Project Manager, Coastal Add-on Project

The anticipated socio-economic impacts of the nexus of sea-level rise, coastal erosion and regular coastal flooding are largely negative and potentially disastrous for coastal communities. These factors are likely to have most impacts in the most densely populated areas such as the coastal areas of the County Montserrado (hosting the capital city Monrovia), with large numbers of poor people. They are likely to destroy properties,  rural infrastructures (markets, roads, centres, clinics),  landand  livelihood equipment (boats, mobile market stands, stoves, etc). Quite simply, the poor people have nowhere to go and no way to protect their personal and community belongings.

Montserrado suburb coastal communities are already observing and feeling the impacts of the sea-level rise, coastal erosion and coastal flooding nexus. The communities themselves have identified the following sea-related factors as the major threats to sustainable development at representative sites in Liberia[1]:

Erosion;

Flooding;

Sand mining;

Depleting fish stocks;

Property damage;

Relocation;

Death;                                                                                                

Mangrove deforestation;

Siltation;

Water pollution;

Loss of access to potable water – salinization;

Ecosystem alteration and damage.

However, it is worth mentioning that climate change is not the only source of increased coastal erosion. Other man-made practices and natural dynamics are contributing an

The Project Manager for the Coastal Project within the Energy and Environment Unit of UNDP CO will substantially contribute to the programmatic development and implementation of the Montserrado County Coastal Project.

Objective/scope:

This is a high level policy/leadership position to oversee the project implementation.

The initial objective is to establish the PCU and oversee the recruitment of its staff and its operationalisation.

The next objective is to ensure regular work planning, adaptive management and monitoring of project progress towards project objectives and goals, and management of all PCU staff. 

The third objective is to ensure the PCU interacts functionally with all partners, Liberian and international, at high levels. This includes developing joint objectives and activities with international partners and other projects.

His/her main duties will be as follows:

PCU Management and Planning

1. Assumes operational management of the project in consistency with the project document and UNDP policies and procedures;
2. Oversees preparation and updates of the project work plan as required; and formally submits updates to UNDP and reports on work plan progress to the NPD and UNDP as requested but at least quarterly;
3. Oversees the mobilization of project inputs under the responsibility of the UNDP;
4. Ensures that appropriate accounting records are kept, and financial procedures for DEX are followed, and facilitates and cooperates with audit processes at all times as required.
5. Ensures all reports are prepared in a timely manner;
6. Assist in the finalization of TORs and the identification and selection of national consultants;
7. Assists in the planning and design of all proejct activities, through the quarterly planning process and the preparations of TOR and Activity Descriptions;
8. Supervises the project staff and consultants assigned to project;
9. Throughout the project, when necessary, provides advice and guidance to the national consultants, to the international experts and to project partners;

Partnerships

1. Oversees development and implementation of communications strategy;
2. Oversees development and implementation of the M&E monitoring system;
3. Builds working relationships with national and international partners in this sector;

Policy

1. Oversees the recruitment of all consultants and sub-contractors and ensures that their work is focused on policy development;
2. Advises on how to disseminate the project findings, notably to governmental departments;
3. Assists on the dissemination of project findings, notably to governmental departments and internationally;
4. Ensures the coordination of project policy oriented work with related work of partners;
5. Helps establish a regular policy dialogue mechanism on adapting to climate change.

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 coastal management system, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to coastal management.
• Ability to work and act under pressure.
• Sound civil engineering judgment, 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 pillar'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/engineering 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) preferably in climate change, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Natural Resource Management, Regional Planning, Civil engineering with 7 years’ experience in project management or the equivalent combination of bachelor’s degree with 10 years’ experience in project management.

Experience: 

• Excellent drafting and communication skills
• At least 7- years’ work experience in Liberia or related  post-conflict setting with substantial direct experience on coastal construction projects. 
• Detailed knowledge familiarity of reconstruction process in Liberia ;
• Experience working on a coastal project or in coastal communities;
• Experience in development work, partnerships building and resource mobilization.
• Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of coastal construction projects.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for data analysis.
• Experience in donor report writing an asset;
• Prior experience within the United Nations, in particular UNDP, is desirable but not a requirement.
• Substantial experience and familiarity with the development ministries and agencies in Liberia;
• Verified excellent project management, team leadership, and facilitation;
• Ability to coordinate a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants;

Language Requirements: 

Strong written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of additional UN languages is desirable

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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