Project Coordinator - Mayors for Economic Growth Facility Project

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Project Manager and the direct supervision of the UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager, the Project Coordinator will oversee the project implementation for the EU funded Mayors for Economic Growth Facility. The Project Manager will specifically focus on managing the project, overseeing, connecting and building on the work at the country level and ensuring that project is implemented in line with RBM.

The EU in partnership with UNDP, promotes inclusive economic growth and innovation in the municipalities of the EaP countries. To that end, on January 1, 2021 the new phase of “Mayors for Economic Growth Facility” commenced. The project will run for 48 months. The project will support local authorities in Eastern Partnership countries to use innovative methods towards just and green development.

During project implementation the M4EG network will increase to 350 local authorities, and 12 local authorities will go through a process of portfolio development. Three funding facilities will be available to the local authorities in the network: the EU Project Fund (2021), Annual Portfolio Call (2021-2023) and M4EG Innovation Project Call (2021-2023).

Working under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Project Manager and the direct supervision of UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for leading the Project Team in the day-to-day implementation of the country-level project activities and managing financial resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.

The Project Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the CO for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. S/he will ensure effective implementation of daily activities of the Project at the national level in compliance with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for implementation of in-country activities in accordance with the project document and approved work plan. The Project Coordinator for the Republic of Moldova is expected to closely cooperate with project counterparts, local authorities, partners, line ministries and regional authorities, and other relevant parties.

The role of National Project Coordinator will be to engage on day to day with the local governments, support technical assistance, knowledge exchange, capacity development, national level consultations and dialogues, support the implementation of the portfolio approach, launch and provide support in the implementation of the country level CFPs (Mayors for Economic Growth Annual Portfolio Call) & country-level sensemaking. Overall, the role of the country teams will be to support the implementation of the project, related administrative tasks and ensure consistency and complementarity with other programming.

With respect to overall coordination of in-country project activities the Project Coordinator is expected to:

• ensure effective communication with national and local partners;
• ensure timely preparation, update and implementation of project annual and detailed work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement of planned in-country activities and expected outputs;
• organize and/or coordinate Project events;
• supervise research activities and elaboration of joint knowledge products at the national level;
• build partnerships with local authorities, relevant ministries, private sector and local actors;
• coordinate implementation of the national component of the project in close cooperation with local authorities and other relevant parties;
• ensure smooth implementation of in-country project activities and attainment of the overall project objectives as stated in the project document at the national level;
• coordinate all project in-country activities with the activities of national counterparts and other UNDP projects;
• in coordination with UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager, build, manage, and support relationships with national partners, provide partners with advanced technical assistance;
• organize and conduct Technical Working Groups and support organization of Steering Committees;
• set-up and organize national steering mechanisms;
• maintain close liaison with national project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of the Government in the implementation of the project; as well as ensure coordination of the project activities with other stakeholders at the national level;
• ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures;
• perform other duties as required, in consultation with and under supervision of the Regional Project Manager and in coordination with UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager.

Project and Financial Management:

• develop Terms of Reference for project consultants/potential service providers, coordinate them with Regional Project Manager and UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager and ensure proper management, delivery and processes;
• draft annual project work plan in consultation with major national project stakeholders;
• comply with security and safety requirements and regulations and ensure the same are respected by all local consultants;
• prepare and update country level work plans and budgets;
• manage financial allocations, ensure timely payments in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures; generate Atlas reports, including combined delivery reports at the national level;
• prepare procurement plans and oversee procurement and logistics for project implementation of in-country activities;
• at the national level feed into the progress reports, produce periodical annual project progress reports and financial reports;
• provide regular updates on the project progress to the Regional Project Manager and relevant UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager;
• work closely with other UNDP initiatives;
• perform other duties as required.

Support to resource mobilization:

• establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society engaged in urbanization and innovation;
• undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with the Regional Project Manager and UNDP Moldova Portfolio Manager;
• support development of new initiatives and proposals to donors at the national level;
• play an active advisory role on governance issues within the UNDP Governance team and in other settings as required.

Advocacy and Coordination:

• design and implement a communication strategy of the project at the national level;
• ensure regular communication and coordination with national partners and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insights;
• ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages taking into account overall socio-political and development context in the country. 

Core values:

• demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
• demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies:

• excellent communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
• ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team, as a team member, to build trust, and to manage in a deliberate, transparent and predictable way;
• ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs and matching them to appropriate solutions;
• ability of applying innovative methods and models to development challenges.

Managerial competencies:

• ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• ability to identify priority activities and tasks and allocate appropriate time and resources for effective and efficient work completion;
• ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines;
• ability to work to tight deadlines and to handle multiple concurrent project components and competing priorities;
• ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
• maturity, excellent interpersonal, negotiation and team leading skills;
• ability to foresee risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Education:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, public administration or related field.

Experience:    

• At least 3 years of substantive experience working in or directly related to project management;
• proven experience in working with local authorities, partners (and communities);
• experience in working in multi-stakeholder initiatives;
• ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
• excellent computer skills with ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in Romanian, Russian and English with proven drafting and presentation skills.

Important applicant information

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

UNDP is an employer committed to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both male and female.

UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

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.

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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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