Background

Under the guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative supported by the Senior Programme Manager for Local Development, the International Project Manager (IPM) will be responsible for the overall management, strategic leadership and implementation of the UNDP-EC joint initiative Community-Based Approach to Local Development in Ukraine (CBA).

The IPM will work directly with UNDP counterparts responsible for local development and decentralization in Ukraine, including the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing Services, ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Parliamentary Committee for Self-Governance and State Building, associations of local authorities and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In implementation of the project the IMP will engage on behalf of UNDP with regional and local authorities across Ukraine, at the level of region (oblast), district (rayon), city (misto) and village (selo). The IPM will present objectives and results of the project to high-level national officials, as well officials from European Union and the UN.

The IPM will provide policy advice to relevant counterparts in the area of decentralization and local development. Based on the experience of CBA project he/she will advocate for adoption of community-based development mechanisms in the system of local governance in Ukraine.

The IPM will facilitate the knowledge codification and will contribute to the UNDP and national knowledge networks in the sphere of local development. He/she will reach out to other EC, UNDP and UN family projects and experts to make sure that the CBA presence in all regions of Ukraine allows UNDP and the EC to capitalize on the CBA network and relations with national counterparts.

The IPM will lead and effectively manage the CBA project team (about 90 individuals) and ensure that mechanisms are in place for ensuring transparency, accountability and quality of services provided by all CBA offices across Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Provide leadership for UNDPs work in decentralization reform area;
• Be responsible for the implementation of project activities and financial management;
• Provide policy advice on local governance and institutional development;
• Strengthen the relationship/coordination with the donors to minimize overlapping, reduce transaction costs and maximize impact and efficiency;
• Promote networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN system.

Provide leadership for UNDPs work in decentralization reform area:

• Advise UNDP and partners on policy issues around decentralization and local governance;
• Advise UNDP on national developments relevant to UNDP programmatic objectives in decentralization reform;
• Create platforms for dialogue at regional (oblast), district (rayon) and city (misto) level, between local authorities and community organizations. Support creation of local development forums and provide assistance to their functioning;
• Advocate, promote awareness and understanding of local sustainable development issues in the context of MDGs and post-2015 Development Agenda, climate change and European integration processes;
• Engage with senior government officials at the national, regional and local level to promote expansion of community-based development programming;
• Establish and maintain dialogue with government officials, both local and national, NGOs, partners, donors and communities to provide knowledge and understanding, ensuring accurate interpretation of the program’s mission;
• Engage with senior EU and UN officials to demonstrate effectiveness of technical assistance to local communities in Ukraine;
• Lead and effectively manage the CBA project team comprising of up to 90 individuals;
• Ensure proper training, guidance and coaching opportunities for all CBA personnel and local leaders assisted by the project.

Be responsible for the implementation of project activities and financial management:

• Manage the CBA project financial and human resources;
• Create systems for effective financial, administrative and logistical processes to facilitate community-level work
• Ensure proper operational, financial and administrative management in the project, as well as adherence to all UNDP rules and procedures;
• Ensure full transparency and access to information about activities of CBA for local and national stakeholders;
• Ensure effective monitoring of community component of the CBA;
• Facilitate learning for local CBA community development officers, provide guidance and coaching opportunities to ensure high efficiency of project support by CBA offices in oblast centres and selected cities;
• Ensure that CBA objectives and activities are well coordinated with plans and activities of local partners;
• Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation procedures are instituted in all project activities;
• Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of the substantive and operational reports from the Programme;
• Prepare and oversee the development of Terms of Reference for consultants and contractors;
• Monitor project inventory, attendance records, filling system. Assure correct personnel management and procurement of goods/services;
• Participate in communication (PR) and media activities. Ensure project web-site updates. Coordinate distribution of the project related information. Ensure visibility of the Donor and Implementing Partner in all project outputs;
• Implement the project in accordance with UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations and the Internal Control Framework for UNDP Ukraine;
• Prepare input to official project implementation reports to the EC;
• Participate in preparation of budgets and workplans for the extension of the CBA project.

Provide policy advice on local governance and institutional development:

• Monitor and analyze key economic, social and political developments in the country which affect regional / local or national development; through this process, advise on development needs and potential solutions relevant to project activities;
• Analyze Ukrainian policy in the area of local / community development. Identify challenges and recommend policy changes that will facilitate community development and expansion of the model of effective cooperation between local citizens and authorities;
• Contribute to policy dialogue on the issues of communities engagement in the decision-making process on the local level with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector.

Strengthen the relationship/coordination with the donors to minimize overlapping, reduce transaction costs and maximize impact and efficiency:

• Coordinate with the Development Partners all activities related to decentralization reform, development of strategies and plans in different regions of Ukraine;
• Liaise with donors, international partners, on delivery of technical assistance to governments, developing strong networks, and drafting TORs and budgets as appropriate;
• Strengthen UNDP’s relationship and reputation with government partners through effective and timely engagement, improved communication, and identification of issues;
• Promote information sharing with the relevant donors’ community by initiating and/or participating in consultative meetings with the donors and preparing briefs on CBA project activities;
• Advise and assist UNDP in preparing for high-level consultation meetings with donors and Government Officials on decentralization reform and community led development;
• Prepare regular progress reports (quarterly, mid and annual) for UNDP, donors and Government.

