Background

This is a locally recruited position

Only the UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) will be considered for screening of applications!  It can be downloaded at the following link:UNDP Personal History Form
 
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.


General background information on the context of the engagement:

UNDP/EU launch a new project in the area of energy efficiency in Belarus with a special focus on public buildings (schools). The project will be implemented in three oblasts of Belarus: Minsk, Vitebsk and Grodno. Selection of the project target territories was done in accordance with country’s priorities and needs articulated by the Energy Efficiency Department of the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus (EED) - the national Executing Agency for this project. Specific districts and sites for the main project interventions will be selected at the implementation stage of the project.

The project comprises two components:
- Component 1: Public awareness and training in energy efficiency for local stakeholders in target districts.
Local residents and government authorities in the targeted districts require practical information on how to deal with energy efficiency issues. Activities under component 1 consider information needs of target districts and ensure they are coherent with local agendas on energy efficiency. The form of delivery and content of the information on energy efficiency issues will be adjusted by project personnel for specific target groups with respect to their differences including age and needs. The education and training activities will raise the capacity of individuals in energy efficiency, promote their awareness of energy-saving measures, build the capacity of the key institutions and local actors to duplicate such initiatives and thus contribute to sustainable development of the regions. Public awareness and capacity building interventions under Component 1 will promote educated and motivated citizens’ participation in addressing energy efficiency issues as well as create solid preconditions for further self-organized EE initiatives at a local level.        

- Component 2: Energy efficiency pilot projects implemented via a competitive grants scheme.
Implementation of Component 2 activities will ensure wide participation of interested organizations in the competition for pilot EE initiatives; open running of the competitive process; organizing an objective and unbiased selection of the most appropriate sites. The mechanism of target financing of EE activities on the basis of pilot sites will allow selecting, implementing, and finally demonstrating the effectiveness of application of EE technologies and practices at the local level.  The use of competitive grants scheme will provide stakeholders and local governments with new experience in participation in competitive process, grants application design, and EU-UNDP standards in delivery of grants.

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 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 EU requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the Project Document;
• Prepare and timely submit project narrative annual and progress reports, including, among others, UNDP annual reports and other progress reports upon request of the national Executing Agency, UNDP and EU.
• 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 EU 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/EU 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 EU 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

• Understanding of development and energy efficiency issues, national public institutional arrangements;
• Initiative and strong leadership skills;
• Result and client-orientations;
• Strong analytical, communication and management skills; Excellent interpersonal and cross cultural communication skills, ability to work in a team and to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;
• 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;
• Solid PC user skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree in the areas of Energy/Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management, Business Administration, Management or a related field;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience. Working experience in the field of Energy Efficiency would be a strong asset;
• Successful 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 is highly desirable.  
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Russian are essential; Familiarity and prior experience with UNDP and/or EU project related requirements and procedures are considered as a strong asset.