Regional Project Manager

Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and the contact details for three (3) most recent professional references this may include  previous supervisors and peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position

Travel:  

1. Regional Project Manager will be required to travel for the project monitoring and supervision mission to the beneficiary counties as well as to Istanbul Regional Hub and other destinations for meeting the project partners, attending meetings and events. Travel costs will be covered by the project.
2. UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the UN's global development network and assists countries to build and share solutions to the challenges of globalization and human development. UNDP’s support to countries on climate change and disaster resilience is shaped by three important global agreements: the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP works with countries to help them reduce greenhouse gases and advance a long-term goal of zero-carbon development. At the same time, we work together with partners to adapt to the impacts of climate change, enhance access to clean energy, reduce the risk of disasters and, where needed, support resilient disaster recovery. Taken all together, these efforts are the path towards sustainable development that is risk-informed, zero-carbon and resilient.

The project “Integrated climate-resilient transboundary flood risk management in the Drin River basin in the Western Balkans (Drin FRM project)” is funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UNDP in Albania, Montenegro and the North Macedonia. The Drin River Basin is a transboundary river basin in the Western Balkans, which is home to 1.6 Million people. Climate change has been increasing the frequency, intensity and impact of flooding in the basin.  Historical flood data from the Western Balkans suggests a more frequent occurrence of flood events, attributed to an uneven distribution of precipitation and torrential rain, particularly over the last decade. More and larger areas and, therefore, a greater population numbers are being affected by flooding with a strong impact on national economies. Future climate scenarios project a further increase in the likelihood of floods as well as in their destructive nature. The Drin FRM project will enhance resilience of the DRB countries and communities to climate-induced flood risks. The project is contributing to the implementation of the Drin River Basin Strategic Action Programme on integrated resilient water resource management.

The objective of the project is to assist the riparian countries in the implementation of an integrated climate-resilient river basin flood risk management approach in order to improve their existing capacity to manage flood risk at regional, national and local levels and to enhance resilience of vulnerable communities in the Drin River Basin (DRB) to climate-induced floods.

The following results shall be achieved: (i) Improved climate and risk informed decision-making, availability and use of climate risk information;(ii) Improved institutional arrangements, legislative and policy framework for climate-resilient FRM, and development of CCA and FRM strategy and plans at the basin, sub-basin, national and sub-national levels; (iii) Strengthened community resilience through improved flood management, through implementation of structural and non-structural measures and enhanced local capacity for CCA and FRM.

Institutional Arrangement

The Regional Project Manager will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Climate and DRR Team (IRH CDT). He/she will report to the Team Leader, Climate and DRR Team.  He/she will supervise National Coordinators (SCs), Project Finance/Admin Assistant (SC), and Technical Consultants (ICs) hired by the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Project Manager (RPM) of the Drin FRM Project will be based in Tirana (Albania).  The RPM’s prime responsibility will be to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.   The RPM will be responsible for the overall management of the Project, including the mobilisation of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors, building partnerships with national, regional and international institutions and co-financiers, and reporting to the donor. The RPM will report to UNDP IRH in close consultation with the UNDP Country Offices. The RPM will report on a periodic basis to the Regional Project Board. The RPM will perform a liaison role with the project stakeholdes and partners (including GIZ). The RPM will work closely with the National Coordinators in the riparian countries.

The RPM will provide overall supervision and strategic guidance for all staff in the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), as well as, guiding and supervising all Responsible Parties. The PCU consists of National Coordinators in beneficiary countries, a Regional Programme Assistant and national Project Finance/Administrative Assistants. National activities will be implemented through the UNDP Country Offices in beneficiary countries (Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia).

The RPM will, with the support of the regional project assistant, manage the implementation of all activities, including:  preparation/updates of work and budget plans, record keeping, accounting and reporting; drafting of terms of reference, technical specifications and other documents as necessary; identification, proposal of consultants to be approved by the RPB, coordination and supervision of consultants and suppliers; organization of duty travel, seminars, public outreach activities and other events; and maintaining working contacts with partners at the central and local levels. The RPM is accountable to UNDP and the RPB for the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the activities carried out, as well as for the use of funds. The RPM will produce Annual Work and Budget Plans. The RPM will further produce quarterly operational reports and Project Performance Reports (PPR). These reports will summarize the progress made versus the expected results, explain any significant variances, detail the necessary adjustments and be the main reporting mechanism for monitoring activities. The RPM will be technically supported by contracted national and international service providers, based on need as determined by the PM. Recruitment of specialist services will be done in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations.

