New

Papua New Guinea In-Country Coordinator. Located in Port Moresby, PNG.

Management & Engineering Technologies International, Inc.
United States, D.C., Washington
Dec 20, 2024
The successful applicant will be hired through a contractor (METI Inc.) to work with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs on international natural resource projects. The United States Forest Service's (USFS) Office on International Programs (IP), as a part of the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement's Office of Global Policy (INL/GPP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programming in Papua New Guinea, requires the services of an In-Country Coordinator to support the design and implementation of its programming with relevant partners. Background: USFS is launching a new phase of programming in Papua New Guinea (PNG) designed to strengthen the capacity of key government and other partners in forest governance and timber legality through technical cooperation and capacity building activities. As part of its programming, the USFS will station a Forest Governance Technical Advisor (FGTA) in PNG for a period of 12-18 months. The In-Country Coordinator will collaborate with and provide operational support to the FGTA as well as support the design and implementation of other independent, but complementary, programming. Activities will be planned and implemented in collaboration with a USFS Program Manager based in the United States. In the short-term, the USFS expects to build relationships with key government and non-government partners, build trust and increase its understanding of the timber industry in PNG to inform the design of programming that will provide highly customized assistance to key government partners such as the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, PNG Forest Authority, and provincial governments, as well as civil society organizations. In the mid-term, USFS will strengthen the capacities of key partners to enable them to begin implementing effective strategies to strengthen forest governance and timber legality. In the long-term, USFS hopes to support key partners in institutionalizing policy reforms and accountability protocols, enhancing capacity, and/or building partnerships and networking mechanisms to ensure continued success. The program will be managed by a USFS/IP Program Manager based in the United States. The Program Manager, FGTA, other USFS experts, and the In-country Coordinator will collaborate on the design, development and implementation of program activities. These activities may include conducting in-person consultations, workshops, trainings, and other activities. Position Description: Working closely with the USFS Program Manager and the FGTA, the In-country Coordinator will help guide the strategic vision and design of the program, plan and implement program activities, provide in-country technical and logistical support, serve as a key in-country liaison with partners, and coordinate program activities with relevant government partners and NGOs in PNG. In addition, the In-country Coordinator will support the program in activities such as, but not limited to, the following: Assist with the development of the strategic vision, design, and work planning processes of the program, including providing input to ensure the design of USFS/IP programming considers political and cultural aspects that are unique to PNG. Build and maintain close relationships and strong communication with key government and civil society partners to ensure partners' priorities are represented and integrated into the project design and implementation. Serve as a key liaison and in-country point of contact for key non-governmental partners, such as NGOs supporting related program activities, to ensure synergies among these efforts and incorporate lessons learned from previous efforts into the program's design. Represent the USFS at government and non-government sponsored events, such as conferences, meetings and field evaluations. This representation may include making formal presentations to partners, regional organizations, national governments, and local communities. Help plan and manage the effective implementation of program activities. Help coordinate in-country technical visits, workshops, trainings and meetings, including supporting the strategic design of the activities, developing agendas, identifying workshop/training participants, preparing and sending invitations, arranging venues, procuring goods and services, and assisting with other logistics. Work closely with visiting USFS experts to orient them to the country context and introduce them to counterparts. Prepare reports as required by the program. Support the Program Manager in managing and tracking program expenses in full compliance with U.S. government regulations. Qualifications: The In-country Coordinator should have the following skills and experience: A minimum of five years experience in project implementation and partnership development in PNG, preferably in the environmental and natural resource sectors. Minimum of an undergraduate degree, preferably in a natural resources field. Demonstrated experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, engaging in consultative work planning, and coordinating activities and meetings. Ability to work independently and effectively without day-to-day supervision. Ability to work in a dynamic environment with PNG government authorities, US Government agencies, international donors, NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders. Deep understanding of PNG culture. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills Experience working with the PNG Forest Authority, Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority, and/or provincial governments preferred. Experience implementing U.S. Government funded activities and maintaining compliance with US Government regulations strongly preferred. Required computer proficiencies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet; web-based conference platforms (e.g., Skype, Zoom). Language skills: Professional proficiency in spoken and written English. Salary: Competitive and will be determined by the candidate's experience and expertise. Level of Effort: Part to full-time for 12 months, with the possibility of extension. Location: Port Moresby, PNG with possible travel to other provinces within PNG. When the US Forest Service moves forward with securing the services of an individual with these skills, the successful applicant will be hired through a contractor. Qualified individuals should send a resume and letter of interest to: Allison Saracina USFS Asia Pacific Program Manager Allison.Saracina@usda.gov