General Notices

The St. Augustine Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (STACIE), University of the West Indies, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have entered into a technical assistance program for the implementation of a monitoring verification and reporting (MRV) system for mangrove ecosystems in the region. The MRV program will provide a science-based data platform on the sequestration and release of blue carbon in mangrove systems for participant countries of the United Kingdom's Blue Carbon Fund administered by the IDB. The Fund was established to help reduce the negative impacts of climate change on blue carbon ecosystems. The regional MRV is to be used to help monitor the progress of the projects that are to be implemented under the Fund.

The MRV operation is being executed by STACIE, research innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. With this MRV system, the blue carbon projects of the Fund will be able to: (i) Improve the valuation of ecosystem services provided by mangrove ecosystems; (ii) Potentially include blue carbon data in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) schemes, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) programs, UNFCCC National Communications, and carbon markets programs; (iii) Utilize an MRV system for results-based payments under a reforestation program.

Read on for more details on the project and the available position:

The consultant must be able to gather a strategic audience of persons from academia, community/NGO-based, industry and government who are drivers of conservation and research on the mangrove ecosystems. This will be a major conduit to promotion of the regional MRV methodology for acceptance by key stakeholders. This is envisaged to be a premier conference to share knowledge and ensure the key findings and information/knowledge are captured on mangrove conservation and MRV in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Job Title: International Conference Organiser for Blue & Wetlands Conference

Duration of Contract: The contract will be for a period of 6 months

Expected Start Date: September 01, 2024

Places of work: Home-Based with paid travel for conference

Responsibilities:

-          Coordinate all aspects of planning and organizing the conference to ensure the objectives are achieved

-          Develop a comprehensive conference plan inclusive of timeline, budgets, resource requirements

-          Secure sponsorship from the private sector

-          Develop project management matrices including but not limited to communication plan, stakeholder plan, RASCI matrix in collaboration with the Communications Specialist

-          Meet with STACIE and IDB teams at least monthly or as required to discuss progress. This includes preparation of meeting agendas before and meeting minutes after the meeting.

-          Report to the STACIE team for procurement and prepare documents for procurement by the Bursary and IDB’s non-objection

-          Identify and secure a suitable venue for the conference with close proximity to mangrove region, safe and has a vantage point to transport, accommodation and commercial places

-          Invite leading experts in blue carbon research, climate financiers and private sector from around the world

-          Invite keynote speakers from around the world

-          Develop and manage a conference website

-          Promote conference on social media and other channels getting a target of at least 100 participants

-          Develop standardized requirements for abstract submissions

-          Manage receipt of conference fees

-          Coordinate with vendors and service providers for catering, equipment, room rental, translation, conference signage

-          Organize travel, accommodation and per diems for persons funded by the project

-          Oversee the submission and review process for abstracts and presentations

-          Develop conference agenda and compile and format conference abstracts

-          Develop mailing list for conference participants

-          Create and manage content for advertisements

-          Manage logistics at the conference including registration, greeting of stakeholders, taking attendance and ensuring activities are on schedule

-          Draft conference proceedings for review

-          Organize media promotion post conference in collaboration with the Comms Specialist

-          Track accurately invoices and expenditure in a format to be reviewed by the STACIE team for transparency and accountability

-          Follow-up with climate financiers

-          Writing a final report accounting for how the consultant’s time was spent and costed and recommendation

Qualifications:

Minimum Academic Qualification:

-          The consultant should have a Bachelor Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, communications, or related field areas.

-          Fluency in oral and written Spanish.

Experience:

-          At least five (5) years of experience in organizing international conferences

-          At least five (5) years of experience working in the field of environmental studies and/or climate change

-          At least three (3) years of experience using digital communication tools and platforms

-          Specific Experience:

-          Experience in engaging stakeholders across academia, governments, private sector, community/NGO and/or multilaterals, finance sector and governments in Latin America and the Caribbean

-          Experience in branding, documentation, website maintenance, media releases for organizing environmentally based conferences

-          Demonstration of a good understanding of the Blue Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean

-          General knowledge of ocean resources management, economic innovation and recovery

Key Skills: The consultant should demonstrate the following skills:

-          Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

-          Proven ability to advise and train users in complex systems/applications and effectively prepare specifications and other documentation in a clear and concise style. Ability to communicate with various levels of technical experience

-          Digital marketing and graphic design

-          Proven track record

Your expression of interest letter accompanied by your curriculum vitae should be submitted in writing at the St Augustine Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, St Augustine Campus, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, W.I. or by email: STA-DirectorSTACIE@sta.uwi.edu with copy to: STA-MRVProject@sta.uwi.edu , Farrah.mathura@sta.uwi.edu

The deadline for submission of applications is Tuesday, July 30, 2024

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