UNDP Jobs - 60569- National Programme Manager

National Programme Manager - South Africa Wind Energy Project (SAWEP II) - (Open to South African Nationals Only)

Location :

Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

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 Project Manager (PM) will be selected jointly by the executing agency and UNDP, in consultation with the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Adviser from the UNDP/GEF Regional Co-ordination Unit, through an open and competitive process.

The PM’s 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. As such, the PM will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs; supervision of project staff, consultants and sub-contractors; and acting as a liaison with the Government, UNDP, private sector partners and other stakeholders, and maintaining close collaboration with donor agencies providing co-financing.

The PM will report to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) on overall progress of project activities. For on-going administrative and reporting functions, the PM will be responsible to the Department of Energy (DoE) and UNDP for administrative and financial matters, and DoE for technical matters. The PM will be based at the offices of DoE in Pretoria, and the will benefit from support services of the UNDP Country Office. Such services will include financial reporting, as well as the procurement of consultants for the implementation of specific technical assistance (TA) components of the project. The PM will also be supported by a nationally -recruited Wind Energy Specialist.

The services of either individual consultants or consulting companies will be procured in accordance with applicable UNDP/GEF guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document;
Mobilise all project inputs in accordance with procedures for nationally implemented projects;
Lead the preparation of consultants’ and sub-contractors’ terms of reference, identification and selection of national and international sub-contractors/consultants, cost estimation, time scheduling, contracting, and reporting on project activities and budget, and supervise and coordinate the work of all consultants and sub-contractors;
In close liaison with the implementing partners, prepare and revise project work and financial plans;
Liaise with relevant Government agencies, private partners, and all other partners for effective coordination of all project activities;
Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, and other oversight agencies;
Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from stakeholders;
Report progress of project to the PSC, and ensure the fulfilment of PSC directives;
Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant projects nationally and internationally;
Ensure the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
Assist relevant Government agencies and implementing partners with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training, thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
Carry out regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and activities;
Undertake other management duties that contribute to the effective implementation of the project.

Competencies

People Skills:

Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent, and credible behaviour;
Respect individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Strategic Partnering and Networking:

Initiates and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal /external /bilateral/ public/ private/ Government);
Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.

Results-Orientation:

Proactive, problem-solving and result-oriented attitude;
Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

Communication:

Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to deal with team management and financial management;
Sound and proven management skills and ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with counterparts;
Ability to build strong relationships with counterparts, focus on impact and result for the counterparts and respond positively to feedback;
Openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to remain calm and in control while under pressure;
Ability to work independently and take initiatives when and if needed;
Deep understanding of both South African macro and microeconomic environment.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating and safeguarding ethics and integrity of UNDP;
Demonstrating corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Communicating effectively with colleagues;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encouraging the learning of others;
Informed and transparent decision-making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in engineering, economics, energy or other relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the utility/energy field;
Experience in project management;
Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals and results-focused reports.
Strong presentation and reporting skills;
Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Proven experience working with Government, private sector, civil society, international organisations or donors in combination with the knowledge of economic and financial analysis, institutional, regulatory and policy frameworks;
Good knowledge of climate change and energy issues;
Prior knowledge and experience of the political, social and environmental factors and issues related to energy development and climate change mitigation;
Knowledge of and experience with operational modalities and procedures of UNDP and/or GEF highly desirable;
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Language:

Excellent English, both written and oral.