Project Manager

Port Louis

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Port Louis
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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) current support to the Government of Mauritius in the energy sector includes several on-going and pipeline projects, which are in line with the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 40% and increase the share of renewable energy to 60% in the national energy mix by 2030.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

The UNDP Mauritius Country Office (CO) consists of two distinct units including the Environment Unit and Socio-Economic Development Unit with a diverse portfolio worth USD 65 M including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund (AF), European Union (EU), Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB), E-Health Portfolio and TRAC projects. The Environment Unit manages a portfolio covering various focal areas such as Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Biodiversity, Sustainable Land Management, and Chemicals and Waste. The unit will hire two project managers for the project listed below:

The project “Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Republic of Mauritius” was endorsed by the GEF on 02 July 2020 and is implemented under National Implementation Modality (NIM). The goal of the project is to put the Republic of Mauritius on a path to land degradation neutrality by catalyzing the transformation of land use planning and management while building a governance and sustainable production framework based on a landscape approach and optimizing ecosystem services and livelihoods. The Implementing Partner for this project is the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security. The project is being implemented over a period of 4 years.
The overall objective of the project is to reduce the impact of climate change on local communities and coral reef-dependent economic sectors in the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles by implementing coral reef restoration with thermal tolerant corals as an adaptation to climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective project planning and implementation.

Lead strategic planning for the project as well as formulation and periodic revisions of the project’s annual work plan (AWP), including plans for budget, HR and procurement that are developed in close coordination with UNDP’s Country Office Programme, HR, and Procurement teams. Lead development of detailed implementation plans;
Manage, coordinate, and supervise project implementation to ensure the overall project relevance and performance, the effective realization and quality of outputs within the specified constraints of time and cost as outlined in the project document, and adherence to applicable UNDP policy and program management procedures and Government standards, rules, and regulations. Act as a senior advisor on issues related to project activities;
Provide direction, guidance, and direct supervision to UNDP project personnel. Undertake a technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, and ensure high technical standards are met;
Ensure all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows;
Ensure proper execution of all administrative activities associated with project implementation, including mobilizing goods and services, preparing Terms of Reference, completing contracting processes, recruiting/selecting consultants and experts, and managing financial arrangements/transactions and their correct authorization;
Identify opportunities for synergies with other projects within UNDP and beyond, to advance the key objectives and grow its focus.

Develop strategic partnerships.

Substantively contribute to harnessing effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners;
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation;
Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies;
Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners;
Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of a detailed results framework. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed-upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management;
Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews and end-line assessment and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations. Organize project review and evaluation meetings. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections;
Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, and initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions;
Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities;
Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.

Identify capacity-building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops, and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned, and good practices for possible wider application;
Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project-related issues. Support the establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for disseminating knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners, and support UNDP’s engagement in this area;
Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will work under the general supervision of the Head of the Environment Unit (who can delegate a direct supervisory role) in the UNDP MCO for Mauritius and Seychelles for Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) Projects; and will collaborate closely with the Project Director for National Implementation Modality (NIM) Projects.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction& Strategy: Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy

System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Development

Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

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.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Sciences, Ecosystems Management, Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in related fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects.

Required skills:

Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic areas.

Desired skills:

Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.
Knowledge of capacity-building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to administer budgets and prepare work plans.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in French and Mauritian Creole is required.

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.

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