Platform Manager - GGP

As a key part of the Commodities Integrated Approach Pilot (IAP), the “Reducing Deforestation from Commodity Production Project” seeks to turn the sustainable production of key commodities from niche and specialized operations to the norm in each commodity sector. The Program’s overall objective is to reduce the global impacts of agriculture commodities on GHG emissions and biodiversity by meeting the growing demand of palm oil, soy and beef through supply that does not lead to deforestation and related GHG emissions. Specifically, the production project will encourage sustainable practices for oil palm (in the case of Liberia) production while conserving forests and safeguarding the rights of smallholder farmers and forest-dependent communities.

UNDP Liberia is seeking for a motivated Platform Manager to conduct the day to day activities of the project. Although the project will be implemented under a direct implementation modality, the project management unit will be seated at the Ministry of Agriculture in Monrovia. The UNDP Liberia country office and the Conservation International country office are collaborating in the implementation of the project.

The Platform Manager within the Energy and Environment Unit of UNDP CO will substantially contribute to the programmatic development and implementation of the Good Growth Partnership, through their leadership of the evolution of the Liberia Oil Palm multi-stakeholder strategy development process.

Overall responsibilities:  The Platform Manager will run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the framework laid down by the Board, and in collaboration with the Liberia Oil Palm Platform Steering Committee. The Platform Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project.

1. To manage the multi-stakeholder dialogue process to develop, implement and monitor a Liberia Palm Oil Strategy, which supports the sustainable development of Liberia, and is adapted from global UNDP-GCP guidance.
2. To write official documentation to support agreement, coordination and implementation of the Liberia Palm Oil Strategy
3. To provide national level collaborative leadership, in good coordination with the different Ministries and partner organizations. 
4. To prepare draft annual work plans and budgets for the national platform. 
5. To coordinate the recruitment and allocation of resources within the project budget to support the delivery of the strategic process plan. 
6. To develop strong and trusting relationships with, and between, multiple stakeholders who have an interest in the sustainable development of palm oil in Liberia.
7. To deliver conferences and workshops, in collaboration with independent facilitator(s) and with multiple stakeholders, across the country, that enables democratic dialogue and true participation, creating safe spaces for minority voices. 
8. To implement ongoing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that supports purposeful reporting and learning.
9. To manage the Communications & Events Officer, to deliver accurate and inspiring communication to all stakeholders.  
10. To participate in the community of practice and training offered by the Green Commodities Programme.

Key Results:

• Implement agreed platform high level process plan with Platform Steering Group, and support annual work plans and budgets and develop stakeholders engagement plan.
• Complete a Root Cause Analysis Report and publish findings
• Develop and implement plans to engage with minority voices (smalljholders, women, indigenous people, etc) 
• Prepare a Monitoring & Evaluation plan
• Implementation progress reports of the strategy based on a monitoring committee governance structure.
• Strategy for institutionalisation of the platform for the long term with government support and buy in, and implementation started. 
• Provide regular updates on status of collaboration and coordination with stakeholders nationally and internationally.   
• Produce quarterly progress reports on development, implementation and monitoring of Liberia’s Oil Palm Strategy to include regular public reporting, group discussions, plenary meetings and feedback.Thereafter, ensure financing is committed to implement strategy.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge of the Liberia oil palm development sector, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to the oil palm sector.
• Ability to work and act under pressure.
• Sound decision making, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion. 
• Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate and monitor own work plan and provide advice and guidance to others; in-depth understanding of the oil palm sector's strategic direction; resourcefulness, sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound technical initiatives.
• Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs.
• Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations; diplomacy and tact; ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Effective negotiating skills and ability to work with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings.

Education:

Master’s Degree (or its equivalent) in natural resource management, agriculture, responsible business or related fields with 5 years’ experience or the equivalent combination of Bachelors with 10 years’ experience in a related area.

Experience:

• Minimum 7-years of experience working in international projects / programmes that involve working with the private sector, civil society and government.
• Has multiple experiences of working in different political and cultural contexts and the commitment to adapt the processes to the current context.
• Responsive to the  needs and opinions of other, and can listen deeply to their concerns and wishes.

Excellent relationship builder, and has proven experience developing long lasting professional networks? 

• Has good communication skills, both in presenting, speaking, pitching and listening.
• Has an entrepreneurial, self-motivating and positive attitude to work and life.
• Is a fast  learner and someone  who understands process acceleration 
• Operates with a collaborative / participative leadership style. 
• Has expertise in the use of  internet, conference calling facilities, and Microsoft software.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (oral, written, reading)

• Knowledge and experience working with supply chains in sustainable agricultural commodities.
• Knowledge and experience working with palm oil.
• Previous experience working in Liberia
• Fluency in other languages an added advantage 

 1)     Professionalism

2)     Communication

3)     Leadership

4)     Relationship builder

5)     Political acumen

6)     Results orientation

7).   Judgement/decision making

Leadership

• Proactive contributor to decision-making and willingness to fully share responsibility for all decisions taken
• Good understanding of how to lead negotiations within complex situations, with several different stakeholders to deliver a desirable outcome
• Ability to apply systems thinking to challenges and opportunities and for strategic development
• Ability to externally represent the project accurately and inspire commitment towards a wide range of stakeholders, including top-level executives as well as mid-level core supporters/opponents
• Able to work with and manage change effectively
• Well-developed personal strategies for time and complex process management

Relationship builder

• Works cooperatively with others
• Good collaboration skills across cultures and hierarchies
• Can work across a matrix organizational structure and get work done
• Can influence where they have no direct power
• Ability to nurture effective relationships virtually / at a distance.

Political acumen

• Understanding of how to influence shifts in decision making and political positioning
• Understanding of how the power structures in the commodity and in the country come into force
• Analytical and problem solving skills, with a proactive approach to finding and proposing solutions to challenges. 

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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