Project Analyst [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]

Background

This ToR is specifically within the scope of the project entitled “Enhancing climate resilience in Thailand through effective water management and sustainable agriculture”, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the total of USD 17.5 million for 5 year duration (Funded Activity: FP170). UNDP is an Accredited Entity accountable to the GCF for the implementation of the project. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, is the project Implementing Partner, with the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusamearbeit (GIZ) Gmbh are the two Responsible Parties.

Thailand is one of the 16 countries identified globally as being in the ‘extreme risk’ category of those most vulnerable to future climate change impacts over the next 30 years. Severe drought and flood events are likely to be experienced increasingly in the near and longer-term future as a result of the combined effects of a more vigorous hydrological cycle and enhanced surface drying. Thailand’s agricultural sector, in particular, will be impacted by changing precipitation patterns with increasingly common extreme rain events and floods, as well as more extensive drought periods, which particularly affect poor households. With climate extremes expected to increase, climate-informed water management and climate-resilient water infrastructure will be critical in order to prepare for and respond to floods and droughts, which are the key priorities in Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan 2018. Given the cost of upgrading existing water infrastructure across the country, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is seeking to complement its grey infrastructure with ecosystems-based adaptation measures (EbA), an integrated solution which brings together water management and agriculture.

The project addresses the core problem of climate-induced droughts and floods threatening agriculture livelihoods and infrastructure in the Yom and Nan river basin (Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces). Specifically, it seeks to: a) support climate informed water management, planning and investment, and b) support vulnerable farmers in reducing volatility to changing climatic conditions, enhancing climate-informed and integrated planning as well as reduce disruption to smallholder farmers.

The objective will be achieved through generation of three complementary outputs:

• Output 1: Enhance climate and risk informed planning in the water and agricultural sectors through improved climate information and cross sectoral coordination
• Output2: Improve water management through strengthened infrastructure complemented by EbA measures, for greater resilience to climate change impacts
• Output 3: Reduce volatility of agriculture livelihoods in drought and flood prone areas through strengthened extension support and local planning, investment in on-farm adaptation measures and greater access to finance and markets.

The Project Analyst will have to closely liaise with the project’s Project Management Unit (PMU) which has been established at the RID to be responsible for project management and execution of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Integrated Team Leader of UNDP Thailand and technical consultation and guidance of the UNDP Technical Support Team, and the Project Analyst will supervise Gender Responsive Data Officer, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Office and Project Associate in UNDP Thailand. He/she will also coordinate closely with PMU to collaborate for effective project implementation. The Project is currently managed by the Project Management Unit (PMU). The PMU is led by the Project Manager (PM), who is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project.

Under the direct supervision of the Integrated Team Leader of UNDP and guidance from the UNDP Technical Support Team, the Project Analyst is responsible for, jointly with the Project Manager from Project Management Unit (PMU), overall coordination between UNDP, PMU, and other relevant stakeholders and ensuring that the project is effectively and efficiently executed within the agreed timeline and resources. While the Project Analyst will be based in Bangkok, he/she is expected to travel to and spend time in the 3 target provinces.

Ensure effective project management, coordination and monitoring in coordination with PMU and RID

• Ensure PMU in project implementation and management under the overall guidance of the RID.
• In coordination with UNDP project and programme team, PMU and RID, facilitates strategic inputs to financial and managerial aspects of the project to ensure that activities are on track in accordance with the Project Document, as well as provide technical and advisory support on the following elements, among others:
  • Annual work planning and budgeting
  • Facilitate the organization of Project Board Meetings and p