UNDP Jobs - 51492- Project Manager (Georgian Nationals Only)

Project Manager (Georgian Nationals Only)

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English

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

UNDP is seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage the 1.5 year project Georgia’s First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC. The goal of the project is to assist the country in mainstreaming and integration of climate change consideration into national and sectorial development policies by giving continuity to the institutional and technical capacity strengthening process, partly initiated and sustained by the National Communications.

The immediate objective of the project is to assist the country in the preparation and submission of its First Biennial Update Report to the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC for the fulfilment of its obligations to the Convention.

The project strategy is built around the below outcomes:

National circumstances and institutional arrangementsrelevant to the preparation of the national communications updated;
GHG inventory for 2012-2013 prepared. New inventory will be based on the same sources of the Activity Data as the previous one, with possible facilitation from the national statistics. It usually publishes previous year’s data during one year. So, by the end of the 2014, the data for 2013 will be available. Periodic update of the inventories under BUR process will build Georgia’s capacity to establish a national GHG Inventory system, on the basis of already existing current team of experts and liaisons, including official statistical office. The inventory for the period 2010-2011 updated.Update of the 2010-2011 will be based on additional resources (if any) for Activity Data (for more detailed disaggregation), Emission Factors (country-specific instead of IPCC default, more differentiated), methodology/approach (higher tier), among others;
Mitigation actions and their effects, including associated methodologies and assumptions, and progress of implementation are described;
Constraints and gaps identified; related financial, technology and capacity building needs assessed;and recommendation for addressing the needs provided;
Establishment of domestic Measurement, Reporting and Verificationarrangements supported;
Compilation, consolidation of information in tabular format and publication of the First Biennial Update Report conducted;
Monitoring, reporting, and preparing of financial audits conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project and supervision of the implementation process on behalf of the Steering Committee and within the constraints and guidelines applicable for UNDP projects.

The Primary responsibility of the Project Manager is to ensure that the project produces and achieves the objectives specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Ensures effective management of the project and supervision of the project team focusing on achieving the following results:

Manage the realization of project outputs through activities according to the approved project work plan through:

Effective application of results-based management tools, establishment of benchmarks, indicators and targets and, monitoring and reporting of achievement of results;
Planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the project, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Day-to-day management and supervision of the project ensuring that the expected outputs are completed on time and they comply with specific project criteria and quality requirements;
Mobilization of goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications for experts and lead experts’ recruitment processes, oversee procurement processes and technical evaluations;
Monitoring of events as determined in the Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, and update the plan as required;
Management of requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, such as requests for direct payments;
Monitoring of financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Organization and supervision the workshops and trainings needed during the project.
Liaise with the Project Executive Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
Undertake adaptive management to achieve the project objectives and respond to challenges and difficulties in a pro-active and dynamic manner;
Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
Responsible for project administration;
Prepare the Project Progress Reports, Annual Review and Final Review (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance on a regular basis;
Based on the review, prepare the Annual Work Plan and Quarterly Plans, if required;
Knowledge sharing on project-related and/or climate change mitigation/GHG inventory related issues with UNDP and project staff, national counterparts and communities of practice;
Performing liaison function between project office and UNDP;
Ensuring visibility of project results, and of all relevant partners, in line with UNDP rules and requirements.

In addition, specific tasks and responsibilities of the proposed assignment include, but are not limited to the following:

Supervision of project support staff, national consultants and contractor organizations who are hired to provide technical assistance including:

Coordinates and supervises activities of national circumstances and institutional arrangements group in order to update relevant chapter;
Coordinates and supervises activities of GHG inventory group on different thematic group (energy including transport, industry, waste, agriculture) for preparation of inventory for 2012-2013, and inventories for the period 2010-2011 updated;
Coordinates and supervises activities of mitigation group for preparation of mitigation actions and their effects, including associated methodologies and assumptions, and progress of implementation;
Ensure quality check of all submitted material by national consultants and/or contractor organizations;
Compilation of the scope and content of the overall BUR report and relevant sections in consultation with national experts/contractor organizations;
Coordination of project activities related to identification of constraints and gaps, assessment of related financial, technology and capacity building needs and development of recommendations for addressing the needs;
Coordination of project activities for supporting establishment of domestic Measurement, Reporting and Verification arrangements and prepare domestic MRV system;
Ensure compilation, consolidation of information in tabular format and publication of the First Biennial Update Report;
Identify and ensure synergy of the BUR with TNC, ClimaEast and with other relevant ongoing / new projects;
Ensure that the BUR development process is in the line with UNFCCC guidance and contributes to the improvement of the UNFCCC reporting process;
Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria established in the Project Results Framework;
Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the UNDP Project Document appraised by the LPAC, 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;
Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log.

Liaise with the relevant ministries, national and international research institutes, NGOs, and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in project activities, and to gather and disseminate information relevant to the project.

Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders and other partners to ensure their involvement in the BUR development process.

Perform other duties as required.

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.

Functional Competencies:

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;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
Good ICT skills;
Oral, communications and presentation skills.

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;
Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Excellent communication (written and oral) Skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree from accredited Universities/colleges in business/public administration, environmental sciences, natural resource management, economy, or other related field.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of experience in project or programme management of similar complexity and nature is required;
Management experience for projects/programmes, funded by international organizations or funds, and demonstrated capacity to actively explore new, innovativeimplementation and financing mechanisms to achieve the project objective is desired;
Professional experience in the areas related to environment protection, climate change or natural resource management is an asset;
Good understanding of Georgia’s environment protection/development issues as well as of the thematic areas under investigations;
Expertise in putting together results-oriented action plans;
Substantial knowledge of methodologies for inventories (IPCC Revised 1996 Guidelines and Good Practice Guidance, LEAP etc.);
Demonstrated experience and success in the engagement of and in working with government, donors and the United Nations system;
Familiarity with international negotiations and processes preferably under the UNFCCC is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English and Georgian.