Vacancy Announcement: National Coordinator (NC)

BACKGROUND

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)  Small Grants Programme (SGP) provides non-governmental and community-based organizations (NGO/CBO) in developing countries with grants to help them tackle climate change, conserve biodiversity, protect international waters, reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and prevent land degradation. With these environment-centered ‘grant projects’ the programme also seeks to generate sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty in the world’s neediest countries and regions. The SGP motto is “Community Action – Global Impact!”

Through UNDP/UNOPS, the Federated States of Micronesia GEF Small Grants Programme seeks to recruit a suitably qualified national for the position of SGP National Coordinator.

VACANCY DETAILS

 
Post Title             SGP National Coordinator

Post Level           SB-4

Contract Type    Service Contract

Duty Station       Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

Duration              Initially twelve months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the SGP Global Manager and Central Programme Management Team (CPMT), and guidance by the UN Joint Presence Country Development Manager (CDM) and UNDP MCO, the NC is responsible for:

1. Effective management of the GEF-SGP (Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme) local team and its portfolio.
2. Implementation of and support to the SGP national programme .
3. Support to projects approved during earlier GEF Operational Phases (i.e. OP3, OP4) and with “non-GEF” co-financing partners (i.e. NZAID and AusAID) for FSM within the former Micronesia sub-regional programme (previously administered under a system of National Focal Persons (NFPs) and National Focal Groups (NFGs) within a sub-regional modality).
4. Building strategic partnerships with development partners, such as donors, foundations, private sector and civil society, including other UN Agencies to promote SGP and mobilize resources. 
5. Contribution to SGP’s efforts to develop effective national, regional and global networks for technical support and knowledge management, within the GEF SGP and with external institution, including academia. 

KEY RESULTS EXPECTED / MAJOR FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Managerial Functions
2. Programme Development and Management
3. Resource Mobilization
4. Knowledge Management

A detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) and Post Profile are available on the UNDP website: http://www.undp.org.fj/ or could be collected from the UN Joint Presence Office.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:           Bachelor’s degree in environmental fields, social sciences, business administration
                              or other relevant fields. 

Experience:        At least 5 years of relevant experience in development work, which should include
                             programme management, preferably with an extended specialized experience 
                             in any of the SGP focal areas at the national level. Experience and knowledge                                  with respect to community based projects/programmes.  

Competencies and Skills:                    Excellent analytical and writing skills

                                                                                Excellent teamwork and people management skills.

                                                                                Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Good negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, excel, presentations, databases and internet)

General Terms and Conditions

Various other benefits such as medical, pension and annual and sick leave apply. Contract duration is 1 year initially with the possibility of an extension dependent on performance and availability of funds. Only nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia will be considered for this position.

Applications must complete UN P11 form and also include a Results-Oriented Curriculum Vitae with full contact details of three referees and to be submitted no later than Friday 15 June, 2012 either electronically to vacancies.fj@undp.org or addressed under confidential cover to:

Vacancy – (Indicate Vacancy Title),

c/o GEF Small Grants Programme (FSM)

P.O. Box 2177

Pohnpei, FM 96941

 Candidates are encouraged to submit their application electronically along with an uploaded resume and P11. The P11 form can be obtained from http://unops.org/english/whoweneed/pages/default.aspx. Incomplete applications will not be considered and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Sensitization and Capacity Building Workshop on Regional Trade Agreements and Aid for Trade Project Proposals’ Formulation

FSM Information Services
Palikir, Pohnpei
June 1, 2012

The Interim Secretariat of the Micronesia Trade Committee (MTC), in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Hub & Spokes Project under the Commonwealth Secretariat, will organize a Sensitization and Capacity Building Subregional Workshop on Regional Trade Agreements and Aid for Trade (AfT) project proposals formulation from June 4-8, 2012 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, at the Training Room of the Tuna Commission in Kolonia.

