Project Manager, GEF-5

Environment and natural resources management in Zambia is spread across various ministries, namely, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. These have been charged with the responsibility of guiding the management and development of wildlife, land and forest resources as well as climate change issues. However, sustainable management of the environment and natural resources requires the application of an integrated approach across the sectors to meet the goals of diverse beneficiaries.

As part of efforts to address development, climate change and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner, the government has secured funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to implement a project on Strengthening Management Effectiveness and Generating Multiple Environmental Benefits Within and Around the Greater Kafue and West Lunga National Parks. The objective of the project is that biodiversity and carbon sinks of Greater Kafue/West Lunga in Zambia are better protected from threats and effectively management by local institutions, communities, and economic actors using sustainable forestry and land management practices. The project will work across the landscape in core and buffer areas of Protected Areas (PA) by i) improving management effectiveness and financial sustainability of Greater Kafue and West Lunga PA system, and ii) promoting sustainable land and forest management by “Community Conservancies” in GMA buffer areas through selected CBNRM practices.

The government is looking for a Project Manager to support and provide technical advice to the implementing agencies and also serve as head of the Project Implementation Project (PIU), to be based at the Kafue Business Centre in Mumbwa. She/he will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PM will also be responsible for the day-to-day management of project activities, as well as financial and administrative reporting. The PM will ensure that the project produces the planned outputs and achieves the indicator targets by undertaking necessary activities specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. This will require linking the indicators to the work plan to ensure Results-Based Management.

The PM will ensure that the Project meets government obligations under the project and will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and other project partners.

The PM will report to the Project Steering Committee at the Central level, through Director of National Parks and Wildlife and the Director of Forestry as well as UNDP, through the Assistant Resident Representative - Environment.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Implementation of programme strategies and objectives
• Management of the GEF V Project
• Creation of Strategic partnerships
• Facilitation of Knowledge building and management

Ensures implementation of programme strategies and objectives focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supervising and coordinating the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the Government  and UNDP/ GEF  procedures;
• Prepare project annual work plans and budgets;
• Ensure adherence to the project’s workplan, prepare revisions of the workplan, if required, applying adaptive management;
• Provide technical assistance and co-ordination for sustainable forest management criteria & indicators, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action activities, biodiversity integration into forest management plans and carbon monitoring

Ensures effective management of the GEF V Project achieving the following results:

• Supervise and coordinate the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in accordance with UNDP procedures for nationally executed projects;
• Coordinate the work of all Implementing Partners, project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
• Coordinate/facilitate the recruitment and selection of project personnel and contractors as needed;
• Supervise and guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan;
• Assume primary responsibility for daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project;
• Ensure timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
• Carry regular, announced and unannounced inspection of all sites and the activities of the project site management units;
• Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;
• Oversee and endure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF and other oversight agencies;
• Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
• Maintaining regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the National Project Director/s on project implementation issues of their respective competency;
• Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions;
• Assuming overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
• Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the logframe Project Results Framework;
• Report progress of project to the Project Board/Steering Committee Meetings and ensure the fulfillment of Steering Committee directives.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
• Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant actors nationally and internationally;

Facilitates knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
• Address key communication need and support the development and implementation of a project communication plan.

 Asset management:

• Ensure effective management of Project assets including vehicles and equipment.

 Impact of Results

The key results have a direct impact on the success of the project and the country programme within this area of cooperation. In particular the key results have a direct impact on the operation of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as meeting financial delivery targets.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to objectives and mission of the project.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in the project and learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• In-depth practical knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and
• development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with Established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.

Results-Based Project Development and Management

• Assess project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across project activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitor specific stages of project/implementation

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyses and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders 

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control

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Education:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Forestry or related field with a Master’s degree or PHD

 Experience:

• Proven management expertise - must be able to fluidly handle the political, technical, and people management challenges that will face the Project Manager on a daily basis;
• At least 10 years’ experience in natural resources management;
• At least 5 years of project/programme management experience;
• Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Good computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
• Knowledge of CBNRM, sustainable forest management, protected area management and related issues in Zambia and the Southern Africa Region, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts;
• Strong knowledge and experience on regional and international community, protected area and forestry strategies, programmes and implementation.

 Language Requirements:

•  Excellent writing and communication skills in English.

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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