Project Manager [Open to All Applicants]

Background

The overall objective of the MFA Support Project is to enhance the MFA’s institutional resilience by modernizing its crisis management infrastructure and bolstering cybersecurity capabilities. 
The Project will provide comprehensive support to the MFA in addressing the vulnerabilities in its digital infrastructure and crisis response systems. This project will enhance the Ministry's capacity to protect sensitive diplomatic communications and respond effectively to cyber threats. The interinstitutional coordination mechanisms will be modernized, ensuring a robust, integrated approach to crisis management. Long-term institutional capacity will be strengthened through specialized training and the implementation of advanced cybersecurity technologies aligned with EU standards. 

• To effectively address these issues, the project will adopt a three-pronged approach, as follows:
  Strengthening Crisis Management and Cybersecurity Policy Frameworks: This involves revising existing policies to ensure they are adaptive to evolving threats and give due consideration to gender dimension. Clear roles and responsibilities will be defined for crisis response, and EU-aligned cybersecurity and gender-responsive crisis management standards will be integrated into the MFA’s operations, including in its missions abroad, ensuring consistency and coherence in both policy and implementation throughout the entire structure. Support will be provided in conducting risk assessment and drafting institutional/sectorial crisis management plan, as needed. 
• Modernizing Crisis Management Infrastructure: The MFA’s infrastructure, including crisis management spaces, utility networks, and secure communication systems, will be upgraded to meet modern security standards. This includes enhancing physical spaces to ensure continuity of operations during emergencies and improving IT systems to protect against cyber threats.
• Expanding Operational and Human Capacities: Modern technologies will be introduced to optimize processes and enhance crisis response capabilities. Comprehensive professional development programs will train MFA staff in best practices for cybersecurity and crisis management, ensuring long-term institutional capacity. Special attention will be given to gender-responsive prevention and risk assessment strategies, equipping staff with the skills necessary to proactively identify threats and mitigate risks before they escalate into crises. Moreover, exchanges with peer institutions from EU member states will be sought to strengthen cooperation and knowledge transfer. 
  The specific needs of women will be a key priority in a context where women face heightened risks in cyberspace, are often underrepresented and perceived as playing a marginal role in cybersecurity. Thus, the project will actively address possible gender imbalances or influences by identifying barriers that hinder women’s participation in the field and challenging stereotypes that limit women’s roles in the sector. Additionally, efforts will be made to ensure that Project activities engage both men and women and reflect balance and inclusion. 

The Project will be implemented over a period of 36 months.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will provide effective and efficient management of the assigned project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. S/he is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results within the limits of assigned project.
The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. 

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 programme 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 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 through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure works (as relevant), 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.  

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication:

• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of 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 set targets:

• Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of 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 realization 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, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions.
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• 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 establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to 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 supervision of the Effective Governance Programme Analyst and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Projects’ and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and Gender Equality (GE) approaches. The Project Manager will coordinate the Project’s team, as envisaged in Project’s organizational chart.

The Project Manager will work in close cooperation with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.
 

Competencies

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.

People Management competencies: 

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management:

• Communication     
  • 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.
• Results-based Management    
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools
• Project Management    
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Risk Management    
  • Identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. 
• Monitoring and Evaluation    
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programs, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively.
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and Piskin management and results. 
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business direction and strategy:

• Systems 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.

2030 Agenda: Peace:

• Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions    
  • Crisis Governance
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Business Development, Law, International Relations, Development Studies or related areas is required. or 
•  A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s Degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of development projects/programmes preferably, related to crises management, public administration, democratic governance, or home affairs.

Required skills:

• Professional experience in project management, public services and administration.
• Experience in managing teams.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Desired skills:

• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to facilitate the renovation and upgrade of public infrastructure, including review of complex engineering/architectural drawings in line with national standards.
• Experience in networking and partnership development.
• Prior experience with UNDP Project management and/or implementation.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, government institution or consulting company. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required. 

Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Russian, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

• Training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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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