UNDP Jobs - 54766- National Project Manager

National Project Manager - (Open to PNG Nationals Only)

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

03-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

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

REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) is a recent global policy initiative to tackle climate change threats. The main goal of REDD+ is to prevent forest degradation and deforestation, and promote forest conservation through offering results-based payments as financial incentives to developing countries.

Domestically PNG has also made significant progress to meet its international commitments in addressing climate change issues including REDD+ within the country and region. National climate change readiness began in 2008 with the establishment of the then Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability which phased out and was re-established as the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) in 2010.

Concurrently, in 2008 the World Bank established the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) to specifically address this issue and support countries to develop a REDD+ Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP) and a consecutive REDD+ Strategy, and prepare for effective implementation of proposed activities. Papua New Guinea is also a member of the FCFP Programme seeking to bridge readiness gaps under both the FCPF and the UN-REDD Programme through assistance under each Programme. In June 2014 the grant agreement between GoPNG and the World Bank was signed, after which OCCD as the implementing partner of the FCPF-RPP requested UNDP to facilitate implementation.

In this context, UNDP has agreed to be the Delivery Partner for FCPF-RPP in PNG and is now recruiting a National Project Manager (NPM) for day-to-day management and to oversee overall implementation of the project. The NPM will be supervised by the OCCD National Programme Director and the UNDP Programme Analyst, and is supported by an International Technical Advisor. Administrative support will be supplied by the FCPF Team, and where needed by UNDP (e.g. regarding contractual issues). The NPM will also work closely with stakeholders from other relevant ministries/agencies, provincial and district representatives, and bilateral and multilateral development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Manager will be accountable to both OCCD and UNDP for the overall management of PNG’s FCPF REDD+ readiness project.

In particular, the duties and responsibilities of the NPM include, but are not limited to:

Quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the services provided

Under the supervision of the National Project Director and working directly with the Director REDD+ and Mitigation and the International Technical Advisor, take control of day-to-day management of, and supervising the, FCPF PMU in the implementation of the FCPF project;
Being the focal point for communications to the participating partners, national and regional organizations, and others concerning the implementation of the project;
Providing a coordination and management structure for the implementation of the project, functioning in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNDP;
Based on agreed regular reporting and review schedule, (minimally annually, but recommended quarterly), submitting a report to the REDD+ TWG and the project executive board, incorporating reports received from contractors;
Agreeing in advance with the project executive board on the exact progress reporting format and periodicity.

Quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the activities carried out:

Maintaining constructive relations with key project stakeholders, including Government institutions, donors and NGO partners, informing them and consulting with them as appropriate regarding strategic project decisions; with support of the international and national technical advisors, include balanced participation of different Government entities in project activities and benefits;
Providing support to UNDP in the preparation of annual and semi-annual reports, incorporating inputs provided by project contractors in relation to each of the project’s components;
Supporting contractors in the preparation of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs) and review of the AWPBs prior to their presentation to the Project Board for approval, in order to ensure their feasibility, relevance, correspondence with project resource availability and the harmonization of the activities proposed under each component;
Working together with international and national technical advisors review and updating of project risk log and corresponding mitigations strategies.

Quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the use of funds:

Reviewing quarterly work plans, expenditure reports and disbursement requests prepared by contractors, and recommendation to UNDP regarding their approval or, where necessary, modification prior to approval;
Overseeing the work of PMU staff, i.e. the finance and procurement, communications and stakeholder engagement officers.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to maintain an effective relationship and understanding with different kinds of people.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Strong interpersonal skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines;
Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships internally and externally;
Computer literate.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Strong analytical skills and the ability to master new material quickly;
Ability to manage priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;
Good communications, interpersonal and report writing skills;
Creativity and innovation abilities.

Management and Leadership:

Demonstrated capacity for leadership and management;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Ability to manage the work of teams, subordinates and consultants;
Proven ability to work flexibly and independently as part of an interdisciplinary and/or multi-cultural team; and delivery quality results against tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other relevant discipline with at least 8 years’ professional experience.

Experience:

Experience in management of complex projects and programmes;
Strong managerial/leadership and decision-making skills;
Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
Proven capacity to liaise and effectively work with international development agencies and government agencies;
Familiar with climate change issues including forest and natural resources management, and rural development;
Experience in working on REDD+ is an advantage;
Experience with government and UN procedures including its financial systems is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken Tok Pisin and English.