Jobs - 57232- National Project Officer (Open to Zambian National

National Project Officer (Open to Zambian Nationals Only)

Location :

Lusaka, ZAMBIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-8

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year, Renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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

Despite the impressive economic growth achieved in recent years, simultaneously addressing environmental sustainability; poverty and unemployment; and housing with sustainable access to energy, water and sanitation for a rapidly growing population is the defining challenge of the twenty-first century for Zambia and indeed other countries in Africa. Along the GDP growth are traces of environmental costs for present and future generations. No deliberate effort have been made for a just transition to the green economy for the sustainable use of natural resources and to harness its job and wealth creation potential while mitigating climate change. Millions are still out of employment according to recent Zambia Central Statistics Office labour force surveys and this is worsening with thousands of young people joining the labour market for the first time each year. Millions are without decent housing, energy, water and sanitation. Zambia will need to construct a house every two minutes for the next 19 years to meet the prevailing demand according to its vision 2030 aspiration and recent figures from Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

The Government of Zambia and its social partners (business and labour organizations) are responding to these economic, environmental and social challenges with the Zambia Green Jobs Programme, a 5 year (2012 – 2017) private sector development project with technical assistance from the UN System (ILO, UNEP, FAO, ITC and UNCTAD) and financial support from the Government of Finland, supporting building construction micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to competitively provide sustainable housing services, products and technology in Zambia. This is being achieved by providing MSMEs with green building policy, legal and regulatory support (UNEP); financial services (ITC), markets and business linkages (UNCTAD); business development, skills training and management practices (ILO), and green building materials, products and technology (FAO) which they need in order to grow and create 5,000 decent green jobs and improve the quality of 2,000 green jobs. This will enable rural and urban families in North-Western, Copperbelt, Central, Eastern and Southern provinces to work out of poverty towards sustainable livelihoods. The management and technical assistance of the Zambia Green Jobs Programme is coordinated by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Programme is implemented by Government, Employers (Private Sector), Workers and Civil Society Organizations as well as Community groups in Zambia.

It is in that context that a National Project Officer is sought to help the International Trade Centre (ITC) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to manage and oversee the project activities and represent both agencies at the country level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Officer works under the direct supervision of the ITC and UNCTAD Project Managers and in close collaboration with the Programme Management Team in Lusaka. The National Project Officer is responsible for the management and coordination of the ITC and UNCTAD components of the Zambia Green Jobs Programme by ensuring consistency with the objectives set out in the steering committee with the Donor for the project implementation and rules and procedures.

Specifically, the incumbent will:

Assist the ITC and UNCTAD Project Managers in Geneva, Switzerland in managing, administering and overseeing the implementation of the project and ensure that both ITC and UNCTAD procedures are adhered to;
Contribute to the development of the strategic direction of the programme at national and state levels, including conceptual frameworks, methods and communication strategies;
Contribute to the preparation of detailed project annual work plans in line with the budget and in collaboration with stakeholders, and make necessary arrangements for their successful implementation in a timely manner;
Coordinate and manage detailed work plans/budget for the projects, monitor and ensure the quality and timeliness of technical assistance and reporting on implementation of work plans;
Review progress made towards the work plan proposed as well as the stated objectives and results on a quarterly basis;
Assure the preparation of required reports (progress, quarterly or annual) in accordance to the MOU with ILO to reflect the outputs and results of the project against agreed work plans, and identify constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions; and collate the reports of the individual sub-projects for transmission to ITC and UNCTAD;
Guide and assist in developing and strengthening the capacity of MSMEs, sector associations, to be carried out in consultation with Project Managers, other UN agencies, local authorities and non-state partners;
Coordinate training activities and when appropriate participate in conducting some of the courses;
Contribute to the preparations of the terms of reference for various technical assistance assignments;
Monitor the activities, project budget and prepare ad hoc and yearly expenditure plans and reports and inform the Project Managers in a timely fashion for approval;
Support multi-stakeholder consultation platforms;
Ensure productive work relations with the Programme Management Teams and the other Project Coordinators;
Supervise administration and financial issues and review and comment on technical documents as required;
Perform other duties as requested.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Planning and Organizing:

Sound organizational skills and time management skills;
The ability to multitask and prioritize own work programme and to work independently or with minimum supervision and ability to deliver quality assignments in a timely manner is essential.

Communication:

Excellent command of spoken and written English, particularly the ability to write in a clear and concise manner and the ability to convey technical information in a user-friendly manner;
Above average oral communication skills and effective liaison with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and in various countries in Southern Africa.

Technological Awareness:

Proficiency in the MS Office packages, specifically Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Professionalism:

The ability to comprehend and articulate strategies for the building construction.

Teamwork:

Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; the ability to function effectively in a geographically dispersed virtual team; and being able to report to more than one supervisor at a time is essential.

Commitment to continuous learning:

Initiative and willingness to learn new skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Bachelors’ Degree in project management, economics, international development or closely related fields.

Experience:

At least Five years of professional experience in financial sector, SME development and advisory services or trade related technical assistance at a senior level;
Experience liaising and negotiating with senior management in financial institutions, MSMEs, donor agencies and non-government organizations;
A fair knowledge of the building construction industry in Zambia;
Working knowledge in more than one location of area of work, particularly in field positions desirable;
Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the development and implementation of national policies;
Extent and relevance of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects and relevance of experience managing projects;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work and guide the work of others under pressure and tight deadlines;
Extent and relevance of knowledge of the preparation of multi-year plans and budgets and meetings;
Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures would be an asset.

Computer Literacy:

Ability to use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and Internet);

Language:

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in writing.