Antecedentes

Project Title/Department: UNDP/AF “Developing climate resilience of farming communities in the drought prone parts of Uzbekistan”/Environment and Energy Unit

Duration of the service: 6 months with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance

Work status (full time / part time): Full-time

The adaptation needs arise when the anticipated risks or experienced impacts of climate change require action to ensure the safety of populations and the security of assets. Adaptation measures are increasing and becoming more integrated within wider policy frameworks. Integration, while it remains a challenge, streamlines the adaptation planning and decision making process and embeds climate sensitive thinking in existing and new institutions and organizations. This can help avoid mismatches with the objectives of development planning, facilitates the blending of multiple funding streams and reduces the possibility of maladaptive actions.

The frequent occurrence of drought, an overall trend of aridification and projected drying of Uzbekistan’s poorest region, Karakalpakstan, place serious strains on water availability, is causing a decline in land productivity and in turn of the ability of rural poor to withstand the current and future impacts of climate change.

The objective of the new large-scaled UNDP/Adaptation Fund (AF)/Government of Uzbekistan project is to develop climate resilience of farming and pastoral communities in the drought prone parts of Uzbekistan, specifically Karakalpakstan. The project will help the central, regional and local governments and vulnerable farmers and pastoralists to withstand the current and future impacts of climate change: aridification and projected drying of this region that places serious strains on water availability resulting in a decline in land productivity.

Under direct supervision of the Head of Environment and Energy Unit, the Project Manager is fully responsible for operational and programmatic management of the project according to the project document, UNDP corporate rules and procedures. The main task of the Project Manager (PM) will be to lead a team of national and international staff towards the successful implementation of the project. The PM will have the overall responsibility for ensuring the Project and its staff functions effectively. The PM will work to ensure the technical direction of the project is maintained and key outputs are achieved in a cost effective and timely manner. Specifically his/her functions will include but are not limited to the following:

Deberes y responsabilidades

• Responsible for day-to-day management, administration and decision-making for the project;
• Oversees strategic planning process for the project and ensures its implementation in accordance with the signed project document;
• Responsible for ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost;
• Manage the realization of project outputs through activities;
• Ensures that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming);
• Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
• Identifies partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialised expertise and possible co-financiers, and leads resource mobilisation for project components;
• Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
• Liaise with any suppliers;
• May also perform Team Manager and Project Support roles;
• Perform other duties related to the scope of work of the PM as required

Running a project

• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the IPSAS;
• Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Document, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
• Prepare the Quarterly Project Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures in UNDP format) and Quarterly Operational Report (AF format) and submit the reports to the Project Assurance team;
• Prepare the Annual Review Report (UNDP format) and Project Implementation Report (AF format) and submit reports to the Project Assurance team and GEF;
  Based on the ARR, prepare the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Annual Plan of Activities and Procurement Plan for the project years;
• Monitors the implementation of project components, analyses problems that hamper their implementation and takes appropriate measures to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of project-wide results;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including proper utilization of funds and delivery, budget revisions, availability of funds, reconciliation of accounts, establishment of internal control mechanisms. Acts as a focal point to liaise with auditors and ensures follow-up actions. Ensures the accuracy and reliability of financial information and reporting;
• Sign annual CDRs with UNDP and the Implementing Partner national agency;
• Monitors and facilitates advocacy and mass media outreach activities, writing of success stories, newspapers coverage, PR campaigns;
• Organize workshops, seminars and round tables to introduce project outputs to all stakeholders involved. Render support to related UNDP thematic activities such as publications, sharing of knowledge and group discussions;
• Liaises with other UNDP and UNDP-GEF funded projects to implement possible synergies and reports to UNDP Programme Officer and NPC on conducted activities;
• Undertake resource mobilization activities to be built on the project achievement that contribute to project scaling-up and replication

Closing a Project

• In cooperation with the UNDP CO and national project experts, develop a suitable project exit strategy during the last year of the project, and present it for approval to the UNDP Regional Center in Bratislava;
• Ensure proper operational, financial and programmatic closure of the project;
• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board;
• Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
  Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team leader and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making

Communications and Networking

• Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Has excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the team through leadership and personal example;
• Actively mentoring project staff under her/his supervision;
• Leadership and Self-Management;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Competent in leading team and creating team spirit, stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent fashion.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

• 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 good oral and written communication skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of hydrometeorology, climate change (adaptation), environmental science, business or public administration or a related field. Master’s degree in the relevant sciences is an asset.

• At least 3years relevant experience. Working experience in international organizations is an advantage. Practical experience in project management.

• Excellent command of spoken and written English, Uzbek and Russian are essential

• Experience in the project management associated with climate change adaptation/climate risks and sustainable development and corresponding UN conventions and treaties;
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset;
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments;
• Initiative and strong leadership skills;
• Result and client-orientations;
• Strong analytical, communication,  writing, presentation and communication 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;
• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource
• Willingness to travel as appropriate

Application Process:
All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at www.undp.uz. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line.