UNDP GEF Jobs - 58330- National Project Manager (Energy Efficient Product

National Project Manager (Energy Efficient Production and Utilization of Charcoal).

Advertised on behalf of

UNDP GEF

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

29-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

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

UNDP supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner. As a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Implementing Agency, UNDP offers countries highly specialized technical services for programme/project formulation, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based knowledge management.

Through a series of wide stakeholder consultations, a country-led project was designed by UNDP with financing from the GEF on Energy Efficient Production and Utilization of Charcoal through Innovative Technologies and Private Sector Involvement in Sierra Leone. The project aims to complement the Energy Strategic Plan by strengthening institutional capacities on biomass resource utilization as well as increased number of investments on improved, more efficient charcoal and improved cooking stoves production. The aim is to bring economic, social and environmental benefits through the production of certified charcoal from sustainably sourced feedstock and through the promotion of improved cooking stoves to reduce fuel wood demand, improve health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The project is aligned with: i) the Agenda for Prosperity (2013-2017) to promote a low carbon, climate resilient, high growth, gender sensitive, inclusive and sustainable development path; and ii) the National Forestry Policy (2010) to promote the rehabilitation and conservation of forests, soil and water resources, and other relevant national policy and legal frameworks. The project is implemented in close partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Forestry and Food Security, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

As part of the implementation phase of the project, UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office in support of the main implementing partner, the Ministry of Energy, is recruiting a national Project Manager who will oversee project implementation and ensure timely and quality delivery of planned activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Results Expected

The Project Manager will report to the UNDP Team Leader (Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Management) and will lead the delivery of the project. He/she will manage the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Implementing Partners, while ensuring compliance with UNDPs rules and regulations. 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. He/she will be responsible to advice the implementing partners on financial management and disbursement in consultation with UNDP.

Tasks include, but are not limited to the following:

Provide project implementation and management support to Implementing Partners:

Implement and manage the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Implementing Partners;
Ensure the timely delivery of planned project activities;
Act as secretary to the Steering Committee and make recommendations to the Steering Committee for effective implementation and coordination of project activities;
Coordinate and supervise other member/consultants of the project team in carrying out their duties at an optimum level through ensuring efficient and effective resource utilization;
Prepare annual/quarter results-based work plans and budgets, risks and management response and logical frameworks as endorsed by implementing partner and steering committee;
Prepare quarterly implementation status and financial reports for comments and approval by the Implementing Partners and UNDP CO;
Prepare / facilitate the conduct of annual Performance Report (APR)/Project Implementation Review (PIR), Mid-term and terminal Project Reports.

Facilitate the provision of technical and training support as required for implementation of the project:

Coordinate the establishment of project Task Teams, and organize task team meetings for experience sharing and lesson learning;
Facilitate the provision through technical consultants and other expertise of technical and strategic assistance to the Ministry of Energy in guiding the implementation of project activities, including monitoring and site operations, while assuming quality control of interventions;
Through external consultants, analyze capacity constraints at the Ministry of Energy, and where required provide hands-on support in management, planning and monitoring of activities.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge management processes:

Seek, analyze and apply knowledge, information, and best practices;
Promote knowledge management, document best practices and lessons learned from project implementation, and facilitate dissemination in appropriate format to relevant stakeholders.

Strategic Partnerships fostering:

Support in liaising with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and coordination of project activities.

Impact of Key Results

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the Project’s strategic outcomes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively work 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 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.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including Government, donors and civil society;
Proven networking, team-building, and organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in professional areas directly related to the project such as engineering, international development, or programme management.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in project management, including familiarity with donor reporting, knowledge management, and results based management processes;
Experience in implementing sustainable development projects;
Familiarity with issues relevant to renewable energy, business development, and sustainable livelihood generation;
Experience working in partnership with Government MDAs;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience with web based management systems;
Experience working with UN agencies or other international organisations would be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English.