UNDP Jobs - 51983- Project Manager - (Open to Mozambican Nationals On

Project Manager - (Open to Mozambican Nationals Only)

Location :

Maputo, MOZAMBIQUE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

05-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months

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

Natural resources and environmental degradation in Mozambique has serious economic implications. 17% of the GDP is the yearly economic loss due to environmental degradation and the inefficient use of natural resources. Nine percent of the GDP is the estimated cost to remediate these damages and yet only 1.4% of GDP was the average environmental expenditure for the period 2007-2010. Recognizing that the country’s persistent environmental management and climate change issues need to be urgently addressed if Mozambique is to make progress in its efforts to create wealth and alleviate poverty, the Government of Mozambique has led the implementation of several UN projects that aim to support the government in addressing these problems. These include the UNDP Green Human Development (GHD) project, the joint UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) and the Africa Climate Adaptation and Food Security (ACAFS) project.

The main goal of the projects is to contribute to the achievement of Mozambique’s UNDAF goal number 3: ‘Ensuring a sustainable and effective management of natural resources and disaster risk reduction that benefit all people in Mozambique, particularly the most vulnerable’. The focus of the projects are on mainstreaming pro-poor sustainable natural resource management (NRM) for national development into planning, budgeting and investment and regulatory frameworks through strengthening government capacities at all levels.

Mozambique has key policies and pieces of legislation in place that reflects its engagement and commitment to address issues related to sustainable management of natural resources, e.g. 1997 Environmental Law and 2007 Environment Strategy for Sustainable Development. The integration of poverty, environment and climate change concerns has further advanced significantly in Mozambique with the support of the UN projects. For example, poverty-environment and climate change objectives have been included in high-level strategic documents such as the government Five Year Plan (PQG 2010 – 2014), the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PARP 2011-2014), the sector Annual Social and Economic Plans (PES 2012, 2013) and accompanying budgets. Additionally, there is now a steady effort to mainstream those issues into development planning at all levels and into budgetary processes, so as to help achieve concrete development gains and a ‘greener’ development.

However, addressing NRM and climate change issues in a coordinated, inclusive and informed manner remains a chief challenge in Mozambique. To further promote sustainable pro-poor investments and public resource allocations in NRM sectors in such a way that it yields the highest poverty reduction gains require further work, same is the case with increasing revenues from these sectors, including for the implementation of poverty-environment and climate change priorities at all levels. This is a gap that needs to be bridged urgently at the risk of constantly squandering investments made and of undermining poverty alleviation efforts. In addition, national capacity to envision, design, plan and budget for implementation, through broad inclusive processes, new development paths which lead to a ‘greener’ development also needs strengthening.

It is essential that UN’s support to the Government of Mozambique is well-coordinated and target various ministries in particular Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs (MICOA), Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) in order to promote pro-poor sustainability. Hence the UN and the Government of Mozambique has in 2014 agreed on a Project Framework for the period 2014-2017 that integrates GHD, PEI and ACAFS under the same umbrella working towards four common outcomes:

Consolidated policy and regulatory frameworks for a coordinated implementation of pro-poor sustainable management of natural resources;
Enhanced implementation of pro-poor sustainability through national development and budget frameworks;
Improved use of science for decision making based on improved environmental information systems;
Enabled local participation in planning processes and decision making for pro-poor sustainability.

To support the successful implementation of the Project Framework UNDP Mozambique is recruiting a Project Manager (PM). The post will be based in MICOA and will be under the overall supervision of the UNDP Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Crisis Prevention Recovery Environment and Poverty unit of UNDP Mozambique, and direct supervision of Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs (MICOA) – Directorate of Studies and Planning (DPE), the Project Manager is expected to employ a collaborative approach to ensure that the different components are integrated and that inputs from as wide a cross section as possible are incorporated to facilitate successful implementation of the programme. He/she will be responsible for providing critical technical input into project implementation and overall management and supervision of the project. He/she will manage and provide overall supervision for the Project Management Unit (PMU) including the Administrative and Finance Assistant.

