Project manager, community disaster risk reduction

Introduction

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB or the Bank) is seeking to recruit an experienced professional to perform the role of Project Manager (PM), for its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded Community Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (CDRRF). The successful candidate will be based at CDB’s office in St. Michael, Barbados.

The CDRRF Project is focused on implementing natural hazard risk reduction, and climate change adaptation (CCA) through community level demonstration sub-projects aimed at reducing risk to vulnerable populations. It is expected that CDRRF will generate experience-based knowledge from the pursuit of these sub-projects to fill existing national and regional knowledge deficits as well as undertaking a targeted strategy for dissemination of knowledge generated. The project is also expected to develop guidelines for enhancing the consideration of disaster risk management and CCA in country poverty assessments in order to more accurately measure the impact of natural hazards on household and national poverty. Demonstration sub-projects will be supported on a competitive basis.

The PM will head the Community Disaster Risk Reduction Programme Management Unit (CDRRPMU) and will have daily management responsibility for supervising the implementation of the CDRRF project as conceptualised and agreed between CDB and CIDA. As head of the CDRRPMU, he/she will hold ultimate responsibility for managing project resources, and all CDRRPMU staff.

About the organization

CDB is a regional multilateral development bank which was established in October 1969 and began operations in January 1970.

CDB’s members are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, The People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.

CDB is committed to the harmonious economic growth and development of its member countries in the Caribbean and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them, having special and urgent regard to the needs of the less-developed members of the Region. CDB is the premier vehicle for development financing in the Region.

The department

The Projects Department is primarily responsible for the efficient and cost effective identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision of CDB’s portfolio of public and private sector, utility and technical assistance projects consistent with the Bank’s policies, procedures and conditions.

The Environmental Sustainability Unit is responsible for the design and execution of programmes and projects in the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change response and the environment.

The role

Reporting to the Coordinator, Environmental Sustainability Unit, the PM will be required to:

• Lead, manage and coordinate the CDRRF project including managing project resources, and all CDRRPMU staff.
• Serve as an ex-officio member and Secretary of the Trust Fund Steering Committee (TFSC) and a member of the Project Technical Review Committee (PTRC).
• Coordinate the Community Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) activities with other similar projects which work to reduce the risk from natural hazards and climate change at the community level, and that address poverty alleviation.

Key responsabilities

• Coordinate the development and implementation of a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and Operational Procedures (OP) for implementation of the CDRRF.
• Participate in the selection of, and evaluating the performance of the staff of CDRRPMU.
• In collaboration with CDRRPMU staff, develop the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for the CDRRF and present the AWPB annually to the PTRC, and TFSC, for review and comment before it is approved by the TFSC.
• Appraise, supervise and monitor all planned interventions under the CDRR project.
• Prepare sub-project profiles for the technical review by the PTRC and for the approval/no objection and financing of sub-projects by the TFSC to be coordinated with participating Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) representatives in accordance with the OP.
• Attend all PTRC meetings, to be convened at least bi-annually during project implementation.
• Report to the TFSC through its Chairperson and attend all TFSC meetings, to be convened at least bi-annually during project implementation.
• Coordinate submission of CDB documentation to satisfy the conditions of the CDRRF Agreement.
• Foster good relations with all stakeholders, especially with BMCs representative agencies and their staff, other social partners and consultants (engaged by CDB) for efficient and effective delivery of project outputs.
• Place local advertisements in the public media for consultants’ services, and monitor the performance of consultants previously and/or current engaged by the CDRRF.
• Oversee all project contracting for the implementation of sub-projects, to be coordinated with the participating BMC agency.
• Supervise and monitor planned CDRRF implementation and sub-project activities to be performed in conjunction with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, engaged Consultant(s), the participating BMC Ministry/agency/department or social partner and the authorised representative(s) of the beneficiary group.
• Approve progress payment vouchers and applications to CDB for disbursement for CDRR project activities accomplished, coordinating where required with the participating BMC Ministry/agency/department, social partner and/or the authorised representative(s) of beneficiary groups.
• Develop relationships and share CDRRF information with other PMs in the Bank.
• Prepare sub-project completion reports and a Final CDRRF Project Completion Report, in a form to be specified by CDB.
• In conjunction with the Knowledge Management/Public Education Specialist, supervise the development of CDRR project information systems, case studies, knowledge products, and a communications strategy.

Qualifications and experience

• A Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental/Resource Economics, Rural Development, Disaster Risk Management or other related field.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant experience working in the area of environment, sustainable development, rural development, natural resource management, community development, and/or disaster risk management. Experience working in the Caribbean region would be an asset.
• At least five (5) years of progressive experience with Project Management responsibilities. Demonstrated competence in managing donor-funded programmes and the ability to effectively communicate with community groups, government officials, donors, private sector representatives and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would also be an asset.
• Sound analytical, innovative and strategic-thinking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and should be able to meet deadlines while working collaboratively in a team environment. Candidates must be able to work in a fast-paced and time-sensitive work environment, and possess a high degree of discretion and tact in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Competence in the use of the Bank’s standard software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Organisational competencies

The successful candidate should have a high level of proficiency in the following competencies:

Core:
Client Focus, Drive for Continuous Development, Written and Oral Communication, Teamwork, Achievement of Results; and

Leadership:
Strategic Focus, Analytical Thinking, Stress Management, Developing Others, Building Strategic Partnerships, Inspiring Trust, Knowledge Capture and Sharing, Resiliency, Facilitating Change.