Project Manager

Harare

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Harare
Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Poverty Reduction
- Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
- CLIMATE CHANGE
Closing Date: Closed

Background

The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate (MEWC), in partnership with the UNDP will be implementing a 6 year GEF funded project entitled Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management and Climate-Smart Landscapes in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region of Zimbabwe. The project is implemented under a National Implementation Modality (NIM) where MEWC is the Implementing Partner. This is a child project being implemented under a global parent programme entitled Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development. The project seeks to address multiple threats to biodiversity and sustainable community development in the Lower Zambezi which include poaching and associated wildlife trade, retaliatory killing of wildlife, deforestation and associated land degradation due to unsustainable agriculture and firewood consumption, and uncontrolled veld fires. The Zimbabwe project is therefore a multifocal area project whose objective is to promote an integrated landscape approach to managing wildlife resources, carbon and ecosystem services in the face of climate change in the protected areas and communal lands of the Mid to Lower Zambezi Regions of Zimbabwe. The project has 4 components namely: Component 1. Strengthening capacity and governance frameworks for integrated wildlife and woodland management and wildlife/forest crime enforcement in Zimbabwe; Component 2. Strengthening Zimbabwe’s PA estate and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies in areas of global BD significance; Component 3. Mainstreaming BD and ES management, and climate change mitigation, into the wider landscape; and Component 4. Knowledge Management, M&E and Gender Mainstreaming;

A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be set up in the Ministry of Environment Water and Climate to undertake the day to day implementation of the project. UNDP has therefore been requested by the MEWC to support with the setting up of the PMU which is set to be operational in July 2018. The MEWC-UNDP partnership is therefore seeking the services of a full time Project Manager (PM) to serve as head of the Project Management Unit, to be based at the MEWC in Harare for the full term of the project;

The Project Manager (PM), will be locally recruited following UNDP procedures, with input to the selection process from the MEWC. The position will be appointed by the project Implementing Partner under a UNDP service contract and funded entirely from the Project. The PM will be responsible for the overall management of the Project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision of project staff, Responsible Parties (RPs), consultants and sub-contractors. Under the guidance and supervision of the National Project Director (NPD) MEWC, supported by the UNDP Programme Manager, the PM’s responsibility is to oversee project implementation for the realization of project outputs and results. The PM will provide direction, guidance and assume overall project administration through the project teams in close liaison with the Project board, MEWC and UNDP;

MEWC and UNDP are seeking a dynamic and qualified individual to fill the position on one year renewable contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the coordination, planning and implementation for Results: Oversee the delivery of project results and reporting according to the Project Results and Resources Framework, Strategy and Implementation Plans.

Coordinate and work with the MEWC, UNDP, RPs and the GEF focal points in the implementation and monitoring of the project, ensuring participation and coordination with relevant stakeholders;
Manage the implementation of this project, through developing work-plans, monitoring and evaluation of plans, and resolving challenges that arise in the process in conjunction with the MEWC, UNDP and the RPs;
Manage the recruitment and performance of consultants and specialist advisors engaged to support the project;
Manage project implementation activities, including design of ToRs for consultants;
Provide secretariat, technical and advisory support services to the Project Board meeting, amongst others.

Lead the development of the Project activities related to the outputs on the Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management and Climate Smart Landscapes in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region.

Monitor the overall progress and performance of the project by ensuring proper planning, benchmarking and target setting;
Provide quality analysis and substantive inputs to the development and management of the project;
Prepare annual and quarterly work plans, budgets and other documents for the management of the project;
Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly work plans and budgets;
Manage the accurate and timely submission of the narrative and financial reporting obligations on the progress of the support project;
Consolidate inputs from the project, as required and ensure reports are provided to the donor according to UNDP’s contractual obligations;
Provide support to the project in the preparation and organization of consultative processes with various stakeholders on areas addressed by the Project;
Identify opportunities for enhancing resources, knowledge and experience for the Project;
Support the resource mobilization efforts with regard to the Project.
Participate in knowledge sharing and information codification of the Project.
Provide secretariat services to the Project Board;
Provide technical support to MEWC in gathering and sharing information on the implementation of the project;

Liaise with sector Government Ministries/departments, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders in accomplishing the above activities.

Provide support to the MEWC in the preparation and organization of consultative processes with various stakeholders on areas supported by the Project;
Identify opportunities for enhancing resources, knowledge and experience for the Project develop relationships with other statistics producers to provide opportunities for learning;
Manage all media relations in close liaison with MEWC, UNDP communications personnel and in line with GEF guidelines;

Provide Leadership in knowledge sharing and information codification and reporting obligations of the Project.

Develop specific activities, including preparation of the project papers, agendas, minutes and reports in consultation with MEWC;
Prepare the annual and quarterly work plans for the project;
Provide secretariat services to the Project Board;
Provide technical support to MEWC in gathering and sharing information on the implementation of the project;
Prepare and fulfil the Project reporting obligations;
Provide and identify best practices and lessons learned;

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully;

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow;
Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others;

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
Models independent thinking and action;

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis;

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement;
Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services;

Technical/Functional Competencies

Professional capacity:

Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects;
Ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies;

Technical skills:

Excellent computer/information system skills, including resource management system;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and effect staff behavioural/ attitude change;

Communication and inter-personal skills:

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
Sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master's degree in wildlife and environmental management, or a subject related to natural resource management or environmental sciences;

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in natural resource management (preferably in the context of wildlife conservation and law enforcement);
At least 3 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience preferably for large donor funded projects;
At least 3 years of experience working with ministries, national, provincial, district or and community institutions that are concerned with natural resource and/or environmental management;
Knowledge of CBNRM, sustainable forest management, protected area management and related issues in Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa Region, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts;
Familiarity with UNDP/GEF project management procedures and implementation;
Ability to coordinate and supervise multiple Project Implementation Units in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of subnational stakeholder groups, including community and government;
Strong knowledge about the political and socio-economic context related to the Zimbabwe’s protected area system, biodiversity conservation and law enforcement at national and subnational levels;

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English, and any one local language.

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.

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