Ghost Gear Project Manager

Result of Service

The consultant will provide day-to-day technical and operational direction for project delivery. Formal supervision of UNEP staff, as well as delegated authority for financial, administrative, procurement, and contractual approvals, will remain with the COBSEA Coordinator.

Work Location

Bangkok

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The assignment is located in the Ecosystems Integration Branch in the Secretariat of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) in Bangkok, Thailand.

COBSEA Secretariat is hosted by Thailand and administered by UNEP. and is a regional intergovernmental mechanism and being one of 18 Regional Seas programmes. It is the decision-making body for the East Asian Seas Action Plan, bringing together nine countries - Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam - in protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment. Marine litter is a priority area under the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023–2027 and the COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI), which guides regional action on land-based and sea-based sources of marine litter, monitoring and assessment, and enabling activities.

To support RAP MALI implementation, COBSEA is implementing the project “Advancing Sustainable Management and Recycling of Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear” in Indonesia and Viet Nam, with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea under its Official Development Assistance programme. The project aims to strengthen fishing gear management systems and promote the recycling of end-of-life fishing gear to reduce marine plastic pollution, enhance fisheries productivity and support sustainable coastal livelihoods.

The project will strengthen policy and institutional frameworks; establish infrastructure for the collection, storage, pre-treatment and recycling of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear; and support viable collection, recycling and supply-chain models. It will also promote capacity development, stakeholder cooperation, knowledge-sharing and the regional replication of effective approaches.

Under direct supervision of COBSEA Coordinator, the consultant will lead the Project Management Team and oversee the technical, operational, partnership, monitoring and reporting components of this time-bound, exptrabudgetary project.

Specifically, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Planning, managing and providing technical direction across all project outcomes;
• Coordinating and overseeing the Project Management Team, consultants, implementing partners, contractors, and project deliverables;
• Managing partnerships and coordinating with the donor, Korean technical partners, participating governments and other stakeholders;
• Monitoring project progress, budget, results, risks, and compliance with the approved project document and workplan; and
• Preparing technical, financial, and donor reports, including required documentation in Korean.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's level or higher) in environmental management, development studies, environmental sciences, or a related field is required. Equivalent academic qualifications may be considered.

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in marine and coastal environmental issues, including project coordination or management is required;
• Experience managing donor-funded projects, including work planning, budgeting, monitoring, reporting, and compliance, is required.
• Experience in marine litter and plastic pollution, including pollution from sea-based sources, is required.
• Experience facilitating knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, or regional learning exchange is desirable.
• Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations is desirable.
• Previous involvement in and knowledge of COBSEA’s work is desirable. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
• In-depth knowledge of marine litter and sea-based sources, particularly abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the East Asian Seas region;
• Strong understanding of relevant policies and institutional processes in the East Asian Seas region, particularly in the project countries and donor country;
• Knowledge of sustainable fishing gear management, collection, recycling, and circular economy approaches;
• Excellent drafting skills in English and Korean;
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including coordination with governments, donors, and technical partners;
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects and competing priorities;

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other languages from the East Asian Seas region is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.