Natural Resources Technical Associate
Qualifications of Natural Resources Technical Associate:
- Location: Panama
- Vacancy No: 27829
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNDP United Nations Development Programme
- Deadline: 7/31/2025
Brief details about Natural Resources Technical Associate:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
The UNDP country office, in its commitment to equality and non-discrimination, aims to strengthen a pluralistic, inclusive, diverse organizational culture that respects differences and leaves no one behind. Therefore, it invites Indigenous people, Afro-descendants, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and other historically excluded individuals, groups, and populations to apply. Women in this diverse group are especially encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP, including our values and inspiring stories .
UNDP rejects all forms of violence against women, sexual harassment and exploitation in any form, as well as harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
In compliance with its constitutional mandate, the Panama Canal (ACP), through its Environmental Policy and Protection Division, has developed actions for the conservation of water resources in terms of quality and quantity for nearly 20 years through comprehensive watershed management. This management has been developed jointly with strategic alliances between stakeholders interacting in the region, building an unprecedented model of watershed management in the country.
The development of this project seeks to guarantee the long-term supply of water for human consumption and for the operation of the Panama Canal, as well as other economic activities. For this to happen, the Canal Watershed must be healthy.
It contributes to the efficient administration of the basin’s water resources and their integrated management, improving the environmental, social, and economic conditions of men and women, that is, enhancing the quality of life and human development of its population.
The improvement of social and economic conditions will be achieved through land registration and titling for men and women, which will provide them with legal security and an important resource for accessing sources of financing, alternative livelihood opportunities (entrepreneurship), and empowerment, among other benefits.
One of the main objectives of this project is land use planning, and one of the actions to achieve this is the land registry and titling. Since 2002, the ACP and UNDP have worked together through the Land Registry and Titling Program in the CHCP. This program aims to guarantee legal security in land tenure to contribute to improving the quality of life of the area’s population.
Obtaining a property title increases the value of the land and, consequently, personal or family assets. It also increases the potential for stimulating the land buying and selling market, as the property provides legal security. Likewise, economic activities related to the sector are boosted because agricultural and forestry properties can be used as collateral for any investment requiring financing. Municipalities also benefit from direct income from the creation of new ejidos, since they are responsible for regulating their development.
In addition to building foundations for sustainability, strategic alliances seek to implement actions that mitigate access barriers and disadvantages faced by some vulnerable groups, such as women, associated with domestic work and caregiving; people with disabilities, who have fewer opportunities; and young people, who must migrate from rural areas in search of income, among other things, to increase their participation in planned activities.
Project PS102418, “Integrated Management of the Panama Canal Watershed as a Proven Model for Sustainable Development,” aims to continue development processes that add value to traditional production processes, allowing for income diversification for residents, and thus further promoting sustainable development of the watershed as a strategy for water resource conservation.
Consequently, it is imperative to monitor and evaluate progress, as well as systematize the Fund’s projects, through monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports.
The Technical Associate in Natural Resources will be responsible for the following functions:
- Technical Assistance in Natural Resources and Environmental Assessment
- Carry out the characterization of land use, water sources, and recognition of flora and fauna species on the registered properties.
- Ensure compliance with the Ministry of the Environment’s standards and procedures in the mass land allocation and titling processes.
- Provide guidance to beneficiaries in completing Use and Management Plans, providing recommendations on the proper use and conservation of natural resources.
- Ensure that the surveyed properties do not overlap with areas of the National System of Protected Areas.
- Conduct field trips to verify project progress and inspect compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
- Institutional Coordination and Technical Support to MiAMBIENTE
- Work together with the GIS-Field team and the environmental unit in tour planning.
- Support the Ministry of the Environment in preparing inspection reports, resolutions, reports, and other documents required by the General Environmental Law and the Forestry Law.
- Prepare technical documentation and ensure quality control of files before signature by the MiAMBIENTE Regional Administrator.
- Project Monitoring, Follow-up and Evaluation
- Support the project coordinator in monitoring and evaluating the five intervention products.
- Manage the project evaluation and monitoring system, developing and compiling indicators according to the results matrix.
- Support external evaluations (intermediate, final, or impact), audits, and project accountability processes.
- Generate indicators of results and requested products.
- Document Management and Logistics
- Maintain an updated inventory of files processed by the UTA and their progress levels.
- Participate in follow-up meetings with the UTA.
- Participate in public exhibitions and degree presentation activities.
- Support notification and outreach activities for program petitioners.
- Communication and Dissemination
- Prepare inputs for communications on project initiatives, progress, and results.
- Other Institutional Functions
- Develop other activities appropriate to your experience and technical skills that are assigned to you in support of project management.
- Perform other functions within their functional profile that contribute to the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Agreement
The Technical Associate in Natural Resources will be under the direct supervision of the GIS Supervisor – Integrated Management Field in the Panama Canal Basin and the Project Coordinator.
Expenses involving transportation, lodging, and food, in accordance with the Project’s activities and requirements, outside the work area and the Canal Basin, will be covered by the project in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.
Basic Competencies
| 1. Achieving Results | Level 1: Plans and supervises own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work by deadline. |
| 2. Think innovatively | Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem solver who makes improvements. |
| 3. Learn continuously | Level 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. |
| 4. Adapts with agility | Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. |
| 5. Act with determination | Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to perform calmly in the face of adversity with confidence. |
| 6. Commitment and Partnership | Level 1: Shows compassion and understanding towards others, establishes positive relationships. |
| 7. Diversity and Inclusion | Level 1: Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of unconscious biases, confronts discrimination |
Transversal Competencies
| Business Management | Communication | Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously through written and verbal communication; to adapt messages and select communication methods based on the audience.
Ability to manage internal and external communications through the media, social networks, and other appropriate channels. |
| Business Management | Digital Awareness and Competence | Ability and inclination to quickly adopt new technologies, either by mastering their use or by understanding their impact and training others to use them as needed. |
| Business Management | Customer satisfaction | Ability to respond in a timely and appropriate manner with a sense of urgency, providing consistent solutions and timely deliveries and/or quality results and/or solutions to meet customer needs.
Provide input for the development of the customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond immediate customer requests. Ability to anticipate upcoming customer needs and concerns. customer. |
| Business Management | Working with evidence and data | Ability to inspect, clean, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision making.
decisions |
Technical Competencies
| Digital | Data collection
|
Have the ability to classify data, cleanse data, manage surveys, present and prepare reports, including the collection of real-time information (e.g., mobile data, satellite information, sensor information). |
| Data | Information Analysis | Ability to extract, analyze, and visualize information (including real-time information) to provide relevant insights and support decision-making. |
Minimum Requirements of an NPSA
| Minimum education requirements |
|
| Years of minimum relevant experience |
|
| Required Skills |
|
| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section |
|
| Required Language(s) |
|
| Professional Certificates |
|
| Other Requirements |
|
- Contract Duration: One year, renewable depending on performance and project duration
- Work Location: Project headquarters located in Chilibre (Camping Resort). Area: Technical Administrative Unit, Capira and the Panama Canal Watershed, located between the provinces of Colón and North Panama.
- This position is open to national or foreign applicants with permanent residence and a valid work permit for the duration of the contract.
- Applications received after this date will not be considered.
- Only candidates selected for interview will receive confirmation.