Background

UNDP Bangladesh and its many partners are supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges. UNDP supports national counterparts to develop both a disaster risk perspective and the human, financial, technical and legislative capacity; civil society preparedness; and coordination systems required to effectively manage and reduce risk. UNDP builds local capacities in disaster risk reduction for a safer future as well as to better serve the people of Bangladesh -- their aspirations, their needs and their rights.  Our work is grounded in human development.  UNDP is part of the larger United Nations system, which endows our work with UN values and standards -- human rights, peace, respect, unity in diversity. 

The second phase of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) is a flagship programme of five years from January 2010 to December 2014, with the overall aim of contributing to poverty alleviation in Bangladesh through disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. It is designed to extend and expand the risk reduction efforts of the CDMP first phase (2004-2009) following a multi-hazard approach to disasters to make the ‘paradigm shift’ in disaster management, away from relief and rehabilitation. CDMP II aims to institutionalize the adoption of risk reduction approaches, not only in its host Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), but more broadly 12 key ministries and departments. In addition, CDMP II works in 40 districts, over 1,700 disaster management committees, 9 city corporations, 16 universities, 8 training institutes, and over 30,000 volunteers. The programme aims to support 4 million vulnerable people is reducing their vulnerability to disaster risk. As a multi-donor framework with  support from UNDP, DFID, the EU, Sida, NORAD and AusAID, CDMP II is nationally implemented by MoDMR. CDMP II is one of the largest disaster management programmes in the world. Its transformational agenda is complex and highly ambitious.

The project has six outcomes:

• The development of strong, well-managed and professional institutions in Bangladesh that are able to implement a comprehensive range of risk reduction programmes and interventions.
• Reduced risk to rural populations through structural and non-structural interventions, empowerment of rural communities and improved awareness of, and planning for, natural hazard events, including the likely impacts of climate change.
• Reduced risk to urban populations through structural and non-structural interventions, improved awareness of natural hazard events and the piloting of urban community risk reduction methodologies that target the extreme poor.
• Improved overall effectiveness and timeliness of disaster preparedness and response in Bangladesh by strengthening management capacity and coordination, as well as networking facilities at all levels.
• Improved and broadened disaster-proofing of development funding in eleven government ministries by generating increased awareness of hazard risks and providing technical information, advisory services and resources to stimulate positive changes in planning and investment decisions over the long-term.
• Community-level adaptation to disaster risks from a changing climate is effectively managed.

One of the key instruments of this programme is Local Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (LDRRF) which came into existence as an innovative funding mechanism from the first phase and aims to directly contribute in the achievement of outcome 2 and 3. The key objective of LDRRF is to support the implementation of risk reduction measures identified by vulnerable communities. LDRRF provides small grants to NGOs and local government (through union and sub-district disaster management committees) which implement risk reduction measures at the community level. Grants are sanctioned on the basis of Risk Reduction Action Plan (RRAP) developed through Community Risk Assessment (CRA), the tools developed under CDMP to identify and address risks at the community level. The LDRRF Secretariat comprises a Fund Management Specialist and a number of engineers, field monitoring associates and administrative staff.

The International Project Manager will work under the overall guidance the of the UNDP Country Director and will be responsible for leading a project team of over fifty staff members including those under LDRRF secretariat through planning, implementing and managing the delivery of policies, reports, knowledge products and other results approved in the project document or annual work plans. S/he will consult and coordinate with the Senior Adviser of CDMP-II and ensure quality and timely support and technical advice to the National Project Director on all aspects of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as financial accountability. S/he will also work closely with the UNDP Country Team and draw on the access and experience of other projects working in the Climate Change, Environment and Disaster portfolio as well as from other UNDP portfolios including Democracy and Governance, Rural and Urban Poverty Reduction and Local Governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Manage and direct a complex multi-sectoral project following national implementation modality
• Policy and programme services, provision of technical, financial and managerial oversight and ensure efficient service delivery;
• Partnerships and resource mobilization; and
• Knowledge services. Leadership and network at the national and international level and form partnerships with high level disaster management stakeholders.

