Background

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) with support from the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) has developed a Project on promoting innovative, inclusive and equitable growth in peri-urban areas. This Project is developed to support the MCTI in implementing the support for institutional transformation to facilitate the equitable and inclusive growth. The goal of the Project is to build capacity within MCTI to design improved policies that will reduce income inequality and assist in taking concrete action for a more equitable Zambia.

The stated project goal is linked to four interrelated expected outcomes and about 16 associated output results. The four expected outcomes by 2017 are that: MCTI has developed and implemented strategies and Projects aimed at SMEs development, addressing poverty and inequality to generate evidence and lessons for a sustainable and equitable industrial policy; SMEs supported by the CEEC and ZDA develop products meeting national standards; SMEs supported by CEEC and ZDA invest in and adopt technological and social innovations; and project is managed efficiently and effectively.

This new initiative is aligned to accelerating attainment of MDGs 1 and 8, with special attention paid to related MDGs 3, 6 and 7 (as crosscutting issues). From the UNDP vantage, the Project aligns to the new Corporate Strategic Plan 2014-2017 result area of work relating to extreme poverty reduction and inclusive growth; whose intended outcome is growth that is innovative, inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded. That entails significant transformation in sector development planning and policy reforms to transform productive capacities of SMEs and associated stakeholders.

 At national level, the support portfolio aligns to Vision 2030 and revised SNDP 2014-2016 under economic growth and wealth creation thematic area. In essence, the main thrust of the initiative is to promote innovation as a means of attaining sustainable and equitable growth and develop Projects that respond to the challenges facing the growth of SMEs, especially those that are youth and women-led or influenced. The specific project objective is to contribute to reduction of income inequality in Zambia through targeted Small and Medium Enterprise growth in selected urban and adjacent rural areas. The emphasis on SMEs is based on a recognition that “watering and housing” the poor has not solved the problem of (urban) poverty. 

The Project considers the synergy between poverty (income inequality), productivity and growth. Again, it is not all SMEs that will be of interest to the project but those prioritized by Government’s Industrialization Strategies and anchored in the sectors with great potential for growth and value addition to local commodities; for instance, processing of foods, textiles and garments, engineering products, leather and leather products, wood and wood products.

The intended beneficiaries include the following:

  • (a) Policy Makers and Technocrats;
  • (b) Academia;
  • (c) CSOs;
  • (d) Businesses – (identified Small and Medium Enterprises) and their Associations, specifically those in manufacturing and with potential to utilize opportunities to grow and create opportunities for themselves and for others (employment creation).
Given the above context, the MCTI is seeking to recruit a competent Project Coordinator to guide the implementation of the Innovate for Inclusive Growth Project. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Project. S/he will be tasked with ensuring project quality and that all interventions are monitored and evaluated according to benchmarks. S/he will represent the project to external actors and continue to build strong relationships with associated Statutory Bodies, relevant Line Ministries, NGOs, FBOs, UN Agencies and other Cooperating Partners active in private sector development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator (PC) will work under the overall supervision of the Director – Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in liaison with the Project Board and the overall guidance of the Assistant Resident Representative – MDGs and Poverty Reduction, UNDP Lusaka office in Zambia. The PC will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and coordination of project activities in the field, identifying the risks likely to be faced in the implementation of this project and determining ways to overcome or minimise them; s/he will maintain good working relations with relevant institutions and stakeholders. Principle results and deliverables include among others the following.