Coordinate overall management and implementation of the Project  for the achievement of project targets and results:

• Liaises with the Project Board to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project in line with the decisions and recommendations of the Project Board;

• Plans the activities of the project in line with the approved project document and monitors progress against the project results framework and the approved annual workplan; reviews and appraises detailed project plans, including the multi-year work plan and ATLAS reports covering activity definition, updated risk log and the monitoring schedule plan;
• Mobilizes personnel, goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractors’ work;
• Provides strategic guidance and management oversight to the project team, reviewing and clear on a regular basis progress reports from partners, deliverables, disbursements and budgets to ensure implementation is on track;
• Carries out regular follow-up and monitoring of implementation activities as well as regular monitoring and reporting on risks and mitigation measures. 
• Coordinates preparation and provide technical inputs and consult work-plans for implementation of the project in close consultation with key partners incl. UNDP Country Offices and the national governments involved as per the Project Documents. Implements the project monitoring plan/timetable, and update the plan as required;
• Manages requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments or reimbursement using the fund authorization and certificate of expenditures;
• Monitors financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Is responsible for preparing and submitting financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis;
• Manages and monitors the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the project board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
• Prepares the annual workplan for the following year; and update the Atlas Project Management module if external access is made available.
• Prepares the annual progress reports and submits the final report to the Project Board;
• Ensures the mid-term review process is undertaken as per the UNDP guidance, and submits the final MTR report to the Project Board.
• Identifies follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
• Ensures the terminal evaluation process is undertaken as per the UNDP guidance, and submits the final TE report to the Project Board.
• Ensures timely and quality implementation of safeguards management measures, including tracking, assessing and managing social and environmental risks during the project implementation.
• Addresses project issues as raised and/discussed by the Project Board;
• Performs the financial reporting and control mechanisms;
• Shares relevant information on the project achievements with all interested parties;
• Ensures that all project deliverables have been produced satisfactorily and in accordance with the approved Annual Work Plan;
• Notifies operational completion of the project to the Project Board;
• Upon finalization of a project, ensures reimbursement of the remaining balance of funds deposited in the UNDP accounts for the project activities to the Donor or re-programming if so agreed with the Donor.
• Provides direction and guidance to the project team and the consultants;
• Secures any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
• Identifies sustainability and follow-on actions and submits them for consideration to the Project Board.

Technical guidance for the overall management of the project:

• Ensures a proportional approach, cohesion and coordination between different components of the project;
• Provides quality assurance of the technical work (reports) commissioned under the project;
• Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
• Identify and obtain any support, technical expertise and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
• Supports the national project coordinators in managing delivery of the project results;
• Ensures good coordination and collaboration with suppliers, beneficiaries and key stakeholders and partners.

Providing expert knowledge to lead and contribute to the consolidation and positioning of outcomes and outputs of the Drin FRM project

• Lead development and implementation of the project’s communication and visibility measures/plan;
• Contribute relevant input to UNDP publications, presentations, websites, newsletters, and other outreach products as required;
• Organizes regional technical events and disseminates project technical findings, results while informing audiences about opportunities provided by the project;
• Participate in national and international fora and disseminate lessons learned;
• Ensure consistency between the various project elements and related activities provided or funded by other donor organizations;
• Collect and analyze lessons learned and best practices, and design replication strategies within the countries of work.

Partnership building, strategic advocacy and knowledge management:

• Harness effective partnerships for the implementation of the project with national, regional and international institutional partners;
• Maintains regular contact with partners and enables regular coordination and exchange of information regarding project progress, between country offices and national counterparts in respective countries;
• Builds partnerships with relevant on-going initiatives;
• Organizes and provides leadership to various learning and knowledge exchange under the project;
• Ensures management and administrative requirements (technical, financial, communications, audits, evaluations, etc.) of the different partners/donors  are adhered to and coordinate preparation and submission of respective progress reports, as per requirements of the donors.  
• Provides quality assurance to project’s deliverables and knowledge management products; Effective communication, advocacy and dissemination of the Drin FRM project results and relevant knowledge products at international and national conferences and meetings, relevant fora and international processes.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience