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Project Manager

Ashkhabad

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Ashkhabad
  • Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Democratic Governance
    • Governance and Peacebuilding
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
    • HUMAN RIGHTS, RULE OF LAW, CSO ENGAGEMENT
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

In view of the global Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) UNDP promotes the integration of the SDGs into governmental plans and policies. The main directions Turkmenistan selected include access to justice for all; effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; reducing violence; tackling corruption and organized crime; ensuring access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms.

Through the previous and ongoing projects, UNDP in Turkmenistan has already acquired a certain level of cooperation and achieved success in the areas of human rights, rule of law, the Ombudsman, and engagement of the CSOs. In this regard, these initiatives are clustered into one group of small-scale projects under the portfolio of Democratic Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth.

Given the small scale of the project budgets and number of activities, the UNDP is seeking to hire one project manager in order to manage the below initiatives and contribute towards achievement of SDG 16 in Turkmenistan.

Clustering of projects will also aim to more efficient cooperation between the projects dealing with the co-related topics. In this regard, the Project Manager will be asked to support the operational and programme reporting parts of several projects in the portfolio where the project context or its components are inter-related with the clustered initiatives.

Project: “Assistance in the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025”.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the national system of protection, promotion, and implementation of human rights in Turkmenistan by harmonizing laws, policies, and practices in accordance with the country's international human rights obligations and implementing the National Human Rights Action Plan of Turkmenistan for 2021-2025.

Within the framework of this project, it is planned to assist the Government of Turkmenistan in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and fulfillment of the obligations of Turkmenistan adopted by the country within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning the rule of law and access to justice. During the implementation of the project, UNDP will closely collaborate and coordinate its work with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Project: “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan”.

The main objective of the Project is the improvement of the system of protection, promotion, and implementation of human rights in Turkmenistan by reforming national legislation in accordance with the human rights obligations of Turkmenistan international, as well as increasing the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office.

In particular, the Project will focus on strengthening the independent and effective functions of the Ombudsperson’s Office in the protection of human rights in accordance with the Paris Principles.

During the implementation of the project, UNDP will closely collaborate and coordinate its work with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and regional networks of national human rights institutions. The project will contribute to the strengthening of existing national and international coordinating mechanisms in the area of human rights.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall responsibilities:

Projects: “Assistance in the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025”, “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan” and any other potential project emerged in governance area.

The Project Manager has the authority to run the projects on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Board. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making on the following ongoing projects: “Assistance in the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025”, “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan” and any other potential project emerged in governance area. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the Project produces the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Working under the supervision of the Programme Analyst on Democratic Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the PM will be responsible the day-to-day implementation of the projects and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.  

For the projects “Assistance in the implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights for 2021-2025”, “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsperson’s Office of Turkmenistan” and any other potential project emerged in governance area, the PM will perform the following duties:

Overall project management:

  • Management and supervision of project implementation and evaluation across all components. Assurance of successful completion of the project in accordance with the stated outcomes and performance indicators summarized in the Project Results Framework.
  • Regular communication and coordination with the National Implementing Partner, members of the Project Board, and all other partners and interested stakeholders, with regard to all project activities. Organization of Project Board meetings at least twice per year.
  • Regular communication with senior UNDP management regarding all Project activities. Assurance of coordination with other UNDP projects and broad strategic initiatives.
  • Technical expertise and policy advice on governance, CSOs empowerment, human rights-related issues and mainstreaming Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) into the UNDP Country Office (CO) programme.
  • Preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWP), including monthly targets and deliverables as well as annual spending targets in accordance with the Project Documents. Tracking of work outputs throughout the year in light of these Annual Work Plans.
  • Tracking and managing of Project spending in accordance with the Project budgets, as well as UNDP rules and procedures, to ensure transparency, responsibility, and timely fulfilment of both program targets and budget targets.
  • Preparation and submittal of annual Project Implementation Reviews and other required progress reports to the Project Board and UNDP in accordance with applicable requirements, in all required languages (English, Russian, and/or Turkmen, using outside translation as needed).
  • Supervision of the experts working for the project, including both Project Specialists as well as international and national consultants.
  • Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via the mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the Projects.
  • Oversight of the overall administration of the Project office.
  • Travel within Turkmenistan if required; possible travel outside the country for participation in directly relevant international meetings.
  • Support during the project evaluations, if any.

Running a project

  • Plan the detailed actions according to annual work plans of the project approved by the Project Board and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria.
  • Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting Terms of References (TORs) and work specifications;
  • Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
  • Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement;
  • Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
  • Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
  • Based on the review, prepare the AWPs for the following years, as well as Quarterly Plans if required.

