UNDP Jobs - 60570- National Programme Officer

National Programme Officer - Sustainable Land Management (SLM)

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, Public Entities, Non-Governmental Organisations, 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 Environment Affairs (DEA) and UNDP for administrative and financial matters, and DEA for technical matters. The PM will be based at the offices of DEA 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 project administrator.

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

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee and manage project implementation, monitor work progress, and ensure timely delivery of outputs;
Head the PMU;
Report to the PB regarding project progress;
Develop and facilitate implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system;
Ensure timely preparation of detailed AWPs and budgets for approval by PB;
Organise the PB meetings;
Write ToRs for National Experts;
Assist in the identification, selection and recruitment of project staff and experts as required;
Supervise, coordinate and facilitate the work of the Project and Finance Assistant, Responsible Parties, M&E specialist, national focal point and technical unit (including national and international experts);
Control expenditures and assure adequate management of resources;
Provide a quarterly update of the expenses of the previous three months and the expenses expected for the next three months to UNDP;
Establish linkages and networks with the ongoing activities of other government and non-government agencies;
Provide input to management and technical reports and other documents as described in the M&E plan for the overall project;
Reports should contain detailed assessments of progress in implementing activities, including reasons for delays, if any, and recommendations on necessary improvements;
Participate in training activities, report writing and facilitation of expert activities that are relevant to his or her area of expertise;
Inform the PB immediately of any issue or risk which might jeopardise the success of the project;
Provide on-the-ground information for UNDP progress reports;
Liaise and coordinate with UNDP TM on a regular basis.

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 in environment, natural resources management, agriculture or a closely related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience including at least 5 years experience as a lead project manager in relevant sectors;
Demonstrated solid knowledge of sustainable land management, as well as adaptation to climate change, ecological restoration and sustainable exploitation of natural resources;
Experience in the public participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development is an asset;
Experience in working and collaborating within governments is an asset as well as experience in GEF projects.

Language:

Fluent in English including writing and communication skills.