Project Manager - Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solution in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience Project

Considering its economic structure and geographic features, Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change and is exposed to disasters due to the hydrometeorological phenomena and natural hazards. While drought and floods are among top hydro-meteorological hazards caused by extreme weather and climate events, due to the current and projected abnormal high temperatures leading to water scarcity the incidence of forest fires is increasingly posing a threat to the natural ecosystems, agricultural system and human settlements. With the projected decrease in surface water availability by 16-20% by 2020  due to climate change, the water supply for all users requires adaptation options to reduce the vulnerability of rural communities related to water stress. In Moldova’s climate induced disasters are occurring more frequently and on a recurring basis, causing an average of 4 million US dollars  per year of economic damage.  
Climate scenarios also indicate the country is trending strongly towards becoming more arid . This will intensify not only droughts but also fires. Unfortunately, rural communities experience a capacity deficit in terms of fire prevention, preparedness and timely response mainly due to liquidation of over 400 equipped and capacitated firefighting units following the extensive privatization process from the 90s. Subsequently, the intervention radius of 3 km (according to norms) increased to up to 10-15 km in urban areas and 40-50 km in rural areas (where 70% of the total number of fires occur). It resulted in increased response time and lower awareness of fire risks by the rural population, subsequently leading to considerable increase in loss of life, material damages and affected ecosystems. It is widely accepted that rural women are disproportionately affected by fires due to them being mostly engaged in cooking in unsafe cookstoves and collection of firewood in ecosystems that might be at high risk of fires. Overall, during 2008 and 2017, in Moldova were registered about 8 725 fires resulting in 1 356 deaths, including 61 children . In the rural areas, poor and low-income households are mostly exposed to fire  risks due to also lack of proper fire prevention measures and adapted techniques, education and awareness.
Against this background, the project aims to increase resilience and adaptive capacities of rural communities to climate change and disasters through improved water storage infrastructures and disasters risk reduction measures. The project is supporting implementation of climate-smart water management solutions for agriculture, flood management and fire prevention and expansion of community-based rescue/firefighting teams in rural communities of Moldova with the purpose to reduce the exposure and vulnerability of the rural communities to climate change and disaster risks. The project will be implemented over a period of 36 months and the activities are clustered around 2 major outputs intended to produce an impact in 5 districts of Moldova, Central (Hincesti, Criuleni and Ungheni districts) and Southern (Leova and Cantemir).
The expected impact of the project is: improved resilience of rural communities’ livelihoods in the face of climate change
The overall project outcome is: strengthened local policies, capacities and infrastructure which enable climate and disaster resilient development at the community level
The projects outputs are the following:
Output 1 - Adaptation interventions in the water sector for agricultural purposes and flood management demonstrated and local climate change related policy frameworks in place in a selected number of districts  
Output 2 - Community-level climate and disaster management capacities improved for risk reduction, prevention and timely response
Under the 1st Output 2 major activities will be implemented: 1.1. Mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk management priorities into local development planning frameworks with intention to widely involve various stakeholders ranging from private sector to vulnerable groups (out of which 50% will be women) into policy and decision-making over priorities that affect their well-being; and 1.2. Water storage infrastructures piloted in 5 districts of the country to enhance adaptation to climate change in the water and agricultural sectors by supporting with grants at least 15 farmers, including women, to put in place climate-smart water systems, such as for instance, water storage basins.  
Under the 2d Output 2 major activities will be implemented: 2.1 Establish Community-based rescue and firefighting brigades in the most vulnerable and risk exposed districts of the country which are seen as an instrument for resilient community development that will cover up to 10-20 km radius with maximum intervention time of 15 minutes; and 2.2 Conduct capacity development for climate and disaster response local teams and raise awareness towards building a culture of safer living in order to ensure that the performance of the climate and disaster response local teams in the target communities is exercised at its full capacity and that the local population have an enhanced understanding of the response patterns in case of disasters.
The benefits of the project will materialize by increased water availability for resilient livelihoods, reduced exposure to disasters and fire risks for 55 villages (approximately 58,714 people, including 39 300 women), where 990 households are identified as vulnerable (2930 vulnerable persons) from the economic and social point of view.
As per the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, for the purpose of this project, as vulnerable groups and individuals are defined people with diminished capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impact of a natural or man-made hazard. Those include: 1st Group – Persons who are alone and/or sick that are tied to bed and cared by social assistant; 2nd Group – Poor families with many children and families without one or both parents; and, 3rd Group – Old persons with limited mobility.  

 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist/Cluster Lead and Programme Analyst, the incumbent provides effective and efficient management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results.

The Project manager works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.
The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.


The Project Manager in close cooperation with UNDP Country Office will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the Programme) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches.  More specifically:

• Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results;
• Within the strategic framework concerted with the national counterparts, prepare work-plans reflecting the scope of activities, timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of the Project activities;
• Be responsible for the implementation of the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as for the overall management of the Project in accordance to prevailing UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Liaise with the national counterparts, donors and the UNDP office to ensure that Project results are achieved and Project resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
• Present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office;
• Ensure the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Project, including both staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; validate terms of reference for international and national consultants;
• Manage efficiently the financial resources of the Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Continuously record and maintain relevant Project activities, issues, risks, etc in the UNDP Atlas Project Management Module (software platform);
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project;
• Identify key performance indicators as well as develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top quality progress reports;
• Ensure high quality information and visibility of the Project activities to the mass media and stakeholders;
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project as required;

Specific tasks:

• Assume full responsibility for quality planning of project outputs, including of the inception phase in line with the project’s timeframe and the recommendations from the appraisal stage;
• Assume full responsibility for successfully putting in place multi-purpose water storage basins and community-based rescue and firefighting brigades as per the project’s logframe, as well for implementation of all envisaged project’s activities;  
• Prepare and submit timely semi-annual and annual reports to the donor and provide inputs to the ROAR;  
• Facilitate a smooth collaboration between all key project stakeholders by ensuring a continuous flow of information and addressing implementation issues in a pro-active and solution-oriented manner;
• Maintain excellent relationship with the donor and respond promptly to donor’s requests;  

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner.  The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Steering Committee, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values
• Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives
• Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Good knowledge and understanding of climate change and disaster risk reduction commitments assumed by the country

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting
• Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
• Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document;
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs;
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and the related ability for adaptive management with prompt action on the conclusion and recommendations coming out from the project’s regular monitoring and self-assessment activities;

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy
• Demonstrated experience to engage and work with a wide range of national and sub-national stakeholders, including local communities;

Education:    

• Master’s Degree(or equivalent) in public administration, economics, law or related areas. Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Experience:    

• At least 5 years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of development projects and/or working in a relevant position to this post.
• Advanced experience in managing complex projects on the ground, including demonstrated capacity to manage a wide range of national and sub-national stakeholders, including local communities;
• Previous working experience in the field of climate change and/or disaster risk reduction is an advantage;
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a very strong advantage.
• Extensive experience in managing a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

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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