UNDP Jobs - 55895- Project Manager - Support the PAM to Direct the St

Project Manager - Support the PAM to Direct the Strategic Planning Priorities of the State of Kuwait Project

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

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

The Government of The State of Kuwait and UNDP is keen to enhance the strategic planning function of the State in order to ensure the optimal use and best distribution of available resources to support social and economic progress thereby leading to improved economic growth and enhanced quality of life of its citizens. The Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) is partnering with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) for implementation of “Support the PAM” programme with the aim of fulfilling the following outputs. The Joint Programme will address the 3rd outcome of the CPD 2015-2018 “Governance and institutional management are efficient, transparent, accessible, competitive, and accountable” and its results will support the achievement of the national strategic objectives of economic growth for the state of Kuwait, supporting human and social development, improving demographic policies to support development, and effective government administration as outlined in the latest national Mid-range Development Plan (2015/2016-2019-202) under “Achieving institutional excellence”.

PAM has access to resources and methodologies that build capacity in evidence-based policy and programme development.

Improving the tripartite participation in the International Labour Standards system and promoting the application of conventions.

Labour Inspection System modernized and effective in line with the ILS and OSH services improved and strengthened.

Report on performance of PAM produced, disseminated and issued for evidence base planning.

PAM also plans to improve the labour conditions and management system by analyzing the demographic imbalance, making sound decision based on enhanced reporting mechanisms and upgrading its services quality for all economic and social actors. This programme aims to support PAM in its efforts to develop its internal capacity in reporting on its own performance, on labour movement and on its compliance with international labour standards.

Within this context, UNDP and PAM are seeking to recruit a full time Project Manager to lead the project implementation, in close collaboration with the project counterparts and other UN agencies (ILO, IOM), and other institutes as appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UNDP and in close collaboration with the PAM, the Project Manager she/he assume the following tasks:

Planning, implementation and monitoring

Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project starting with the preparation of the annual work plans and ensuring their timely implementation;
Leads the support to PAM Project team (project staff and consultants) and works closely with the PAM for the implementation of the project planned activities;
Provides leadership and an overall strategic vision with a view to building national capacities, for strategic planning to support the overarching objectives of the PAM;
Builds solid relationships with key national partners supported by the project;
Ensures systematic and effective analysis, monitoring and evaluation, including the preparation and participation in Project Board and/or other related meetings;
Directly supervises project staff and provides effective leadership;
Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the project board for consideration, provide advice on mitigation strategies if required and update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
Prepare all required project reports (quarterly, annual, and other specific requested reports in close collaboration and with the inputs of UN agencies);
Prepare all required documentation for the project board meetings ;
Prepare for the project’s evaluation and;
Develop the project sustainability plan.

Financial and Administrative management of the project:

Prepare and implement the annual project budget and the recruitment and procurement plan;
Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and facilitating all contractors’ work;
Coordinate the recruitment and selection of PAM project consultants ;
Coordinate between the UN agencies and ensure all deliverables are met
Monitor and synergize the performance of the project’s staff and experts;
Monitor the budgets of the project and activities regarding the other UN agencies;
Assist the implementing partner in fulfilling the responsibilities of the project and budget monitoring, using best practices;
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports of PAM project and that all financial and budgetary processes are in accordance with UNDP standards and procedures and submitting financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis;
Perform regular financial reporting to the project board on quarterly basis;
Prepare annual financial report;

Capacity building and Knowledge building:

Assess the capacity development needs and priorities of the PAM staff relevant to the project, with special focus on strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation functions;
develop and support the implementation of a capacity building plan to address those needs;
Act as a recourse person for Building the capacity of the designated relevant PAM team members on project management, monitoring and evaluation with effective training in line with UNDP procedures and regulations;
Facilitate knowledge sharing activities within and between PAM and other relevant counterparts;
Upgrade the institutional capabilities ofthe technical support and development coordination department staff through regular training workshops and on the job training;
Monitor the PAM staff capacity building plans’ development, implementation and reporting by the project’s technical experts;
Ensure the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project;
Actively participates in UNDP knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally for the benefit of the project and the national counterparts.

Follow up, coordination:

Coordinate all tasks between UNDP and PAM;
Perform stakeholders analysis as required;
Coordinate and follow up with deferent departments within PAM to guarantee the synergy of all administrative processes relevant to the project;
Coordinate and follow up with local, foreign entities, and other UN agencies relevant to the project’s activities;
Develop and implement a stakeholders communications plan;
Any other tasks/assignment relevant to subject of the consultancy.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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;
Knowledge Management and Learning, and Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office through personal example;
Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to apply conceptual models in support of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
Strong IT and office software use skills;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems, and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change;
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 clients.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum requirement is a Masters’ degree in project management and/or business administration or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of proven practical experience in management of similar projects, experience with international organizations is a plus;
Experience in working with government institutions in GCC countries/Arab region;
Excellent management, negotiation and communication and interpersonal skills;
Experience in administrating budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Strong communication, drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Statistical Packages, etc.)

Language:

Written and spoken proficiency in both Arabic and English are required.