Project Manager, Leadership, Effectiveness, Adaptability and Professionalism in Myanmar’s Civil Service - LEAP Project (Only for International)

Nay Pyi Taw

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Nay Pyi Taw
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Environment
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Civil Society and Local governance
- Elections
- Project and Programme Management
- Peace and Development
- Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
- Managerial positions
- LEADERSHIP, EFFECTIVENESS, ADAPTABILITY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN MYANMAR’S CIVIL SERVICE
Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP Country Programme (2018-2022)

Myanmar has embarked on a major transition towards democracy, market style economy and peace. Myanmar has low middle-income status (LMIC) and is committed to lifting itself out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status in the near future.

The first UNDP Country Programme was delivered from 2013-2017. As a key development partner of the government of Myanmar, UNDP is implementing a new UNDP Country Programme for the period 2018-2022, which will deliver on a large and relevant programme portfolio that is responsive to the main development challenges facing the country. The UNDP Country Office in Myanmar is a key interlocutor and advisor to government across its portfolio and aims to expand its programming at the region/state and township levels in order to ensure stronger people focused institutions at all levels of government as part of the effort to support Myanmar’s democratic transition, build and sustain peace, and promote more sustainable and inclusive development. UNDP also integrates peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive approaches across the country programme.

The new UNDP Country Programme Document will be implemented through the following two key programme areas:

1. Governance and Sustainable Peace Team, including the following projects:

Support to Effective and Responsive Institutions Project (SERIP)
Support to Accountability and the Rule of Law Project (SARL)
Leadership, Effectiveness, Adaptability and Professionalism (LEAP) in Myanmar’s Civil Service Project

2. Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Team, including the following projects:

Governance for Resilience and Sustainability Project (GRSP)
Inclusive Growth and Employment Creation Project (IGECP)

The Country Office has aligned the new office structure with the new CPD and designed new ways of working that will facilitate more effective integration and collaboration across the office, create the foundations for more sub-national level work, higher delivery, facilitate the transition of the country office from Yangon to Naypyidaw, and emphasize learning and support to national staff capacity development.

Country Context and UNDP’s Support to Public Administration and Civil Service Reform

Myanmar is witnessing a rapid and unprecedented change in its political and governance landscape. The 2008 Constitution established seven Regions and seven States, in addition to a union territory organized around the capital city Nay Pyi Taw. State and region governments are composed of a unicameral partially elected/ state/ region Parliament or “Hluttaw”, an executive led by a Chief Minister and a cabinet of state/ region ministers and state/region judicial institutions. The roles of the Region and State Governments as set out in the 2008 Constitution and subsequent amendments include the right to enact laws, region and state budgets, tax collection, expend funds and manage projects.

Despite commitments to decentralization, in practice Myanmar’s governance structures remain heavily centralized with existing administrative structures and practices, and accountability and decision-making processes predominantly organized around strong central agencies, with some devolution. There is a need for more effective governance structures at the state and region governance level through the modernization of administrative systems, procedures and practices which will help improve service delivery and the accountability and responsiveness of government.

The Government made efforts to put a new service delivery model and a new civil service governance system in place that would rebuild the trust of the people in its administration, thus ultimately achieving a more equitable access to resources and services. The Government put emphasis on performance management, civil service reform and anti-corruption and anti-bribery measures as entry points for administrative modernization/civil service reform in the country and instigating a more effective and accountable service delivery system.

UNDP supported the Government of Myanmar in developing its national policy on Civil Service Reform (CSR), which culminated in the launch of the CSR Strategic Action Plan for 2017-2020. The Plan is intended to transform the civil service and mainstream in its regulations and procedures a new culture and the principles of integrity, meritocracy, accountability, inclusiveness and responsiveness. Among other TA activities, UNDP has supported the review of the Civil Service Regulations and Systems and has contributed in determining benchmarks for the Union Civil Service Board (UCSB), custodian of civil service management issues in Myanmar, to consider while modernizing the human resources management system of the country. Specific focus was put on selection, promotion, transfer and performance management and training systems. UNDP supported the development of a new competency framework and job descriptions for the upper ranks of Myanmar’s Civil Service, a new training curricula and development scheme for Senior and Executive public officials (SELDS) and a new performance management system and evaluation form. UNDP also supported the development of a new Code of Ethics for Civil Service Personnel in Myanmar.

Through the LEAP project, UNDP will pursue its support to Civil Service Reform/Modernization and will contribute to enabling the Myanmar Civil Service to be more people, service and results oriented, by improving the motivation and behaviour of civil servants through addressing gaps in the civil service regulations, strengthening the personnel management procedures, transforming the existing top down management systems and overcoming the challenges of decentralization.

About the Position:

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader of the Governance and Sustainable Peace Unit, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the direction of project activities and the achievement of project targets and results. S/he plans project activities and inputs, manages the day-to-day implementation of the project and supervises project experts and personnel. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP CO Programme, Strategy Results, Programme Support and Senior Management to maintain effective working relationships with project implementing partners (IPs), donors and other partners such as UN agencies.

The Project Manager will be based in Nay Pyi Taw with regular travel to Yangon and the States and Regions.

