UNDP Jobs - 38060- Project Manager, Initial Implementation of Acceler

Project Manager, Initial Implementation of Accelerated HCFC Phase Out in the CEIT Region project

Location :

Minsk, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2013

Application Deadline :

14-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year, extendable

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Background

Please read carefully the below information. Before you apply on-line, please download and fill in the P11 form (UNDP personal history form), that should be attached to your on-line application.

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. No telephone inquires will be entertained. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Only the UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) will be considered for screening of applications! It can be downloaded at the following link:UNDP Personal History Form

UNDP/GEF launches a new project in the area of sustainable management of depleting substances. The project is a response to the obligations incurred by Belarus under the phase out schedule for HCFCs of the Montreal Protocol. It is a timely capacity building effort (with investment elements for the servicing sector) designed to improve regulatory measures to help address the accelerated HCFC phase-out in the medium and longer term, and to strengthen the country’s preparedness for the complete phase-out of HCFCs from current use. The institutions in Belarus that were supported by the GEF for the past CFC-phase out efforts have been re-engaged in the proposal as much as possible.

In the following document the two primary project components:

Component 1 “Regional information exchange and networking” addresses the barriers associated with incomplete knowledge and awareness.

Component 2 “National capacity building and technical assistance” supports the adoption of the fully completed HCFC phase-out strategy (with selected legislative options to control HCFC import/use), capacity building and supply of analytical and servicing equipment/tools for the Environmental Inspectorate and Customs Departments and refrigeration technicians, technological conversions for solvents and rigid foams, modernization of HCFC re-use scheme in the country and demonstration of alternative technologies in refrigeration equipment and A/C sectors, pilot small-scale ODS destruction, the current absence of effective regulatory instruments and need to support ongoing institutional development.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus is the project’s national executing agency (referred further in the text as Executing Agency).

Objective of the assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective implementation of the project with delivery of all the intended outcomes and outputs in accordance with the Project Document within the approved budget.

Work Performed/or responsibilities:
The PM will be based in Minsk. He/she will work under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Officer in close cooperation with the Executing Agency The Project Manager is expected to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall project management:

Assume primary responsibility for the daily project management both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning, controlling the project expenditures and general monitoring of the project;

Coordinate project activities to ensure project effective implementation and achievement of all the expected results in accordance with the approved Project Document in a cost effective manner meeting the established internal and external deadlines.

Project administrative and financial management:
Ensure operational project management in accordance with the project document and the UNDP rules and procedures for nationally executed projects, including:

Prepare annual work plans, including financial plans, in consultation with UNDP and the Energy Efficiency Department, ensure the plans approval in a timely manner, ensure adherence thereto, revise work plans as required;
Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and budget;
Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;
Assume overall responsibility for recruitment of project personnel and short term consultants, along with procurement of goods and services performed by the project in accordance with the Project Document and with approved annual work plans;
Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for national and international consultants and subcontractors in line with the relevant UNDP procedures. Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and ensure compliance with the agreed work plan and respective ToR securing high quality of the results;
Ensure adequate management of the project resources in accordance with the approved project budget, agreed work plans and the Project Document. Ensures related record keeping;
Assume overall responsibility for timely reporting on project in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the logframe;
Prepare and timely submit project narrative annual and progress reports, including, among others, Project Implementation Reviews, UNDP annual reports, GEF quarterly progress reports;
Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines. Ensure that financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans are met. Prepare and timely submit financial reports ensuring correctness of financial information provided. Prepare and timely submit budget revisions in accordance with the respective UNDP rules for GEF funded projects;
Liaise with project partners ensuring their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
Secure appropriate management of project assets (both, for internal use and for subsequent transfer to national beneficiaries) attaining to the respective UNDP rules and procedures;
Monitor risks and project impact indicators as per the project logical framework. Timely undertakes actions to eliminate/reduce risks and issues. Regularly inform UNDP and the Executive Agency on the risks and issues, and actions undertaken to eliminate/reduces these risks/issues;
Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project in line with the relevant UNDP/GEF procedures.

Staff supervision:

Guide and coordinate the work of the project permanent staff, national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plan;
Supervise work of the project staff and ensure compliance with the agreed plans and delivery and high quality of the results in accordance with respective Terms of Reference.

Partnership building:

Maintain regular contacts with the UNDP Country Office, the Project National Coordinator on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
Liaise with relevant ministries, other national and international relevant institutions in order to involve them in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project;
Ensure proper information coverage of project activities and PR in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF rules and procedures;
Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus;
Assist in organizing negotiations on cooperation with national government bodies and potential donors in order to identify and mobilize additional resources.

Other:
Undertake any other actions related to the project management as requested by the UNDP Programme Officer.

Competencies

Understanding of development issues, national public institutional arrangements, knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset;
Initiative and strong leadership skills;
Result and client-orientations;
Strong analytical, communication and management skills; Excellent interpersonal and cross cultural communication skills, ability to work in a team and to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;
Strong written communication skills, including presentation skills;
Ability to stay calm and in control under pressure;
Proven ability to manage financial, human and material resources in project environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in the areas of Chemicals, Natural Resources Management, Business Administration, Management or a related field.
At least 7 years of relevant experience.
Successful experience in managing projects of similar complexity and nature, including demonstrated capacity to actively explore new, innovative implementation and financing mechanisms to achieve project objectives is highly desirable;
Excellent command of spoken and written English and Russian are essential; Familiarity and prior experience with UNDP and GEF requirements and procedures are considered as a strong asset.