UNDP Jobs - 62209- Project Management Specialist

Project Management Specialist

Location :

Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

04-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

18-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 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

Practice Area: Environment and Energy

Project: UNDP/AF/MNP "Addressing climate change risks to farming systems in Turkmenistan at national and community level" (AF)

Type of contract: Service Contract

Level: SB – 5 (step 4 / USD 2,146)

Duration: Until the end of 2016

Water availability and affordability is crucial to maintaining economic growth and social cohesion within the agricultural sector. This is particularly challenging when viewed against the projected climatic baseline set out in the Second National Communication for the UNFCCC (forthcoming). The Government of Turkmenistan is fully aware of these challenges. To meet these challenges, the government is focused on implementation of large scale water infrastructure investment designed to maximise storage and supply capacity. This is aimed at the support of large scale farming of strategic staple crops under the national procurement system (cotton, wheat, rice, sugar beet). Water efficiency infrastructure, such as sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, is also being integrated into these large scale farming operations. Even so, recent analysis undertaken within the UN Investment and Financial Flow project, and findings within the Second National Communication indicate that such supply side measures are unlikely to be sufficient to meet the overall projected water deficit over the next 20 years.

To support government’s efforts, UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Nature Protection has been implementing since 2011 a project of “Addressing climate change risks to farming systems in Turkmenistan at national and community level” financed by the Adaptation Fund. The main objective of the project is to strengthen water management practices at both local and national levels in response to climate change-induced water scarcity risks that are increasingly affecting farming systems in Turkmenistan. The project delivers concrete water adaptation measures to local vulnerable communities in the three typical agro-ecological regions, while also strengthening national level water legislation and pricing to ensure water availability for the non-state sector farmers.

Currently the project has entered into a new phase, where it requires to analyse critically what the results of its activities are so far, especially the results of local adaptation measures (pilots). From these results, it requires to draw evidence and new proposals for additional innovative measures. For this purpose the project engaged a Chief Technical Advisor, who is guiding this process. For the implementation of the new evidence collection and analysis, as well as for the planning and conducting of the new innovative measures, the project seeks to fill in a position of a project management specialist. The incumbent of such post will manage the project activities and will lead the implementation of analysis and innovative measures.

For more detailed information about this project as well as other UNDP Turkmenistan environmental projects please visit: www.tm.undp.org.

Project Management Arrangements

The Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP) is the government institution responsible for the implementation of the project and acts as the Implementing Agency (EA). UNDP is providing support to the implementing agency (IA) in managing the project inputs towards attaining project results. A Project Board (PB) was established and serves as the project’s coordination and decision-making body. The PB is responsible for ensuring that the project remains on course to deliver products of the required quality to meet the outcomes defined in the project document.

The MNP has nominated head of department, who serves as the National Project Director (NPD) for the project implementation. The NPD chairs the Project Board (PB), and is responsible for providing government oversight and guidance to the project implementation.

UNDP Portfolio Manager on Environment is assigned with the responsibility for the day-to-day quality assurance of the project implementation.

The day-to-day management of the project is ensured by a team, lead by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and a project management specialist, supported by project experts and an administrative team located in the UNDP office, called Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The current description is made for the position of the project management specialist. He or she will report to the Portfolio Manager and the CTA. The project management team is accountable to the PB for the project results and the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the activities carried out, as well as for the use of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall responsibilities:

The Project Management Specialist (PMS) has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Board under the guidance of the CTA and the Portfolio Manager. The PMS is responsible for day-to-day management, advisory guidance and decision-making for the project. The PMS 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. In addition he or she will lead analysis of results of pilot activities and will manage innovative measures within the project.

Working under the supervision of the UNDP Portfolio Manager of Environment to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the project staff and PIU, the incumbent will be responsible for leading and advising the Project Team in the day-to-day implementation of the Project and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.

PMS responsibilities would include advisory and management functions. Advisory functions include technical guidance and quality assistance on technology, innovation and research that the project is promoting. Management functions would include the overall management, daily running of the project and stage of the project closure.

Advisory functions:

Under the guidance of the CTA, finalize and implement the set of ongoing and proposed irrigation and water management measures (design, scope of work, selection of construction material, implementation approach in the relevant pilot regions based on the investment plans, and ensure that the measures promote innovation;

By closely monitoring the work at the local level through regular monitoring visits to the 3 project regions (Sakar-Chaga, Karakum and Nohur), analyse the effectiveness of implementing adaptation measures (irrigation and water management) and make recommendations on their further improvements; draw recommendations and propose synthesis of findings;
Under the guidance of the CTA, review and finalize a set of proposals and implementation plans for the introduction of innovative and more efficient irrigation and water management techniques for all the three pilot areas, and agree an implementation budget with the CTA;
Take lead, based on the CTA advice, in specifying, evaluating and procuring any necessary equipment for the demonstration sites in all the three pilot areas;
Oversee the implementation of the irrigation and water management demonstration sites in all the three pilot areas, and provide advice on training the local project team and community in its operation and management;
Guided by the CTA, review a set of proposals that are prepared and submitted under “the water user association (WUA) framework”, funding of which is expected from the project in the form of grants or no-credit mechanisms, and prepare a technical evaluation and feasibility assessment for each proposal;
Guided by the CTA, develop and implement a research plan for the project, linked to project measures, as a tool to measure the scientific and economic impact of the project interventions and ensure implementation of research works to result in research reports or publications;
Ensure that research and innovation results reach the targeted beneficiaries for better informed decision-making and are used in project monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

Management functions:

Manage the delivery of project outputs through activities;
Ensure effective implementation of the CTA’s direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
Liaise with the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
Responsible for project administration;
Plan the detailed actions according to annual work plans of the project approved by the Project Board and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;
Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement;
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Document and Inception Report, 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;
Prepare the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance;
Prepare and finalize project progress reports (PPRs);
Prepare the Annual review Report, and submit the report to the Project Board;
Based on the review, prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans if required;
Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board;
Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner;
Prepare and finalize the project exit strategy and handover/transfer process.

Competencies

Technical expertise to appreciate project aims;
Ability to speak the “language” with experts;
Good analytical and planning skills;
Ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis;
Excellent inter-personal skills;
Good communicator at all levels from political decision-makers to grassroots communities;
Strong managerial skills;
Results-orientation, team-building and leadership skills;
Ethics and integrity;
Decisiveness, independence;
Good judgement;
Ability to work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A postgraduate degree in any of the following areas: Environmental Science/ Policy/ Management, Water Management/Hydrology, Agriculture, Development Studies, Public Administration and other related fields;

Experience:

At least 5 years of management experience in implementing development projects in the field of environment, preferably within the UN system or other international development agencies;
Proficient technical knowledge and understanding of sustainable water and land management practices in Turkmenistan;
Broad experience working at the central and local levels in Turkmenistan;
Ability to use information technology as a tool and resource
Proficiency in computer skills - word processing, spread sheets, etc;

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken Russian and English;
Knowledge of Turkmen will be an asset.