Programme Manager, NPSA-11, DS-Kyiv, (National position)

Background

In April 2024, UNDP launched a 5-years Green Energy Recovery Programme in Ukraine, which is an integrated initiative designed to diversify the country's energy mix and address the impact of the war on its outdated energy systems. Developed through extensive consultations with the Government of Ukraine, local and regional authorities, the Programme aims to respond urgently to targeted attacks on the energy sector and support its green energy recovery.

The Programme supports the National Energy Strategy of Ukraine, contributing to energy security and independence, promoting a green recovery and transition of the energy sector, and facilitating further synchronization with the EU energy markets. This effort builds on UNDP’s engagement in energy system reconstruction and recovery, leveraging partnerships and lessons learned from the “Winterization Support to Ukraine” project.

Aligned with the UN Ukraine Transitional Framework 2023 and UN Winterization plans, UNDP is providing immediate support to national and local governments to repair energy infrastructure, ensuring critical services to war-affected populations. The Programme focuses on distributing generation sources, decentralizing the power system, and increasing the share of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on coal generation and reduce CO2 emissions.

The Programme will enhance access to energy from decentralized renewable sources, foster economic empowerment, and improve public governance in the energy sector. These outputs will contribute to Ukraine’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) towards the Paris Agreement, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable energy solutions will be introduced through pilot projects, aligned with the UNDP nexus approach to risk reduction and resilience enhancement in war-affected communities. By boosting energy supply and decentralizing the energy system, the Programme aims to reduce reliance on humanitarian aid for essential services in these areas.

In this context, UNDP Ukraine is recruiting a highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professional for the post of the Programme Manager to support the activities of the Green Energy Recovery Programme. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Team Leader, Energy and Environment Portfolio, the Programme Manager will perform the following:

        3.1  Delivery

• Provide overall operational management of the Green Energy Recovery Programme  and delivery of results in accordance with the project document, work plans and joint agreements;
• Ensure effective management of the project and any other assigned projects by maintaining delivery of proper technical, operational, financial, and administrative outputs, while tracking the project progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
• Maintain collaborative working relationships among key project partners and donors, through effective communication, consultation, and reporting;
• Mobilise resources for broadening and deepening the activities under the project by developing and implementing a resource mobilization strategy for the project;
• Promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behavior.

 3.2  Project Management and Reporting

• Managing and coordinating implementation of the Green Energy Recovery Programmeactivities aimed at support the light repair of war-damaged school facilities as well as purchase of furniture for the repaired schools. 
• Supervision and guidance of project staff, consultants, and experts with a view to achieving project results;
• Developing comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and setting-out corresponding milestones;
• monitoring the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules observing work-plans and set deadlines including monitoring of the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• mobilizing goods and services to support project activities, including drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications;
• managing and monitoring project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and mitigating measures to the Project Board for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log;
• assuming responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions;
• ensuring adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observing project timelines;
• preparing Green Energy Recovery Programme progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures, etc.) and ensuring timely submission of the reports to the relevant instances, such as the project boards and relevant donors;
• managing project tracking in Quantum in accordance with the UNDP procedures;
• managing the transfer of project deliverables to national beneficiaries and other project stakeholders.
• ensuring the principles of gender equality, democratic governance, social inclusion, and disaster resilience are pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, analysis and, where specifically relevant, analyzed in detail;
• consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities where synergies are possible.

        3.3  Stakeholder Management

• Maintain close liaison with national project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the project and prepare and ensure the success of the project board meetings;
• Participate in inter-governmental meetings related to reconstruction of educational facilities, organized by the Ukrainian Government, attend donors coordination meetings on a regular basis;
• Ensure the development of cross-project linkages with other relevant UN-agency and development partner projects and programmes and other stakeholders’ projects for mutually reinforcing impact;
• Liaise with the various stakeholders, including the private sector, international and national partners;
• Closely cooperate and coordinate with the stakeholders that are/will be active in the area of project intervention to better integrate UNDP’s and other’s interventions in the area of reconstruction of educational facilities and to ensure coherence and complementarity.

         3.4  Communication and Knowledge Management 

• Ensure and contribute to preparation and implementation of the Project communications strategy and plan. Ensure visibility of the donor and the UNDP in the project areas; 
• Ensure documentation of lessons learned from the project activities; 
• Facilitate project monitoring and evaluation, as well as audit activities; 
• Prepare materials on project experience/best practices and lessons learned. 

         3.5  Corporate Tasks 

• Support UNDP in partnership building and resource mobilization initiatives; 
• Design and supervise of outreach activities of the project including participating in relevant seminars, workshops, conferences; 
• Ensure full coordination with other relevant projects and initiatives of UNDP Ukraine; 
• Contribute to the preparation of the project's progress reports and related monitoring meetings; 
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality considerations through all capacity development work, promotion of a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behavior, and gender-responsive communications based on corporate principles; 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, and UNDP Ukraine management. 
   

Competencies

Core
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

 

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business direction and 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 in
Business development	UNDP Representation	Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies
2030 Agenda: Peace	Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions	Displaced Communities/Populations
Business management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business management	Risk Management	Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
2030 Agenda: Peace	Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions	Infrastructure for Peace

 

Required Skills and Experience

          Education: 

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in the field of Economics, Project Management, International Economic Relations, Energy, Engineering, Climate, Public Policy, Social Policy, Public Administration, Politics, Economics, Law, Social Sciences or other closely related fields; or
• A first university degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a combination of additional two years of qualifying relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
  
  
  Experience:
• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management, quality assurance, management advisory services, international cooperation, sustainable development, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, government relations and partnership management.
• Proven track record in effective project planning and implementation in the areas of Green Recovery, Energy sector recovery and rehabilitation, Energy efficiency, Environment protection, Climate Change mitigation, shall be considered a big asset.
• Experience in working with Government, international financial institutions,  other development partners, including EU, shall be an asset.
• Extensive experience in designing, managing and implementation of large scale projects in cooperation with relevant public and private sector stakeholders both on the national and local levels is desirable.
• Strong experience in stakeholders coordination in the Energy sector is desirable.

          Required Skills :

• Excellent analytical and writing skills; 
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to act with tactfulness, diplomacy, and sensitivity
  
   Desired Skills :
     
• Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals, advisory documents, analytical documents and results-focused reports; 
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) 
  
  Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.

 

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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