Mangroves are critical for coastal protection as they prevent coastal erosion and help to stabilize coastal land. Mangroves are critical nature-based solution to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and storms and adapt to climate change. Coastal mangroves can adapt to sea level rise and storms surges by moving inland over time.  Suriname is home to 2 percent of the world’s total mangroves. In Suriname, mangrove forests cover 90 percent of the total coastline of 386 kms. The low-lying coastal region is also where majority of the population lives (i.e nearly 90 percent of the country’s population). In short, mangroves play a critical role in physical/geographical and socio-economic aspects of the country.
UNDP has been a key development partner of the Surinamese Government and its people since 1994. UNDP continues to support Suriname through its three broad programmatic areas: Democratic Governance, Social Development, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management. The three programmatic areas are interlinked, integrating nature-based solutions, justice and social services with the engagement of stakeholders that are relevant to all three programmatic areas.
UNDP in partnership with the European Union has been supporting Suriname in preservation and conservation of mangrove forests, especially through the two phases of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) programmes – phase one: from March 2016 to August 2019 and phase 2: 2020- 2023. In 2024, UNDP and EU launched a new initiative Protection, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Mangrove Forest (PRSUMF) project (2024 to 2027).
The PRSUMF project builds on the results achieved in strengthening mangrove protection and conservation by the GCCA+ programme. The PRSUMF project aims to support Suriname in building the resilience of target coastal communities through inclusive, gender-responsive coastal zone management, mangroves conservation, and sustainable use. The project aims to achieve this objective:
a)    By strengthening coordination, legal and strategic frameworks, for integrated coastal zone management, water management, coastal defense, and governance.
b)    By enhancing the meaningful participation of local communities in the co-management of mangroves and Multiple Use Management Areas (MUMAs) and
c)    Lastly, by increasing sustainable income generation with a focus on women and youth, from mangrove-based value chains such as honey, fisheries, and nature-tourism.

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Through the above approach, the project aims to mitigate some of the impact of rising sea levels, and frequent flooding, and support the country’s population to adapt to climate change by playing a central role in sustainable mangrove protection and use and adopting sustainable economic activities.
The project will be implemented by a project management unit headed by a project manager.  The Project Assistant position will be part of the project management unit assisting the project team.

Provide effective administrative and financial support:
•     Support Finance and Administration Associate, Project Manager and other members of the PMU, in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results (communication, contracts, agenda, visas, hotel reservations, field visits etc.);
•     Arrange external and internal meetings, draft minutes of meetings, workshops and other gatherings, including Project Steering Board and National Coordination Team meetings;
•     Assume direct responsibility for administrative matters of a more general nature, such as registry and maintenance of project files and records;
•     Prepare requests for payments and reimbursements.
•     Advise and assist international advisors and national consultants on all aspects of allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculate payments due for claims and services;

Provide procurement & logistics for project implementation: 
•     In accordance with the work plan, arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services, ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures;
•     Maintain an equipment and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required;
•     Make pertinent logistical arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the project activities, with a strong emphasis on preparing project events;
•     Support process of liaising with stakeholders to obtain project co-financing letters;
•     Handle phone calls and messages, as well as correspondence, including writing letters, records, and sorting;
•     Perform any other administrative tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.

•     Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
•     Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
•     Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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

Cross-functional & Technical competencies

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements