Background

Environment and natural resources management in Zambia is spread across various ministries, namely, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Ministry of Energy and Water Development , Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Health. These have been charged with the responsibility of guiding the management and development of wildlife, medical waste, land and forest resources as well as climate change issues. However, sustainable management of the environment and natural resources requires the application of an integrated approach across the sectors to meet the goals of diverse beneficiaries.

As part of efforts to address development, climate change and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner, the government has secured funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to implement a project on Reducing UPOPs and Mercury Releases from the Health Sector in Africa.

The project will promote best practices and techniques for health-care waste management with the aim of minimizing or eliminating releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to help countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The project will also support these countries in phasing-down the use of Mercury containing medical devices and products, while improving practices for Mercury containing wastes with the objective to reduce releases of Mercury in support of countries’ future obligations under the Minamata Convention. Finally, because the project will improve the healthcare waste management chain (e.g. classification, segregation, storage, transport and disposal) it is assumed that it will reduce the spread of infections both at healthcare facility level as well as in places where healthcare waste is being handled.

The government is looking for a Project Manager to support and provide technical advice to the implementing agency and also serve as head of the Project Implementation Project (PIU), to be based at the Ministry of Health in Lusaka. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Director MoH, and also reporting to the Assistant Resident Representative at UNDP, she/he will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. She/he will be tasked with the day-to-day management of project activities.  The Project Manager’s prime responsibility will be to ensure that the project produces the planned outputs and achieves the planned indicators and indicator targets by undertaking necessary activities specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. This will require linking the indicators to the work plan to ensure Results-Based Management.

The Project Manager will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the project and will perform a liaison role with other Ministries with GEF funded projects like Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of Energy and Water Development, UNDP, NGOs and other project partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures implementation of programme strategies and objectives focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supervising and coordinating the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the Government  and UNDP/ GEF  procedures;
• Ensuring adherence to the project’s work plan, preparing revisions of the work plan, if required;
•  Support  Ministry of Health  in monitoring the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions;
• Provide technical assistance and co-ordination for sustainable management of medical waste and uptake of efficient medical waste management technologies.

Ensure effective management of the medical waste project achieving the following results:

• Overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
• Preparing, and agreeing with  Ministry of Health on, terms of reference for consultants and subcontractors, guiding the work of consultants and subcontractors and overseeing compliance with the agreed work plan and assuring technical co-ordination among consultants to be hired;
• Assume primary responsibility for daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project;
• Day-to-day management of project activities, as well as producing all required Quarterly and Annual Progress and Financial Reports as well as quarterly and annual work plans/budgets, the Project Inception Report, Project  Implementation Reports  and the Project Terminal Report and administrative reporting;
•   Assuming overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
• Maintaining regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Management on project implementation issues of their respective competence and undertake any other actions related to the project implementation as requested by  key  stakeholders;
• Following up on all project issues with the line government ministries and organizations and institutions related to the project;
• Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the log frame;
• Preparing Reports on the project’s National Steering Committee Meetings and, following up on issues raised by the Steering Committee.

Ensure creation of strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Meeting government obligations under the project and performing a liaison role with the Government, UNDP, NGOs and other project partners;
• Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
• Build and consolidate strategic partnerships for enhanced project results and resource mobilization.

Ensure provision of capacity development advice services focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to improving effective management and financial sustainability of protected areas;
• Capacity development assessment and determine the best way of addressing the gaps.

Facilitate Knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
• Preparation of policy briefs for advocacy for enhancement of effective management of protected areas;
• Preparation of articles for communicating the project progress and results.

Asset management:

• Ensure effective management of Project assets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to objectives and mission of the project;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Promotes knowledge management in the project and learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.

Results-Based Project Development and Management:

• Assess project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across project activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitor specific stages of project/implementation.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyses and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced degree in science or engineering related to health care, or an advanced degree in health care.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years’ previous related professional experience with preference given to candidates with professional experience in medical waste management;
• Five years’ experience working with hospitals, health institutions, and health-related governmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Demonstrated professional experience and expertise in hospital waste management approaches, including experience in the design and implementation of sustainable, hospital-specific waste minimization and management programs;
• Ability to analyze guidance documents, tools, and other resources related to health-care waste management;
• Demonstration of commitment to the Project’s mission, vision and values;
• Knowledge of existing medical waste management system and challenges in the Zambia;
• Experience in data gathering and research especially in a medical environment;
•  Good knowledge of the various types of the medical structures in the country;
• Familiarity with chemicals management and the linkage between exposure to chemicals and health.

Language:

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.