Project Manager

Projects:                             Statistics Cluster grouped by the projects: Strengthening institutional and statistical capacity on national accounts/Support to Improvement of the Foreign Trade Statistics in Turkmenistan/ Strengthening institutional and technical capacity of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan to implement 2030 Agenda

Type of Contract:               Service Contract

Level of Remuneration:   SB4/ step 5 (USD 2000)

In 2016, Turkmenistan nationalized the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 148 targets and 175 indicators. Official statistics is fundamentally important for the 2030 Agenda in its commitment to leave no one behind and its basic principles for the data revolution. The role of national statistical offices as providers of high-quality data to support informed decision-making is crucial. All this requires additional work and investment in statistics.

In a view of the above, Quality Data and Progress Monitoring became a top priority area in the Partnership Framework for Development between the United Nations and Turkmenistan for the period of 2016-2020 (PFD), as well as the UNDP Country Programme Action Plan for the same period (CPAP). PFD envisages achievement of the respective Outcome: Quality data, aligned with international standards, is available to policy makers, legislators, and the interested public to monitor the major goals of National Programmes, the post-2015 SDGs, UNPFD and to formulate new national strategies and programmes.

Thus, the UNDP Country Programme Document for Turkmenistan for 2016-2020 envisages the following strategies that can contribute to achieving the above PFD outcome and the respective SDG goals:

• Help to align data collection methodologies, instruments, and indicators with international standards;
• Assist in integrating the proposed new SDGs targets, adapted to Turkmenistan, into national and sector plans and establish an integrated system to measure and report on progress of implementation.
• Strengthen capacity for quality disaggregated data collection, analysis and use for evidence informed policy development;
• Improve communication of publicly available information nationally and internationally;
• Enhance governance and macroeconomic management to facilitate the expansion of the private sector;
• Improve the efficiency of foreign and domestic trade.

In this regard, UNDP CO in Turkmenistan embarked on implementation of the above PFD and CPD strategies by initiating the following projects in the area of national statistical capacity development: i) Strengthening institutional and statistical capacity on national accounts; ii) Support to Improvement of the Foreign Trade Statistics in Turkmenistan; and iii) Strengthening institutional and technical capacity of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan to implement 2030 Agenda.

These initiatives are clustered into one group of small-scale projects under the portfolio of Economic Diversification, Governance and Inclusive Growth. Given the small scale of the project budgets and number of activities, the UNDP is seeking to hire one project manager in order to manage these initiatives and contribute to the development of the national statistical capacity in Turkmenistan. 

Project Management Arrangements

The cluster of statistical projects will be carried out under a national implementation modality (NIM). As the national partner, the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan will oversee all aspects of project implementation. This role is consistent with its role as the key government institution responsible for data collection and production of official statistics in Turkmenistan. The national partner will appoint staff members who will serve as the National Project Coordinators (NPC) in respective areas and who will be the lead individual responsible for overseeing the corresponding project.

Overall governance of the project will be carried out by the Project Board, which will include the national partner and UNDP, and, potentially, representatives of other donors that will provide support in future. The National Project Coordinator will serve as Chair of the Project Board for this project only, with assistance from UNDP in organizing and running all meetings and other exchanges of information. Meetings of the Project Board will take place at least once a year in time for approval of the following year’s Annual Work Plan. Additional meetings may be called as needed by the NPC.

UNDP will join in managing the Project and providing quality assurance, in accordance with plans approved by the Project Board. Most of UNDP’s work for the project will be based in its Country Office (CO) in Ashgabat, under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst on Economic Diversification, Governance and Inclusive Growth and the Deputy Resident Representative.

The Project Manager will be responsible for carrying out the activities of the Project as set forth in this Project Document and any revisions approved by the Project Board. At least one month in advance of the start of each project year, the Project Manager will prepare Annual Work Plans. These plans will be reviewed and approved by the Project Board and thereafter will be used by project staff as tools for planning, implementing, and tracking work flows. In addition, for each meeting of the Project Board, the Project Manager will prepare a full status report on project activity, including recent accomplishments, risks, and proposed mitigation measures.

UNDP will engage national and international consultants to provide focused technical assistance to the project as needed.

UNDP country office staff will assist the Project Manager in all the administrative work of the project, including logistics and clerical work. In addition, the country office will provide administrative support to the Government with regard to various specific administrative functions (such as those involving procurement and financial management).

