UNDP Jobs - 64835- Project Manager

Project Manager

Location :

Maroua, CAMEROON

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English French

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

The Far North of Cameroon, which is bordered by Nigeria in the west, Chad in the east, and Cameroon North Region in the south, has a population of 3,993,007 occupying a territory of 34,263 km², i.e., 18% of the overall population (22,179,707 inhabitants) of the country is living on 7% of its territory (made up of 466,050 km² of continental land), making the Far North the second most populated region, after the Centre. It has a Sudano-Sahelian climate (on the northern part) and Sudano-Sahelian dry tropical climate (from the centre to the south), which is characterized by recurring dry spells, with a rainy season normally occurring between July and September. The region and its inhabitants are particularly vulnerable to climate change and changes in weather patterns. Recurring natural disasters such as droughts and floods ?which tend to increase in frequency and severity with climate change?, together with volatility of markets that are resulting, constantly push many households and communities of the Far North into chronic vulnerability.

According to the results of the national households survey (ECAM 4) carried out in 2014, 74.3% of the population of the Far North live under poverty line making of this region the poorest of the country. This inter alia the result of the successive shocks such as droughts and floods and the very limited income generation opportunities offered to the active population.

While being an important region for production (and consumption) of cereals ?principally sorghum and millet, the Far North faces a chronic food deficit owing to its vulnerability to climatic fluctuations, not to mention the pachyderms, insect (locusts) and granivorous birds invasions occurring on a regular basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Project Manager will have the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of UNDP. The Project Manager is responsible of the management and decision-making of the project.

Provide leadership for UNDP work in the areas covered by the project:

Advise UNDP and partners on policy issues around Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization;
Develop strategy and coordinate overall UNDP support human security, early recovery and de-radicalization thematic in collaboration with other UN Agencies;
Identify and promote coordinated approaches of the areas covered by the project among international partners, participating in various policy or partnership forum(s);
Ensure that UNDPs engagement is in line with UNDP rules and regulations and responding to relevant UNDP strategies.

Policy advisory services and strategic technical guidance on the areas covered by the project for enhancing resilience and conflict prevention in the Far North and East Regions issues:

Provide vision and policy direction to UNDP and its partners on Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization and play an active role in policy advice, strategic thinking, and knowledge sharing;
Conduct or oversee analytical work including institutional capacity assessments and policy reviews related to Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization activities;
Support the Country Office and the UN Country team if necessary, in the areas of Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization, peace building and conflict prevention, and developing gender sensitive approaches and human rights based strategies;
In collaboration with other UNDP programme experts (ARRs, CTAs and other thematic specialists), external partners and stakeholders, national and international develop activities of Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization and conflict prevention on community level, inter and intra community dialogue, community stabilization, conflict prevention, reintegration through community recovery;
Provide analytical capacity to the Country Office enabling its role in Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization and conflict prevention;
Ensure that Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization and conflict prevention are programmatically coherent and harmoniously integrated within the programmatic framework.

The Project Manager is responsible for the management, planning, implementation and oversight of the Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization:

Ensure overall responsibility for the management of the programme by assuring the implementation of necessary UNDP standards;
Manage the direct implementation by planning and oversight of different steps of the implementation process, take timely decisions and actions to ensure results are achieved, while ensuring coherence between various programmatic components;
Ensure baselines are developed whenever possible, to allow for proper oversight and monitoring of results and programme impact;
Ensure overall supervision of the programme implementation in the Regions Concerned (East and Far North);
Establish work plans, activities, budgets, operational plans, tools and methodologies to ensure efficient project implementation;
Draft/Oversees the drafting of progress reports and presentations and ensures quality financial and narrative reporting to concerned partners in line with pre-determined deadlines (at least quarterly);
Provide programmatic and technical advice to the Programme management in CMR on the approach, based on identified needs. The Project Manager will ensure that needs of different specific target groups, including women and youth as well as displaced population groups are taken into account;
Ensure linkages and integration of various pillars under the Programme whenever possible;
Identify key partner activities to ensure UNDP initiatives in this area complements ongoing/ planned Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization activities (both geographically as well as in terms of approach);
Identify potential partners for achieving the intended results and mobilize funds to supplement the project funds in close collaboration with the Country Office;
Formulate an exit strategy for early recovery programs developed in 2015 and 2016.

