Project Field Coordinator - Open to Internal and External Candidates

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Under the Egyptian Red Sea Initiative, UNDP is supporting the development of sustainable and reef-positive tourism in and around Wadi El Gemal National Park. The component aims to strengthen tourism models that generate economic opportunities for local communities and the protected area while supporting conservation of the area's natural and cultural assets.

Activities may include the development and improvement of community-led visitor experiences, nature- and culture-based tourism products, reef-positive tourism activities, and other sustainable tourism interventions identified by ERSI.

The programme is being developed in partnership with Wadi El Gemal National Park/Nature Conservation Sector, other public institutes, local communities, academia, and the private sector. The overall approach aims to develop viable tourism models that generate benefits for conservation, the protected area and local communities and can continue beyond ERSI support.

ERSI will recruit a part-time Project Field Coordinator to support day-to-day implementation and ensure effective coordination across the different sustainable tourism activities, partners and stakeholders.

The Project Field Coordinator will ensure that activities under the Wadi El Gemal sustainable tourism component progress according to agreed workplans and that the different partners, consultants, contractors and stakeholders remain coordinated.

The Project Field Coordinator will undertake the following:

Coordinate and report day-to-day implementation of the Wadi El Gemal sustainable tourism component across its different activities. Maintain implementation workplans, follow up on actions and timelines, and coordinate field missions, meetings, approvals and implementation issues across ERSI and programme partners.

Assess and strengthen the capacity of relevant local community organizations and partners to undertake their agreed roles in supported tourism activities. This may include practical management systems, staff and community roles, service-provider arrangements, payment mechanisms, operational procedures and the gradual transfer of agreed management functions.

Work closely with the Wadi El Gemal National Park team to define and strengthen their operational role across supported tourism activities and identify any capacity, staffing, equipment or procedural needs required for effective participation. Support the integration of WGNP staff into visitor management, interpretation, conservation messaging, monitoring, safety and other relevant operational functions, in coordination with NCS/EEAA and ERSI.

Coordinate field inputs and communication between design consultants, contractors, WGNP, community partners, tourism businesses and ERSI where physical works, equipment or site improvements are required. Follow progress of approved activities, facilitate site access and approvals, needed approvals, flag implementation issues and support inspection and handover, without replacing the technical supervision responsibilities of relevant consultants or authorities.

Maintain regular coordination with local communities, community organizations, tourism businesses and other partners involved in supported activities. Ensure their roles are reflected in programme implementation and address practical issues relating to community participation, visitor services, market access, operations and partnership arrangements.

Coordinate preparations for piloting and operationalizing sustainable tourism activities, depending on the intervention special needs. Support pilot implementation, collect feedback from partners and visitors, document concerns through the project's grievance and feedback mechanisms, and coordinate adjustments required before wider operation or scale-up.

Track implementation progress, key decisions, risks and pending actions across the sustainable tourism component. Maintain basic programme records and field documentation and provide regular updates to the ERSI Project Manager on progress and issues requiring management attention.

The Programme Field Coordinator will report to the ERSI Project Manager and work closely with the ERSI team. 

The Coordinator will maintain regular field presence in Wadi El Gemal/Marsa Alam and work directly with WGNP, Abu Ghosoun CDA, private sector, consultants, contractors and other programme partners. 

The Coordinator does not have authority to approve changes to project scope, budget, technical designs or contracts. Any such changes will be referred to ERSI and the responsible partner for approval.

• Secondary education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Environmental Management, Marine biology, Natural Resources Management, Protected Area Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Marine or Environmental Sciences, or other related fields will be given due consideration.

Minimum 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: sustainable tourism, protected area management, community-based development, tourism operations, environmental or conservation programmes, local economic development, or field-based project coordination.

• Experience in field coordination and implementation of projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of or experience working in nature-based tourism, protected areas and/or conservation-related activities.
• Experience working with local communities, community organizations or NGOs, and in collaboration with private sector.
• Practical ability to follow up on workplans, implementation schedules, field activities and operational issues.
• Good reporting, documentation and communication skills.

• Experience working in protected areas and/or environmentally sensitive tourism destinations is an asset.
• Knowledge of Wadi El Gemal National Park, Marsa Alam and the Southern Red Sea context is a strong asset.
• Experience supporting capacity development of local NGOs, community organizations or small tourism service providers is an asset.
• Familiarity with Egyptian government structures, protected-area authorities and local administrative procedures is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, coordination and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to identify implementation challenges, propose practical solutions and follow up until resolution.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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