Caribbean wetlands support important economic activities such as nature-based tourism and fisheries. However, the Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world with respect to exposure to the effects of climate change and natural hazards, and many wetland ecosystems are at risk. Furthermore, these wetlands are also under a number of direct pressures including overextraction, soil erosion, and water pollution.

The project “Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands for Climate Change Mitigation and Conservation of their Ecosystem Services” is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Republic of Germany and jointly implemented by IUCN and the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands.

The ultimate aim of the project is to reinforce legislation and policy that support the management and wise use of Caribbean wetlands, thereby avoiding changes in their ecological character, increasing their resilience to climate change, and promoting the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the long term. Specifically, the project will improve governance and management of Wetlands of International Importance through four outputs:

I. Assessments on the current status, ecosystem services, and the vulnerability of 21 Caribbean Wetlands of International Importance to climate change

II. Identification of priority sites for climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as biodiversity conservation

III. Monitoring program in 8 Ramsar Sites in place and operation

IV. Increased awareness of all major stakeholders on the values of coastal wetlands

JOB DESCRIPTION

The responsibilities of the Regional Project Coordinator will encompass coordinating project activities, fostering relationships with participating countries and partners, and overseeing project staff. At the same time, the project coordinator will provide technical advice on the resilience of wetland ecosystems to climate change as well as their importance for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate project implementation to guarantee on-time and within-budget delivery of project outputs, ensuring alignment with timelines
• Recruit and supervise the project team and external consultants
• Monitor project implementation, identify issues, and propose solutions, maintaining project timeliness and effectiveness
• Coordinate with government authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective project implementation
• Maintain regular communication with countries’ authorities and other key stakeholders
• Apply project management procedures to ensure successful implementation and high-quality results
• Manage project budgets, expenditures, and financial reporting in coordination with IUCN ORMACC finance and human resources units
• Lead the preparation of dissemination materials (such as flyers, booklets, and reports, among others), reflecting project progress in outputs and deliverables
• Monitor subcontractors’ contracts by maintaining ongoing communication with them to identify challenging issues and propose feasible solutions
• Organize national and international workshops and side events in alignment with the project’s event schedule
• Produce technical interim (progress) and final reports in English and Spanish according to project outcome and outputs, and reporting timeframes
• Report project progress and issues regularly to the supervisor, along with recommendations for issue resolution
• Participate in national and international meetings and seminars to present the project, when requested
• Provide technical support to national authorities and other stakeholders on the climate change-related issues of the project
• Explore and promote synergies with other relevant initiatives, national, regional, and international, to enhance project outputs and outcomes
• Together with IUCN, IUCN ORMACC, and Ramsar Secretariat, support the establishment of an integrated information repository and database system to ensure standardized and accessible information
• Organize regular virtual meetings for the Strategic and Advisory Committees, including scheduling, document preparation, and ensuring follow-up on agreements reached during these sessions
• Carry out other duties as required
• Provide technical and financial follow-up on compliance with the project work plan

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in natural resources management, ecosystem services, climate change, conservation biology, environmental sciences/studies; sustainable development, or resilience studies
• Strong understanding of wetland ecosystems, climate change impacts, and biodiversity conservation
• At least ten years of demonstrable experience in project management and implementation. Preferably practical experience in managing sustainable development/natural resource management, ecosystem services, and climate change projects in the Latin American and the Caribbean region or other developing countries
• Knowledge of the environmental, cultural, social, and political context of the Caribbean countries
• Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder projects and working with government agencies and other key partners
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary and multicultural team
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, and timelines effectively
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with tight schedules and strict delivery times
• Leadership and teamwork skills with professionals coming from different countries in the region
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrated adaptability and problem-solving skills in complex and challenging environments
• Excellent staff management and leadership competencies
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish
• Ability to travel within the Caribbean region as required for project activities

The position may be based in any country of project intervention; however, priority will be given to the Dominican Republic. This consists of frequent travel and may include extended stays in the Dominican Republic as part of the duties. Eventually, the candidate will be expected to relocate to the Dominican Republic to fulfill the requirements of the position.