Project Manager

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with presence in over 170 countries. Globally the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion annually. The UNDP office in Baku employs a team of 55 professionals and currently manages a portfolio of projects in areas of inclusive growth, environmental protection and good governance.

UNDP has initiated a new partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population (MLSPP) in the area of inclusive employment.  The project will support the design and implementation of a pilot measure for promoting self-employment of persons with disabilities. The Project will be implemented in 10-15 regions of the country. Furthermore, the project will build up the institutional basis and staff capacity of partner institutions, such as the State Employment Service for effective implementation of the nation-wide employment activation programme.

More specifically the project will: i) support 750 unemployed persons with disabilities to develop entrepreneurial capacities for running their own business; ii) provide small grants to 500 persons with disabilities to set up sustainable businesses and become self-employed; iii) enhance the capacities of the relevant local actors and trainers in social and work-oriented rehabilitation related skills; iv) promote local partnerships and mentoring schemes for motivating persons with disabilities and other economically and socially vulnerable individuals, to become more actively involved in the labour market and government supported Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs); v) enhance the implementation and monitoring capacities of MLSPP and SES to execute effective ALMPs.

To carry out these activities, the project intends to engage a team of trainers in entrepreneurship and business skills development, professional and social rehabilitation of unemployed people with disabilities and a team of mentors who can provide a continuum of coaching and advisory support to the beneficiaries. In addition, implementation of the project foresees involvement of multiple institutions at national and rayon level such as the regional employment centres, social departments, professional education and rehabilitation centres, SME development centres, branch offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, public procurement authorities etc. 

To support effective implementation and monitoring of the project, UNDP is searching for a 4 Entrepreneurship Specialists/Monitoring Officers. Since, among other duties, the Entrepreneurship Specialists/Monitoring Officers will be responsible for providing advisory and mentoring support to project beneficiaries throughout the business startup process, it is expected that they will be able to also demonstrate sectoral expertise such as in the area of agriculture or manufacturing, handicrafts or services

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, they will be responsible to act in accordance with the stipulated tasks and duties as stated below.

Objectives

The incumbent’s duties are outlined below and will be fulfilled in line with prevailing UNDP rules and procedures as well as with due respect given to the UNDP internal control framework.

Summary of key functions:

1. Capacity building and technical support to partner institutions
2. Coordination of engaged trainers and mentors as well as collaborate with business development (1 person); agriculture (2 persons); services, including IT (1 person) institutions
3. Facilitate and monitor the implementation
4. Administrative support to the project activities
5. Project implementation support

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Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Capacity building and technical support to partner institutions

§  Provide hands-on technical support to the staff of the Regional Employment Centres (REC) responsible for implementation of the self-employment programme;

§  Provide regular information and clarification about the objectives and operational procedures of the employment programmes to responsible staff in the Regional Employment Centers (REC) and other relevant actors at central and local level;

§  Establishes and maintain regular communication with the ECs, local authorities and other relevant local stakeholders;

§  Support RECs in reaching out, identification and motivation of potential project beneficiaries and assessment of their skills and capacities to take part in the programme;

§  Ensure the principles of gender equality and social inclusion are effectively reflected in all project activities;

§  Ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities is reflected in all project activities;

§  Provide technical expertise to strengthen and improve accessibility and quality of the existing social services on a local level, including of local institutions, local NGOs and other local partners;

§  Provide technical expertise in analyzing the needs and capacities of local partners to support the design and implementation of employment-related activities.

2. Coordinate engaged trainers and mentors as well as collaborate with business development (1 person); agriculture (2 persons); services, including IT (1 person) institutions

§  Establish and maintain regular communication with the entrepreneurship trainers and employment mentors to ensure high quality technical and advisory support to project beneficiaries;

§  Supervise and monitor the work of the entrepreneurship trainers and business development mentors engaged under the project;

§  Advice the mentors about the relevant training or self-employment support opportunities for people with disabilities foreseen within other governmental and non-governmental programs or local business sector;

§  Provide advice on the content of the training material for Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development

§  Provide support to the trainers and employment mentors in establishing good and efficient cooperation with local institutions and other stakeholders such as regional employment centers, social protection departments, local and regional business support organizations etc.;

