Project Manager

UNDP Tajikistan works with the people and Government of Tajikistan, and other development partners to pursue equitable and sustainable human development goals through eradication of poverty, increase in livelihood opportunities, improvement in community resilience against conflict, disasters and impact of climate change, while laying down strong foundations for a society based on rule of law with an inclusive and participatory democracy. Currently, the overarching priority of UNDP work in Tajikistan is to help the Government and its people build a cohesive society and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Young women and young men are recognized as “critical agents of change” to achieve the abovementioned strategic goals and are taking proactive actions to ensure youth involvement in creating a more equal and peaceful society as stressed in the UNSC Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.

In Tajikistan, young people make up 66% of the population. However, they face disproportionate social, economic and political barriers which prevent them from unleashing their full potential. They often face significant barriers to full participation in public life – having adverse impacts on the economy, politics, peace and development at large. To respond to these challenges, UNDP in Tajikistan over the last years has initiated several projects to promote youth-focused and youth-led development by strengthening the socio-economic inclusion of youth in the country and promoting their active participation in decision-making processes at the local level. Through its initiatives, UNDP promotes inclusive youth participation in local development planning, economic empowerment of youth and strengthen youth engagement in building resilience in their communities etc. Interventions also include enhancing local institutional capacities, strengthening knowledge and skills related to peacebuilding and enhancing youth interaction with key stakeholders.

In 2021 UNDP elaborated a new project on “Strengthening social cohesion through participation and advancement of rights among young men and women vulnerable to radicalism” in close consultations with and in line with proposals provided by the General Prosecutor Office. With the support of the Global Affairs Canada, the project is focused on building the capacity of the State to establish mechanisms of closer interaction and coordination between key actors involved in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), strengthening the institutional and individual capacity of key government and national non-government actors, improving collaboration with civil society institutions and the media and provision of technical and substantial support in the implementation of the PVE Strategy II.

Management and Supervision:

• Day-to-day management through planning and implementing envisaged project activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria.
• Oversee and monitor implementation of work plans and budgets for all activities.
• Ensure conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to management and donors against work plans and according to agreed structure.
• Ensure effective governance of the project through the organization of projects’ Steering Committee meetings and preparation of technical inputs on the progress of work and risks management.
• Ensure that human rights-based approach, gender empowerment, and conflict-sensitive programming are mainstreamed throughout activities design and implementation.
• Ensure effective management of the project staff in line with their tasks and responsibilities.
• Ensure quality engagement of the national and international experts/consultants and steer the results delivery of their assigned tasks. 
• Oversee the effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Programme amongst the government and CSOs in Tajikistan as well as among the international community within and outside the country.
• Ensure overall accountability of the use of project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations in all programme operations.
• Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required.
• Support UNDP’s efforts for resource mobilization, including in planning and costing project inputs in close consultations with Senior Management.

 Partnership and Resource Mobilization:

• Establish trustful relationships and maintain a continuous and constructive dialogue with government, civil society, local communities, and donors to maximize consistency and synergy on peacebuilding and social cohesion interventions and to maximize impact and results.
• Cooperate with the different actors at various levels supporting their specific roles in peacebuilding, social cohesion and PVE setup.
• Identify stakeholders and partners for the undertaking of various project outputs and activities.
• Develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations, local communities and the private sector to deliver the project outputs and activities, as required.
• Provide inputs to proposals aimed at mobilizing human, technical, or financial resources from international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and donor community to bolster and amplify the project's achievements.
• Collaborate with ongoing peacebuilding and PVE projects and strengthen the existing initiatives.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions, and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Ensure regular communication of project results, including producing communication products and visibility materials, and liaison with media in Tajikistan and beyond.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Manage the implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation, information, and reporting systems as well as communication strategy for the assigned project.
• Monitor national context, emergence of players/stakeholders and actualization of risks that have implications for the project. 
• Compile a summary of lessons learnt and experiences for further development of recommendations to ensure better quality of project’s outputs.
• Undertake missions to all project locations on a quarterly basis.
• Ensure midterm and end term evaluations are undertaken properly and in line with UNDP standards.

Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism, by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with respective colleagues, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons are well disseminated.
• Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.
• Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders, for project implementation.
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learned generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products.
• Constantly monitor and ensure the highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products).
• Serve as a peer reviewer, as and when required.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Team Leader on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights and in close cooperation with the Project’s team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of the projects related to PVE and social cohesion. The Project Manager supervises and leads the Project Officer and Administrative and Finance Associate for “Strengthening social cohesion through participation and advancement of rights among young men and women vulnerable to radicalism”. In addition, the Project Manager is expected to provide oversight support to other PVE and social cohesion related initiatives implemented by UNDP. 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• 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 Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• 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 

• Effective Decision:
  • Making Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
• Project Management:   
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Results-based management:    
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
• 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.
• Customer satisfaction/Client Management:     
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• 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.
• Digital public goods:     
  • Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society

• Master’s degree in political science, conflict prevention, public administration, or related field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in above mentioned areas in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.