Project Manager (Human Security Trust Fund Project)

The Human Security approach is a comprehensive methodology that allows for a broad perspective on the challenges that people and Governments face. It provides a new way of thinking about the range of challenges the world faces and how the global community responds to them. It is a multidimensional analytical framework that can assist the United Nations system to assess, develop and implement integrated responses to a broad range of issues that are complex and require the combined inputs of the United Nations (UN) system, in partnership with Governments, non-governmental entities and communities. The principles of the Human Security Approach suggest that it is people centric, comprehensive, context-specific, and prevention-oriented and protection and promotes empowerment. Human security supports and enhances the “Delivering as One” initiative, through its analytical framework, the application of human security provides policy makers and practitioners with a multi-stakeholder partnership model to move beyond the single-agency style of programming that often leads to overlap, loss of synergies and even competition among United Nations entities. By collectively identifying the needs, vulnerabilities and capacities of people and Governments, and by advancing solutions that are comprehensive and integrated, human security can be instrumental in emphasizing the critical significance of assessing, planning and “Delivering as One."

In line with Jamaica’s development priorities the UN has supported programmes and projects to address community empowerment, social cohesion and citizens’ security and safety.  While Jamaica has made strides in improving the policy, regulatory and institutional framework to reduce human insecurity, the country still faces complex and interconnected development challenges impacting the full attainment of human security, especially for its most vulnerable groups, and ultimately the country’s ability to implement its sustainable development goals. 

The impacts of climate change are particularly significant, affecting the country’s highly climate-sensitive economic sectors namely tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry.  The extent of the impact is compounded by social issues such as poverty, crime, unemployment, unsafe and informal human settlements, environmental degradation, limited water and sanitation infrastructure in some communities. The human security approach provides a comprehensive tool within which the root causes of the various insecurities can be addressed in an integrated manner leading to enhanced resilience.

In helping the Government of Jamaica to address issues of human insecurity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and UN Women will be jointly implementing the Strengthening human resilience in Northern Clarendon & West Kingston with funding from the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS)  The proposed programme will be the first human security project in Jamaica implemented by multiple UN Agencies in partnership with a diversity of national and local stakeholders. The programme will contribute to enhanced resilience and human security of communities in Northern Clarendon and West Kingston through three key objectives:

1.       Strengthening of community organizational capacity and cohesion

2.       Enhancing economic, food and nutrition security and

3.        Improving environmental health and water security at the community, local and national levels.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative or designate , the Project Manager (PM)  will perform the following:

Project planning and implementation

• Coordinates the general planning, execution and monitoring of the project’s activities
• Guides and supervises the work of the members of the Project Management Unit and the UN Focal Points
• Prepares annual work plans for the programme for endorsement by the Project Steering Committee
• Prepares quarterly and annual financial and project progress reports for review by the Project Steering Committee
• Assists in the mobilisation of goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications, with guidance from the Technical Specialists, and coordinating procurement processes
• Supervises the execution of all contracts, approves intermediate payments against review of deliverables, and prepares final evaluations as a condition for final payment
• Ensures that the administrative, technical and financial processes are carried out in conformity with UNDP regulations, policies and procedures

Project monitoring

• Monitors and analyses project implementation, including coordinating and participating in monitoring missions
• Monitors events as determined in the Annual Work Plan, and updates the plan as required
• Uses UNDP Web-based platform, Atlas, and other platforms to periodically update project progress, achievement of targets, risk logs, etc.
• Monitors financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports and oversees the overall financial processes for the project in collaboration with the Project Associate
• Coordinates Project Steering Committee meetings
• Manages and monitors the project risks initially identified; submits new risks to the Project Steering Committee for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; and updates the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risk Log
• Coordinates periodic project evaluations, including developing and implementing the management response
• Completes progress reports for the programme as required

Knowledge sharing

• Develops, in consultation with UN Communications Specialists, a communications/Visibility Plan for the project and support knowledge sharing activities
• Facilitates information sharing and coordination of activities amongst beneficiaries

Other activities

• Undertakes such travel as may be required from time to time in connection with project execution
• Undertakes any other activities required for the fulfilment of the mandate of the position

Undertakes any other duties as may be required

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to Community Empowerment and Development, Human Development, Climate Change, Risk Management and Sustainable Development, especially in relation to SIDS and the Caribbean.
• Ability to identify analyse and provide solutions to issues/problems.
• Research, analytical and evaluative skills
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Demonstrates commitment to the UN mission, vision and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork:

• Ability to work together with Technical Specialists, National Focal Points, the UN Country Offices and The Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC), and the lead state agencies and local consultants;  also works in close collaboration with national counterparts and other partner institutions.  
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
• Builds and promotes effective teams
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
• Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Ability and experience in supervising teams and managing diverse stakeholders

Planning and organising:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary

Communication

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Strong partnership building and networking skills

Education:        

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Environmental Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or a related field.
• Certification in Project management

Experience:       

• Demonstrated experience of at least five (5) years with a Master’s and 7 years with a Bachelors in managing medium to large scale projects, with experience implementing projects at the community level;
• At least three (3)  years of experience in policy analysis and inter-sectoral issues; provision of knowledge services, and support to institutional capacities for planning and strategic advocacy to governments and other partners;
• Sound understanding of climate change, adaptation, environmental management, risk resilience, vulnerability and impact, and other related sustainable human development issues;
• Sound understanding of national and local development planning processes, especially in SIDS;
• An understanding  of the Human Security concept would be an asset;
• Previous work experience in a UN organisation would be an asset;
• Previous work in community development would be an asset;
• Demonstrable computer skills including Word processing, spread sheets, PowerPoint

Language:         

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.