Promote networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN system:

• In close collaboration with all UNDP programme and project managers, develop strategic entry points to enhance interface and linkages among UNDP supported initiatives for maximum results in the field of decentralization and local governance;
• Implement the Social Mobilization concept throughout all components of CBA;
• Prepare knowledge products, document the community-based development methodology;
• Facilitate learning and experience sharing for government officials, local community leaders and experts3;
• Create an electronic platform for the exchange of information, best practices and experience within CBA;
• Contribute to national and global knowledge networks and contribute to policy discussions in UNDP and the EU systems, for proper inclusion of the CBA experience in institutional best practices and policies;
• Maintain relationships with donors and present a clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they had requested and promote the programme to new donors;
• Participate in regional and global meetings of development practitioners working in the area of social mobilization and local development;
• Contribute articles and analytical work to be published in specialized media;
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of EC and UNDP programming in Ukraine and on the adoption of community-based methodology by national stakeholders. The International Project Manager represents the project in national fora, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations. The results have impact on CBA project efficiency. The information provided facilitates decision making on UNDP local development programmes and direction. The CBA project results have an impact on the future strategy of UNDP.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Strategic Partnerships:
Building strategic alliances

• Identifies and prioritizes opportunities and obstacles in the political scene (government, civil society, parliamentarians, pressure groups) to advance UNDP’s agenda Identifies common interests and goals and carries out joint initiatives with partners;
• Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
• Builds partnerships with non-traditional sectors by translating UNDP’s agenda into messages that reflect the pertinence of their values and interests;
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
• Leverages the resources of governments and other development partners.

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:
Influencing the public policy agenda

• Advocates for the inclusion of UNDP’s focus areas in the public policy agenda;
• Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues;
• Builds consensus concerning UNDP’s strategic agenda with partners on joint initiatives;
• Leverages UNDP’s multidisciplinary expertise to influence the shape of policies and programmes;
• Demonstrates political/cultural acumen in proposing technically sound, fact based approaches/solutions;
• Dialogues with national counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives;
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity, political savvy and intellectual capacity in handling disagreements with UNDP’s policy agenda in order to promote and position UNDP in complex environments.

Client Orientation:
Meeting long-term client needs

• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
• Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
• Consults with clients and ensures their needs are represented in decision-making processes;
• Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP programmes and operations.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise:
Conceptual innovation

• Conducts programme assessments to improve development of models and methodologies;
• Designs policy models to support comprehensive interventions linking UNDP’s policy objectives to programme delivery and capacity development objectives;
• Ensures that the design of policies are appropriate to regional and country social and development context;
• Demonstrates the ability to engage development partners at all levels in conceptual and methodological innovation that is pertinent to the global, national and local context.

Adaptation and Application of Knowledge/Innovations in Different Contexts:
For Policy Advisors and Policy Directors

• Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context;
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities;
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives;
• Provides evidence-based guidance to policy that woke.

Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’s Capacity to Advocate:
Formulating strategy for creating the corporate image

• Formulates strategy for the implementation of promotional activities and materials;
• Develops strategies for improved and expanded coverage in the mass media;
• Designs and initiates assessments of activities to improve impact and effectiveness;
• Developed relationships and contacts with professional networks and high profile advocates.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:
Influencing global and national initiatives

• Advocates for the inclusion of development and concerns in the public policy agenda;
• Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues;
• Advocates for increased priority given to human development issues internationally and in national planning frameworks;
• Advocates for increased resources at international and national level;
• Develop strategies to counter challenges to UNDP’s principles and goals.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
Participating in the development of policies and innovative approaches and promoting their application throughout the organization

• Actively seeks and promotes innovative methodologies and leads the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing;
• Develops and/or participates in the development of policies and new approaches and participates in training of staff in their application throughout the organization;
• Promotes UNDP as a learning/knowledge sharing organization.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
Expert knowledge of own discipline

• Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures;
• Applies knowledge to support the unit/branch’s objectives and to further the mandate of the organization(s);
• For managers: applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments.

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or equivalent disciplines.

Experience:

• 10 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, management and policy advice in the areas of local governance and decentralization, inclusive of at least 3 years of senior-level management responsibilities of similar size and complexity;
• At least five years’ experience at a senior project management level;
• Ability to work with a wide cross-section of partners, Government, local authorities, NGO’s, communities, media and international donors;
• Knowledge of the management principles and organizational behaviour;
• Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations;
• Experience with social mobilization procedures;
• Experience in planning and managing international technical assistance programs, including direct responsibilities for administering of project’s budget;
• Experience in development assistance in Ukraine or/and transition countries would be an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and national language of the duty station.