Civic Engagement Coordinator

The project will achieve the following sub-outputs: 

1. Improved local development planning through participatory and evidence-informed policy-making.
2. Better access to inclusive, innovative, and quality municipal services for communities.
3. Empowered communities fostering social cohesion and engaging in sustainable local development.
4. Advanced local capacities fostering green transition.

Under the Component 3, the project aims to enhance the capacities of local CSOs and CBOs in Khobi and Poti municipalities, and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region through targeted trainings and workshops. These activities will increase knowledge and skills for effective policy dialogue, advocacy, project design, management, and resource mobilization. The project will mainstream green transition issues in CSOs and citizen engagement, providing mentorship and technical assistance to empower local organizations. The project will encourage CSOs in Khobi and Poti, as well as other CSOs and think-tanks, to collaborate, forming alliances to enhance advocacy efforts and resource sharing. Low-value grants will support community-led projects promoting green and just transition, participatory planning, and engagement of women, youth, IDPs, and PwDs in decision-making processes. The project will support municipal participatory platforms and programs related to green transition, promoting collaboration between governmental and non-governmental actors.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Economic Development Team Leader and the National Coordinator of the Project, the Civic Engagement Coordinator will support delivery of the Component 3, engage with local municipalities, national and local CSOs, CBOs and local communities, and apply best practices to mobilize local communities and enhance their engagement in sustainable development and green transition efforts. We strongly encourage local residents of Poti and Khobi municipalities to apply.

• Provide day-to-day support for the delivery of the project’s activities under Component 3;
• Prepare Civic Engagement Plan, annual work plans and individual work plan for Component 3, working closely with the other Components;
• Prepare TORs for special studies, consultants, and sub-contractors to carry out the activities specified in the work plan;
• Coordinate the implementation of the project’s Civic Engagement Plan;
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans;
• Identify Component 3 project issues, challenges and risks, and implement appropriate recommendations;
• Provide inputs to progress monitoring reports (e.g., donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, meeting documentation, situation updates, official correspondences, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in implementing Component 3 activities;
• Organize and participate in policy-related and capacity building workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions and provide technical inputs as may be necessary;
• Ensure that civic engagement initiatives of the project are provided to the Communications Officer for dissemination;
• Support the project team on gender and inclusion issues, provide technical assistance to other components on how to best achieve results on issues related to gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups.

 Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordinate with key counterparts including UNDP, municipal authorities, other national government agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure quality assurance of outputs and deliverables;
• Coordinate and cooperate with government, CSO networks, and private sector for the effectively communication of the strategic goals of the project;
• Establish, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships with private sector, universities, research groups, civil society and community groups, vehicle associations, the press and media, the business sector, etc;
• Link with other similar UNDP and other donor funded projects to explore opportunities for collaboration and complementation.

Ensure successful implementation of the Project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Mainstream green transition issues in the CSOs and in citizen engagement, advocacy and awareness campaigns to educate the public about green transition goals, environmental rights, and the benefits of sustainable practices;
• Build the capacity of local communities and civil society organizations for engaging effectively in policy dialogue, driving and implementing the green transition initiatives, and ensuring transparency and accountability of local authorities;
• Engage local residents, including women, youth, and marginalized groups, in decision-making, advocacy and monitoring of green transition policies and activities through community-led projects and small grants for CSOs civic engagement initiatives; 
• Address gender and social aspects of green transition, support women’s and youth leadership in environmental decision-making and address the barriers that prevent women, youth, IDPs and PwDs participation; 
• Enhance civic participation for delivery of other outcomes of the project, including improved and people centered service delivery, improved skills and involvement of local communities and disadvantaged groups in the green transition related labor market;
• Based on the approved work plan, develop and/or provide inputs to suitable partnership agreements and project activity designs related to Component 3;
• Monitor the implementation of partnership agreements and project activities related to Component 3;
• Monitor physical and financial delivery deadlines of Component 3 activities and implement remedial measures to address bottlenecks.

Monitor the progress of project deliverables under Component 3:

• Ensure delivery within scope, time, and budget of work and results under Component 3, using an adaptive management approach;
• Disseminate, solicit feedback, and initiate review of outputs and deliverables; 
• Collate and consolidate feedback from the counterparts;
• Ensure timely reporting and provide technically sound feedback to Component 3 consultants’ work and results.

Facilitate knowledge building and management:

• Identify sources of information related to project implementation;
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project;
• Pursue and maintain an effective knowledge network with development partners and government at national and subnational levels;
• Participate in and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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 Civic Engagement Coordinator will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the National Coordinator. S/he will also work closely with the other Component Leads. 

• 2030 Agenda: Planet – Nature, Climate and Energy          
  • Climate change mitigation: concepts and application.
• Business Management – Project Management    
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Management – Partnerships Management         
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Business Development – Knowledge facilitation 
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
• Business Management – Communication             
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Business Direction and Strategy – System Thinking           
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience