Project Coordinator – GRID

Company Description

WWF-Guianas is recruiting a Project Coordinator in Suriname to lead the Suriname GEF-financed project titled “Preserving Suriname’s Immense Marine and Coastal Biodiversity through Greening Infrastructure Development” (or Suriname GEF GRID Project) under the Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) Integrated Program.  The project will advance efforts to revise or develop policies, support integrated planning solutions, and advance finance and de-risking mechanisms, resulting in proper safeguarding of Suriname’s estuary and riverine ecosystems while infrastructure investments are facilitated. These approaches will set a new benchmark for infrastructure development, thus mainstreaming nature-positive guidelines into long-term transportation infrastructure planning and development in Suriname. The project aims to contribute to improved practices across 2,500 ha of landscape and 60,000 ha of marine habitat, benefit 300 direct stakeholders, and support climate change mitigation.

Job Description

The Project Coordinator is primarily responsible for overseeing the compliancy and providing technical supervision of the Suriname GEF GRID project implemented by the Government (Department of Spatial Planning) to ensure quality and effective implementation and alignment with donor requirements.

Major Duties 

Project Oversight & Technical Review

• Monitor project activities continuously and provide technical backstopping.
• Review and provide feedback on key project reports to ensure technical sound and operational progress, including:

1. Annual Work Plan and Budget
2. Biannual Project Progress Reports
3. Quarterly Financial Reports
4. Project Close-out Report
5. Project documentation- technical content reports or products 

• Coordinate internal reviews of deliverables by the WWF-GEF supervision team; consolidate and share feedback with the PMU.
• Work closely with the WWF-US co-lead to ensure quality project implementation
• Support in the overall coordination of the WWF-GEF supervision team.

Reporting & Evaluation

• Support the planning and execution of annual supervision missions; lead or co-lead the drafting of the Project Implementation Supervision Mission (PrISM) Report.
• Lead or co-lead the drafting of the annual Project Implementation Report for submission to the GEF Secretariat.
• Participate in mid-term and terminal evaluations, including interviews, site visits, and drafting of the WWF GEF Agency management response.

Team Coordination

• Support overall coordination of the WWF-GEF supervision team.
• Maintain effective communication and updates with executing agency, executing partners, the OFP, local other partners, WWF-GEF 

Environmental and Social Safeguards

• Promotes adherence and implementation of WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), and the management of risks within the overall portfolios and projects within defined landscapes

Other Duties

• Perform any other tasks reasonably assigned by the Supervisor.
• Set up a clear documentation storage system for audit purposes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, Project Management, or Technical Engineering, Architecture, Civil engineering, specializing in road or waterworks and with experience in green infrastructure or inclusive green development.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience, preferably within international development, conservation, or infrastructure planning with inclusive green growth.
• Experience with GEF projects is an asset.
• Knowledge and working experience in Suriname are essential, experience in the Guianas is an asset.
• Familiarity with nature-positive approaches, environmental and social safeguards, and sustainable infrastructure development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government agencies, donors, and multi-sectoral partners.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to represent the organization publicly.
• Strong skills in planning, monitoring, reporting, compliance and evaluating complex projects.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch, and English.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Good technical and organizational skills are essential.
• Skilled in building and maintaining effective relationships with government agencies, partners, and donors.
• Competence in reviewing technical documents and providing constructive feedback to ensure quality and delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting on compliance, stakeholder engagement, and team coordination.
• Experience in tracking project progress, conducting evaluations, and preparing detailed reports.
• Understanding of safeguard frameworks and ability to ensure compliance throughout project implementation.
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

Additional Information

Working Relationships

Internal:

The Project Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Conservation Director and will work in close collaboration with the WWF-GEF team.
The Project Coordinator will collaborate with management, technical, project and operation team members across Suriname and Guyana and with other WWF colleagues in the region and wider Network in such as initiatives like the Caribbean strategy.

External:

The implementing government agencies (Ministry of OWRO, department RO), Private sector, donor, and public authorities.

**This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively by staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.