Building strategic partnerships:

Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful Programme and project delivery;
Coordinate and collaborate with clients, partners and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results;
build effective partnerships with AFD , UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF and other key humanitarian/development players in the Far North region;
Identify new partners and mobilize funds in collaboration with the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UNDP Headquarters and donors.

Overall project management:

As the Project Manager / Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization for enhancing resilience and conflict prevention in the Far North and East Regions, she/he will be responsible for the implementation of Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization and conflict Prevention initiatives which will comprise strategic planning, partnership building, resource mobilization and the provision of technical assistance as well as the implementation of planned activities to strengthen the concerned thematic of host communities leading to resilience.
Enable partners to be more effective through working in collaboration with other humanitarian and development actors in accordance with the principle of partnership. The Project Manager (i) provides accountable leadership, facilitating all activities and maintaining a strategic vision; (ii) ensures coordination regarding the areas covered, e.g. Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization, conflict prevention, with other stakeholders and cross-cutting issues; (iii) is responsible for developing the Programme action plans and monitoring their implementation and ensures that the action plans are coherent with the priorities outlined in the Human security, early recovery and de-radicalization strategic framework developed by the Country Office and the overall Strategic Response Plan.
Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
Liaise with the Project Board 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;
Engage with relevant national counterparts to assess the situation of women affected by violent conflict, and especially sexual violence, and support the building of national and local capacities for addressing the impact of conflict on women;
Assist in building a network of partners and stakeholders to strengthen the incorporation of a conflict and peacebuilding-sensitive lens across all development programs and support the implementation conflict assessments in conjunction with other key actors (Government, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs, traditional authorities, etc.);
Responsible for Project administration;
Liaise with any suppliers and implementing partners;
Act as Team Manager and supervise experts and consultants as required;
Pursue most appropriate and/or innovative approaches and methodology for maximum programme impact and sustainability;
Advise UNDP senior management on the direction, strategies and technical issues of the programme.

Running Project

Plan the activities of the project 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 using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
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 Brief 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.
Prepare the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to Project Assurance and the Project Board;
Formulate an early recovery and resilience strategy for the region;
Facilitate and ensure the effective functioning of the ER Group in the Far North by convening weekly meetings and sharing the meeting reports with the HC and OCHA;

M&E, Reporting and Communication

Organize the evaluation of the ER project implemented in 2015.
Develop M&E online information system for measuring projects’ impact, and report on the progress;
In addition to regular reporting to the UNDP CMR Country Office, regularly liaise with partners and other UN Agencies and NGOs, and other key actors in order to share lessons and resolve common challenges;
Report on a regular basis on progress vis-à-vis a clear outline of duties and expected results on regular basis as well as work plans to relevant staff;
Preparation of various communication initiatives, including a monthly progress report, input to UNDP County Office newsletter and input to the UNDP cooperate website.

Building knowledge and capacity

Introduce innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application;
Access UNDP’s worldwide and regional knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, distill best practices and ensure its dissemination for organizational and stakeholders learning and sharing;
Liaise with other departments within UNDP as needed;
Actively support knowledge building, sharing and applying in the project.

Closing Project

Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to UNDP and the Project Board;
Prepare evaluation TOR as required;
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/FACE for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

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
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

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 strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (Masters or PhD) preferably in Economics, Political or social Sciences, International relations, Development, Project Management, or other related areas or professional experience equivalent to the required level.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years’ experience with at least 5 years of international experience in institutional capacity building, early recovery, peacebuilding and economic regeneration;
Experience in project management preferably with UNDP;
At least 3 years (out of the 10 years) of work experience in crisis, post-conflict and/or humanitarian setting;
Experience in project management preferably with UNDP;
At least 3 years (out of the 10 years) of work experience in crisis, post-conflict and/or humanitarian setting.
Knowledge of 3*6 Methodology.

Language:

Fluency in French and English is required and other working languages in the regions (Foufoulde, Baya) is desirable.