UNDP Jobs - 53343- Project Manager

Project Manager

Location :

Brussels, BELGIUM

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year with possibility 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

Organizational Context

In contrast to the large-scale tradable minerals and hydrocarbons sector, the low-value minerals and materials sector (LVMM) has closer links with the local economy, has the potential to generate more local jobs, and therefore can have a greater impact on poverty reduction. However, its income generation potential often remains unrealized or under-realized. This is in part due to the uncertain legal and regulatory framework in which the sector operates and the lack of publicly available and easily accessible geological data, which exacerbates wasteful exploration and discourages investment in the sector. Furthermore, there can be serious social and environmental impacts associated with low-value mining, with dire consequences on health and safety of workers in this sector and surrounding communities.

The project “Capacity development of mineral institutions and of small-scale private sector operating in low-value minerals in ACP countries” (short title: “Low-value minerals project”) aims to support the implementation of the ACP Framework of Action on the Development of Mineral Resources Sector endorsed by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors in 2011.

The project will provide capacity-building support to the small-scale private sector, associations/chambers, public institutions and social stakeholders that operate in the low value minerals and materials sector. The project will enhance the capacities of these entities to increase the sector’s productivity; better manage mining operations; adhere to national and international environmental and health standards; and prevent conflict through effective community relations.

This is a three year project, with a budget of €12.1 million (funded by the EU and UNDP) that will be implemented by UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor on Extractive Industries (based at UNDP’s Regional Centre in Addis Ababa) and in close collaboration with the Policy Advisor on Extractive Industries (UNDP New York), and the Director of the UNDP’s Representation Office in Brussels, the Project Manager will have the following responsibilities:

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Manager will be responsible for: 1) the overall management and decision-making of the “Low-value minerals” project; 2) the provision of financial oversight, budgeting and reporting; 3) the provision of technical advice and overall technical guidance; 4) ensuring the quality and coherence of the regional training programmes and country-level initiatives; 5) delivering the project communication and visibility strategy; and 6) managing the relationship with all external stakeholders, in the EU and the ACP Secretariat in the first instance, and with governments, bilateral and multilateral organisations, the private sector, research and training institutions and civil society in the countries where the project is being implemented and globally.

Project management

Organize the Steering Committee meetings and ensure follow-up and communication of the Steering Committee’s decisions to partners and UNDP;
Ensure day-to-day management of the project, manage operational and reputational risks and take appropriate actions to address them.

Supervise and guide the work of the rest of the project team and ensure fluid communication within the team, despite their multiple locations

Ensure timely and quality delivery of project outputs in accordance with the Special and General Conditions of the Contribution Agreement signed with the EU and the Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement between the EU and the UN;
Prepare annual budgets and ensure that financial management and oversight is done in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
Prepare annual work plans and ensure tracking and monitoring of project activities (training delivery, small grants and partnership agreements) project-wise, at the regional and country level;
Coordinate the mid-term progress assessment/monitoring mission and contribute as may be required with the EU-managed final evaluation;
Approve annual reports before their discussion in the Steering Committee and submission to the EU.

Technical and policy advice

Coordinate with UNDP’s global programme on extractive industries and UNDP’s different practice areas to ensure substantive coherence and operational synergies with the project;
Provide overall technical guidance and advice on the low value minerals and materials sector, and more broadly how the extractive industries can contribute to sustainable and inclusive development;
Scan the EU’s policy priorities in the extractives field and engage with relevant DGs in the European Commission and the European External Action Service to identify areas of policy dialogue, knowledge management or programmatic collaboration
Share UNDP, EU, ACP policies, approaches and priorities in this sector with UNDP country offices, Technical Committee, partners, UN agencies;
Organize the project’s inception and closing workshops;
Ensure coordination and organization of conferences, workshops, trainings, as necessary delegating to partners and UNDP country offices;
Ensure the quality and coherence of training programmes and country-level initiatives under the project.

Partnerships, outreach and communication

Represent the project externally at appropriate meetings, consultation and outreach events;
Manage relations with DEVCO and the ACP Secretariat’s main counterparts and by extension with ACP countries’ representations in Brussels;
Provide oversight of project’s partner institutions and contractors;
Ensure the delivery of the visibility strategy making use of a variety of technologies and information platforms.

Impact of Results

As a result of the work in the areas mentioned above:

The project will be successfully implemented in accordance with its project document and the contribution agreement with the EU
The capacities of key stakeholders in low-value mining will be enhanced, including that of public stakeholders such as regulatory agencies and local governments; private stakeholders such as small-scale mining enterprises and associations, business development centres; and social stakeholders such as civil society organizations and community groups.

In selected countries, specific steps will be taken to design country level projects that will improve the operations of the mining sector.

Competencies

Core 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;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment;
Mature judgment and initiative;
Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, achieving results.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results;
Ability to organize, plan and implement project deliverables to achieve specific goals;
Ability to manage competing demands;
Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them;
Excellent analytical skills;
Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and effectively, orally and in writing;
Excellent networking and partnership building skills in a complex institutional setting;
Strong pro-active leadership skills, including strong interpersonal skills with ability to multi-task and maintain effective work relationships in a multi-cultural environment;
Knowledge of and ability to apply UNDP rules, regulations and procedures.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in mining and quarry management, public administration, business administration, public policy or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years of programme management;
Strong experience in the fields of sustainable development, extractive industries, natural resource management, value chain development and/or small-scale mining is desired;
Experience with institutional capacity building initiatives in the private and public sectors;
Field experience is desired;
Experience with the European Union is an asset.

Language:

Very good command of spoken and written English required;
Fluency in spoken and written French desirable.