Closing a Project

  • Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted and presented to the Project Board;
  • Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
  • Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
  • Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

Developing a Project

  • In cooperation with the Programme Analyst on Democratic Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth, lead the process of developing and mobilizing resources for new projects in the areas of Project Manager’s expertise, such as rule of law, civil society, human rights or any other.
  • In the absence of the Programme Analyst on Democratic Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth assist and lead on issues related to overall programme management, development, resource mobilization and policy dialogue in the area of human rights.

More specifically, PM will be in charge of the following:

A) Project personnel management

A.1) Assume responsibility for all professional staff directly, and for all support staff indirectly (project team and PIU); this includes all Consultants and Contractors.

A.2) Assign specific duties and tasks to specific individuals if any according to their Job Descriptions or Terms of Reference; ensure their full understanding of what is expected through agreement on deliverables and timescales; and agree on the resources and support that will be provided by the Project.

A.3) Undertake individual performance assessments on an annual basis (or other period for Consultants/Contractors), acknowledging achievements and providing analysis and advice on problem aspects.

A.4) Require regular (as agreed), formal and informal reporting on progress with the achievement of assigned tasks.

B) Financial resources management

B.1) Act as financial manager and retain the ultimate responsibility for financial resources for accountability purposes.

B.2) Ensure accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Project financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures.

B.3) Work with the project team and PIU to prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany Project quarterly and annual work plans and reports.

C) Project outreach

C.1) Serve as the Project’s ambassador and advocate within the Government systems.

C.2) Represent and promote the Project at national and international meetings.

C.3) Contribute to the production and publication of public information material.

C.4) Establish and maintain good working relationships and cooperation with peer project managers from other related projects within Turkmenistan and the Central Asia region.

D) Project planning and implementation

D.1) Lead the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities, with the participation of all Project personnel; retain the ultimate responsibility for the finished plans and submit them to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and UNDP for their concurrence.

D.2) In cooperation with relevant Project personnel build effective working relationships with the Project’s key partners.

D.3) Work closely with co-funding partners to ensure that their activities/programs are integrated and complementary with those of the current project.

E) Monitoring and adaptive management

E.1) Lead the implementation of the Project M&E Plan.

E.2) Carry out monitoring visits, if need be.

E.3) Collate the results of monitoring, analyse them, and formulate proposals for adaptive management measures for consideration by the PB.

E.4) Implement the decisions and advice of the PB.

F)  Reporting and accountability

F.1) Provide a report to each PB meeting noting progress and achievements, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration and guidance by the PB.

F.2) Assume the lead responsibility for the preparation and content of the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR), with the full participation of relevant Project personnel.

F.3) Delegate to the PIU the task of preparation of implementation reports for UNDP (such as Atlas reports) but retain a supportive role.

F.4) Jointly with the project team and PIU, prepare quarterly and annual project plans and reports and present them to the PB.

F.5) Respond to request for reports on Project management and performance from any key stakeholders, through the NPC.

F.6) Report to the NPC and the UNDP on any aspect of Project management whenever required.

 

 

 

Competencies

  • Technical expertise to appreciate project aims, ability to speak the “language” with experts.
  • Good analytical and planning skills; ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis.
  • Excellent inter-personal skills; good communicator at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Strong managerial skills, results-orientation, team-building and leadership skills.
  • Decisiveness, independence, good judgement, ability to work under pressure.
  • Ability to work effectively under close supervision, as well as under minimal supervision.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University degree in the area of law, humanities, social sciences, economics, management, public administration or any other related field. Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in relevant field will be an asset.

Experience:

  • 5 years of progressive managerial experience, preferably in the area of rule of law, access to justice, jurisprudence, legal aid, etc.;
  • Working experience in the area of human rights and knowledge of Turkmenistan’s international obligations in this area;
  • Knowledge of priorities and institutional environment of the Government of Turkmenistan with regard to legal aid, rule of law, access to justice, courts, legal reform, constitutional reform, and human rights in general;
  • Skills in organization and management, including past experience with planning, tracking, evaluation, and supervision of work of consultants and/or employees;
  • Strong skills in financial tracking and budget management;
  • Advanced usage of information technology as a tool and resource; demonstrable skills in office computer use - word processing, spread sheets, etc.

Language:

  • Fluency in Russian and English, in reading, writing, and speaking. Knowledge of Turkmen language will be an asset.

 

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

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

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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.

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