 The purpose of the proposed Subregional Workshop is to sensitize the Parliamentarians, Officials and Private Sector Representatives of the Member States of the MTC (FSM, Palau and RMI) on ongoing trade negotiations involving their respective countries; build and strengthen their capacity in AfT project proposals’ formulation; and translate priority activities identified in their respective Trade Policy Framework into ready fundable projects for submission to Congress, State Legislatures, bilateral partners and other relevant multilateral donors.

 This workshop is opened to all interested stakeholders from Pohnpei State, who are encouraged to fully and actively participate in the activities planned.

 For more information, please contact the Department of Resources and Development at telephone number (691) 320-5133.

Proposal Request for Hospital Emergency Coordination Course by FSM Dept. of Health and Social Affairs

SBOC Director in Chuuk for LTFF purposes

Ms. Evelyn Adolph, Director of the FSM Office of Statistics, Budget and Economic Management, Overseas Development Assistance and Compact Management (SBOC) will be in Chuuk from May 29 to June 4 to assist Chuuk State leaders in progressing on-going work on the Long Term Fiscal Framework (LTFF) for the State.

LTFF related undertakings have been pursued by the States and National governments to address recommended ways for achieving long term financial stability amid mandated reduction in annual grants under the Amended Compact with the United States. These grants provide for a significant portion of the operation budgets for the seven priority sectors, most especially in health and education, in all the governments. The 800 thousand dollars annual reduction in compact funding calls for proper adjustments by all governments to deal with the expected impacts and prevent adverse effects on vital government services in pertinent sectors.

Director Adolph is assisted by Mrs. Sancherina Salle, Chief Economist for SBOC.

Cyber Safety Pasifika launches website

Media Release   
23 May 2012

Cyber Safety Pasifika will today launch a new website aimed at helping young members of Pacific Island communities to be safe online by providing information, advice and assistance on cyber safety.

Cyber Safety Pasifika is a program which equips police in the various Pacific Island Countries with the knowledge and resources to educate their communities, including young people, teachers and parents, in all aspects of cyber safety.

The program draws on Australia’s ‘ThinkUKnow’ program and New Zealand’s ‘NetSafe’ program, which help young people to safely navigate the internet.

Executive Director Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Don Allan said the Cyber Safety Pasifika project is focused on protecting communities, children, youth and other vulnerable people from the impact of cyber-crime. 

 “Internet crime is something that police cannot fight alone. We need community support and support from the media to raise awareness of online risks.

 “We acknowledge that the internet brings fantastic learning and recreational opportunities but we need to be conscious of the fact that there are people out there who will use the internet to take advantage of others”, Mr Allan said.

 The web site (www.cybersafetypasifika.org) contains valuable information about internet safely and encourages parents to remain aware of what their children are doing online. The website also provides advice on how to seek help if things go wrong.

 The website launch is the next phase of the Cyber Safety Pasifika program, which was endorsed by all Pacific Island Police Commissioners in August 2011 who declared their support for the need to educate young people and create a safer online environment.

 Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police along with the Australian Federal Police and National Rugby League held the first cyber safety ‘train the trainer’ course as part of the ‘Cyber Safety Pasifika’ program for Pacific Island law enforcement on the Gold Coast in February this year.

 The course was attended by police from the Cook Islands, Niue, Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Samoa who are delighted with the response they have received about the program from their communities.

As cyber use in the Pacific increases, there is a growing importance for cyber safety education for communities in the Pacific. The website will expand the Cyber Pasifika project to the wider Pacific Region. Cyber Safety Pasifika is further supported through broader Pacific wide capacity development by Pacific Police Development Program Regional.

 Media enquiries: 
AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6131 6333

WHO hits back at the tobacco industry

WHO News Release

MANILA, 30 May 2012—The World Health Organization (WHO) marks World No Tobacco Day (31 May) with a call to resist the tobacco industry's increasingly aggressive attempts to undermine laws that protect people from the harms of tobacco.

"It is fitting that tobacco industry interference is the theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day," says WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Shin Young-soo. "That's because the tobacco industry is throwing more of its huge power and resources at the laws that protect people from exposure to tobacco marketing and smoke. Its goal is simple: to increase its profits at the cost of human misery. We must resist. Denounce industry interference wherever you see it. Stand up for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tell Big Tobacco to keep its hands off public health."