Project Management implementation:

• Supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Project Team. Manage the human and financial resources, in consultation with the National Project Director and UNDP port-folio manager, for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document and to required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost;
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans and result frameworks as endorsed by the management;
• Lead in the coordination of project activities with related and parallel activities both within UNDP and with external agencies;
• Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly and quarterly progress reviews;
• Organize meetings of the Steering Committee, Advisory Panel (if relevant) and Project Support Board;
• Manage the human and financial resources of the project and coordinate the work of all project and policy advisory services. Coordinate the distribution of responsibilities amongst team members and organize monitoring and tracking system of all components of the project;
• Ensure technical soundness of programme activities, achievement of outputs and outcomes and quality and cost effectiveness;
• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation and communication framework, including overseeing preparation and implementation of a monitoring and communication plan and responsibility for the quality of monthly and quarterly progress reports and reviews;
• Provide guidance for effective management and oversee of  LDRRF Secretariat led by Fund Management Specialist through planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring the delivery of policies, reports, knowledge products and contributions to CDMP II’s annual results based work plans;
• Take responsibility of proper implementation of the follow up actions/ recommendations from annual and mid-term reviews. 
• When delegated, act as a signatory of key programme related documents including Financial Reports and Requests for Quarterly Advances;
• Develop and supervise the project’s capacity building efforts aimed at government counterparts, civil society groups, media and other stakeholders; contribute to the production of reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer;
• Ensure delivery of quarterly and annual reports to UNDP and represent the project in Project Board, Steering Committee and UNDP Project Review and Project Managers’ Meeting;
• Ensure information sharing and bridging between UNDP programme management, project management and national counterpart in the process of implementation of the project.

Policy and Programme Services:

• Provide intellectual and substantive leadership in CDMP II implementation;
• Ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products);
• Manage the mapping of CDMP-II issues, covering the situation and strategic opportunities in the form of papers and reports;
• Promote convergence between the different CDMP-II interventions in the relevant area and also with the work of different development actors at the local level. Identify opportunities to enhance team-work within and across various government agencies and with the other relevant institutes in order to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support;
• Lead and manage the analytical and policy development work of the team and ensure high quality policy or knowledge products. Contribute to the production reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer;
• Coordinate with various government and non-governmental agencies regarding requests for advisory and support services;
• Ensure CDMP-II outputs are aligned procedurally with UNDP positions and practice area development;
• Advise, coordinate with the Senior Adviser  and take a lead role towards influencing disaster risk reduction and climate change policy at the national level and local level;
• Design, introduce and continuously develop feedback mechanisms and open communication channels to ensure that the changing needs and expectations of the public are fully taken into account when reviewing CDMP II related contributions to annual and quarterly work-plans; and
• Ensure, in cooperation with UNDP that development partners are kept informed about CDMP II progress throughout preparation and submission of necessary reports as required.

Partnerships and Resource mobilization:

• Lead CDMP II’s efforts to attract future funding for DRR/CCA in Bangladesh;
• Mobilize and network with the experts of national and regional offices of the UN system, international development organizations, sub-regional and regional associations, affiliations and bodies (inter-governmental, non-government or private sector) and prominent private sector organizations;
• Provide inputs and services as may be required by management of the project with the objective of achieving high level of performance and results.

Knowledge Services:

• Lead the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national, regional and global know-how in local level risk reduction interventions and capacity building;
• Ensure CDMP II results are captured and recorded in knowledge products to communicate project results and impact; and
• Promote a learning environment and systematic information sharing within the LDRRF Secretariat.
• Promote substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensure effective integration and compatibility with other LDRRF’s capacity building efforts aimed at disaster management committees and sub national and local level administrative officials;

The International Project Manager will conduct any other function or responsibility which may be assigned by UNDP and the National Project Director.

Impact of Results:

The position will strengthen UNDP’s project by contributing to the effective and successful project management, supervision and coordination of activates, financial management and disbursement, policy advice and support and liaison with government and donors.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;;
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Willingness to complete UNDP mandatory and other certification learning programmes.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   

• Master’s degree or equivalent in management and/or a development-related discipline.

Experience:   

• Minimum 10 years of related experience ;
• Significant practical management experience (5 years or more) of  implementing large-scale complex programmes;
• Significant practical experience (7 years or more) of working in a multi-institutional environment;
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, including small grants programmes and local level capacity building is required;
• Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English.

FC : 04000