UNDP Jobs - 48685- Project Manager - for Special Economic Zone for So

Project Manager - for Special Economic Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Project

Location :

Oecusse, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

22-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year extendable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year with posibility of extension

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

Timor-Leste has been making steady progress towards socio-economic growth, but challenges abound. The Government has articulated its developmental vision through a National Development Strategy, demonstrated clear political commitment to social protection and is embarking on a range of governance and public finance reforms. However, high poverty rate (almost 50%), double digit inflation especially food inflation that directly impacts the poor, high dependency rates resulting from the demographic profile, high youth unemployment and institutional structures and systems that need to be strengthened. These challenges are visible in Oecusse district, an enclave nestled within Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 70,000. Oecusse’s developmental challenges are deepened due to its geographical location, weak and very basic institutional base and low public investments in services, making efficient governance difficult at best.

The constitution RDTL provides a provision of special status to Oecusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law on Oecusse has recently been passed by the National Parliament.

UNDP has been providing Policy advice to the Special Economic Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Office since its establishment and has developed a program to support ZEESM conceive, establish and support governance and sustainable and innovative development structures and systems in Oecusse. The framework for UNDP’s support to Oecusse ZEESM is built around two components: (i) governance (ii) sustainable and innovative development. Thus, as part of the roll out process of ZEESM there is a need to formulate policies and provide high quality advice to support priority areas that have clear and strong forward linkages to the ZEESM. The proposed assistance is aligned with the priorities of the Fifth Constitutional Government as articulated under Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oecussi with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

Under the guidance of the Senior Policy Advisor and Project Director/ZEESM, the Project Manager is responsible to ensure effective programme management including planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and advocacy Support to ZEESM project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Effective project oversight including monitoring and evaluation activities, project reporting and compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Project management and implementation;
Ensure compliance with UNDP’s operational, policies rules and regulations in the implementation of project activities;
Engage in strategic learning, planning and advocacy activities for ZEESM project in Oecusse.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager is expected to assume the following responsibilities

Support project oversight and quality assurance:

Provide strategic advice to Project Board on ZEESM project oversight and risk management to achieve the project outcomes;
Liaise with ZEESM Office and UNDP Country Office in establishing and regular convening of the Project Board;
Prepare required working papers/reports/documents requested by the Advisory Board to support project oversight and decision making process;
Ensure that appropriate planning, monitoring and reporting mechanisms and tools are in place and completed (Annual Work Plan – AWP & Quarterly/Annual Progress Reports) in time and of the required quality and duly endorsed by the Project Board, as necessary;
Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed to with the board;
Prepare the annual review report, and submit the report to the project board Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the project board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
Record Project Board decisions, follow-up implementation and keep the PB informed of the progress or deviations, if any through regular updates;
Any other responsibilities assigned by the Project Board.

Project management and implementation:

Manage day to day project management including operationalization of Annual Work Plans in line with the Project’s Results and Resources Framework;
Ensure effective and efficient implementation of ZEESM project;
Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved work-plan;
Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and other required inputs to initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work;
Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring schedule plan, and update the plan as required;
Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures), as applicable;
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Be responsible for preparing and submitting financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis;
Prepare the annual work plan for the following year, as well as quarterly plans if required;
Update the Atlas Project Management module;
Managing assigned resources efficiently. In close collaboration with the Programme Officer, ensure regular budget revision exercises are completed and contribute to meeting the annual programme resource expenditure targets;
Responsible for producing monthly financial analysis reports, providing information on the overall programme approval level, outstanding obligations as well as planned and actual expenditure status;
Manage and supervise assigned project staff;
Prepare TORs for recruitments / evaluation and related missions Liaise regularly with the Senior Policy Advisor and Project Director to discuss project progress and provide advice on challenges and further strategies.

Ensure strategic direction of Operations within the project management include:

Manage financial, human resources, procurement and logistical support of the project;
Ensure full compliance of operations with UNDP rules and regulations;
Review purchase orders and requisitions to ensure these are in accordance with the AWP;
Liaise with UNDP Country Office to ensure that project management Unit staff are kept informed of UNDP Policy and Procedures.

Engage in strategic learning, planning and advocacy activities for ZEESM project in Oecusse. More specifically, the Project Manager is responsible for:

Results based reporting of project progress through timely submission of Quarterly Annual Report to Project Director and UNDP;
Developing an advocacy strategy for ZEESM project in collaboration with the UNDP Country Office;
Liaising regularly with the Project Director in Oecusse for Project information sharing;
Training project support team working in project management unit;
Capture lessons learnt during project implementation – a lessons learnt log can be used in this regard.

Impact of Results

The key results will allow the Project Management Unit to further contribute to good governance and stability in Timor Leste through the strengthening of democratic governance in the country. The post will enhance the overall effectiveness and quality of UNDP project implementation by providing the project with efficiency and effectiveness of Project Operations in the use of resources in the implementation of its strategic objectives and initiatives.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on social market economy issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary governance and development issues;
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, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to conduct strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to work with minimal supervision;
Solid knowledge and ability to manage financial, human resources, contracts, asset and procurement and administration.

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 multi-cultural teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political or Social Science/Law, or other relevant subject; a qualification in, or/and experience of development studies/international relations desirable.

Experience:

Minimum seven (7) years of professional experience in management or governance or institutional development ;
Proven programming, operations and project management experience at a senior level required;
Substantial work experience in a government context desirable;
Experience of working in developing and post-conflict country environment and rural areas is highly desirable;
Excellent drafting and communication skills; good editorial capacity;
Experience in staff development preferably in a developing country environment a plus;
Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.

Language:

Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential;
A good command of written and spoken Portuguese or Tetum is desirable;
Successful completion of an intensive Tetum course within the first month of assignment is mandatory.