Overall responsibilities: The Project Manager has the authority to run the projects on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Board. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making on the Project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the Project produces the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Working under the supervision of the Programme Analyst on Economic Diversification, Governance and Inclusive Growth to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the PIU, the PM will be responsible the day-to-day implementation of the projects and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget. More specifically, the PM will perform the following duties:

PM responsibilities would include:

Overall project management:

• Management and supervision of project implementation and evaluation across all components. Assurance of successful completion of the project in accordance with the stated outcomes and performance indicators summarized in the Project Results Framework;
• Regular communication and coordination with the National Implementing Partner, members of the Project Board, and all other partners and interested stakeholders, with regard to all project activities. Organization of Project Board meetings at least once, or ideally twice, per year, subject to availability of the Board members;
• Regular communication with senior UNDP management with regard to all Project activity. Assurance of coordination with other UNDP projects and broad strategic initiatives;
• Preparation of Annual Work Plans, including monthly targets and deliverables as well as annual spending targets in accordance with the Project Document. Tracking of work outputs throughout the year in light of these Annual Work Plans;
• Tracking and managing of Project spending in accordance with the Project budget, as well as UNDP rules and procedures, to ensure transparency, responsibility, and timely fulfilment of both program targets and budget targets;
• Preparation and submittal of annual Project Implementation Reviews and other required progress reports to the Project Board and UNDP in accordance with applicable requirements, in all required languages (English, Russian, and/or Turkmen, using outside translation as needed);
• Coordination of the work of international and national consultants engaged in the project;
• Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via the mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the Project;
• Oversight of the overall administration of the Project office;
• Travel within Turkmenistan if required; possible travel outside the country for participation in directly relevant international meetings;
• Support during the project evaluations, if any.

Running a project:

• Plan the detailed actions according to annual work plans of the project approved by the Project Board and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;
• Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
• Based on the review, prepare the AWPs for the following years, as well as Quarterly Plans if required.

Closing a Project:

• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted and presented to the Project Board;
• Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

Developing a Project:

• In cooperation with the Programme Analyst on Economic Diversification, Governance and Inclusive Growth, lead the process of developing and mobilizing resources for new projects in the areas of Project Manager’s expertise, such as data quality, statistics or any other;

• In the absence of the Programme Analyst on Economic Diversification, Governance and Inclusive Growth assist and lead on issues related to overall programme management, development, resource mobilization and policy dialogue in the area of statistics.

More specifically, PM will be in charge of the following:

A) Financial resources management

A.1) Act as financial manager and retain the ultimate responsibility for financial resources for accountability purposes;

A.2) Ensure accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Project financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures;

A.3) Work with the project team and PIU to prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany Project quarterly and annual work plans and reports.

B) Project outreach

B.1) Serve as the Project’s ambassador and advocate within the Government systems;

B.2) Represent and promote the Project at national and international meetings;

B.3) Contribute to the production and publication of public information material;

B.4) Establish and maintain good working relationships and cooperation with peer project managers from other related projects within Turkmenistan and the Central Asia region.

C) Project planning and implementation

C.1) Lead the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities, with the participation of all Project personnel; retain the ultimate responsibility for the finished plans and submit them to the NPC and UNDP for their concurrence;

C.2) Build effective working relationships with the Project’s key partners;

C.3) Work closely with co-funding partners to ensure that their activities/programs are integrated and complementary with those of the current project.

D) Monitoring and adaptive management

D.1) Lead the implementation of the Project M&E Plan;

D.2) Carry out monitoring visits, if need be;

D.3) Collate the results of monitoring, analyse them, and formulate proposals for adaptive management measures for consideration by the PB;

D.4) Implement the decisions and advice of the PB.

E)  Reporting and accountability

E.1) Provide a report to each PB meeting noting progress and achievements, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration and guidance by the PB.

E.2) Assume the lead responsibility for the preparation and content of the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR), with the full participation of relevant Project personnel.

E.3) Delegate to the PIU the task of preparation of implementation reports for UNDP (such as Atlas reports) but retain a supportive role.

E.4) Jointly with the project team and PIU, prepare quarterly and annual project plans and reports and present them to the PB.

E.5) Respond to request for reports on Project management and performance from any key stakeholders, through the NPC.

E.6) Report to the NPC and the UNDP on any aspect of Project management whenever required.

• Technical expertise to appreciate project aims, ability to speak the “language” with experts;
• Good analytical and planning skills; ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis;
• Excellent inter-personal skills; good communicator at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Strong managerial skills, results-orientation, team-building and leadership skills;
• Decisiveness, independence, good judgement, ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to work effectively under close supervision, as well as under minimal supervision.

Education:

• University degree in Economics, Public Policy, Public or Business Administration or related disciplines. Master’s Degree in the related area will be an advantage.

Experience:

• 5 years of progressive experience in management, preferably in the area of statistics, statistical capacity development, economic development, etc.;
• Desirable experience in working with government institutions, preferably with the national statistical office;
• Knowledge of priorities and institutional environment of the Government of Turkmenistan with regard to statistics and data development;
• Skills in organization and management, including past experience with planning, tracking, evaluation, and supervision of work of consultants and/or employees;
• Experience in financial tracking and budget management;
• Advanced usage of information technology as a tool and resource; demonstrable skills in office computer use - word processing, spread sheets, etc.

Language:

• Fluency in Russian, English and Turkmen, in reading, writing, and speaking.

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.

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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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