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Project Manager (DCIMS) - IPSA11

Lilongwe

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Lilongwe
  • Grade: Mid level - IPSA-11, International Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background and Organizational Context

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Malawi is among the most aid-dependent countries in the world, with development cooperation representing over 37% of the government’s budget and an even larger proportion of overall development allocations (World Bank, 2019). Ensuring effective development cooperation and establishing and adopting a more sustainable development financing architecture is critical for Malawi, especially during this evolving and challenging global environment and the present economic situation in the country. Against the backdrop of these challenges and building on the successes of the Aid Management Platform, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, with technical and financial support from UNDP and donors, has envisioned the development of a Development Cooperation Information Management System (DCIMS), whose implementation will require the services of Programme Manager.

The project will support the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) in consultation with partners to enhance development cooperation and strengthen development effectiveness through, inter alia, enhancing transparency and accountability of development cooperation. Monitoring development finance flows will require an operational and effective development cooperation information management system (DCIMS) to be implemented in line with the principles of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the Development Cooperation Information Management System Programme and Software team in Malawi, and be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Programme

  • Oversee the day-to-day management of the programme and will play a significant role in engaging a wide variety of stakeholders, ranging from policymakers, regulators, government agencies, NGOs, and donor agencies;
  • Develop and manage the Development Cooperation Information Management System and will be responsible for achieving associated outputs, results, and outcomes under the Programme;
  • Develop in-depth relationships and buy-in from stakeholders of various sectors in government, private sector, non-profit sectors, academia, and donors to develop and strengthen initiatives through a variety of efforts, including but not limited to; supporting regulatory reform;
  • Update and mobilize support for the country’s reporting on Development Cooperation, and identify priorities, strategies, and key milestones to develop the homegrown information system, based on discussion with funders and inputs from stakeholders;
  • Support the Government’s digital finance transformation and position the DCIMS as the platform for enhancing effective development cooperation and development finance flows in the country;
  • Manage and empower a team with relevant technical, communication, and administrative skills to manage the DCIMS;
  • Ensure proper planning, staffing, and contracting through inputs and to the related plans and reports and monitoring;
  • Lead calls with donors and manage partners’ reporting, as well as play lead and substantive role in resource mobilization;
  • Ensure that programme activities are meeting planned objectives and ensure alignment with the National Digital Strategy;
  • Work closely with the M&E Officers at national and sub-national levels to ensure the on-time and accurate reporting of results from partners and lead and coordinate the drafting of annual report on Development Cooperation and effective development finance flows, as well as for overall the programme.

 

Build a robust DCIMS based on the requirement of the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

  • Set the direction and oversees the development of the programme pipeline, and plays a key role in identifying innovative approaches, appraising, and monitoring for results, while the technical team manages the daily work for system’s implementation;
  • Expand the digital finance ecosystem with systems existing in the Ministry focusing on sustainability and interoperability, building on the findings from the digital finance ecosystem assessment for Malawi;
  • Oversee a technical team working on the development and management of the approved system design with the objective to reach timely deliverables and reach scale;
  • Help set priorities, provide advice and assistance as required, and ensure compliance with procedures related to the approved work plan;
  • Support drafting of new programme descriptions if needed based on mid-term reviews;
  • Draft technical terms of reference for the design team to support partners, provide all technical inputs for procurement, draft TORs and review and evaluate technical and financial proposals;
  • Undertake regular contact (e.g., monthly) with partners, monitoring overall progress and satisfaction with MoFEA support;
  • Participate in programme progress meetings with partners;
  • Lead, facilitate, and organize workshops or other activities as needed for effective joint planning and knowledge transfer between organizations;
  • Prepare quarterly reports for review, ensuring partners are reporting accurately, monitoring progress and reporting under agreements and contracts, and verifying milestones and targets for disbursements.

 

Generate, facilitate, and disseminate research and information sharing to ensure stakeholders are informed on current trends, best practices, market conditions, and special topics as needed.

  • Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders for strategies and approaches to enhance the delivery of services;
  • Identify learning, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for partners and key stakeholders;
  • Maintain regular contact with partners, identify issues and assist them in active use of DCIMS;
  • Ensuring that donors are reporting accurately on activities/initiatives as per the design of the DCIMS;
  • Monitor progress under performance-based agreements and verify milestones & disbursement targets;
  • Seek opportunities for coordinating and co-funding programmes with other donors and partners and ensure the programme’ s efforts complete those of other initiatives;
  • Prepare donor reports as per requirements of key donors supporting the implementation of the programme.

 

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

  • Forge strategic partnerships with Government ministries, departments, and agencies; financial institutions, civil society, academia, donors (bilateral and multilateral) and other development partners;
  • Conceptualize and adopt high-quality and innovative approaches and other initiatives to support the development of digitalization in Malawi;
  • Support increased visibility and recognition by relevant stakeholders in the country for its expertise and capacity to deliver development outcomes for an inclusive digital approach;
  • Provide capacity development support through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training when working with (including supervising) national and technical staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs).

 

Institutional Arrangement

The Programme Manager (DCIMS) will be responsible for leading and coordinating the implementation of the Programme supporting the development of the DCMIS. The position will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Portfolio Manager - Responsive Institutions and Citizens Engagement (RICE) with matrix technical supervision from the UNDP Economics Advisor.

This position will be based in the UNDP Country Office in Lilongwe-Malawi.

 

Core competencies

  • Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously:   LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

  • Strategic Thinking:  Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
  • Business Acumen: Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.
  • Effective Decision Making: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in Technology, Development Studies, Computer Science, Statistics, Management Information Systems, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Experience

  • Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in information management, database design and management, large-scale assessment design, implementation, data analysis and visualization.
  • Minimum of three (3) years working experience on programme management, at large scale programmes, at international level playing team leading role and/or programme coordination position.

Required skills

  • Strong experience in leading and coordinating consultations with a range of stakeholders, including governments, multilateral and bilateral partners, civil society, private sector, and academia;
  • Strong command of digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo toolbox) and data visualization tools (e.g., Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, etc.);
  • Previous work experience with UN agencies, NGOs, European Union and/or World Bank and familiarity with processes of these agencies is an asset.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies

•  Problem solving skills

•  Ability to gather information and produce substantive reports

Language

  • Fluency in English is required

 

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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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