Project Manager

Purpose

The Regional Programme for Africa is a flagship programme for UNDP that responds to challenges and opportunities facing the African Continent and to the priorities and aspirations of Africa as articulated by the African Union and other regional organs. These are convergent with the vision, areas of work, and guiding principles of the UNDP strategic plan, 2014-2017, and the directions of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review. The programme builds on the successes and responds to the lessons from past cooperation, with special attention to programme focus and effective engagement with the African Union and the regional economic communities through the development of long-term strategic partnerships.

Underpinned by African ownership and leadership and cognizant of the rich diversity of the continent, UNDP regional work is based on five mutually reinforcing regionality principles, which define the particular added value of regional or sub-regional approaches to addressing development challenges. These are: (a) promotion of regional public goods and services, based on strengthened regional cooperation and integration; (b) management of cross-border externalities (challenges and opportunities) and spill-overs – such as trade, the environment and conflict prevention  that are best addressed collaboratively on an inter-country basis; (c) advancement of awareness, dialogue and action on sensitive and/or emerging development issues that benefit strongly from multi-country and regional experiences and perspectives; (d) promotion of experimentation and innovation to overcome institutional, financial and/or informational barriers that may be too high for an individual country to surmount; and (e) generation and sharing of development knowledge, experience and expertise – for instance, through South-South and triangular cooperation – so that countries can connect to, and benefit from, relevant experiences from across the region and beyond. In all this, UNDP will make South-South and triangular cooperation core ways of working in the regional programme, to buttress inter-country initiatives that accelerate regional integration in Africa.

The programme focuses on the regional dimensions of four interrelated outcomes of the strategic plan, as follows:

• Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded.
• Citizen expectations for voice, development, the rule of law and accountability are met by stronger systems of democratic governance.
• Countries are able to reduce the likelihood of conflict, and lower the risk of natural disasters, including from climate change.
• Development debates and actions at all levels prioritize poverty, inequality and exclusion, consistent with our engagement principles.

With funding from the European Union, the UNDP regional programme launched a project to improve cross-border cooperation and coordination in the Horn of Africa. The specific objectives of the Project are:

1. To strengthen regional policy frameworks, structures, and protocols for cross-border cooperation between national and local Governments, the private sector, civil society, and international technical and financial partners to development.
2. To build capacities of communities, local governments, and civil society to fully engage in processes for development planning and results.
3. To ensure effective cooperation & coordination, monitoring and evaluation of cross-border initiatives, including involvement of relevant national and regional actors in these processes.

The project is being implemented in partnership with IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), and with national and local Governments in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. 

Reporting structure and partners

The project is being implemented in partnership with IGAD and UNEP, and with national and local Governments in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The Project Manager (PM) acts as Team Leader for the project, reporting to the project board and to the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Regional Programme Coordinator for Africa. The PM works with UNEP, IGAD, and the UNRC (United Nations Resident Coordinator) Offices in each participating country (Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia) to ensure project management issues are rapidly and efficiently negotiated and resolved.

1. Project Management, Coordination and Monitoring

• Lead the successful execution and implementation of the project towards achieving the expected outputs, outcomes, and results as indicated in the Project Document and Annual Work Plans.
• Coordinate operations, resources, and administrative support of the Project Team.
• Coordinate all project meetings and annual reviews and support the project board by organizing agendas and recording decisions of meetings.
• Plan and arrange, in consultation with UNDP, the procurement of project services in line with agreed procedures.
• Ensure project communication is in accordance with the visibility rules of the EU and communication standards of UNDP.
• Lead the coordination, planning, documentation, monitoring, and implementation processes relating to management of partnerships with UNEP and IGAD, coordinate with UN RCOs in participating countries, and RSCA colleagues in regard to project assurance and south-south and triangular development cooperation.
• Undertake periodic field monitoring visits and provide timely feedback to all staff, partner organizations, and the project board.

2. Financial Resources Management

• Lead operational and financial resources management of the project, in line with the Project Document and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations, specifically focusing on the achievement of the following:
  1. Accountable use of project funds.
  2. Oversight of financial management through Atlas, including purchase orders, requisitions, and payments.
  3. Provision of effective services to counterparts, including fair and transparent procurement, efficient logistics, and sound financial management.
  4. Oversight of all administrative, financial, and budgetary aspects of projects.
  5. Responsible for budgets and for ensuring strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations.

3. People Management

• Provide effective direction to and empower members of the Project Team.
• Work within agreed budgets.
• Manage project in compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.
• Ensure optimal staffing of the project.
• Support supervisees in facilitating their learning and development.
• Support supervisees in maintaining their health and well-being, safety and security.

4. Reporting

• Report on all issues related to project management and implementation, to the UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator for Africa.
• Prepare technical and other documents as required.
• Provide UNDP’s internal monthly/quarterly/annual progress reports on project activities as required under UNDP rules and regulations, as well as progress and final narrative and financial reports to donors as per applicable donors’ reporting requirements. The reports shall be submitted to the donor through the Regional Programme Coordinator.
• Provide project briefing papers as requested.

5. Partnership Development

• Support the Regional Programme Coordinator in partnership liaison with UNEP, IGAD, and participating Governments.
• Maintain regular contact with EU as donor in support of, and in coordination with, the Regional Programme Coordinator.

Core

Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Functional/Technical

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Anti-Corruption Knowledge of anti-corruption concepts, principles and policies and the ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations

Job knowledge/technical expertise Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Client orientation Anticipate client needs, works toward creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider

Knowledge Management Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Accountability and results-based management Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management

Building strategic partnerships Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliance relevant to UNDP´s mandate and agenda

Education

• Master's Degree in Economics, Management, Development Studies, or any other relevant discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years professional experience.
• At least 5 years proven experience in project management, preferably with a background on implementation of EU-funded projects.
• Coordination experience working with government, development partners, and international partners would be an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of and extensive experience in the region is desirable.

Language requirements

• Proficiency in English.
• Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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