UNDP Jobs - 48376- Project Coordinator

Project Coordinator

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

08-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, Sri Lanka made significant progress in improving Disaster Management interventions. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Disaster Management Centre (DMC) along with stakeholders from different disciplines worked together in setting up legal and institutional systems, preparing vulnerable communities for disasters and enhancing efforts to minimize disaster risk. During the last few years even if there was a significant reduction of lives lost, the property damages and economic losses are increasing.

The Ministry of Disaster Management strongly believes that disaster impact could be minimized through a coordinated approach of relevant public and private sector organizations; and by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into sectoral programmes and projects. As a result, the Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (SLCDMP) 2014-2018 was developed aligned with the national priorities and annual budget process. UNDP had extended its technical as well as financial support to the Ministry of Disaster Management to develop and implement the SLCDMP. SLCDMP UNDP will provide technical and financial support under Strategic Support to the Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (SS2 CDMP). Key areas of support through SS2CDMP are the niche technical assistance related to the formulation of National Risk Profiles, Operationalizing the National Emergency Procedures (NEOP), and integrating Disaster Risk Reduction, environment conservation, land use planning and climate change in development.

In addition UNDP will implement an information management project called; ‘Ensuring global environmental concerns and best practices mainstreamed in the post-conflict rapid development process of Sri Lanka through improved information management’. The goal of this project is to strengthen capacity for environmental and disaster related data and information management in Sri Lanka in order to improve the reporting process to the Rio Conventions and ensure sustainable development through better design and enforcement of environmental policy.

Specifically, the project will be implemented through two components:

1) The strengthening of environmental data and information systems including global reporting; and
2) Mainstreaming environmental issues into awareness, planning, decision-making and socio-economic development. This project will be based at the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy, but work in close partnership with the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

Duties and Responsibilities

This position will be based at UNDP CO, and coordinate and monitor both of the above mentioned projects as follows:

Liaise between UNDP and the Ministry of Disaster Management (MDM) and the Ministry of Environment and Renweable Energy (MERE) to implement the projects;
Support the preparation of detailed Annual Work Plans in consultation with the MDM and MERE;
Support the Project to prepare and report on quarterly financial advances and act as liaison between the project, UNDP Programme Associate and UNDP Operations Team to ensure smooth transfer of funds to the MDM and MERE;
Consult with MDM and MERE and provide UNDP with technical specifications for all procurements to be carried out by UNDP on behalf of the Ministry;
Prepare terms of reference for specialist consultancy services, as per the agreed work plan and in consultation with the National Project Director (NDP) and Technical Advisor;
Support all hiring of consultants and specialist services required by the project for effective implementation;
Assist the MDM and MERE management to liaise with the relevant government departments, ministries and other institutions and international and local donors;
Support the Project Technical Advisor on relevant aspects of project implementatio;
Provide regular updates to UNDP on the policy and programmatic direction of the Ministry of Disaster Management on operationalizing the SLCDMP in Sri Lanka;
Provide briefing notes, talking points and updates to external missions from the UNDP RBAP, BCPR and other future donors on progress of project activities as well as other collaborative actions for disaster risk reduction
Support NPD to report back to Project Board Meetings and/or Steering Committee meetings;
Prepare in consultation with the MDM and MERE, quarterly financial and narrative progress reports for both Projects;
Undertake monitoring missions to field locations, if need arises;
Regularly monitor project activites, outputs and results as per the agreed M&E framework and results framework;
Prepare regular results based reports, annual reports, UNDP / donor reports and briefs with NPD and Technical Advisor;
Provide necessary training and capacity building support to MDM and MERE in relation to project monitoring, budget management and reporting;
Liaise with UNDP Management Support Unit (MSU) on a regular basis on country office monitoring requirements and coordinate with project staff on timely submission of project monitoring tools;

Impact of Results

Efficient and coordinated implementation of programme activities;
The achievement of delivery targets and results as outlined in the Programme work-plan in a timely manner;
Effective institutional capacity building of the Programme Implementation Unit;
Strengthened partnerships with Implementing Partners and expanded partnership with relevant government agencies and civil society.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead results-based management and reporting functions;
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

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 good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Disaster Management or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years’ experience in the field of environmental management, disaster management, development or a related field;
At least 2 years of experience in project management, including handling contracts, financial management, donor reports, project monitoring;
Experience in supporting development/capacity building of Disaster Management activities especially in the government institutions will be advantageous;
Past experience with UNDP or UN-related programmes will be of added advantage.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English Sinhala or Tamil.