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death, killing nearly six million people per year, of whom more than 600 000 are nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke. One-third of the world's approximately one billion smokers are in the Western Pacific Region. The Region has the highest prevalence of male smoking and the fastest increase in new female and young tobacco users. Half of the women and children in the Region are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.

 Of the six WHO regions, the Western Pacific is the only region in which all eligible Member States have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The treaty, which entered into force in 2005, obligates its parties to ban tobacco marketing, to protect people from tobacco smoke, to warn people about the harms of tobacco use, to offer help to people who want to quit and to raise taxes on tobacco products, among other provisions. It is the most important tool in the fight against the tobacco epidemic.

 Parties' efforts to meet their obligations under the treaty have caused a fierce counter-reaction by the tobacco industry. Tobacco giant Philip Morris International recently went so far as to sue Australia under the country's bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong (China) on the grounds that Australia's plain packaging law infringes on international trademarks. The Australian law requires that all tobacco products be sold in drab packages without logos. Australia has expressed its determination to vigorously defend the suit, as well as a separate suit that the tobacco industry lodged in a domestic court. For its part, WHO has pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder with Australia against the tobacco industry's attempts to strangle the plain packaging movement.

 "The tobacco industry is getting more aggressive and brazen," Dr Shin says. "On World No Tobacco Day, and throughout the year, the World Health Organization will educate policy-makers and the general public about the tobacco industry's nefarious and harmful interference with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control."

 Under the treaty, parties are obligated to monitor and resist the tobacco industry's attempts to subvert tobacco control efforts. It states: "in settling and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law". Guidelines to implementation of the treaty state that parties are recommended to "raise awareness about…tobacco industry interference with parties' tobacco control policies".

 Besides trying to undermine public health laws, the tobacco industry is also engaging in so-called corporate social responsibility activities designed to enhance its public image and make people forget that its products cause addiction, suffering and death.

 Unless urgent action is taken to control the tobacco epidemic, the annual death toll could rise to eight million by 2030. Tobacco use caused 100 million deaths in the 20th century.  If current trends continue, it will cause up to one billion deaths in the 21st century.

 WHO will give World No Tobacco Day 2012 awards to the following people and institution from the Western Pacific Region:

• China's Minister of Health Chen Zhu will receive a Director-General's Special Recognition of Global Tobacco Control certificate for the establishment of a tobacco-free health system in China.
• The Korean Association of Smoking and Health will receive a certificate of appreciation for conducting a nationwide anti-smoking campaign.
• Philippine Attorney Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will receive a certificate of appreciation for resurrecting the "Enforcement of Smoke-Free Policy" campaign.

http://www.wpro.who.int/entity/tobacco/wntd/2012/en/index.html

For more information, please contact:

Dr Susan Mercado

Team Leader, Tobacco Free Initiative

Mobile: +63 (0)928 501 0241

E-mail: mercados@wpro.who.int

Mr Timothy O'Leary

Public Information Officer

Tel. +63 2 528 9991 to 93

E-mail: olearyt@wpro.wpro.who.int

Japan commits 500 million US Dollars to Pacific Region at PALM 6 in Okinawa

A report on the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting in Okinawa by Radio New Zealand International and presented in the East West Center Update is copied here in its entirety....

President Manny Mori attended this meeting.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 29, 2012) – Japan has committed to providing up to 500 million US dollars to the Pacific region over the next three years at the sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Okinawa, Japan. The amount is similar to that pledged in 2009 at the last three yearly PALM meeting. Leaders from 15 Pacific Island countries participated along with the United States which was invited for the first time. The leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation with particular focus on response to natural disasters, climate change, sustainable development and human security. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced an initiative to improve the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System and referred to a pilot programme for developing a catastrophe-risk insurance in cooperation with the World Bank for Forum Island Countries. The leaders reaffirmed that climate change poses one of the greatest threats to the Pacific and Mr Noda spoke of Japan’s commitment to supporting Pacific countries’ efforts in addressing environmental issues.

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