Ensures implementation of project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met in a timely and effective manner by assuming primary responsibility for daily project management and implementation;
  • Ensure compliance with the donor agreement and project document in execution of enlisted strategies.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide technical leadership and direction to all aspects of the project implementation as outline in the results and resources framework as well as the multi-year work plan 2014-2017, namely ensure that:
  • MCTI and its Statutory Bodies have developed and operationalized an integrated M&E framework/system;
  • MCTI has developed skills and analytical tools for reviewing and measuring the impact of industrialisation and related policies on SMEs growth and income inequalities;
  • A sustainable framework/strategy for establishment of inter-country markets is set up to conduct legitimate trade around the border areas of the Country;
  • Commodity exchange markets for the six priority sectors are set up;
  • Informal sector operators in priority sectors are formalized;
  • Working in collaboration with the Zambia Bureau of Standards, ensure that SMEs supported by the CEEC and ZDA develop products meeting standards;
  • MCTI and ZABS develop and initiate national quality awards for SMEs;
  • ZABS develops and implements the Standardisation Quality Assurance Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM) training and support scheme for SMEs;
  • ZABS acquires testing equipment and associated skills for testing products of SMEs in meeting national and international quality requirements;
  • Technical centres of excellence are set up and equipped to offer technical services for SMEs to improve their productivity and the quality of products;
  • Working closely with ZDA and ZCSMBA, an SMEs Business forum for commercially viable products is established;
  • Stakeholders involvement modalities in project management are developed and initiated based on RBM principles;
  • Capacity development plan(s) for continual project performance, accountability and transparency improvement are developed; and
  • Critical crosscutting issues (HIV, gender and environmental sustainability) are integrated in project lifecycle.
 Ensures effective communication of project results, risks mitigation and efficient operational management, including:
  • Writing quarterly and annual narrative (donor) performance reports and promote a positive profile of the project in interactions with donors;
  • Supporting the MCTI-UNDP Project implementing institutions and partners to develop technically sound work plans and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the project, ensuring that established targets are being met on time;
  • Providing technical feedback on monthly narrative reports from the Project Implementing Partners;
  • Taking the lead in project planning, and oversee project implementation and budget expenditures to ensure effective use of resources against planned activities and expected outputs;
  • Ensuring that all operational activities are conducted according to standard GRZ and UNDP financial and procurement management policies and procedures, including management of project assets and resources, the development and management of budgets.
Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Monitor project partners' adherence to guidelines on prudent application of availed resources and helping to mobilize resources to ensure project sustainability, wherever possible;
  • Ensure active collaboration, information sharing and joint meetings between the Project, associated Statutory Bodies, relevant Line Ministries, NGOs, FBOs, donors and other stakeholders to identify and strengthen support for project activities and avoid duplication.
Ensures effective management of the project focusing on achieving the following quality assurance results:
  • Perform regular monitoring visits to project sites;
  • Monitor project implementation and quality, based on project indicators including collating and analyzing data and information for problem analysis, planning and advocacy and evaluate project outcomes, impact and lessons learnt;
  • Collaborate with the Director Industry and UNDP Project Staff in preparing sub-agreements and/or MoUs with project partners;
  • Ensure regular communication with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the UNDP regarding the project's progress and processes.
Facilitates knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Shares knowledge, researches and analyses current trends and makes relevant contributions;
  • Organization of training for the project staff on relevant project management issues and innovations.

Competencies


 Core Values
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the public service (GRZ and UN) values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of MCTI and UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Core Competencies
  • Design and implementation of private sector development (SMEs) related projects;
  • Partnership building, dialogue and cooperation;
  • Capacity building and mentoring;
  • Results Based Management and logical frameworks;
  • Knowledge of global and national private sector development (SMEs) challenges and innovations;
  • Leadership and effective management.
Functional Competencies
 
Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Office;
  • In-depth knowledge on private sector development issues;
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development Projects and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change.
Management and Leadership:
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • At least a Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration or Project Management or another relevant discipline from a reputable University listed on the UNESCO/IAU database.
Experience
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in SME development Project implementation, Project Management, Financial Management, Trade Capacity Building, Quality Management;
  • At least 3 years practical experience in development cooperation and development programming at international or national levels;
  • Proven hands-on experience in managing donor funded projects, design, monitoring and overseeing implementation of support to building national capacity for development programming and establishing partnerships;
  • Experience in working with Government Ministries and Agencies;
  • Practical experience in project coordination in areas such as Enterprise Development, Poverty Reduction, Rural Development, Gender Mainstreaming, quality management, etc.
  • Excellent team player with the ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines;
  • Avail of good communication and interpersonal skills, and the capacity to deal effectively with sensitive issues;
  • Computer literate and with a valid Driver’s Licence.
Language Requirements
  • Written and spoken proficiency in English;
  • Knowledge of local languages is a functional advantage;
  • Very good communication skills are required.