UNDP Jobs - 40694- Project Manager,Local Development

Project Manager,Local Development

Location :

Minsk, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Apr-2014

Application Deadline :

16-Mar-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

up to three years

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

one year, extendable

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

Sustainable development of small towns and rural areas is one of the key priorities of the Republic of Belarus. The main long-term and medium-term strategic documents of the Republic of Belarus, such as the National Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2020, the Socio-Economic Development Program for 2011-2015, the Program of Activities of the Government of the Republic of Belarus for 2011-2015 place a major focus on regional development.

In this context, much prominence is given to the issue of revising and reforming the system of managing socio-economic development processes in the country with a view to transfer most of the planning and managerial decision making functions to the regional and sub-regional levels.

The forthcoming changes force regional and local authorities to introduce new management approaches. This Project is aimed at assisting government authorities and organizations with improvement of good governance standards through a participatory approach and strengthened dialogue between the authorities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and citizens. The Project will seek to consistently enhance the capacity of the said parties to jointly formulate local development priorities, design, implement and monitor local initiatives.

Overall goal of the project: Development of capacity, partnership and initiative in the Republic of Belarus in the field of management of social and economic development processes at the local level.

This goal will be achieved through addressing the following objectives:

Large-scale information and education campaign, first Contest of Local Initiatives.
Strengthening of the capacity of local authorities and organizations in the field of ABD and project management.
Development of ABD passports with the involvement of stakeholders.
Practical implementation of ABD initiatives, analysis and dissemination of accumulated experience.
Effective project management. The Project will be implemented in four regions of the Republic of Belarus: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, and Mogilev regions.

The Project will be implemented in four regions of the Republic of Belarus: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, and Mogilev regions.

The Project will foster raising community awareness of the ways and mechanisms of managing area-based development (ABD) based on broad stakeholder engagement and gaining experience in solving vital local-level problems, planning future development of respective settlements, and implementing relevant initiatives. Organization of study tours to foreign countries on area-based development, participatory planning and strengthening of public administration mechanisms will facilitate development of direct contacts between Belarusian project participants and a number of agencies and organizations from EU countries.

The project will be implemented in the national execution modality. The Ministry of Economy will act as the Executing Entity for the project. The Ministry will be primarily responsible for the successful implementation of the project activities, sustainability of the achieved results, as well as reporting to the Belarusian government authorities.

UNDP will be responsible for the project delivery under a Contribution Agreement with the European Union, including the use of co-funding from UNDP. To achieve the aforementioned project outputs, UNDP will ensure necessary support and conditions for the implementation of the project by the Executing Entity.

For effective and timely project implementation in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures and taking into account consultations between UNDP, EU Delegation to Belarus and Ministry of Economy, a Project Team will be hired. The project team will comprise Project Manager, ABD Coordinator, Coordinator of Local Initiatives Contest, PR/Communications Specialist, Administrative and Financial Assistant, and three regional coordinators in each region (12 in total).

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervise and coordinate the project and its results in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
Supervise and coordinate the work of the Project team, including regional coordinators;
Assume primary responsibility for the day-to-day project management, including both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project;
Arrange and prepare materials for meetings of the Project Steering Committee;
Prepare detailed annual work plans, to be approved by the PSC, and ensure adherence thereto;
Prepare terms of reference for national consultants and subcontractors in line with relevant UNDP rules and procedures;
Prepare annual project reports (APR) in line with UNDP and EU rules, as well as any other reports requested by the Ministry of Economy or UNDP;
Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines;
Assume overall responsibility for meeting the targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
Coordinate the work of national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plans;
Organize workshops and trainings needed during the project;
Liaise with relevant ministries, national institutes and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in project activities as necessary;
Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in the Republic of Belarus;
Maintain regular contacts with UNDP Country Office and the National Project Coordinator on project implementation issues pertaining to their respective competence;
Monitor project risks and performance indicators; keep logs of risks, issues, lessons learned, quality management, and project implementation monitoring (in accordance with UNDP procedures);
Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by UNDP or the National Project Coordinator

Expected results:
Successful performance of project activities and delivery of all project outputs, as indicated in the Project Document and the Project Work Plan.

Competencies

Excellent communication, administrative and managerial skills;
Display a commitment and passion for international development
Possess outstanding academic credentials;
Exhibit excellent client engagement and team leadership skills.

Required Skills and Experience

University degree in social and economic, or other relevant field;
At least 2 years of experience in management of international technical assistance projects (preferably, with UNDP);
Knowledge of regional development issues in Belarus and corresponding experience is a strong asset;
Experience of cooperation and interaction with local authorities and other local stakeholders;
Excellent communication, administrative and managerial skills;
Knowledge of basic software packages;
Good command of English and Russian.