By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Area Manager (Duty station: Batken)

Bishkek

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Bishkek
  • Grade: Mid level - SB-5 (SC10/SC11), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Refugee rights and well-being
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
    • Managerial positions
    • ManagementPeace Building
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Duty station: Batken

Globally, UNDP advocates for nationally-owned solutions to reduce poverty and promote human development. UNDP supports innovative projects, connect countries to global good practices and resources, promote the role of women in development, and bring governments, civil society, donors and other actors together to coordinate their efforts.

UNDP assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic aims to accelerate socio-economic development, good governance and environmental sustainability in line with national priorities identified in the National Strategy of Sustainable Development (NSSD), United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD).

The Area Based Development (ABD) approach has been introduced by UNDP Kyrgyzstan in 2012 with the establishment of three area offices in Naryn, Osh and Batken to help the Country Office to address complex development challenges at local level and to help communities to become more resilient.  The ABD offices play a role of ‘implementation arm” in the field and contribute to the following outcomes of CPD: peace and development, democratic governance, poverty reduction/socio-economic development, environment sustainability, disaster risk reduction and health.

Currently ABD Batken portfolio includes projects responding to the urgent development needs in the region with specific focus at promoting peaceful coexistence, cooperation and trust between cross-border communities and preventing violent extremism.

The Area Manager for UNDP Batken Area Development Programme is responsible for day-to-day management of the Area Office and implementation/coordination of programme/project field activities in the region.

The Area Manager will report to:

  • UNDP Assistant Resident Representative as the primary supervisor, who will provide guidance and assure quality of implementation of the Area Based Development Programme;
  • Respective Programme/Projects’ Coordinators as secondary supervisors holding overall programmatic and operational responsibility for programme/projects’ being implemented in the area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specifically, the Area Manager will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Programme/Projects Management with specific focus on Cross-border cooperation Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and preventing violent extremism

  • Support implementation and coordination of respective programme/projects’ activities at local level, including review of initial programmatic, financial and administrative documents to ensure proper results and use of funds;
  • Preparation of the Area Office work plan, in close cooperation with the teams in the CO, PMU and Area Office, for consideration of the Senior Management and using a format agreed upon the Senior Management;
  • During “no-funding” scenario, ensure uninterrupted office operation with limited staffing.

Monitoring and Assurance

  • Close monitoring of programme/projects’ activities at local level  to ensure timely implementation and coherence with the overall UNDP strategy;
  • Close cooperation with respective programme staff in CO and PMU on programmatic issues;
  • Providing respective inputs related to field activities for narrative and financial reports to be submitted to the donor through UNDP CO;

Programme Development

  • In partnership with UNDP CO support the development of new programs/projects for the area;
  • Analyze local needs and opportunities for resource mobilization and provide relevant recommendations to UNDP CO;
  • Support the development and setting into practice M&E system for projects implemented in the Area Office in the framework of overall M&E system;
  • Assume overall responsibility for the analysis of Area Office’s projects and activities with regards to their efficiency, effectiveness and impact on development situation locally and on planned general Area Office development outputs;
  • Prepare on a regular basis (e.g. semi-annual and annual), a review of lessons learned and policy implemented of UNDP Area Office implementation in the area;

Programme Liaison and Coordination

  • Networking with the local, district, and regional authorities in order to insure full participation of all stakeholders in the programme;
  • Liaise and ensure close coordination with international and local NGOs, UN agencies and all other relevant stakeholders in the field;
  • Coordinate with UNDP CO and with other Area Offices donor and government activities, policies, and studies/legislation pertaining to decentralized planning, local economic development, capacity building and community development;
  • Facilitate and coordinate donor visits and any other missions visiting the area as agreed with UNDP CO;
  • Facilitate and coordinate monthly local development community coordination meetings with all relevant international organizations, international and national NGOs and local government;
  • Perform any and all other duties that may be required by UNDP Senior Management.

Team Development

  • Provide any other necessary support in coaching, guidance for Area Office team members that will boost their capacity to deliver results;
  • Encourage team members in Area Office to career development through learning and training sessions.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
  • Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Development and Operational Effectiveness (Other job-specific)

  • Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting;
  • Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
  • Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora;
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents;
  • Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document;
  • Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
  • Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.

Leadership and Direction

  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures;
  • Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values
  • Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility;
  • Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Knowledge Sharing/Learning

  • Shares knowledge and experience;
  • Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities;
  • Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives;
  • Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Economics, Development Studies, Sociology, History or other related field.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of progressive experience in programme/project management, planning and monitoring in rural development, local governance, social and economic development, and/or other relevant fields, preferably in international organizations; 
  • 2 years of experience in managing teams;
  • Proven experience in coordination and/or implementation of the projects in the field of peacebuilding/conflict prevention, cross-border cooperation or preventing violent extremism;
  • Good general knowledge of Batken Province, Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia development context;
  • Experience in development work in the duty station geographic area is a strong asset;
  • 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;
  • Affinity with the mandate and role of the United Nations.

Language Requirements:

  • Working knowledge of English;
  • Excellent knowledge of Kyrgyz and Russian.

Disclaimer

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: