UNDP Jobs - 55970- Project Manager (Open to Citizens of Turkmenistan

Project Manager (Open to Citizens of Turkmenistan Only)

Location :

Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

25-May-2015

Application Deadline :

08-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year with possible extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Project

“Social inclusion through leadership skills for disabled women in Turkmenistan” (completion of project is expected in June 2015)

“ Enhancing social inclusion of people with disabilities through mainstreaming inclusive approach into the vocational trainings institutions” (continuation in new project till June 2016).

The overall objective of two projects is to promote social inclusion of people with disabilities through policy dialogue and partnership.

The project activities of the first project will create opportunities for hearing and visually impaired women from different regions to obtain new knowledge on democracy, the rule of law, modern social and economics processes, gender and practice their leadership skills in disability organizations. This approach will fill knowledge gaps and build women’s capacity and confidence for realization of their leadership and expand opportunities for them and other women to be a part of mainstream society and promote the rights of women with disabilities.

Secondly, the project will focus on capacity building of women managers with disabilities on communications, advocating and networking and promoting rights of women with disabilities. The most successful women will have opportunity to take managerial positions inside the disability organization.

Thirdly, the project will create opportunities for hearing and visually impaired women to practice their leadership skills in disability organizations and to increase their engagement in policy dialogues through organizing meetings and forum discussions with representatives of relevant policy makers and national stakeholders.

The second project aims to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs) through mainstreaming an inclusive approach into selected vocational training institutions.

The project strategy focuses on four major areas as follows:

Establish a forum to engage relevant stakeholders, to discuss a design for an inclusive model to facilitate PWDs to participate in training courses conducted by selected vocational institutions, in keeping with the revised legislation;
Review and revise the current Ministry of Textile vocational training programme (existing 10 month programme) together with Ministries of Education with the view to integrate an inclusive model ensuring the needs of the PWDs have been accommodated;
Assist the Ministry of Textiles to prepare the necessary training materials and processes to accommodate potential PWDs in the 10 month training;
Support potential PWDs applicants for the course to strengthen their applications for enrollment to the course.

The project activities will enable PWDs to increase access to vocational trainings and possible jobs for PWDs. The primary beneficiary group of the project will be the members of the Deaf and Blind Society (DBST).

The project implementation modality is national implementation. The project will be implemented over a period of 1.5 year. The Deaf and Blind Society of Turkmenistan of Turkmenistan is the national institution responsible for the implementation of the project with full project implementation support to be provided by UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall responsibilities

The Project Manager has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Project Board and under direct supervision of UNDP National Programme Analyst who will also play a role of quality assurance. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

National Ownership and Capacity development of national partners:

Share with the national partners relevant international good practices related to project activities and conduct relevant training as appropriate;
Engage DBS’s staff on the daily management of the projects and ensure that project activities are carried out together with targeted national partners;
Exchange and strengthen the knowledge of DBS staff where appropriate for specific project activities with the purpose to improve the systems and procedures. Transfer knowledge of project implementation through peer-to-peer support and on-the-job trainings.

Overall project management:

Manage the realization of project outputs through activities;
Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
Liaise with the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
Responsible for project administration;
Liaise with any suppliers;
May also perform Team Manager and Project Support roles;

Running a project:

Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;
Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
Prepare the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and donors, if applicable;
Prepare the Annual review Report, and submit the report to the Project Board and donors, if applicable;
Based on the review, prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans if required;
Undertake in country travel to project site(s) if necessary.

Closing a Project:

Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project and donors, if applicable;
Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

Detail Description of Specific Responsibilities:

Project personnel management

Lead in creating an enabling environment including collaboration and teamwork amongst all project personnel;
Mentor and guide project team to increase their understanding and capacities on project issues;
Assign specific duties and tasks to specific individuals according to their Terms of Reference; ensure their full understanding of expectations; daily supervise and provide continuous support to all project team members;
Undertake individual performance assessments on an annual basis (or other period for Consultants/Contractors), acknowledging achievements and providing regular constructive performance feedback;
While giving all professional personnel the “space” to carry out their professional duties, ensure that guidance and support are available whenever needed;
Ensure that Project staff enjoy the conditions of employment as stipulated by UNDP, together with the responsibilities of their positions;
Require regular (as agreed), formal and informal reporting on progress with the achievement of assigned tasks;
Promote knowledge building and sharing with implementing partner(s) and project team including lessons learnt and synthesis of best practices.

Financial resources management:

Act as financial manager and retain the ultimate responsibility for project financial resources for accountability purposes;
Ensure total accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Project financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures;
Lead the project team in preparation of all necessary financial reports to accompany Project quarterly and annual work plans and reports;
Supervise inventory and asset verification processes; certify accuracy of produced reports.

Project partnership and outreach:

Serve as the Project’s ambassador and advocate within the broader Central and Local Government systems and with local communities;
Create and foster a good working relationship with the media (print, radio and television);
Contribute to the preparation and production of public information material;
Establish and maintain good working relationships and cooperation with peer project managers from other related projects within Turkmenistan and if necessary the Central Asia region;
Build and promote effective working relationships with the Project’s key partners at the local level (where applicable Local Government, village leaders, communities, locals NGOs, the private sector, etc).;
Work closely with partners to ensure that their activities/programmes are integrated and complementary with those of the project.

Project planning, reporting and monitoring:

Lead the preparation process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities, with active engagement of the implementing partner(s) and the participation of all project team; retain the ultimate responsibility for the finished plans and submit them to the implementing partner authority and UNDP for their concurrence;
Lead the implementation of the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan;
Carry out monitoring visits to Project sites on a regular basis if and when necessary; survey (informally) the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders;
Collate the results of monitoring, analyze them, and formulate proposals for adaptive management measures for consideration by the Project Board;
Lead preparation of and present plans, progress and other reports and other background materials them to each Project Board meeting, noting progress and achievements, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration;
Implement and follow up the decisions and advice of the Project Board;
Respond to request for reports on Project management and implementation from any key project stakeholder;
Report to the implementing partner authority and UNDP on any aspect of Project management and implementation whenever required.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Effective team leadership, excellent inter-personal and conflict resolution skills;
Good analytical and planning skills; ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis;
Strong managerial skills, results-orientation, and ability to work under pressure;
Excellent networking and partnering capacity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in social science, sociology, labor, demography, political science, public administration, public policy, law, economics, civil service or any other relevant discipline.

Experience:

At least 3 years of supervisory and management experience;
Management experience in implementing development, especially within the UN system or other international development agencies is a strong asset;
Microsoft Office proficiency; ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Language:

Fluency in English and Russian;
Knowledge of Turkmen is strong asset.