Antecedentes

The project Support to Elections during the Transition Period (SETP) aims to support the Government of Yemen (GoY), and the Supreme Commission on Elections and Referenda (SCER), in particular, in reinforcing the electoral cycle by conducting fair, open and inclusive elections within the terms of the agreed Transition Initiative (signed in Riyadh on 23 November, 2011 by the ruling and the opposition parties). The project adopted a two-phase approach: phase one focused on the early Presidential elections which took place on 21 February, 2012; and phase two, which will focus on electoral legal reforms, supporting the update to the voter registry, technical support to the expected referendum on a new/revised Constitution, as well as post-referendum elections, including support to enhance inclusion and participation in electoral processes. Support to the capacity building of the SCER will be reinforced during both phases.

The political agreement in Yemen is expected not only to put an end to the acute political crisis in Yemen, but also to open a new unprecedented possibility for cardinal change and target-oriented reforms aimed at enhancing the principles of democratic governance, the rule of law, political, economic and cultural development. These changes, however, cannot come over night. The transition period began with the announcement of early elections and the formation of a new Government, which will take important steps, such as the adoption of a new constitution and legislation, formation and smooth functioning of a government of national unity, decentralization and enhancing local governance, socio-economic reforms and considerable empowerment of women and youth. The UN will support the political transition of Yemen through the UN Stabilization Framework and focus on key areas of the transition including electoral support (to include an updated voter registry) and as outlined in the Transition Initiative.

The drastically increased intensity of the electoral events and their significance and importance in the transition requires that a separate Election Support Unit (ESU) be formed to conduct all the necessary preparatory and coordination work in order to meet the tremendous challenge of the transition period in an appropriate and targeted manner. In the 24-month period outlined under Phase II of the transitional process, the role of the elections, including voter registration, implementation assurances and public awareness and education of electoral legal reforms and the administration of a prospective referendum and post-referendum elections will be crucial to the success of the transitional period in Yemen. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

In order the meet the operational challenges of the elections, the CO is looking for an experienced project manager, working under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), to support the project operational management and administration of the project management unit (PMU).

The Project manager will have the following tasks - all in accordance with UNDP rules, procedures and standards:

• Compliant financial resources management;
• Efficient procurement services;
• Efficient human resource management and general administration of the project;
• Any other task in the area of operations management for elections as requested by the CTA.

Provision of advice on operational policies pertaining to project implementation and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure compliance of the project’s operational implementation process;
• Review annual/quarterly work and budget plans and detailed implementation plans in coordination with the project team;
• Oversee the staff of the project management unit: administration, procurement, finance;
• Stay abreast of policy changes related to project policies, procedures and financial management and brief PMU staff on the changes.

Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial activities, financial recording/reporting system;
• Implementation of effective internal controls such as maintenance of the internal expenditures control system;
• Proper planning and expenditure tracking of financial resources;
• Monitoring of financial delivery against work plans and preparation of relevant periodic reports.

Ensure provision of efficient procurement and logistical services, and supervision of team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Procurement strategies including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, and quality management
• Review terms of reference to ensure the quality of inputs to be procured;
• Preparation of an annual procurement plan, with an indicative list of goods and services as identified in the annual work plan;
• Coordination of the procurement process with the Procurement Unit of UNDP Yemen.

Ensure efficient human resource management and general administration of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compliance with UNDP rules and regulations for recruitment and human resource management for the project;
• Preparation of recruitment plan and elaboration of job descriptions for required elections staffing;
• Support to recruitment process and work closely with the HR unit of the UNDP Yemen office;
• Proper management of project assets oject documents, subsequent revisions, personnel, training, procurement, inventory, project budget and revisions, project reports, studies as well as other supporting documentation, correspondence etc.);
• Ensure timely transfer of project assets to counterparts upon project termination.

Ensure project reporting on a timely basis, including weekly, quarterly and yearly reporting – to include the oversight of project minutes of meeting and the maintenance of an electronic and hardcopy filing system for the project.

Coordinate donor meetings and other project related meetings; include project board meetings and other similar events.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead monitoring of development projects;
• Solid knowledge in financial resources, contracts, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems, and affect staff behaviour/attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Communications and Networking

• Has good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Has good written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in Business Administration, Operations Management, Social Sciences, International Development, Economics or  related fields.

• 7 years relevant work experience, at least 5 of which involve similar senior experience of operational management of projects or programmes;
• Experience in relation to electoral management (preferred);
• Experience of sustaining high level professional relations with leading Government officials in sensitive political environments;
• Substantive project operational management experience, including detailed working knowledge of human resources, procurement, ICT, finance, asset management and logistics;
• A sound track record of experience in an international setting with the UN or with international organisations, or similar context;
• Experience of managing financial resources;
• Worked in a post-conflict environments;
• Experience of the Arab region, is an asset;
• Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Front Page, Adobe In-Design and web-based management systems;
• Knowledge of UNDP electoral assistance procedures is an advantage.
• Practical familiarity with UNDP project management principles and practices.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.