Background

 

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Governance Reforms, Pro-Poor Policy Reforms, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment Management, with the overarching aim of reducing poverty in Indonesia. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in a variety of crosscutting initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and information and technology for development.

Organizational Context

The Aceh Government Transformation Program (AGTP) is a strategic initiative designed to support the transition process by strengthening the capacity of the provincial government to:

1. assume the responsibilities and functions of BRR when its term expires, and
2. implement policies and deliver services under the new local autonomy framework

This proposal has emerged from eight months of discussions between the Provincial Government of Aceh, BRR, BAPPENAS, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and key donors about the need for a strategic and systematic approach to the transfer of assets and functions assumed by BRR during the post-tsunami recovery and to the general strengthening of provincial government institutions to better manage the additional resources and responsibilities that accompany local autonomy.

The AGTP supports two main areas:

• Technical Assistance, which has two components:
  Component 1a - TA for governor’s office – in 7 critical areas (HR, Anti Corruption, Transition, Legal, Economy, Communications and MIS) with supporting team for each area.
  Component 1b - TA for government administration (BADAN, Biro and DINAS) to support each institution.
• Capacity Building, which has two components:
  Component 2a - Immediate capacity building needs, which includes formal training for heads and other capacity building for each institution.
  Component 2b- Sustainable capacity building, which involves a reform of DIKLAT to become the advanced “Aceh Civil Service College”.

The first area provides short-term assistance for the transfer of assets and responsibilities from BRR to the provincial Government. While the second area provides technical support and training for institution capacity building and reform of the provincial administration. Both of these areas dovetail in the larger objective of supporting the transition from post-tsunami recovery and post-conflict rehabilitation to long-term development for ongoing peace and prosperity in the province.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

The Senior Project Manager  will provide strategic and management leadership in setting up and managing the AGTP. This includes both management and substantive functions. On the management level he/she is tasked to develop and manage the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Banda Aceh and ensure positive rapports with the local governments in Aceh and the national level governments and the donor community.

On the substantive level he/she is tasked with providing detailed input into the project content and design and overseeing its implementation. This includes the appraisal of technical documentation and the production of technical reports. The Senior Project Manager will be assisted by the PMU team (including the International Senior Technical Advisor) as well as consultants for specific tasks in implementing the work.

Function / Expected Results:

The Senior Project Manager will discharge the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Stakeholder / Partner Relationship and Support
a. Build and maintain close cooperative relationship with relevant stakeholders and partners in Aceh including but not limiting to provincial and district government agencies, the dinas, BRR, civil society organizations, academic institutions, media, development organizations, etc.
b. Provide technical assistance and advice on governance to relevant stakeholders and partners in Aceh, particularly the provincial and district governments and their agencies and BRR, as necessary.
c. Conduct / participate in coordination meetings, forums and other relevant events in Aceh to be abreast of issues in local governance in Aceh and guide discussions in the areas of UNDP supports. 

2. Resource Mobilization and Donor Relation.
In close coordination with UNDP Indonesia’s Governance Unit:
a. Develop a strong understanding of and a positive rapport with the donor community.
b. Keep the donor community abreast on the progress of the AGTP.
c. Identify potential donors for AGTP and secure their interest in the project.
d. Mobilize resources needed for AGTP.
e. Comply with the requirements of the donors that provide support to AGTP (reporting, communication requirements, etc.).

3. Management Arrangement of the AGTP.
Under the guidance from and coordination with UNDP Indonesia Governance Unit,
a. Understand UNDP policies and procedures relevant to AGTP.
b. Set up the structure of AGTP PMU.
c. Recruit and lead personnel involved in the project implementation.
d. Set up the operating procedures of AGTP within the PMU and with UNDP Country Office and the Provincial Government.
e. Develop TORs of all positions in the PMU.
f. Recruit staff with support from UNDP.
g. Train staff with support from the Governance Unit and Operations Units.
h. Build the teamwork and provide leadership to the team.
i. Supervise and conduct performance evaluation of direct reports.

4. Implement the project.
a. Ensure strategic direction of the project and synergies between the project components.
b. Develop annual plans in participatory and transparent manner.
c. Lead the development of quarterly work and budget plans.
d. Ensure implementation is done according to the plans.
e. Ensure quality program delivery.
f. Ensure quality administration and financial management in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
g. Ensure quality reporting is done timely.

5. Implementation of Immediate Response Activities
a. Identify needs for immediate response activities.
b. Design the activities and conduct proper consultations on the activities with relevant stakeholders.
c. Working with other UNDP staff in Jakarta and Banda Aceh, implement the immediate response activities.

6. Monitoring & Evaluation and Audit
a. Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly work and budget plans.
b. Monitor and evaluate activities implemented by partners or contractors.
c. Liaise with the implementing agency and UNDP on the conduct of project evaluation and ensure access by the evaluators to project documentation, personnel, and institutions involved in the project.
d. Liaise with UNDP on the conduct or project financial audit and/or management audit.
e. Ensure that audit recommendations are complied with.
f. Assist UNDP Program Manager/Officer in closing the project operationally and financially in accordance with the rules and regulations of UNDP and in close coordination with the implementing partner.

7. Other duties as assigned by Project Board

The outputs of the assignment in the first year are: (a) a project document that is strategically developed, properly consulted with and has the buy-in from the relevant government stakeholders, discussed and approved by the Project Approval Committee (PAC); (b) external funding and donor reporting management is arranged and implemented; (c) the management arrangement of the AGTP is defined; (d) the PMU is set up and fully staffed. Advisors and consultants are hired. (e) 2008 annual work and budget plan is developed and approved; (f) quarterly reports are developed; (g) external communications and visibility are planned and implemented; (h) positive rapports with government and donor community is established; (i) the PMU team is provided with clear guidance and leadership; (j) project is implemented fully as planned.

Competencies

 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Has a vision and provide clear directives to support to team members with the assigned tasks.
• Competent in leading team and creating team spirit, stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent fashion.

Project Management

• Has strong managerial competency with experience in results based management and results oriented approach to project implementation.
• Ability to lead implementation and monitoring of development projects.
• Has demonstrated knowledge and experience in working on bureaucratic reform and/or decentralization initiatives and existing networks of experts and policy makers.
• Appreciates and have a firm grasp of the political dynamics of locality in attaining project goals and objectives.

Communications and Networking

• Has excellent written communication skill, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.
• Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Encourages a work culture of continuous learning, information sharing, and professional development.
• Shares knowledge and experience; and actively mentors PMU staff under her/his supervision.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Qualifications :

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:
 
Minimum Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Management or related field.

Experience:

1. A minimum of 10 years of experience in dealing with capacity building, local governance and decentralization initiative, civil service reform, public administration reform, etc.
2. At least 5 years of large scale programme and project management experience.
3. Demonstrated experience in working with government, especially at sub-national level
4. Ability to provide team leadership with strong interpersonal and communications skills, and with the ability to motivate a team.
5. Ability to interact at high political levels in a diplomatic manner.
6. Excellent contacts and network within Aceh and Jakarta at level of provincial and district government, central government, civil society and donor community.
7. Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize strategic intervention.
8. Awareness and ability to conceptualize gender sensitive issues.
9. Familiarity of UNDP system, rules and procedures is an advantage.

A minimum of 10 years of experience in dealing with capacity building, local governance and decentralization initiative, civil service reform, public administration reform, etc.

Language Requirements:
 
Fluency in both written and oral English and Bahasa Indonesia. Working knowledge in Acehnese language is desirable.

"Female candidates are encouraged to apply"