PROJECT MANAGER (Assisting the Government of the Republic of Belarus in accession to the World Trade Organization through strengthening national institutional capacity and expertise)


Location : Minsk, BELARUS
Application Deadline :30-Jul-10 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Post Level :SB-5
Languages Required :
 English   Russian  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)		23-Aug-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :1 year
Expected Duration of Assignment :till 1 November 2011

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
Background:
Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a priority of Belarus’ foreign trade policy, and a means to secure stable and transparent conditions of foreign trade with international community as well as commonly shared principles of operation for investors and national producers. This is a second phase of the joint project of UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus to assist the Government in its progress towards securing WTO membership for Belarus by supporting analytical studies leading to action-oriented recommendations on issues related to WTO accession; to support training activities and workshops for policy makers, and to target the business community and academia with a variety of awareness raising activities, as a way of promoting debate on the potential costs and benefits of WTO membership for Belarus.
 
Objectives:
The particular tasks of the second phase are (1) assessing national regulations and implementing practices to evaluate compliance thereof with WTO rules and procedures;  recommending amendments to certain national rules  and regulations; (2) conducting studies on improvement and harmonization of national foreign trade regulations with WTO practices; (3) assisting in the preparation of documentation related to WTO accession, including the Factual summary and the Report of the Working party on Belarus; (4) training a pool of national experts and consultants on Belarus’ integration in the world trade system and regional trade alliances; (5) debating a range of issues related to deepening regional trade cooperation in light of WTO accession.  

Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Manager (PM) assumes overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the project activities and the achievement of the planned project outputs. He/she oversees the day-to-day development of the project. The PM works closely with the Implementing Agency (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus), the UNDP Country Office (CO) and project partners.
 
The Project Manager works under direct supervision of the UNDP Country Office and in coordination with the National Project Coordinator.
 
Key functions of the Project Manager:
  • *      Be responsible for the daily management of the project – both organizational and substantive matters;
  •         Prepare annual work plans in consultation with the Implementing Agency and the UNDP Country Office;
  • *       Supervise and coordinate the project implementation to ensure its results are in accordance with the   Project Document and the UNDP rules and procedures;
  • *       Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan, if required;
  • *       Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
  • *       Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan;
  • *       Contribute to the review of materials prepared by the expert groups;
  • *       Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
  • *       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 and agree with UNDP terms of reference for national and international consultants and subcontractors;
  • *       Participate in recruitment processes of consultants, provide regular guidance and advice to the project consultants, evaluate their performance;
  • *        Maintain regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the National Project Coordinator on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
  • *        Organize the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and follow-up of sittings, as well as perform functions of Secretary during these sittings;
  • *        Conduct project monitoring and prepare project reports according to the established procedure for evaluation of international technical assistance projects as approved by the Council of Ministers of Belarus as well as progress reports requested by the UNDP;
  • *         Organize project-related publications and articles;
  • *       Identify and share best practices in implementation and management of the project portfolio at the local and international levels;
  • *       Undertake any other actions related to the project management as requested by UNDP or the National Project Coordinator.


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:
  • Demonstrated experience in managing development projects
  • Experience in the field of international law or trade and/or related fields is desirable
  • Demonstrated strong management, coordination and facilitation skills, ability to work in team
  • Strong communication skills (oral and written)
  • Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills
  • Knowledge of UNDP systems an advantage


Required Skills and Experience
  • University degree in economy, law, management, international relations, etc.
  • Scientific degree would be an asset;
  • Minimum 5 years of progressive work experience;
  • Experience in implementing research projects or international technical assistance projects (an advantage);
  • Fluency in English and Russian
       
This is a locally recruited position
UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest.
*      
No telephone inquires will be entertained. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
All interested candidates should complete the UN PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) at the following link:
http://un.by/pdf/P11form-6957.doc and attach it to the on-line application
 
Information on conditions of UNDP contracts is contained at the link:
 

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