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Project Manager

Tirana

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Tirana
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 
EU for Youth 2024-2026 (EU4Youth) is an EU funded project implemented by UNDP and UNICEF in Albania and aims to provide technical assistance to support the pilot implementation of the Youth Guarantee Scheme in Albania. It is a strategic response to the pressing challenges faced by the country's youth, particularly those aged 15-29, in accessing sustainable employment opportunities. EU for Youth aims to harmonize Albania's youth employment policies with European Council recommendations on Youth Guarantee, ensuring universal accessibility for young individuals not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) under 30, policy coherence and coordination – built on diverse partnerships - to “guarantee” a quality offer within four months, on-going monitoring, and effective utilization of both domestic and other financial resources.

The EU for Youth strategically aligns with national strategies, including the National Strategy for Development and European Integration 2022-2030, the National Employment and Skills Strategy 2030, the National Youth Strategy 2022-2029, and others, creating synergies for effective implementation.

“EU for Youth” project (2024-2026) expected impact is to improve the employability of young boys and girls not in employment, education, or training through the implementation of YG scheme in Albania. The three outcomes and eight outputs are cross-communicating, i.e., are designed to ensure internal coherence and maximize collaboration and learning between the measures, that in the end they add value and contribute to the achievement of the expected impact. The project will contribute to the following outcomes:
  • Outcome 1: Enhanced inter-institutional capacities to effectively implement and govern the Youth Guarantee in Albania
  • Outcome 2: Strengthened local engagement and partnerships that effectively support the integration and retention of vulnerable NEET youth in the labor market through well-monitored and adaptive Youth Guarantee programmes
  • Outcome 3: Enhanced capacity and effectiveness of VET systems in producing a skilled workforce prepared to contribute to the green economy, with reduced student drop-out rates and increased engagement with the private sector. 
Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Inclusive Growth and Jobs Programme Specialist, in close cooperation with the implementing partner UNICEF, national authorities, and the respective institutions, the EU4Youth Project Manager will be responsible for the project implementation, including planning, financial delivery, recruitment of the experts/consultants, procurement of goods and services, and reporting. The work will be carried out in line with the Project Document and in full compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations.

Implementation of project activities:

  • Day-to-day management of project activities, monitoring the financial performance of the Project according to the project budget; 
  • Coordinate with relevant implementing partners and responsible parties to ensure that the expected outputs are delivered in a timely manner, according to the project document;
  • Ensure that the project is implemented in compliance with UNDP Procurement, Financial and Human Resources rules and regulations; 
  • Ensure that the project is implemented according to work plans and within the established budgets;
  • Ensure the implementation of the project communication plan and visibility requirements;
  • Ensure the results-based implementation of project activities; 
  • Act as project assets custodian and ensure the project assets are properly inventoried and reported;
  • Provide professional advice based upon his/her specific area of expertise that is relevant to the project activities’ goals and objectives.
    Implementation of reporting, monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies:
  • Lead, supervise and monitor the project implementation process, including effective monitoring of project work plan and relevant activities as per outputs; 
  • Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and the results, undertake the project’s independent evaluations;
  • Ensure timely submission of financial and activity progress reports on the financial and operational status of the project, as well as on adequate financial management of allocated resources;
  • Ensure the timely preparation of reports to donors and the Project Steering Committee; 
  • Provide periodic analytical updates on the situation in respective sectors of the project;
  • Collect, analyze and consolidate general and issue-specific materials, and documentation, and contribute to the preparation of policy papers, corporate planning and reporting tools, resource mobilization and advocacy materials.

Liaison, partnerships and coordination with external and internal partners:

  • Maintain and develop partnerships with government institutions, development partners, private sector, civil society in the relevant thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities; 
  • Analyze and research information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization, and maintain close relationships with donor partners;
  • Closely liaise with UNICEF and hired consultants ensuring joint and aligned implementation of project activities. 
  • Closely liaise with other teams to ensure coherence and synergy among all projects of UNDP Albania;
  • Advise team members and management on new developments regarding key partners and stakeholders.

Knowledge building and management:

  • Facilitate knowledge building and management in the areas of the project interventions;
  • Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned;
  • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories; 
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of appropriate learning strategies for stakeholders and target groups.   

Institutional Arrangement

The EU4Youth Project Manager will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Inclusive Growth and Jobs Programme Specialist, in close cooperation with the implementing partner UNICEF, national authorities, and the respective institutions. 

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making. 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management - Working with evidence and data

  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data, with a goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.

Business Management - Communication

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Direction and Strategy - Effective Decision Making

  • Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Direction and Strategy - Business Acumen

  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.

Business Direction and Strategy - Negotiation and Influence

  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.

Partnership Management - Relationship Management

  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding

Partnership Management - Private Sector Engagement

  • Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and relationships with the private sector

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Master’s degree in political or social science, development, law, economics or a closely related field is required.
  • Bachelor´s degree in related field with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree.
Experience
  • Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience in managing programmes / projects in a multi-stakeholder environment. 
Language
  • Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English and Albanian.
Required Skills
  • Previous experience in coordination/management of international development projects;
  • Familiarity and experience in working with national and local governments;
  • Technical knowledge in the research and analysis, designing, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of employment and youth-related policies and programmes;  
  • Organizational capacities including experience in managing international and local partners/experts;  
  • Prior experience in private sector engagement.
Desired Skills
  • Political and cultural sensitivity and commitment to UNDP’s development objectives
  • Previous experience with UNDP.
Disclaimer
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
 
Note: 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.
 
Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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This vacancy is now closed.
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