Specifically, the PM will undertake the activities as outlined below:

Liaise with each implementing agency – MICOA, MPD (Ministry of Planning and Development), MoF (Ministry of Finance), INAM (National Meteorological Institute) – and coordinate project activities to ensure that the activities in each results area are implemented in accordance with the project agreement;
Prepare an annual work plan and associated budget in collaboration with the implementing ministries, and present these to the Project Board/ Steering Committee for approval;
Maintain close relationship with key stakeholders (state and non-state) and ensure adequate information flow. Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations and project review meetings as required. Plan and coordinate activities with the implementing agencies for project visibility according to the guidelines of UNDP/UNEP and other donors;
Monitor project implementation against the established indicators detailed in the project Logical Framework. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets;
Liaise with implementing entities to ensure the timely submission of project reports and that co-financing contributions are provided as agreed in the project documents;
Ensure appropriate monitoring reports (technical and financial) for submission to UNDP/UNEP according to timelines agreed upon by UN and the GoM. Narrative and matrix annual reporting prepared in a timely fashion and renewed emphasis on capturing results at the output and outcome levels;
Facilitate troubleshooting options with the relevant entities to remove any bottlenecks that might arise during project implementation;
Manage and supervise the day-to-day operations of the Project Management Unit, including administrative and financial procedures, keeping records to facilitate audits of the project;
Financial delivery and completing activities as per Annual Work Plans (AWP): Overall financial delivery are undertaken and completed as per AWPs and that the expenditure is accurately reflected in UNDP ATLAS system. This includes expenditure and “advances” to Government are reported in a timely manner;
Monitor the procurement of goods and services for the project and ensure execution according to the rules and guidelines established by UN (UNDP and UNEP) and the GoM (Government of Mozambique);
Plan and arrange Project Board/Steering Committee meetings and serve as the Technical Secretary for the Committee;
Liaise with relevant members of staff of the project and UNDP/UNEP as necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the project;
Undertake closing out activities for the project which include final financial and technical reports, and the handing over of documents as necessary;
Facilitate project evaluation exercises;
Undertake any other activity that may be necessary for the effective management of the project.

Impact of key results:

Timely Quarterly Financial and Technical programmatic reports;
Timely Detailed annual Technical & Financial reports;
Press briefings, public engagements and other activities that promote/outline the objectives and achievements of the projects and the contribution of the UNDP, UNEP and the Government of Mozambique;
At least one Project Steering Committee convened quarterly or as otherwise agreed upon by the Committee;
Project summary reports for presentation at the Project Steering Committee meetings;
Other reports or documents as required;
Final Project Report, which includes, but is not limited to, an overview of the project stating technical achievements and final financial status, lessons learned, and good practices.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

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

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Has good knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in environment and climate change;
Has a strategic approach to problem solving.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Has ability to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, work planning, and reporting;
Demonstrates ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Has ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
Has ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Strong pro-active leadership skills, including strong interpersonal skills with ability to multi-task and maintain effective work relationships in a multi- cultural environment;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and effectively, orally and in writing;
Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients;
Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills;
Able to take instructions and follow up tasks in a timely manner.
Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively;
Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment;
Demonstrates skills to operate under complex and stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor's (Honours) Degree (with seven years relevant experience) or
Master’s Degree (with five years’ relevant experience) in management studies, environmental economics, natural resource management, environmental management or a related discipline;
Training or certification in project management.

Experience:

At least 3 years’ experience in project implementation of similar scope project;
Knowledge and understanding of environment and climate change issues;
Exposure to UNDP/UNEP and/or other donors reporting procedures/standards and working experience would be of distinct advantage;
Extensive experience working with governments, bilateral and multilateral development agencies and civil society organizations;
Experience of working with UN systems and/or other development partners;
Excellent knowledge of computer software in full Microsoft Office equipment and office technology.

Language Requirements:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential,
Fluency in Portuguese is required.