Task Manager / Capacity Building, Planning, PR and Outreach (Re-advertisement)

The objective of the project is to support the Government of Uzbekistan in provision of rural population in the country with improved, affordable and environmentally friendly living conditions. The project design builds directly on previous and on-going experience with sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient local development in Uzbekistan. Specifically, the project aims at lowering the energy intensity trajectory of Uzbekistan by promoting the construction of new energy efficient and low-carbon rural houses.

The proposed project consists of four inter-linked outputs. The first and principal output is the establishment of the green mortgage scheme to incentivize and eventually scale-up the demand for low-carbon housing. This outcome will be supported and enabled by three complementary outputs related to strengthening domestic supply chain and capacities for construction of low-carbon housing (Output 2), introducing policies and regulations for low-carbon housing and settlements (Output 3) and raising public awareness about benefits and advantages of low-carbon housing (Output 4).The focus of the Output/Component 4 is on raising public awareness about benefits and advantages of low-carbon housing. Component 4 will help boost public demand for green mortgages and confidence in energy efficient and low-carbon housing via a series of outreach and awareness-raising activities at national and local levels. Training and capacity strengthening activities will be developed to strengthen the capacity of these stakeholders in selected regions to incorporate climate change and sustainability considerations and specific targets (e.g. renewable energy use, waste minimization, etc.) into local development in rural areas. 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Task Manager renders operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The media company/organization will be contracted by the project in order to achieve the set goals/outputs, which will report directly to the Task Manager.

The Task Manager also works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and Programme’s staff in the CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery, and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs.

Thematic Functions: Public awareness raising, training and outreach.

• Conduct a capacity needs assessment, including a baseline survey of awareness among rural homebuyers and other rural residential energy consumers about energy efficient and low-carbon construction practices and their benefits;
• Develop communications and partnership strategy aimed at raising public awareness about economic and environmental benefits of EE and low carbon housing;
• Develop and disseminate outreach publications and other media products (e.g. radio spots);
• Work with government counterparts to open rural resource centers to showcase EE and renewable technologies, working closely with project staff and consultants to use the center to support training and outreach;
• Provide training on outreach related to the EE and Low-Carbon houses to banks and government agencies;
• Conduct survey to assess changes in knowledge and awareness-raising;
• Select pilot districts where RHP is active for participation in sustainable local development (SLD) training;
• Consult with stakeholders and beneficiaries to determine priorities for training;
• Customize a training curriculum based on SLD approaches used in Central Asia;
• Select software and curriculum for settlement-level energy management for use in training and monitoring;
• Deliver training in 12 regions (with the exact number of settlements in each region to be determined in agreement with regional governments);
• Develop a strategy for replicating to other settlements in participating districts and other districts;
• Provide recommendations to the government for introducing energy management practices for settlements through national policies/legislation/regulations;
• Document the training process and uptake of SLD and energy management concepts after training and 2 years ex post.

Operational Functions:

• Ensure smooth and timely delivery of operational support services in accordance with work plans; analyze potential problems and respond appropriately to ensure timely delivery of agreed inputs. Define cost-effective measures for optimal utilization of resources;
• Keep fully conversant with ongoing and planned project component activities to facilitate realistic planning of operational support services; work closely with relevant staff of UNDP office, consult with Government officials to ensure timely and efficient provision of assistance;
• Be responsible for the satisfactory achievement and implementation of the project outputs related to public awareness raising, training and outreach;
• Plan and execute a program of trainings and workshops for the Gosarchitectstroy staff and entrepreneurs in the regions focused on public awareness raising, capacity building, training and outreach;
• Support the Project Manager in identifying possible social and economic impact of the project for the beneficiaries;
• Participate in planning and development of analytical reports, business guides and other deliverables aimed at enhancing public awareness on the role results of the project;
• Plan and implement the work in accordance with the overall work-plan using both human and financial resources available in the most effective/efficient way and ensure compliance with UNDP and Gosarchitectstroy procedures;
• Assist the Project Manager in identifying partnership strategies with initiative stakeholders and advise on and contribute to improvement of Project activities;
• Contribute in organizing various PR events including roundtable discussions, workshops, exhibitions and trainings;
• Prepare and publish the project newsletters, articles and press-releases and awareness raising events on the project’s activities and accomplishments for national/international printed and electronic media;
• Ensure that project visibility is achieved through various outreach and PR actions and activities, thematic promotional materials, how-to guides and success stories;
• Contribute to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in project activities (gender mainstreaming) ensuring gender disaggregated data available;
• Encourage awareness and promotion of gender equality among project staff and partners;
• Ensure that gender analysis is part of every substantive analysis and report of the project;
• Ensure that men, women and traditionally marginalized groups are given due consideration during project implementation;
• Contribute to elaboration of and ‘exit’ project strategy to make project outputs sustainable in the long-run;
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrating commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures; 
• Displaying cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures;
• Understanding  the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possess  basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Demonstrating good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Presenting information on best practices in organizational change;
• Demonstrating ability to identify problems and proposes solutions

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrating 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;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision-making

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in the following areas: public relations/journalism obtained at recognized institutions, general management and business administration.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of progressively responsible, practical experience in PR activities, elaboration of outreach and educational-training programs as well as general management and business administration;
• Experience in web content development;
• Good comprehension of the energy efficiency issues;
• Practical experience in operations (finance/budget, human resources and general administration).
• Work experience in any international organization is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, proficiency in Russian and Uzbek.

Others:

• Strong managerial, presentation and communication skills;
• Client-orientation, ability to work in a team;
• Initiative, analytical judgement, ability to work under pressure, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;
• Knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.