National Project Manager

Background

The United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. The organization's goals are to maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of developing countries and assist them in their efforts to integrate into the world economy on an equitable basis.

Throughout the recent two decades, the Republic of Tajikistan's Government has undertaken significant reforms to open the economy and introduce the market mechanisms. At present, the country’s leadership is willing to continue and deepen the structural transformation, particularly in the areas of transport infrastructure development and export diversification. Therefore, there is an urgent need for modernized and transparent Customs procedures to promote Tajikistan’s positioning as a land-linked transit country and a pro-active player in the regional trade and economic processes.

Under the World Bank funded Program, UNCTAD has recently signed an agreement with the Customs Services under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (CSGRT) for Reforms, Automation and modernization of Customs processes and procedures by implementation of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World under the Phase Four of the Central Asia Regional Links Program (CARS-4) Project of ASYCUDA Component. Administrative measures are taken to prepare the environment for implementing new Customs regimes and procedures to ensure transparency in the Customs clearance process and to fight Customs Corruption on one hand and to have simplified procedures on the other. 

In order to fulfill the requirements for the full implementation of ASYCUDA World, a national team will be hired to work closely with international experts. A National Project Manager of ASYCUDA will be hired under the project to lead and manage the national team for the reforms and full Automation of Tajikistan Customs.

In addition, the Administrative and all logistical arrangements of the project will be done through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan; therefore, the process of recruitment will be managed through UNDP and the individual contracts will be issued accordingly.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNCTAD’s Country Coordinator, the National Project Manager will provide substantive and administrative support to the Central Asia Regional Links Program (CARS-4) project. The National Project Manager will be responsible for  the innovation of project’s developmental objectives; design project portfolios and promote organization’s capacity as a reliable partner with the national counterparts. The National Project Manager will Ensure cooperation and coordination of sectoral activities with broader country programme.  S/he is responsible to Advocate on behalf of UNCTAD’s goals

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Effective management of the Project to ensure a cohesive and high performing team;
2. Manage, monitor and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the ASYCUDA Central and Regional local staff, including Admin/Finance, Logistic and Security team members
3. Coordinate the work of consultants consistent with the overall project implementation plan;
4. Develop Project’s Action and Implementation Plans in consultation with Tajikistan Customs Services and UNCTAD’s Country Coordinator;
5. Monitoring the progress on deliverables under the agreement and providing feedback as necessary;
6. Supervision of project activities and where required arranging public consultations
7. Prepare Project’s Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Progress Reports for submission to the concerned authorities;
8. Analyze Customs procedures, management information systems and sub-systems and make constructive recommendations at the senior management level for effective implementation of the ASYCUDA World system;
9. Recommend topics to be included in Customs legislation of Tajikistan Customs Services in order to provide a legal basis for changes of procedures and documents;
10. Attend Senior level Project’s coordination meetings on behalf of UNCTAD
11. Build further effective and collaborative relations with the Governmental counterparts and other partners; 
12. Coordinate ASYCUDA World Project activities with Tajikistan Customs Services and other government and non-government agencies; Ensure smooth and effective  rollout and implementation of ASYCUDA World System in Customs;
13. Coordinate Training activities with Tajikistan Customs Services and other government and non-government agencies as and when required;
14. Coordinate activities with other United Nations agencies, World Bank etc. for the effective implementation of Customs reforms and trade facilitation;
15. Liaise with UNDP Tajikistan for the financial and administrative matters
16. Follow up and coordinate with Procurement, Finance and other departments for the effective and on-time delivery of procurement and financial matters;
17. Ensure internal control and compliance of operations with the UN policies and procedures;
18. Updating the Supervisor on political and government situations which might affect the Project implementation.
19. Any other task as assigned by the line Supervisor

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s and UNCTAD’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership 

• Higher managerial and leading skills;
• Demonstrate strong coordination and organizational skills;
• Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team; 
• Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Communication 

• Excellent communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills;
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients; 
• Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback;
• Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions

Partnership

• Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership
• Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.

Communication and Outreach

Advise on the development and management of the organizan’s communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise the Facility’s profile at the national and international levels.

Professionalism

• Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;

Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by the line Manager

Leadership

• Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives,
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support,
• Drives for change and improvements,
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Judgment/Decision-making

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation,
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision,
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them,
• Proposes a course of action based on all available information,
• Checks assumptions against facts

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Education: At least Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Commercial Law, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration or other relevant field.
• Diploma on internationally recognized anti-corruption courses is an advantage;
• Completion of Project Management and Procurement courses is an advantage;

Experience:

• At least 10 years of proven work experience in trade and economic development projects / programmes management  is required with Master’s degree or 6 years of relevant work experience with PhD degree is required;
• Well-demonstrated high-level skills in policy and strategy development, capacity-building and business-process improvement and simplification is required;
• Proven expertise in use of IT-based tools, processes and MIS in support of Business process simplification and processes is highly desirable;Well-demonstrated capacity in high-lvel discussions for advancement towards project/programme objectives;.

• Experience with the World Bank related projects or Trust Funds is an advantage;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English, Tajik and Russian language is a must.