UNDP Jobs - 51756- Project Coordinator Rapid Planning

Project Coordinator Rapid Planning

Location :

Kigali, RWANDA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

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

UN-Habitat, the United Nations programme for human settlements, is working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. Mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1978 to address the issues of urban growth, it is a knowledgeable institution on urban development processes, and understands the aspirations of cities and their residents.

The RP project, co-implemented by UN-Habitat, is an action oriented research project that seeks to develop a rapid trans-sectoral urban planning methodology with a focus on urban basic services infrastructure, specifically targeting supply and disposal infrastructure. The service sectors covered include energy, water, wastewater, solid waste and urban agriculture/food systems.

The anticipated result is the improvement of urban basic services (UBS) provision and subsequently the improvement of quality of life for all urban residents. This will imply increased competitiveness of highly dynamic cities while (at the same time) the impact on environment and natural resources is minimized. The project will contribute to reducing climate change, and will also to increasing synergies between different UBS sectors and the optimization of trade-offs between them.

The Rapid Planning project is based on the cooperation with Stakeholders from the pilot cities Kigali (Rwanda), Da Nang (Vietnam), Assiut (Egypt) and Frankfurt (Germany). Kigali is a pilot city within the RP project and has been selected because of its properties that represent planning challenges widely found in Sub-Sahara Africa.

For the day-to-day coordination of the implementation at the city level, it was propose to establish a local RP project manager in each pilot city. The local RP Project Manager will be part of the UN-Habitat country team in Rwanda. The successful candidate will be working under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat Programme Manager (HPM) for Rwanda and the overall supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) with the Regional Office for Africa (ROA) in charge of Rwanda, as well as the Task Manager for the Rapid Planning Programme at the Urban Planning and Design Branch of UN-Habitat.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Day-to-day coordination and management of the local project implementation;
Support, preparation and coordination of meetings and other activities;
Liaison with project partners in Rwanda, incl. the National Government, the City of Kigali, and the University of Rwanda;
Collection and compilation of locally available data and information, including existing reports, concepts, plans, strategies, policy documents etc;
Close monitoring of RP project activities in Kigali; preparation of reports and other documents.

Day-to-day coordination and management of the local project implementation:

Coordination of the all local project activities;
Management of all aspects relevant to the local project implementation;
Ensuring a smooth implementation of the project in Kigali/Rwanda;
Maintaining close communication with all relevant project partners in Kigali/Rwanda;
Ensuring the on-time implementation of activities in Kigali/Rwanda in accordance with the Rapid Planning project document and implementation schedule.

Support, preparation and coordination of meetings and other activities:

Effective planning of activities to be undertaken during filed missions;
Effective scheduling of meetings between project partners and relevant stakeholders upon request;
Liaising effectively with local and international partners, in particular the main implementation partners in Rwanda, and the Rapid Planning consortium partners in Germany;
Ensuring needed support for the preparation and implementation of field missions under Rapid Planning is provided.

Liaison with project partners in Rwanda, incl. the National Government, the City of Kigali, and the University of Rwanda:

Effective bi- and multi-lateral communication, especially with key project partners in Kigali/Rwanda (CoK, MinInfra, UR);
Ongoing effective bi- and multi-lateral information flow;
Ensuring the Rapid Planning project is adequately represented.

Collection and compilation of locally available data and information, including existing reports, concepts, plans, strategies, policy documents etc.:

Ensuring that locally available data and information is regularly and systematically checked for, collected and made available within the project, including also studies surveys and reports;
Inputs into the Rapid Planning data warehouse;
Keeping an overview and making follow-ups on all ongoing research and data/information gathering activities.

Close monitoring of RP project activities in Kigali; preparation of reports and other documents

Drafting/Preparation of regular reports and other documentation;
Ensuring that mandatory documentation on project activities and project progress is taking place and made available;
Preparing and availing in a timely manner all regular quarter-annual project progress reports to UN-Habitat HQ.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Rapid Planning project implementation. Effective communication and stakeholder liaison; Proposals on enhancement strengthen the overall delivery and implementation. Accurate analysis and reporting help to monitor and document the overall project implementation.

Competencies

The Core Values of the United Nations are:

Integrity;
Professionalism;
Respect for diversity.

Planning & Organising:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
Uses time efficiently.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages;
from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation:

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
Places team agenda before personal agenda;
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration or Economics (with an urban focus).

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of working experience in: Urban planning and development; public administration; project planning, implementation and management;
Experience in academic research will be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda;
Knowledge of French would be an asset.