Background

Adequate supply of sustainable energy is a prerequisite for strengthening rural livelihoods in DPR Korea, including agricultural activities, small-scale industrial processes (such as food processing) and public services (such as rural medical clinics, hospitals, schools, nurseries and kindergartens), and for meeting energy demand by rural households.

The UNDP Project “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Rural Livelihoods in DPRK” (SES) is aligned with CP Outcome 6: "Strengthened enabling environment for use of conventional energy, and accessibility of alternative energy sources, and strategies in adaptation and mitigation to climate change", specifically Output 6.1 "Improved rural energy supply through development and utilization of renewable and conventional sources". Indirect contributions are expected to CP Outcome 3 ("Increased standards of living and sustainable livelihood") as well as synergies with CP 4 and 5.

The project is thus consistent with the overarching goal of contributing to sustainable human development in DPRK and with the pursuit of the MDGs, particularly MDG 7, and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently under discussion.

The objective of this Project is to provide rural counties, community-level organizations and local (Ri-level) social service facilities with adequate, secure and reliable access to renewable energy (RE) resources and cost-effective energy efficiency (EE) and energy conservation technologies for meeting basic energy demands under appropriate operational modalities.

The Project will create county and Ri-level capacity for energy planning and resource management, thereby strengthening the resilience of local communities.

Strong linkages are made with ecosystem management, disaster prevention, and socio-economic development interventions in rural areas.

The Project specifically targets the needs of rural, low-income population in counties and rural community-level organizations in DPR Korea.

The outputs of the project are as follows:

• Output 1:  Information about energy resources and feasible RE/EE solutions updated and made accessible to local beneficiaries;
• Output 2: Increased technical know-how of county-level personnel for energy planning and sustainable management of local renewable energy resources;
• Output 3: Strengthened supply chains for the delivery of appropriate RE/EE solutions for local communities in rural areas;
• Output 4: Increased energy security and self-reliance of rural population through the implementation of RE/EE solutions for local communities.

A Project Manager (PM) is required to coordinate the management and implementation of the project.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP DPRK, and working closely with the CO M&E Specialist, the Project Manager will manage and coordinate the implementation of the SES project.

The Project Manager will monitor and oversee the progress of project implementation in all aspects (operations and processes, including budget and financial management, work planning, procurement, recruitment, audit, monitoring, evaluation and reporting functions, as well as coordination with counterparts, partners and relevant stakeholders).

Highest standards of integrity, discretion and commitment to UN/DP principles are essential as well as ability to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality of outputs working under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Managing the day-to-day activities of the SES project;
• Ensuring effective coordination and information sharing on project activities with relevant stakeholders;
• Provision of technical guidance and advise to relevant counterparts on programmatic and project implementation issues with a view to ensuring that effective assistance flows directly to targeted beneficiaries;
• Ensuring assessments of energy demand and solution patterns are completed and technical assistance is provided effectively to support community-level counterparts and partners.

Managing the day-to-day activities of the SES project:

• Manage the implementation of SES project activities in line with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) based on annual Work Plan, including cost effective financial management and budget execution;
• Plan and coordinate implementation of project activities with counterparts, and monitoring project progress towards project results by maintaining a hands-on overall knowledge of, and personal involvement with, all project activities as per the Project’s Annual Work Plan (AWP), Quarterly Plans (if required) and Budget. This includes the establishment of an M&E framework and system, including the organization and conduct of regular field monitoring missions to target areas/sites;
• Initiate, follow-up and finalize all required recruitment and procurement actions with operations units, for mobilizing goods and services, including drafting terms of reference, requests for proposals and other required work specifications and related documentation, supervise the performance of the project team members to ensure that all tasks are?executed in a sound and timely manner, in order to meet the objectives of the project;
• Ensure that all required changes to the ProDoc take place, are based on changing project circumstances or on lessons learned during project implementation, and all significant changes are fully documented and justified, and are formally signed off by the DCD/CD/RR as needed;
• Prepare Annual Work Plans and adhering to physical and financial progress; timely submission of QPR [Quarterly Progress Reports] and APR [Annual Progress Reports];
• Organize/convene PSC meetings as per UNDP DIM procedures, prepare and present timely and accurate project status reports to the PSC;
• Monitor project progress towards project results by maintaining a hands-on overall knowledge of, and personal involvement with, all project activities;
• Ensure timely progress of activities and project implementation as per the ProDoc;
• Ensure that all required changes to the ProDoc take place, are based on changing project circumstances or on lessons learned during project implementation, and all significant changes are fully documented and justified, and are formally signed off by the DCD/CD/RR as needed;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including budget revisions if required;
• Ensure a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan and system is developed and implemented, and M&E reports are finalized and circulated in a timely manner;
• Monitor, update and submit project risks and issues log to the Project Steering Committee for consideration and decision on possible management and risk mitigation actions (if required), and ensure all project risks and issues are addressed / resolved effectively and in a timely manner;
• Ensure that Atlas Project Management module is updated on a quarterly basis;
• Effectively promote inter-programme synergies between SES and other UNDP projects in DPRK.

Ensuring effective information sharing on project activities with relevant stakeholders:

• Meetings with relevant stakeholders on project implementation to ensure synergies with other development projects;
• Ensure coordination with similar livelihoods support projects implemented by other development partners (If required). This includes effective liaison and coordination with other UN agencies and NGO livelihood actors and related programmes and projects, to share information, identify synergies and programme activities suitable for sustainable rural development;
• Participate in inter-agency working groups and initiatives to promote RE/EE development in DPRK;
• Undertake joint trainings, assessments, field missions and other activities in support of the implementation of the RE/EE development programme. Establish joint planning and assessment missions and meetings with UNCT member agencies in DPRK;
• Establish joint information sharing and reporting platforms for effective communication with relevant stakeholders.

Provision of technical guidance and advise to counterparts on programmatic and project implementation issues, with a view to ensuring that effective assistance flows directly to targeted beneficiaries:

• Advice and support relevant counterparts in decision making on project implementation;
• Ensure that project standards and policies are maintained, communicated appropriately to counterparts, partners and other stakeholders;
• Oversee the delivery rates of every output of the project and take necessary measures (if required).

Ensuring assessments of energy demand and solution patterns are completed and technical assistance is provided effectively to support community-level counterparts and partners:

• Oversee and coordinate provision of technical assistance to counterparts and relevant stakeholders to support an appropriate level of understanding of RE/EE development requirements;
• Assessments of energy demand and solution patterns are organize and technical assistance to support county/Ri-level counterparts is provided, and relevant strategy is developed and implemented;
• Appropriate training and related support to community level capacity activities for relevant country level staff are effectively implemented.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• In-depth knowledge on development issues;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, and mobilize resources;
• Good knowledge of the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, PRINCE2 and ATLAS Finance;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change;
• Strong IT skills.

Management and Leadership:

• Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Lead teams effectively and show conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Energy, Physics, Business Management or relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant international experiences in managing large projects in special development context, preferably in the area of rural energy projects;
• Experience in working with government and other national institutions and counterparts, UN agencies, international NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in a complex environment;
• Candidates must have practical experience and sound knowledge of development issues in socialist/centrally planned economies. Good knowledge of regional and sub-regional rural energy development issues is essential;
• Experience with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and PRINCE2 (project management), including experience with ATLAS Finance (resource management system) would be advantage;
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint);
• Knowledge of North-East Asia, Korean peninsula in particular, is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English required;
• Korean language skills desirable.