Background

UNDP/GEF launches a new project in the area of climate change designed to assist Belarus in the initiation of green urban development by approaching its development through the use of best international practices and holistically addressing urban problems namely in the areas of sustainable transport for Polatsk and Navapolotsk, and energy efficiency in Navahrudak. The increased likelihood of success for demonstrations in smaller sized cities will also increase the replication potential of the demonstrations, a key objective of this Project.  The positive demonstration experiences generated from the Project will be able to inform the details and modalities of any proposed green urban plans for Belarus as well as associated policies, standards and regulations to implement such a plan.

With the concept of green urban development being tied to GHG emissions being new to Belarus, Project resources will be channeled into efforts to streamline the fragmented manner in which urban planning is now practiced in Belarus.  In particular, the Project will support green cities development through:

•             approaching green urban development priorities in a holistic manner utilizing best international practices;

•             fully evaluating the social and environmental impacts of any green initiatives;

•             ensuring that green initiatives undertaken are sustainable;

•             taking lessons learned from implementing green urban development to improve the design and implementation of subsequent green city initiatives; and

•             working within the existing centralized framework for urban planning in Belarus that will develop green urban development plans and best practice guides for their development and replication throughout all Belarusian municipalities. 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus is the project’s national executing agency (referred further in the text as Executing Agency). The municipalities of the Cities of Polatsk, Navapolatsk and Navahrudak are among the project key partners and will be fully involved in implementation of the respective pilot activities.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment:

The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective implementation of the project with delivery of all the intended outcomes and outputs in accordance with the Project Document within the approved budget.

Work Performed/or responsibilities:

The Project Manager will be based in Minsk. He/she will work under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Officer in close cooperation with the Executing Agency. The Project Manager is expected to:

Overall project management:

  • Assume primary responsibility for the daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning, controlling the project expenditures and general monitoring of the project;
  • Coordinate project activities to ensure project effective implementation and achievement of all the expected results in accordance with the approved GEF CEO Endorsement Request and UNDP Project Document in a cost effective manner meeting the established internal and external deadlines.

Project administrative and financial management:

  • Ensure operational project management in accordance with the project documents as approved by the donor (Global Environment Facility) and Government in line with UNDP rules and procedures for nationally executed projects, including:
  • Prepare annual work plans, including financial plans, in consultation with UNDP Country office and UNDP Regional Centre in Istanbul (where relevant), ensure the plans approval in a timely manner, ensure adherence thereto, revise work plans as required;
  • Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and budget table and budget notes as approved by GEF;
  • Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;
  • Assume overall responsibility for recruitment of project personnel and short term consultants, along with procurement of goods and services performed by the project in accordance with the Project Document and with approved annual work plans;
  • Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for national and international consultants and subcontractors in line with the approved GEF Endorsement Request and following relevant UNDP procedures. Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and ensure compliance with the agreed work plan and respective ToR securing high quality of the results;
  • Ensure adequate management of the project resources in accordance with the project budget as approved by GEF, agreed work plans and the Project Document. Ensures related record keeping;
  • Assume overall responsibility for timely reporting on project in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the logframe;
  • Prepare and timely submit project narrative annual and progress reports, including, among others, GEF Project Implementation Reviews, UNDP annual reports, GEF quarterly progress reports;
  • Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines. Ensure that financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans are met. Prepare and timely submit financial reports ensuring correctness of financial information provided. Prepare and timely submit budget revisions in accordance with the respective UNDP rules for GEF funded projects;
  • Liaise with project partners ensuring their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
  • Secure appropriate management of project assets (both, for internal use and for subsequent transfer to national beneficiaries) attaining to the respective UNDP rules and procedures;
  • Monitor risks and project impact indicators as per the project logical framework. Timely undertakes actions to eliminate/reduce risks and issues. Regularly inform UNDP and the Executive Agency on the risks and issues, and actions undertaken to eliminate/reduces these risks/issues;
  • Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project in line with the relevant UNDP/GEF procedures.

Staff supervision:

  • Guide and coordinate the work of the project team, national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plan;
  • Supervise work of the project team and ensure compliance with the agreed plans and delivery and high quality of the results in accordance with respective Terms of Reference.

Partnership building:

  • Maintain regular contacts with the UNDP Country Office, the Project National Director on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
  • Liaise with relevant ministries, other national and international relevant institutions in order to involve them in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project;
  • Ensure proper information coverage of project activities and PR in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF rules and procedures;
  • Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
  • Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus;
  • Assist in organizing negotiations on cooperation with national government bodies and potential donors in order to identify and mobilize additional resources. 

Other:

  • Undertake any other actions related to managing of the project as requested by the respective UNDP Programme Officer.

 

Competencies

 
  • Job knowledge and expertise: understanding the job requirements;  can apply practical knowledge of financial and budgeting processes; manages effectively financial, human and material resources of the project; knows the subject
  • Result Orientation: assesses the performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work; demonstrates ability to manage data and prioritize tasks; is accountable for project implementation and team deliverables, anticipates constraints and identifies solutions;
  • Communication: builds professional networks with partners, donors; communicates clearly; presents ideas clearly both in Russian and English; report writing skills; persuades others to embrace new ideas;
  • Leadership: determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solution; actively shares experience and knowledge; generates individual commitment, excitement and excellence; ability to manage conflicts and solve problems

Required Skills and Experience

  • University degree in management, environmental policy, economic affairs, law or related fields;
  • Advanced university degree in the relevant field would be an asset;
  • At least 5 years of relevant professional experience;
  • Minimum 2 years of managerial experience;
  • Working experience in the area covered by the project is an asset/
  • Work experience in managing UNDP projects in the environment and energy area will be a strong asset;
  • Fluency in Russian and English is required.