§  Collect regularly data and reports from the trainers and employment mentors and prepare and submit summarized reports on project progress and achieved results;

§  Collect and review the feedback on the quality of deliverable of trainers and mentors and submit recommendations for processing payments;

3. Monitor and report on the progress in implementation

• Monitor and report about the quality of provided training in entrepreneurship and business development to project beneficiaries, as well as actively participate in the training with valuable inputs to facilitate the process and ensure active participation and interaction between the training participants and the REC employees;
• Monitor the collaboration between the trainers, mentors and the beneficiaries and follow-on the process of business plan development;
• Facilitate and monitor the delivery of equipment and materials as per the grant agreement and procurement procedures;     
• Serve as UNDP’s project focal point for respective RECs, carry out regular visits of the project sites and closely monitors, collects data and real-time information through use of modern and innovative IT solutions that will ease the monitoring of project progress and make sure that overall ongoing activities are in line with the agreed work plans;
• Undertakes field visits to support RECs in providing services to project beneficiaries during entire project cycle;
• Monitors the delivery of the equipment and materials as per the grant agreement and procurement procedure;
• Interviews and assesses the financial and business potentials of micro and small companies and give reliable and objective recommendation to the Evaluation Committee in the selection process;
• Collects information about project beneficiaries’ satisfaction and the needs of start-ups and micro and small businesses, and advice and recommends improvements to achieve planned objectives.

4. Administrative support to the project activities

• Prepare agenda, brief notes and arrange field visits of UNDP officials and other parties, organizes appointments and meetings both internal and external related to the project activities;
• Write minutes from the meetings, prepare fields visits monitoring reports as well as reports on the technical, financial and overall progress of assigned activities;
• Regularly feed-in project related information in the Management Information System (MIS);
• Participate, if selected, in selection committees and other bodies stated in the Standard Operational Guidelines.
• Confirm that all formal conditions for awarding the grant to project beneficiaries have been met and facilitate the preparation of Grant Agreements and valid;
• Facilitate local procurement process, ensuring transparency and competitiveness and procure equipment and materials to project beneficiaries in total value of up to 10,000 USD as per the grant agreement and in line with the approved UNDP CO procurement procedures;

5. Project implementation support

• Provide inputs for the overall project work-plan or its specific components, including operational and financial projections, based on the assessment of the field situation and consultations with the local stakeholders;
• Provide recommendations and propose actions to improve the design and/or implementation procedures of project activities;
• Review and verify payments and disbursements, for final endorsement by the Project Manager;
• Keep inventory records of equipment and ensure documentation is in order and provide the necessary evidences to assess collaboration with the project partners and final beneficiaries;
• Perform other duties within the project mandate if required.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Project activities executed in line with UNDP corporate rules and procedures;
• Established and maintained good relations with the Regional Employment Centers, local authorities and other relevant local stakeholders while ensuring effective implementation of the project;
• The Management Information System Data Base managed and fulfilled with up-to-date information related to project implementation activities;
• Project end-beneficiaries supported in implementation and achievement of project goals, while regularly monitored project results.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Core Competencies:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Participates in teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Accepts responsibility for addressing critical situations

Technical Competencies

• Experience in needs assessment and project monitoring;
• Experience in coordination and work with multiple beneficiaries
• Ability to organize and plan events or training workshops
• Knowledge and sensitivity of the local economy and labour market;
• Knowledge of institutional context

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Listens to develop awareness of client needs
• Respects differences of opinion
• Finds common ground to solve problems
• Gains trust of peers, partners, clients
• Presents complex, conceptual ideas in practical terms to others

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a development related disciplines, public or business administration, economics, social sciences;
• Master’s degree is a strong asset.

Professional experience:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in development;
• Experience of working on employment of vulnerable groups, entrepreneurship and business development will be an asset;
• Experience of working with international organizations and government institutions;
• Experience in monitoring of development projects;
• Experience of working with regional and local authorities as well as national institutions responsible for employment, social protection and SME Development;
• Experience in working with people with disability or other socially deprived groups will be an asset;
• Experience in working with or delivering training to people from socially vulnerable groups will be an asset,
• Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows, Internet); excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills;

Language Requirements:

Language proficiency in both written and oral English and Azerbaijani language. 

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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