Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:   

Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)   
Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP  
Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

Background

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 following a long and protracted civil war. Since then, two significant conflicts broke out (December 2013 and July 2016) plunging the country in a deep economic, social and political crisis which have undermined the development gains achieved since independence and exacerbated the continuing humanitarian crisis. The country is endowed with vast natural resources and economic potential that has not translated into improved standards of living for the citizens. It is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts with rising temperatures and the increasing severity of drought and flood events having major negative impacts on lives and livelihoods. Such impacts compounded food insecurity, conflicts and a macroeconomic crisis. Capacity-constrained institutions and fragile governance in the post-conflict context add to the challenges of climate change adaptation in South Sudan. 

The environment and natural resources of South Sudan are the foundation for economic and social development to satisfy important economic, social, cultural and political needs of its peoples. However, climate change coupled with human activities are posing a threat to the quality of environment mostly resulting from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution from agricultural development. Land degradation poses serious threats to food security, water availability, adaptation and mitigation to climate change and the livelihoods of the people of South Sudan. 

UNDP, with support from UNEP and GEF, is implementing a project that focuses on priority areas identified within South Sudan’s Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP), namely, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, environment, water resources, policy and institutional frameworks. The primary objective of the project is to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities in two states in South Sudan to the observed and predicted impacts of climate change. This objective will be achieved through a series of complementary interventions that will: i) increase the capacity of the government to implement climate change adaptation interventions; ii) upgrade the national meteorological network and support the production of short-range forecasts; iii) demonstrate the benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) for buffering against climate change impacts, as well as for increasing the provision of ecosystem goods and services; iv) improve access to water for agriculture and livestock; v) foster sustainable, climate-resilient production of crops, fodder and fuelwood to reduce pressures on natural resources; and vi) produce and disseminate knowledge on climate change adaptation to inform evidence-based decision-making in relevant sectors. These interventions are designed to generate sustained benefits beyond the project’s lifetime, with a focus on capacity-building, community ownership, and knowledge generation and dissemination. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for day-to-day operational management for the successful execution and implementation of the project. This includes the daily responsibility to manage, coordinate, and supervise the implementation of the project and the delivery of results in accordance with the project document and agreed work plans, the work of the State level coordinator to align them to the project implementation plan and results framework.

Lead strategic planning, coordination and implementation of the project focusing on achievement of the following results.

  • Lead the coordination of project activities in close collaboration with Field Coordinators;
  • Lead the preparation of annual workplans, establish priorities, timelines, targets and standards for monitoring results;
  • Coordinate various components of the project providing overall guidance and innovative solutions, constantly seeking to improve project service lifecycle;
  • Work in close collaboration with other teams in the office, as well as, other UN agencies, Government officials, multilateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society in ensuring successful project implementation;
  • Enhance capacity of project personnel by providing technical leadership.

Ensure timely and effective project delivery and reporting focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Provide advice relating to the strategic direction of project implementation and design of project activities;
  • Manage and monitor the utilization of resources, in consultation with the Team Leader and the Chief Programme Advisor, for achieving results in line with project outputs; 
  • Prepare timely and regular progress reports including monthly and project implementation review report PIR as appropriate for clearance and submission to CO management, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, donors, and external stakeholders. Regularly report on progress, best practices, lessons learned, success stories, beneficiaries’ stories and field observations; and Support and/or conduct studies and researches; 
  • Guide with implementation of audit requirements.

Provide technical and policy advise focusing on the following achievements: 

  • Provide intellectual and substantive technical advise on the advancement of climate change adaptation, early warning, environmental protection, and areas covered under the project;
  • Provide quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management;
  • Analyze the socio-economic and political situation, trends, and impacts on climate change, resilience building, and environmental protection and management;

Foster partnership building and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Contribute to the development of the CO Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy, including planning tools to implement the strategy;
  • Provide substantial support and leadership in programme and project formulation to support the development and implementation of climate change, resilience, and environmental protection and management, including identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation; 
  • Ensures identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities;
  • Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities and documents (project documents, concept notes, project proposals);
  • Identify and maintain strong and credible working relations with Governments and donor partners;

Foster compliance with Social and Environmental Standards (SES):

  • Integrate UNDP SES into Project Planning and Risk Management;
  • Ensure that UNDP’s SES requirements are identified and embedded from the project concept phase through to design and implementation;
  • Contribute and support development of the CO SES Compliance ensure adherance to UNDP and Donors’ Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and mainstreaming of principles throughout project Implementation;
  • Facilitate Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Redress by developing and implementing a Stakeholder Engagement Plan in accordance with UNDP guidance, ensuring transparency, participation, and inclusivity especially of Indigenous Peoples, women, and other vulnerable groups;
  • Monitor compliance and report according to UNDP Standards by establishing SES-compliant monitoring frameworks with measurable indicators and timelines;
  • Build capacity and manage Implementing Partners and Contractors by supporting SES training and capacity-building support to implementing partners, national counterparts, and contractors;
  • Monitor partner and contractor compliance with environmental and social commitments and follow up on corrective actions in Coordination with National Authorities and Promote Ethical Compliance.

 Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy 

  • Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.;
  • Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application; 
  • Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project. facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in  this area.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Central Equatoria State, and partners and communities. S/he will have a matrix reporting to the UNDP Chief Programme Advisor and the Team Leader of the Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (STARR) Unit and will work closely with the Project Liaison Officer.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:      LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively:      LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:       LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination:          LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:         LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management: - Project Management      

  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management: -Partnership Management             

  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management: - Monitoring & Evaluation                

  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

2030 Agenda: Planet: -Climate          

  • Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans 

2030 Agenda: Planet: - Climate         

  • Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CI & EWS) 

Business Direction and Strategy: - System Thinking            

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Education requirements

  • Advanced university degree (masters’s degree or equivalent ) in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Economics, Climate Finance, Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Project Management or any other related field from a recognized institution is required. Or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Min. years of relevant work experience 

  • Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience on environment and climate change.

Required  skills 

  • Proven supervisory experience, experience working and teams and engaging and coordinating multiple stakeholders and relevant institutions especially in South Sudan;
  • Experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Experience working in a donor-funded project; 
  • Experience in working with UN agencies and national government;
  • Experience and understanding of early warning and food security/climate smart agriculture;
  • Proven good background and understanding of climate change, environment and social issues surrounding natural resource management in South Sudan, particularly major policies and strategies.

Required Language(s) 

  • Fluency in English is required. 
  • Working knowledge of Arabic is desired. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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