UNDP Myanmar is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Management of project activities and achievement of project targets and results
Effective day-to-day management of the project
Coordinate provision of high-quality technical advice and build partnerships
Facilitate knowledge building and management

1)Management of project activities and the achievement of project targets and results, by focusing on the following results:

In accordance with the Project Document and in close coordination with IPs and the project specialists, plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and establish Annual Targets according to UNDP CO timelines. Design project budget. Ensure that AWP activities suggested are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of project targets and results.
Coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the Project. Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in close collaboration with relevant CO units.
Ensure implementation of activities as per AWP and agreed deadlines as well as according to detailed implementation, procurement and HR plans. Identify bottlenecks and develop solutions. Regularly meet with IPs and other project counterparts.
Facilitate assessment of project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results.
Support establishment of adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close collaboration with the CO Results Team. Ensure that adequate systems are in place to gather data and information for project monitoring and that systematic monitoring of project progress against targets is undertaken, including regular field trips for monitoring purposes. Develop innovative improvements to enhance performance of the project.
Ensure that UNDP´s results-management systems are kept updated for project results-information including ATLAS project management module.
Manage the accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets to the Project Board and donors. Ensure that reports are prepared according to UNDP’s SOPs, quality standards and in line with the contractual obligations to project donors. Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted by deadlines.
Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs.
Implement project communications activities in close collaboration with the CO Communications Team.
Organize and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP. Share information on technical project-related issues with donors, other partners and stakeholders.
Implement project governance arrangements. Oversee organization of Project Board meetings and ensure timely preparation of agenda, background materials to agenda items and minutes as per CO SOPs.
Immediately escalate issues with potential to impact UNDP´s effectiveness, financial soundness or reputation to the Programme Team and CO senior management. Ensure that UNDP´s corporate interest and rules are guarded at all times and that appropriate action is taken to immediately address problems and challenges.

2. Effective day-to-day management of the project, by focusing on the following results:

Facilitate compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms.
Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and micro-capital grants to initiative activities, including drafting and reviewing terms of references and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work. Oversee effective provision of services to IPs as required.
Oversee the appropriate use of project funds as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations. Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures).
Develop project budgets. Monitor budget implementation and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure. Coordinate preparation of financial reports to UNDP, as required.
Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Develop ToRs/JDs for project staff positions. Oversee recruitment processes. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance. Undertake performance evaluation according to UNDP´s policies and deadlines.
Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff, IP’s and donors identify new risks and update risk frameworks for consideration of the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required. Update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
Ensure appropriate management of project assets, attendance records, filing system.
Implement audit recommendations for the project. Provide inputs to audit management responses.
Initiate operational closure of the project.

3. Coordinates provision of high quality technical advice and build partnerships, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Coordinate the advisory activities of the project technical staff. Ensure that technical outputs are provided according to plans and up to highest technical standards. Review and clear technical outputs for quality.
Establish, maintain and facilitate strategic dialogue between project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, NGOs, partners, donors and other stakeholders in project´s area of work.
Provide technical advice, draft papers/briefs/proposals in project´s technical focus.
Identify areas of cooperation and coordination with other UN agencies for implementation of joint activities within the area of the project. Implement joint activities with UN implementing partners as per AWP.
Advocate UNDP with the partners and stakeholders. Consistently promote a positive image of the UNDP.
Identify resources mobilization opportunities in close collaboration with the Programme Team. Develop funding proposals and concepts as requested.
Provide inputs to formulation of UNDP strategies such as of UNDAF and CPD.
Coordinate project strategies and activities with other UNDP projects to ensure the effective implementation of the Country Programme Document.
Provide inputs to UN coordination platforms and participate in meetings, as requested.

4. Facilitates knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support systematic building of capacities of Implementing Partners through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application to project implementation.
Promote teamwork, information sharing and collaboration within the Project Team and between the Project Team and the CO Programme Team.
Promote skills development of project staff through coaching and mentoring.
Coordinate capturing and disseminations of lessons learnt during project implementation.
Facilitate the Project’s representation and/or participation in international knowledge networks to draw on and share best practice and lessons learned for application in Myanmar.

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional

Trends and emerging areas analytics

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design

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

Results-Based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

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

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

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

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals t Management

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

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

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

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency)

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business or Public Sector Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, or other relevant discipline

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project development and project management with focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination in international development organizations and/or bilateral development agencies.
Knowledge of functioning of public administrations in developing or developed countries and experience on public management or public administration reform or civil service management is preferred;
Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency is an asset.
Excellent knowledge of project management principles and best practices. Project Management Certification, either Prince2 or PMP/PMI would be an advantage.
Proven ability to manage and work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national staff.
Proven programmatic management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation).
Excellent skills in fundraising, resources mobilization and donor relations would be an asset.
Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Disclaimer

Candidates must apply on-line through UNDP job website.

Paper-based applications will not be accepted.

Only those candidates in whose qualifications and experience the Organization has further interest will be contacted for subsequent interview(s).

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply." UNDP regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone queries on the advertised posts.

This vacancy is now closed.
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