UNDP Jobs - 56633- Regional Project Coordinator

Regional Project Coordinator

Location :

Vavuniya, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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

The Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED) will serve as one of UNDP’s umbrella delivery programme for strengthening local governance capacities and improving socio-economic opportunities in identified vulnerable regions of the country in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.

The Project GLED will comprise of 4 main outputs.

Vulnerable Groups enabled to engage in sustainable local economic development initiatives;
Local level governance institutions plan and manage service delivery with increased effectiveness and inclusiveness;
Policy makers and development partners have an increased knowledge on good practices and lessons learned on local economic development and local governance to policy decisions;
Vulnerable communities have increased skills and ability to participate in local governance activities.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Assistant Country Director – Governance for Empowerment and Social Inclusion (GESI) and direct supervision of the Programme Manager – GLED, the Regional Project Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring smooth operations of the GLED Programme. He/she will be responsible to the Programme Manager – GLED in supporting programs/projects in planning, designing, implementing, training/guiding, monitoring and evaluating interventions and play an active role in coordination, technical assistance and advocacy with Government Agencies, local community and other stakeholders.
S/He will serve as the extended arm of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in the field and work closely with the PIU and fields based project staff and liaise with Government authorities in the districts, project partners, including vendors, contractors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions :

Lead the GLED programme at the regional level by serving as the coordination focal point with respect of GLED interventions at the district level, represent programme in forums and mechanisms that require agency focal points; and promote partnership-building with respect to external stakeholders, in accordance with instructive guidance provided by the GLED management;
Assume responsibility for implementation of GLED programme at the regional level and ensure the achievement of programme results frameworks through successful management of project portfolio, in accordance with the strategies and work plans provided by the Programme Implementation Unit;
Assume organizational responsibility for monitoring of field office operations, including the coordination of shared resources and common services and harmonization of operational procedures and systems, in accordance with instructive guidance provided by the GLED management;
Directly Monitor the work of the district based Field Project Specialists in the region and overall responsible for monitoring the work of GLED staff in the region, with a view to achieving Programme results as identified in the log frame;
Directly monitor the work of the Field Admin and Finance Associate in the region;
Perform any other tasks assigned by the Supervisor.

Function/ Expected Results:

Lead the GLED programme at the Regional level by serving as the coordination focal point with respect of programme interventions, represent GLED in forums and mechanisms that require agency focal point; and lead partnership-building on behalf of GLED with respect to external stakeholders, in accordance with instructive guidance provided by the PIU:

Maintains a comprehensive overview of GLED interventions in the region through regular communication with other UNDP project focal points in the district;
Convenes periodic meetings with all UNDP project focal points in the region to facilitate information-sharing, identify opportunities for cross-project collaboration and synthesize best practices and lessons learned;
Facilitates opportunities for cross-project planning and implementation through joint field visits, joint needs assessments and technical assessments;
Ensures strong coordination, partnership and/or programmatic integration with government officials, UN agencies and other implementing partners at the regionallevel;
Coordinates closely with other UNDP field offices and promotes mutual support and knowledge sharing;
Participates in meetings and mechanisms that call for agency representation at the district-level;
Represents GLED where necessary with respect to external stakeholders, including Government meetings and donor missions and serves as a clearing-house for information between GLED programme focal points and external stakeholders.

Function/ Expected Results: Assume responsibility for implementation of GLED projects at the regional level and ensure the achievement of programme results frameworks at the regional level through successful management of GLED’s project portfolio, in accordance with the strategies and work plans provided by the PIU:

GLED programme development, strategic planning, oversight, implementation, monitoring and reporting;
Ensures proper implementation of the GLED regional project portfolio based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the most critical recovery and development needs, response capacities, operational environment and applicable security issues;
Ensures integrated, results-based planning, budgeting and utilization of management (administrative) and development (programme) resources of GLED to the portfolio of the region in line with established policies and procedures;
Ensures effective application of RBM tools, monitors regional work plans in line with the annual work plan, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
Ensures the integrity of financial systems, the consistent application of rules and regulations;
Oversees implementation and coordination of programme with different stakeholders including Government Agent, Divisional Secretary, Government Departments, I/NGOs, UN agencies and CBOs;
Oversees monitoring and facilitation of the evaluation of project and sub-projects being implemented at the regional level, including the periodic monitoring of implementing partners;
Ensures reporting of GLED project both qualitatively and quantitatively to PIU;
Ensures provision of technical assistance and capacity-building to institutions and beneficiaries supported directly or indirectly by the programme;
Supports and facilitates external evaluations, audits and donor assessments and missions.

Function/ Expected Results: Assume organizational responsibility for monitoring of field office operations, including the coordination of shared resources and common services and harmonization of operational procedures and systems, in accordance with instructive guidance provided by the GLED management:

Oversees the effective provision of financial, human resources, procurement and logistics in the region;
Ensures that joint arrangement benefits to provide efficient and economical support services to the implementation of the programme;
Ensures smooth running of the field offices in the region by ensuring management, supervision, finance, administrative matters are carried out in accordance with relevant UNDP rules and procedures;
Supports audit of GLED project and implementation of audit recommendations.

Function/ Expected Results: Directly Monitor the work of the district based Field Project Specialists in the region and overall responsible for monitoring the work of GLED staff in the region, with a view to achieving programme results as identified in the log frame;

Supervise the work delegated to the district based Field Project Specialists and the Field Admin Finance Associate in the region;
Play a key role in recruitment of GLED staff in conjunction with UNDP Country Office and PIU, and in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures;
Assumes responsibility for improvement of management and performance of all staff in the region in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.
Performs any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Impact of Results:
The key results will support Sustainable Governance for Local Economic Development activities most appropriate to the project locations in the Districts and effective implementation of project work plans, in close consultation and collaboration with Government and other development partners. Greater understanding of and long term vision for government led inclusive local economic development in the programme and Increased options for engaging with the Public/Private sector in the programme.

Competencies

Corporate 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.

Functional Competencies:

Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
Substantial knowledge of Socio-Economic Development;
Experience working in the District or similar regions in Sri Lanka;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
A self-starter and able to inspire and influence action;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside UNDP;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, and possesses mentoring and conflict resolution skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills, proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Public administration, Economics, Agriculture, Agriculture Economics or similar from an accredited University is required with 5 years OR Bachelors with 7 years.

Experience:

Experience in the area of Governance and Local Economic Development, Livelihood development, SME development and private sector engagement. Prior experience with UNDP/UN system would be an advantage;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations;
Working experience with Institutions involved in sustainable development/ community empowerment/ natural resource management;
Experience in working with NGOs and civil society, and with participatory approaches;
Computer literacy is essential.

Language Requirement:

Demonstrates strong oral and written English communication skills, along with Tamil and/or Sinhala.

Note:

Vacancy is open to Sri Lankan nationals only.