Project Manager

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Government of Tajikistan’s National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center, Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and an Agency of Forestry under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in the implementation of the GEF Full Size Project (FSP) “Conservation and  Sustainable Use of Pamir Alay and Tien Shan Ecosystems for Snow Leopard (SL) Protection and Sustainable Community Livelihoods”. The project is coordinated with the global UNDP-GEF project Transboundary Cooperation for SL and Ecosystem Conservation. The project is closely related to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Tajikistan (2014-2020) since it develops improved policies for use of natural resources, forest conservation, expands protected areas and raises the engagement of communities in their management, all of which are the NBSAP priorities.

The total habitat of the snow leopard in Tajikistan is reported to be about 85,700 km². Tajikistan forms an important link between the southern, northern and eastern range populations of snow leopards, and serves as a vital corridor for the genetic interchange between these populations. Although no precise population estimate is available for the country, the current population estimates for snow leopards is around 220 individuals. The project will directly support the implementation of the priority actions contained in the National State Leopard Ecosystem Protection Plan (NSLEP) for Tajikistan. It seeks to: (i) prevent the further fragmentation of snow leopard and prey ecosystems in Tajikistan; (ii) maintain and/or restore the quality of key snow leopard and prey habitats within these ecosystems; (iii) improve the conservation status of, and sustainability of pasture and forest use in, these key snow leopard and prey habitats; and (iv) reduce the direct threats to the survival of snow leopards and prey populations living in these key habitats.

The project strategy is focused around four strategic areas of intervention as follows:

·         Conservation areas – improving the conservation tenure and conservation security of protected areas and community-based conservancies by building the institutional and individual capacities to implement a smart patrol system;

·         Livestock pasture areas – improving sustainable management of pasture lands across the snow leopard range by incentivising changes to unsustainable practices and reducing the extent and intensity of conflicts between pastoralists and snow leopard and their prey by enhancing the survival rate of livestock;

·         Forest areas – improving the ecological integrity of forests in the snow leopard range by: (i) rehabilitating degraded forests; and (ii) reducing the extent and intensity of harvesting of wood from these forests by encouraging the adoption of other fuel sources; and

·         Knowledge – expanding the reach of research, monitoring and planning efforts about snow leopard, snow leopard prey and their habitats by building institutional capacities, resources and partnerships.   

The project is structured into three components, with each component comprising a complementary suite of two to four outputs which will collectively contribute to realizing the targeted outcome for the component.

The first component – “Conservation and sustainable management of key biodiversity areas”– will support the development and implementation of a smart patrol system in two sections of the Tajik NP, a World Heritage Site. Work under this component will be focused around four key areas of project support: (i) Secure the conservation status and boundaries of protected areas (Output 1.1); (ii) Develop the capacity to implement a smart patrolling system in protected areas (Output 1.2); (iii) Improve the equipment and infrastructure to support the implementation of a smart patrolling system in protected areas (Output 1.3); and (iv) Enhance community involvement in, and beneficiation from, protected areas (Output 1.4).

The second component – “Ecosystem resilience and habitat connectivity in wider landscape outside protected areas”– will assist in improving the planning and management of the high altitude livestock pastures and indigenous forests located along, or immediately adjacent to, the key snow leopard migration routes within the Hissar-Alay and Vakhsh-Darvaz areas. Work under this component will be focused around three key areas of project support: (i) Reduce impacts on, and improve the management of, livestock pastures (Output 2.1); (ii) Reduce impacts on, and improve the management of, forests (Output 2.2); and (iii) Strengthen wildlife monitoring and enforcement capacities (Output 2.3).

The third component – “Support to international cooperation”– will strengthen the state of knowledge of, and collaboration in, the conservation of snow leopard and their ecosystems. Work under this component will be focused around two key areas of project support: (i) Enhance the state of knowledge on snow leopard and prey populations (Output 3.1); and (ii) Improve the coordination of, and cooperation in, snow leopard conservation and monitoring (Output 3.2).

The project is nationally implemented (NIM) by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with support from the UNDP, in line with the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA, 1993), the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2016-2021 signed between the UN and the Government of Tajikistan, and the UNDP Country Programme Document 2016-2021 signed between UNDP and the Government of Tajikistan

The Project Manager (PM) will report to the UNDP Team Leader/Climate Change, DRR, Energy and Environment and will work under the guidance of Assistant Resident Representative/Programme and Deputy Resident Representative. The PM will work in close collaboration with the Committee for Environmental Protection along with UNDP Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the UNDP Country Office.

1.  Organization and Management:

• Develop annual work plans and execute project activities in consultation with the UNDP CO and Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and present to “Conservation and  Sustainable Use of Pamir Alay and Tien Shan Ecosystems for Snow Leopard (SL) Protection and Sustainable Community Livelihoods” Project Steering Committee;
• Ensure adherence of the project work plan to the Project Document, prepare revisions if required, and ensure synergies with other donor funded initiatives focused on conservation;
• Prepare regular progress reports in line with reporting schedules, as well as any other reports requested by UNDP, donor, Government and or other stakeholders;
• Prepare final project report and process all other requirements for the project auditing, midterm and final evaluation and closure of the project as per UNDP standard procedures;
• Ensure timely recruitment and procurement of quality services and equipment and implementation of project activities in line with applicable UNDP rules, regulation and standards;
• Manage the human and financial resources for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document and annual work plan;
• Lead, manage and oversee the project staff and consultants to ensure timely implementation of project activities and achievement of expected results;
• Ensure the project team members have clear set goals and targets as per which performance assessment is conducted;
• Undertake timely actions to respond to any project deviation or delays informing donor and partners;
• Review and ensure technical soundness and cost effectiveness of project activities;
• Support the establishment of monitoring frameworks and provide on-going feedback and technical backstopping and regularly monitor progress towards the identified indicators;
• Organize meetings of the Project Board (Project Steering Committee);
• Represent the project at the Project Steering Committee meetings, technical meetings and other appropriate fora in coordination with UNDP Country Office;
• Ensure timely planning and implementation of the envisaged baseline surveys, annual action research and project evaluations to inform project level planning and decision making;
• Ensure that project outputs have been achieved as appropriate, the project is successfully closed and that project outputs are revisited during the project evaluation process to assess the impact of project outputs on expected outcomes;
• Ensure security of the staff and assets belonging to the projects.

