Project Manager (NPSA-9)

The project aims to apply a systematic approach to reduce / mitigate environmental and socio-economic problems of target districts of Karakalpakstan in order to increase the resilience of the local population and promote green, inclusive development of the most affected communities in the region, as well as scaling up green approaches and solutions.

The project proposes to solve the development problem through the implementation of the following components:

• Component 1: Increasing the productive capacity of the agricultural sector and ensuring the resilience of local farmers and dekhkan farms against climate change
• Component 2: Building the capacity of local farmers and dekhkan farms to export local products to Russia and other countries
• Component 3: Improving social infrastructure and ensuring rural communities' access to basic social services

General project management:

• Project management through the implementation of appropriate activities;
• Providing directions and directions to project personnel and project participants;
• Interaction with the Project Board or its representatives to ensure the implementation and quality of the project (UNDP Environment and Climate Action Cluster), to ensure the focus and integrity of the project;
• Designation and receipt of assistance and recommendations for effective management, planning and control of the project;
• Be responsible for the administrative issues of the project implementation;
• Interaction with suppliers;
• May also serve as Team Manager and Project Organizational Support.

Project implementation

• Planning project activities and monitoring the progress of achieving goals in accordance with the established quality criteria;
• Project management in accordance with the project document, UNDP rules and procedures;
• Coordinate and manage the day-to-day activities of the project and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives;
• Monitor the implementation of project work plans, analyze emerging problems and take adequate measures to ensure the timely implementation of the planned tasks;
• Mobilization of goods and services for the implementation of activities, including the preparation of Terms of Reference and work specifications;
• Ensuring that the project contributes to the advancement of gender equality in project activities by reaching, engaging and achieving benefits for both women and men (gender mainstreaming).
• Monitoring the implementation of activities in accordance with the Monitoring and External Relations Plan and updating the plan as necessary;
• Monitoring the use of financial resources to ensure the correctness and reliability of financial statements;
• Management and monitoring of potential project risks, previously identified in the Project Documentation approved by the National Assessment and Launch Council (NALC), introducing new risks to the Project Board for consideration and, if necessary, taking action; updating the status of these risks by constantly filling and managing the table of possible project risks;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for changes to the project by continually completing and managing the project issue table;
• Preparation of quarterly project implementation reports (achieved results in relation to planned goals, updating of risk and problem tables, expense report) and its submission to the Project Board and to the unit responsible for Project Implementation and Quality Assurance (UNDP Sustainable Development Cluster);
• Preparation of the annual project report and its submission to the Project Board and the Results Board (UNDP Environment and Climate Action Cluster);
• Preparation, based on the report, a work plan for the next year, as well as quarterly work plans as required.

Closure of the Project   

• Preparation of final project reports for subsequent submission to the project council and the results council;
• Identifying next steps and submitting them to the Project Board;
• Organization of transfer of project results, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Preparation of a consolidated report of work performed and other necessary reports for consideration by UNDP and implementing partners.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the ECA Cluster Lead and in close collaboration with relevant project partners, the Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities aimed at strengthening the climate services and disaster communications to end-users.

Project Manager will provide operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. Project Manager works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and Programme staff in the UNDP CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery, and undertake day-to- day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs. The project will be based in the UNDP projects support office in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, where the current UNDP lead Joint Programme Manager has a overall coordination role. Therefore, the Project Manager will be working in close coordination with the Programme Manager, as this is important for promoting the portfolio  approach in the UNDP’s interventions in the Aral Sea region.

• Master’s in the field of Labor Economics, Business Management, Public Administration and other relevant areas.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in economics and / or project management in the field of economic development / corporate and private enterprise development or rural development.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek/Karakalpak.

Required  skills:

• Experience in demonstrable project/programme management / development organization.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
• Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects.
• Ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies.
• Ability to coordinate and supervise multiple Project Implementation Units in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of stakeholder groups, including community and government.
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills.
• Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.
• Willingness to travel as appropriate.
• Experience in the electronic control system.

Travel:

Official travel expected in project target regions of Karakalpakstan with performing the functions of Project Manager for this project.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. 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 at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.