UNDP Jobs - 43906- Project Manager

Project Manager

Location :

Tbilisi with Frequent Travel to Regions, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Mar-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Tbilisi with frequent travel to regions

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 agricultural sector plays an important role in the social and economic development of Georgia. It is the dominating source of financial and non-financial income for the rural population. According to official statistics, 53% of the workforce is employed in agriculture but the sector only provides 8.39% of GDP in 2012 which declined steadily for the last decade. Farmers and rural communities have not benefited from Georgia’s economic successes of recent years and so their competitive position is declining. Rural communities are significantly poorer than urban communities. Therefore, improving agricultural productivity and income is one of the ways to help a large portion of society, alleviating poverty at the same time as maintaining jobs.

UNDP as part of its main program activities actively implements project to support agriculture through developing skills of farmers, support in application of modern technologies and knowledge, as well as supporting in access to market.

UNDP looks for suitable candidate for the position of Project Manager for the project ‘Modernization of the Vocational Education and Training and Extension Systems related to Agriculture in Georgia’ with the support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project aims to contribute to the development of a system of high quality vocational education/training and extension services to improve improved livelihoods of the rural population.

The project will contribute to the development of such a system in 3 areas:

Selected VET colleges and state Information Consultancy Centers will be assisted in the development and delivery of innovative, relevant and effective training programmes and advisory services;
Systems to produce qualified human resources (multipliers) that can offer various types of trainings and services to farmers and capacitate them with knowledge and practical skill will be set up in close collaboration with national partners and other SDC projects;
Setting up of a public private cooperation and partnership model for coordination and provision of VET and extension services in agriculture. Public and private stakeholders’ capacities will be strengthened, and cooperate under a national level platform.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

To manage and oversee the overall implementation of the Project activities;
To provide strategic advice and support to development of new partnerships between public and private stakeholders;
To assure quality of the studies, assessments and capacity development activities planned under the project .

To manage and oversee the overall implementation of the Project activities:

Supervise implementation of project activities as per the Project Document and the Project Board decisions;
Prepare project progress reports, external communications and other documentation related to the project implementation;
Prepare annual work plans, budgets and their revisions;
Manage and execute the approved budget, and ensure timely payments;
Identify areas which require support from external consultants, and organize their recruitment process;
Plan, organize and participate in assessment of the procurement processes;
Draft contracts and agreements as per UNDP rules and regulations and monitor their implementation;
Perform monitoring and performance evaluation of subordinated staff;
Serve as a secretary on the Project Board and provide organisational support to the Advisory Committee;
Perform other duties as required.

To provide strategic advice and support to development of new partnerships between public and private stakeholders:

Support to development of the national level policy dialogue between the Ministries of Agriculture and Education and Science and other stakeholders for developing cooperation in VET and Extension services;
Ensure development of national level cooperation format (platform) between public and private stakeholders in provision of high quality vocational education and extension services in agriculture;
Provide advice to UNDP and guidance to project team on developing the mechanisms for building new partnerships and creating an enabling environment for implementing;
Provide substantive contribution to the UNDP CO for various reports, studies and briefs on project-related matters;
Organize and participate in development of new concepts, strategic plans and support in fund-raising activities.

To assure quality of the studies, assessments and capacity development activities planned under the project:

Plan and contribute to the development of knowledge products (analytical reports, working papers, strategies/concepts, surveys, studies, mapping exercises and other) within the project;
Organize selection process of consultants for the knowledge products;
Organize policy and follow-up discussions of implementing business plans, organizational development strategies, study tours and other capacity development activities;
Plan and monitor capacity assessments, capacity development plans and study tours and knowledge dissemination as envisaged by the project;
Monitor progress and ensure timely corrective actions for the project contractors on proper operational project delivery and contractors’ performance;
Liaise with counterparts in the preparation of cooperation agreements, such as letters of agreement (LOA) including activities, work plans, indicators, their monitoring scheme, budget and schedule of payments and, ensure that such agreements are up to date and that activities are not undertaken beyond contractual period;
Review financial reports submitted by counterparts and liaise with counterparts to ensure the transparent and accountable use of funds provided in the framework of LoAs;
Ensure regular monitoring and data collection of project activities and provision of work-plan and progress reports to UNDP.

Impact of Results:

At the end of the project the Project Managers should ensure achievement of the following main results:

Selected public vocational colleges and state Information Consultancy Centers are capable to develop and deliver innovative, relevant and effective training programmes and advisory services for farmers;
Systems to produce qualified human resources (multipliers) who can offer various types of trainings and services to farmers are set up in close collaboration with national partners and other SDC projects;
Public -private cooperation and partnership model for coordination and provision of VET and extension services in agriculture is developed;
Public and private stakeholders’ capacities will be strengthened, and cooperate under a national level platform.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of program, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responses positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calms, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree or equivalent in Agriculture and education (preferably vocational education management) or related disciplines Strong research and analytical skills;
Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows).

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of professional experience in agriculture development and vocational education;
Knowledge and experience of development of PPP schemes in VET and extension in agriculture;
Experience of working with public sector, private sector and donor organizations on institutional development or similar projects are an asset;
Experience in monitoring and evaluation of agricultural and professional education/employment projects is desirable;
Negotiating and training/facilitation skills;
Experience in UNDP-implemented projects and initiation and management of development projects, especially agriculture, professional education and employment;
Understanding of UNDP and the UN system, including thorough knowledge of its practices and procedures will be a strong asset;
Initiative and sound judgment, dedication to the UN principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds;
Familiarity with the CIS/Southern Caucasus region; previous working experience in the region would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of Russian highly desirable; knowledge of Georgian an asset.