UNDP Jobs - 58759- Project Manager (Open to Georgian Nationals Only)

Project Manager (Open to Georgian Nationals Only)

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months, with possibility of extension

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 is seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage the 3 year project Harmonization of information management for improved knowledge and monitoring of the global environment in Georgia. The goal of the project is to make the best practices and innovative approaches, for meeting and sustaining the Rio Conventions, available and accessible for implementation through national development policies and programmes.

The immediate objective is to develop individual and organizational capacities in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, and the Environmental Information and Education Centre for improved monitoring of environmental impacts and trends for elaboration of collaborative environmental management.

The project strategy is built around the two components:

Development of coordinated information management and monitoring system. The access and use of information and knowledge through improved decision-support mechanisms and the development of an environmental information and knowledge system;
Enhancing Capacities for evidence-based policy making and management. Under this component, the project will help by creating and enhancing capacities for management and implementation of convention guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project and supervision of the implementation process on behalf of the Project Board and within the constraints and guidelines applicable for UNDP projects.

The Primary responsibility of the Project Manager is to ensure that the project produces and achieves the objectives specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Ensures effective management of the project and supervision of the project team focusing on achieving the following results:

Manage the realization of project outputs through activities according to the approved project work plan through:

Effective application of results-based management tools, establishment of benchmarks, indicators and targets and, monitoring and reporting of achievement of results;
Planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the project, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Day-to-day management and supervision of the project ensuring that the expected outputs are completed on time and they comply with specific project criteria and quality requirements;
Mobilization of goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications for experts and lead experts’ recruitment processes, oversee procurement processes and technical evaluations;
Monitoring of events as determined in the Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, and update the plan as required;
Management of requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, such as requests for direct payments;
Monitoring of financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Organization and supervision the workshops and trainings needed during the project;
Initiate, in coordination with the UNDP, the Project Board, and ensure that the Project acts as the Secretariat for the Board (calling for meetings, preparing and consulting on agenda, steering discussions, follow-up on decisions, keep members informed on the progress, etc.);
Undertake adaptive management to achieve the project objectives and respond to challenges and difficulties in a pro-active and dynamic manner;
Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
Establish and manage office facilities as needed to support project activities;
Prepare the Project Progress Reports, Annual Review and Final Review (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance on a regular basis;
Based on the review, prepare the Annual Work Plan and Quarterly Plans, if required;
Knowledge sharing on project-related issues with UNDP and project staff, national counterparts and communities of practice;
Performing liaison function between project office and UNDP;
Ensuring visibility of project results, and of all relevant partners, in line with UNDP rules and requirements.

In addition, specific tasks and responsibilities of the proposed assignment include, but are not limited to the following:

Supervision of project support staff, national consultants and contractor organizations who are hired to provide technical assistance;
Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria established in the Project Results Framework;
Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the UNDP Project Document appraised by the LPAC, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
To prepare & perform awareness campaign & presentations to target audiences (decision makers, universities, general public), as required;
Attend as appropriate national, regional and international events to enhance information sharing and dissemination and lessons learned;
Establish continuous liaison with UNDP Communications team to ensure timely dissemination of project updates through media and other sources;
Participate in, & contribute to, the regional activities and network established by the UNDP and the GEF; a network for influence, exchange, support, capacity-development and knowledge management;
Liaises with the relevant ministries, national and international research institutes, NGOs, and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in project activities, and to gather and disseminate information, best practices and lessons learnt relevant to the project;
Perform other duties as required.

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.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
A proven ability to manage budgets;
A proven ability to provide financial and progress reports in accordance with reporting schedules;
Good ICT skills;
Oral, communications and presentation skills and competence in handling project’s external relations at all levels.

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 good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project.
Strong leadership, managerial and team-building skills, committed to enhancing and bringing additional value to the work of the team as a whole.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree from accredited Universities (MSc) or equivalent in environmental sciences, natural resource management, economy, public administration or other related field.

Experience:

A minimum of five years’ experience in project development and management, related to Biodiversity or Climate change or land degradation;
Proven experience in facilitating and chairing meetings and/or workshops;
Expertise in putting together results-oriented action plans;
Management experience for projects/programmes, funded by international organizations or funds, and demonstrated capacity to actively explore new, innovativeimplementation and financing mechanisms to achieve the project objective is desired;
Good understanding of Georgia’s environment protection/development issues as well as of the thematic areas under investigations;
Demonstrated experience and success in the engagement of and in working with government, donors and the United Nations system.

Language:

Fluency in English and Georgian.