UNDP Jobs - 32473- Project Manager, Improving Energy Efficiency in re

Project Manager, Improving Energy Efficiency in residential buildings in Belarus project

Location :

Minsk, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Nov-2012

Application Deadline :

21-Oct-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

extendable up to three years

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

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

Please complete and attach the UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) to your on-line application. It can be downloaded from UNDP Personal History Form

UNDP/GEF launches a new project in the area of energy efficiency “Improving energy efficiency in residential buildings in the Republic of Belarus”. The objective of the project is to reduce the energy consumption and related GHG emissions with the focus on new residential buildings by introducing new performance based building design and construction standards with related energy certification scheme(s) and by ensuring their effective implementation and enforcement.

By this, the energy consumption of new buildings is sought to be cut by at least 70% compared to the existing building stock constructed before 1993 and by 40% compared to the buildings erected in accordance with the current construction norms and thermal standards in place. The project will support the i) strengthening of the legal and regulatory framework; ii) training of local experts and other key stakeholders; iii) construction of three EE demo buildings to test and gain practical experience on different EE solutions; and iv) related outreach and dissemination of the lesson learnt.

The Energy Efficiency Department under the State Committee on Standardization of Belarus is the project’s national executing agency (referred further in the text as Executing Agency), with the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of Belarus acting as a key partner.

Objective of the assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective implementation of the project with delivery of all the intended outcomes and outputs in accordance with the Project Document within the approved budget.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PM will be based in Minsk. He/she will work under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Officer in close cooperation with the Executing Agency and the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of Belarus. The Project Manager is expected to:

Overall project management:

Assume primary responsibility for the daily project management both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning, controlling the project expenditures and general monitoring of the project;
Coordinate project activities to ensure project effective implementation and achievement of all the expected results in accordance with the approved Project Document in a cost effective manner meeting the established internal and external deadlines.

Project administrative and financial management:

Ensure operational project management in accordance with the project document and the UNDP rules and procedures for nationally executed projects, including:
Prepare annual work plans, including financial plans, in consultation with UNDP and the Energy Efficiency Department, ensure the plans approval in a timely manner, ensure adherence thereto, revise work plans as required;
Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and budget;
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 Terms of Reference (ToR) for national and international consultants and subcontractors in line with the relevant UNDP procedures. Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and ensure compliance with the agreed work plan and respective ToR securing high quality of the results;
Ensure adequate management of the project resources in accordance with the approved project budget, agreed work plans and the Project Document. Ensures related record keeping;
Assume overall responsibility for timely reporting on project in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the logframe;
Prepare and timely submit project narrative annual and progress reports, including, among others, Project Implementation Reviews, UNDP annual reports, GEF quarterly progress reports;
Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines. Ensure that financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans are met. Prepare and timely submit financial reports ensuring correctness of financial information provided. Prepare and timely submit budget revisions in accordance with the respective UNDP rules for GEF funded projects;
Liaise with project partners ensuring their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
Secure appropriate management of project assets (both, for internal use and for subsequent transfer to national beneficiaries) attaining to the respective UNDP rules and procedures;
Monitor risks and project impact indicators as per the project logical framework. Timely undertakes actions to eliminate/reduce risks and issues. Regularly inform UNDP and the Executive Agency on the risks and issues, and actions undertaken to eliminate/reduces these risks/issues;
Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project in line with the relevant UNDP/GEF procedures.

Staff supervision:

Guide and coordinate the work of the project permanent staff, national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plan;
Supervise work of the project staff and ensure compliance with the agreed plans and delivery and high quality of the results in accordance with respective Terms of Reference.

Partnership building:

Maintain regular contacts with the UNDP Country Office, the Project National Coordinator on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
Liaise with relevant ministries, other national and international relevant institutions in order to involve them in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project;
Ensure proper information coverage of project activities and PR in accordance with the respective UNDP and GEF rules and procedures;
Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus;
Assist in organizing negotiations on cooperation with national government bodies and potential donors in order to identify and mobilize additional resources.

Competencies

Solid knowledge of international experiences, state of the art approaches and best practices in building energy efficiency and its sustainable promotion (by applying different policy measures, new financing mechanisms etc.) would be an asset;
Good analytical and problem solving skills and ability to adaptive management with prompt action on the conclusion and recommendations coming out from the project’s regular monitoring and self-assessment activities as well as from external evaluations;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills and ability to work effectively with international organizations, donors, NGOs and private sector;
Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, focusing on impacts and results for the stakeholder and responding positively to feedback;
Strong written communication skills, including presentation skills;
Ability to stay calm and in control under pressure;
Proven ability to manage financial, human and material resources in project environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in engineering, natural or technical sciences. At least 10 years of professional experience preferably in the fields of energy efficiency or construction;
At least 3 years of experience in managing projects of similar complexity and nature, including demonstrated capacity to actively explore new, innovative implementation and financing mechanisms to achieve project objectives;
Demonstrated experience and success in the engagement of and working with the state and private sectors and NGOs, creating effective partnerships;
Ability and demonstrated success to lead a team, effectively organise its work and motivate its members and other project counterparts to effectively work towards the project’s objectives and outcomes;.
Familiarity and prior experience with UNDP and GEF requirements and procedures are considered as a strong asset;
Fluency in Russian;
Fluency in spoken and written English. Ability to write reports in English;
Computer literacy.