2. Delivery of Project Results:

• Oversee and monitor implementation of work plans and budgets for all project activities. Ensure that the project produces the results (outputs) specified in the project documents to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost;
• Monitor the project expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions in accordance and cooperation with UNDP’s ATLAS system including the reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
• Ensure conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project;

• Manage delivery of results by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in the subject area and accordingly plan delivery of resources for the performance year;

• Ensure that all project deliverables and documents are noted and stored, that the project is both operationally and financially closed in Atlas, that all tasks have been completed, that all assets have been transferred, that all issues are resolved and that the project is “done”;
• Review professional performance and document implementation processes and results through a project-based professional reports.
• Monitor project expenditure, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines for cost-efficiency and consistency with the Project Document and corresponding Annual Work Plan. Prepare results framework for each output and establish performance and impact assessment indicators and system.

3. Policy and Technical Advice:

The incumbent must arrange through different means the provision of policy advice to the Government as well as to the partners of the project, in the following areas:

• Prepare plan of action for policy support services;
• Provide intellectual or substantive leadership in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options at local and national levels;
• Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of Government, local authorities, non-government and development partners as well as opportunities to develop national public goods;
• Map on a consistent basis the conservation, ecosystem management and natural resource management issues, covering the situation and strategic opportunities in the form of reports;
• Identify opportunities to enhance teamwork within the project and with other UNDP projects to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support within the framework of the project;
• Provide policy advice on the on-going policy development on conservation, ecosystem management and natural resource management, and ensuring the optimal design and sequencing necessary for enhancing the existing legal framework and institutional strengthening;
• Provide technical support to the development and implementation of catchment management strategies, including sustainable finance strategies.
• Contribute to policy briefs, strategic notes, discussion papers on emerging conservation, ecosystem management and natural resource management related issues, for consideration by the Government and other stakeholders;
• Review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables produced under the project;
• Analysis and aggregation of project results/outputs, and reporting of project progress at the objective and outcome level;
• Development and implementation of capacity building activities aimed at government counterparts, civil society groups, media and relevant stakeholders.

4. Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with colleagues, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons;
• Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.
• Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders, for project implementation
• Support the Government with analysis and substantive research into national conservation planning, and other major national and local development issues;
• Sharing international best practices on implementation of conservation and ecosystem management policies and practices through participatory processes and techniques involving civil society, women and minority groups.
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learnt generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products;
• Constantly monitor, and ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products);
• Serve as peer reviewer, as and when required.

5.  Partnership and Resource Mobilization:

• Identify stakeholders and partners for the undertaking of various project outputs and activities;
• Prepare and implement a stakeholder mapping and stakeholder engagement/partnership strategy including civil society/non-government organisations and indigenous & local communities with activities, targets and expected results;
• Develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations; local communities and private sector to deliver the project outputs and activities, as required;
• Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the Government, namely Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, donors and other strategic partners;
• Ensure that project activities are closely coordinated with stakeholders and that a high level of collaboration and cooperation is in place at the national, regional, provincial and district level;
• Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are identified, secured and provided within the agreed terms;
• Liaise with other relevant government and relevant partners/stakeholders, UNDP Country Office regarding the project, including to share information about trends, issues and results, to coordinate and utilize resources effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project according to the agreed management arrangements;
• Proactively identify potential sources of funding and assist in resource mobilisation for the project through development of concept notes and funding proposals to the potential donors and promoting project deliverables at the relevant development platforms;
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector;
• Mobilize resources to support the achievement of project outputs and outcomes;
• Ensure regular communication of project results, including producing communication products and visibility materials, and liaison with media in Tajikistan and beyond;
• Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required. 

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
• Creates effective advocacy strategies
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Contributing to results through provision of information
• Provide information for linkages across project activities to help identify critical points of integration
• Provide information and documentation on specific stages of project implementation
• Provide background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participate in the formulation of project proposals

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Identifying and building partnerships
• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Developing new approaches
• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposal
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Resource Mobilization

• Implementing resource mobilization strategies
• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

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
• 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
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

• Research and analysis
• Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Client Orientation

• Contributing to positive outcomes for the client
• Anticipates client needs
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Education:

• Post-graduate degree in Biology, Conservation, Natural Resource Management, Environment Studies, or related areas.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in managing complex development programmes focused on conservation, ecosystem management, natural resource management or relevant areas.
• Demonstrated experience in project management in the area of conservation, ecosystem management and natural resource management and/or other related fields;
• Previous experience in working with Government and wide range of donors and experience in resource mobilization;
• Good knowledge about Tajikistan, Central Asia and its development context in environmental protection and natural resources management in general and conservation, ecosystem management and natural resource management in particular;
• Strong communication and negotiation skills. Experience in developing strategic notes, policy papers and briefs for the Government.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Russian is a must. Knowledge of Tajik would be a strong advantage.

IT skills:

• 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 is a strong advantage.

Other:

• Strong sense of integrity is essential;
• Strong communication and reporting skills and ability to work in a team.

Important applicant information

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

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