National Project Coordinator [Open to all applicants]

UNDP Careers; Manama; On-site; BHD 15,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international development organization is looking for a National Project Coordinator in Manama, Bahrain. This role involves managing biodiversity projects funded by GEF, coordinating with national stakeholders, preparing project reports, and ensuring timely project implementation. An advanced degree in environmental sciences and fluency in English and Arabic are required. Join us in advancing Bahrain’s environmental objectives and building strong partnerships.

Benefits

Equal opportunity employer

Diversity and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in environment or biodiversity projects.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate three GEF-funded biodiversity projects.
• Oversee project plans, tasks, and deliverables.
• Engage with national stakeholders and ensure quality outputs.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical writing

Environmental policy

Education

Advanced university degree in environmental sciences

Bachelor's degree in related field with 2 years experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

UNDP Bahrain, in partnership with the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is implementing a portfolio of three interlinked biodiversity projects: the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) Project, the update of Bahrain’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and preparation of the 7th National Report, and an Umbrella programme to design a national Biodiversity Finance Plan (GBFP). These projects aim to support Bahrain in achieving its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), align national policies and monitoring systems with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and strengthen financing for biodiversity conservation.

The GBF-EAS project focuses on early action to align Bahrain’s national targets with the GBF through planning, policy review, monitoring, and finance. The NBSAP/7th National Report project updates the national strategy and reporting; the GBFP supports the design of a national Biodiversity Finance Plan. A Biodiversity Finance Plan maps existing financing mechanisms, subsidies with potential harmful impacts on nature, drivers of biodiversity loss and gain, public and private expenditures for biodiversity objectives, and national financial needs for biodiversity. The programme includes knowledge sharing and continuous technical support to country teams and aims to advance Bahrain’s environmental commitments and institutional capacities.

Duties And Responsibilities

The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management of activities under three GEF-funded biodiversity projects: GBF-EAS, NBSAP/7th National Report, and GBFP (BIOFIN). Under the guidance of the UNDP Programme Analyst (Sustainable Growth, Energy, Environment and Gender), the Coordinator will ensure timely and quality implementation of all three projects, including workplan preparation, organization of technical workshops, and effective coordination with national stakeholders and consultants. The Coordinator will work closely with the technical team to establish implementation mechanisms and regular technical working groups, ensure timely delivery of workshops and activities, and maintain high-quality standards. Time allocation across the three projects will be equal; in case of extension, percentages will be adjusted according to remaining activities and project life.

Project coordination and implementation

• Oversee identification, selection and supervision of national consultants and experts, in close collaboration with UNDP Bahrain and the Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
• Supervise national experts and institutions to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to high quality standards; facilitate and monitor the work of the national team.
• Develop project plans in consultation with the national team and GPMTSU.
• Coordinate implementation of the project components.
• Liaise with national partners and provide technical support as requested.
• Define, gather, organize, and analyze key project data.
• Oversee the work of the Project Support Associate to ensure administrative requirements and budgets are managed in line with UNDP and donor rules.
• Support communication with key project partners.
• Gather and analyze national data to support progress reports, donor reports, trainings, and presentations.
• Track national progress to achieve project components.
• Engage with Ministries of Finance, Environment and other stakeholders to establish a national technical steering committee and prepare meeting reports for the committee, UNDP CO and GPMTSU.
• Maintain regular communication with Ministries of Environment and Finance for reports and products.
• Identify and communicate risks at the national level to GPMTSU.
• Organize regular national team meetings and monthly calls with the Technical Advisor from GPMTSU.
• Ensure participation of national team members in regional technical calls and participate in regional/global meetings organized by GPMTSU.
• Support additional ongoing or emerging projects as assigned and plan national workshops and consultations.
• Prepare progress reports for UNDP and project partners.
• Signal delays in deliverables and lead monitoring, reporting, and evaluation at the national level, drafting monthly and quarterly reports for lead reviews and submission to the BIOFIN team.
• Coordinate workshop reports and organize national project team meetings.
• Coordinate with the UNDP CO Operations team to manage project requirements and budgets.

Provision of technical services

• Develop terms of reference for national and international experts to provide technical support.
• Develop technical guidance documents, tools, and trainings on biodiversity and policy, including NBSAP target alignment, policy review, biodiversity finance, gender mainstreaming, stakeholder engagement, and related areas.
• Produce reports and policy recommendations related to targets in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Ensure alignment with global methodologies such as the BIOFIN workbook.
• Guide and support ongoing or emerging projects; assist with literature reviews, knowledge management, and data gathering on biodiversity, ecosystems, sustainable development, Indigenous peoples, and related topics.

Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Develop capacity-building materials, topics, dates, and speakers for workshops and webinars.
• Support active use of the NBSAP Forum by GEF-eligible Parties, including sharing best practices and opportunities.
• Prepare capacity-building engagements at UNDP-participating events (CBD COPs, OEWGs, SBSTTAs) and virtual events, among others.
• Identify, synthesize, and document best practices and lessons learned from the projects and implementing partners.

Ensure effective communication

• Flag delays in deliverables to UNDP and the national project team.
• Lead project monitoring, reporting, and evaluation at national level, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports per global project requirements.
• Develop workshop reports and briefing materials, press releases, articles, talking points, presentations, and media products; support translation as needed.
• Document best practices and lessons learned; develop case studies on policy alignment with the post-2020 global biodiversity framework targets.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Coordinator reports to the UNDP Programme Analyst (Sustainable Growth, Energy, Environment and Gender) and is supported by the GPMTSU. A dedicated technical advisor from GPMTSU will support the country’s work. The Coordinator represents the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) and manages day-to-day project activities, including mobilization of inputs, supervision of staff and consultants, and submission of progress reports to governance mechanisms and the GPMTSU.

National level arrangements include a full-time Coordinator and a part-time Project Support Associate, plus consultants as needed.

Competencies and Experience

Core

• Achieve Results: Level 2
• Think Innovatively: Level 2
• Learn Continuously: Level 2
• Adapt with Agility: Level 2
• Act with Determination: Level 2
• Engage and Partner: Level 2
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 2

Technical

• Policy and Programme Agenda 2030: Planet Nature: Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education Requirements

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in environmental sciences, natural resource management, biodiversity, economics/finance or related field; or a first-level university degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience in lieu of the advanced degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Applicants with a Master’s degree are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in environment/biodiversity/finance or related projects.

Desired criteria

• Prior experience with UNDP, CBD, and/or SCE
• Strong coordination and project management experience
• Experience collaborating with international and national experts, institutions and stakeholders
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity is desirable; knowledge of MS Office is expected

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Equal opportunity

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination, and UNDP is committed to an inclusive workplace where all personnel can contribute and grow.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar roles at the same grade level.

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