Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative established in 2006 to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues.

The MFF initiative is promoting an ecosystem based approach for integrated coastal management with a particular focus on building resilience towards climate change and natural disasters of coastal communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

While mangroves are the flagship of MFF, the initiative is inclusive of all types of coastal ecosystem, such as coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, sea grasses and wetlands. The emphasis is on generating knowledge, empowering local communities, enhance governance, and promoting policy solutions that will support best practices in integrated coastal management.

Moving forward, MFF will increasingly promote nature based solutions by showcasing the climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits that can be achieved with healthy and well managed mangrove forests and other types of coastal vegetation. In particular, considering the high carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove forests, MFF will be exploring the opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change by including mangrove ecosystems into the REDD+ agenda.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (PM-CCAM) will assist the MFF Coordinator with overall management and administration of the MFF initiative including delivery of the MFF core objectives, implementation of the grant facilities, and programme monitoring and reporting.

In particular, the PM-CCAM will take the lead in exploring synergies between CCA and CCM interventions and in identifying policy incentives and programme opportunities to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable management of mangrove and related ecosystems. Given their high carbon sequestration and storage capacity, this includes identification of social, policy and market-based challenges and solutions for integrating mangrove ecosystems into national REDD+ agendas.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
In close coordination with MFF Secretariat:
• Lead ongoing development and implementation of MFF climate change adaptation and mitigation work including development and implementation of a pilot project in select countries to include mangroves into the national REDD+ agendas;
• Lead new and ongoing work to develop and utilize synergies between CCA and CCM interventions for improving livelihoods and building resilience of ecosystem dependent coastal communities;
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies that promote the ecosystem based approach for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation including promotion of ecosystem valuation studies and bundling of ecosystem services;
• With particular focus on mangrove ecosystems, lead identification of policy incentives to address the drivers of deforestation, forest degradation, and forest carbon stock enhancement;
• Provision of technical advisory support to national and regional teams and stakeholders engaged in CCA and CCM including REDD+ and related matters;
• Further develop the trusted working relationship with partners and stakeholders engaged in CCA and CCM including REDD+ and related matters.

Programme Management and Administration
In close coordination with MFF Secretariat:
• Support timely reporting to the MFF donors and the MFF Regional Steering Committee (RSC) on progress of the program;
• Support the timely follow-up of decisions from the MFF RSC meetings, including preparation and revisions of budgets, work plans, operational guidelines, financial reports and the provision of assistance to MFF countries.
• Provide regular support to national and regional MFF program staff on programme matters relating to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation best practices, norms and standards with a view to developing an integrated team of national and regional personnel in the Program

Grants Management and Programme Results Monitoring
• Support development of contracts and agreements with national secretariats and implementing partners in line with IUCN regulations and donor requirements;
• Support timely implementation, monitoring, and reporting of contracts and agreements with national secretariats and implementing partners ensuring consistency with policies, procedures and requirements of IUCN and international donors;
• Oversee national implementation of MFF Grant Facilities and support the national secretariat staff in project management including project selection, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Facilitation of Auditing
• In collaboration with IUCN Finance unit, Facilitate implementation and facilitation of internal and external audits of projects in accordance with IUCN and donor guidelines;
• Assist in following up on audit report recommendations.

Communication and Representation
In close consultation with the Programme Manager (Knowledge Management and Sustainability), other MFF Secretariat staff and the IUCN Communications Unit:
• Contribute to development and implementation of MFF learning events;
• Contribute to identification and preparation of knowledge products and information updates to the MFF website and Newsletter.
• Represent the MFF Secretariat at national and regional meetings, workshops, and other events, as directed by the Coordinator;
• Carry out other tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager.