad and Tobago is highly susceptible to flooding. Although comparably being perceived as events of lower magnitude, floods have had a significant economic and social impact in the country throughout the years; for example, damage and losses from flood events in the years 1993, 2002 and 2006 were US$580,000, US$3,300,000 and US$2,500,000, respectively (Roopnarine, et al., 2018). Also notable is the most recent major event reported in the country took place in October 2018 affected an estimate of 150,000 people from 4,100 households (IFRC, 2018) and according to the President of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, approximately 75% of local farmers in the country were severely affected through the loss of crops and livestock (IFRC, 2018). A record of hazard events in Trinidad and Tobago during the period 2011-2014 show 695 flood events, 277 strong wind events and 179 landslide events as the top three categories of hazards; highlighting that flooding is a significant and recurring hazard for the country.
The 10th meeting of the Joint Select Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure indicated that there is need for (i) closer collaborations amongst entities responsible for flood alleviation and control of major river basins, (ii) spatial data to undertake flood mapping and risk analysis to support decision making and (iii) more public education and the building of resilience in the communities themselves to prepare, respond and adapt to floods. Also, the WRA manages a rainfall monitoring system which comprises rainfall and river monitoring stations; the key challenge is that the flood monitoring network consists of a mixture of aged, manually operated instruments and outdated telemetric components. The issue with flooding is compounded by the fact that the official hurricane season coincides with the country’s rainy season. Further, activities such as illegal/unregulated quarrying, encroachment of river reserves, backfilling and illegal diversion of watercourses which contributes to sedimentation thereby reducing the capacity of rivers are some of the challenges faced despite over three hundred (300) desilting projects pursued by the Ministry of Works and Transport in recent years.
To address the needs and risks identified, the Community Flood Early Warning Systems (CFEWS) Phase 2 (August 2023 to July 2025) aims to contribute to risk-informed flood planning and development across Trinidad and Tobago to reduce loss of life, minimize displacement and poverty. Ten (10) communities are targeted to benefit; Arima, Guanapo (x 2), Guapo, La Canoa, Navet, and Tableland are in Trinidad, and Bacolet, Bloody Bay (x 2), Lois D’or and Richmond are in Tobago. The majority of these communities are in areas highly susceptible to flooding and are among the most vulnerable.
The action will target four Output areas (i) enhance capacities for detecting, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of flood hazards in fifteen communities – three in Tobago and twelve in Trinidad; (ii) expand the flood early warning information communication/ dissemination platform to reach more communities, municipalities and governmental agencies; and (iii) enhance capabilities for the coordination and management of floods at the community and national levels and (iv) improve emergency response in a crisis.
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, guiding project implementation and ensuring overall facilitation of activities with UNDP, implementing partners and the donor. The general objective of the consultancy will be supporting, promoting and coordinating the actions required for the successful development and the achievement of the results, outputs and targets, envisioned by the project, ensuring effective linkages between the beneficiaries and national institutions
The UNDP TT is dedicated to impactful project implementation across programmes and projects. To ensure consistency and effectiveness in our messaging, the Project Coordinator will:
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Coordinator will report to the Programme Officer (Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction) or assigned designate.
Competencies
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Achieve Results: | LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work |
Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking |
Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning |
Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process |
Act with Determination: | LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously |
Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships |
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making |
People management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
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Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education Requirements | Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Project Management or any other related field of study is required or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Advertisement
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Min. years of relevant Work experience |
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Required skills and competencies |
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Desired additional skills and competencies |
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Required Language(s) (at working level) |
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Professional Certificates | N/A |
Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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