UNDP Jobs - 55843- Project Manager - AF Project Funds (Open to PNG Na

Project Manager - AF Project Funds (Open to PNG Nationals Only)

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

06-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-11

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

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

The United Nations System under Delivering as One (UN DaO) modality supports Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) efforts towards achieving its desired development goals as outlined in the country’s Vision 2050, Development Strategic Plan 2010-2040 and Medium Term Development Plan 2011-2015. These government efforts are increasingly being threatened by the emergence of climate change related impacts hence the UN gives this issue its utmost priority under the new United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF) 2012-2015 fourth pillar on “Environment and Disaster Risk Management”. The implementation of this pillar is lead by UNDP under the subtheme on “Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Livelihoods” with ongoing initiatives on both adaptation and mitigation at the national and regional levels.

To further enhance the national capacities, GoPNG through the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) in collaboration with the UNDP will be implementing the Adaptation Fund funded project on “Enhancing Adaptive Capacity of Communities to Climate Change-related Floods in the North Coast and Islands Region of PNG” for four years. The overall objective of this Project is to enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to make informed decisions about and adapt to climate change-driven hazards affecting both coastal and riverine villages. In particular, the project will build resilience towards occurrences of coastal and inland flooding events. The strategy to achieve this objective will focus on implementing measures at the community level to cope with the floods and to build institutional as well as policy capacity that promote efficient and cost-effective adaptation to coastal and inland flood-related risks at the sub-national levels. The community level interventions address specific vulnerability characteristics of two distinct geographic areas which are: i) selected coastal and island communities of the Northern and Island Coastal Provinces; ii) selected river communities in Northern Coastal Provinces exposed to inland flooding. The key impact indicator associated with this objective will be the reduced vulnerability of communities to coastal and inland flooding as well as improved government’s institutional and human capacity to address climate change impacts.

Therefore, the services of a Project Manager (PM) are required to oversee the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the overall implementation. The Project Manager will work under the overall guidance of Project Steering Committee, in close collaboration with the personnel from the OCCD Adaptation Division. On day-to-day project implementation matters, the manager in consultation with the UNDP Environment Team Leader and OCCD Adaptation Director will work closely with other government agencies, private sectors and civil society organisations to coordinate and manage key adaptation initiatives to address coastal and inlands flooding. The manager will also be expected to liaise and facilitate dialogue at the international level with the guidance of OCCD Adaptation Director. He/She will maintain a network with colleagues from UNDP Headquarters and Regional Centers, and other UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society and engage in substantive dialogue with national and international stakeholders. This element of the TOR will include dialogue with other countries with a view to share experiences and lessons to support coastal and inland flooding demonstration activities in PNG.

Under the direct supervision of the OCCD National Project Director and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the manager will also provide media releases, advocacy materials on climate change adaptation related policies and trends and relevant linkages to all UNDP and GoPNG Programmes. She/he will contribute to UNDP's policy dialogue with the Government and donors and facilitate knowledge building and sharing among these stakeholders.

The PM will lead the PMU and work within OCCD with direct supervision jointly by National Project Director in OCCD and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. The PM’s performance appraisal will follow the UNDP Performance Assessment Policies and Guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions: In line with the UN division of Labor, the incumbent should work closely with the GoPNG Office of Climate Change, UN agencies and Environment Task Team members to plan and implement the following:

Lead and supervise the day-to-day functioning of the PMU, supervision and coordination of PMU staff including administrative assistant, technical specialists and consultants recruited to support project implementation;
Plan, facilitate, implement, and organize project activities as determined in the Annual Work Plans (including quarterly plans), Project Monitoring Plan, Procurement Plan and update these plans as and when required;
Update and share financial and activities/output/outcome progress on a monthly bases (monthly briefs) with OCCD and UNDP, highlighting key challenges/risks and proposed way forward if and when necessary;
Ensure monitoring of progress is against planned activities and inputs provided by the project;
Mobilize goods and services to initiate 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 FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
Prepare yearly procurement plans for the project in line with the activities indicating in the Annual Work Plans;
Monitor carefully financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
Prepare and submit financial and technical reports to UNDP on a quarterly and annual basis;
Prepare and coordinate submission of Project Progress Report (PPR) to the Adaptation Fund;
Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, 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 regular progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Steering Committee, Nation Project Director and UNDP;
Update the Atlas Project Management module if external access is made available;
Manage working relationships with all co-financing partners to ensure that their activities/programs are integrated and complementary with those of the AF-funded project;
Ensure PMU support is provided to OCCD and UNDP in organizing Project Steering Committee meetings.

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;
As strong understanding of political sensitivities and ability to work positively with all partners in a politically dynamic environment.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to promote a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Ability to advocate and provide top quality climate change adaptation advisory services;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to develop innovative approaches to program design, implementation, monitoring evaluation of development programmes and projects;
Ability to mobilize resources;
Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented;
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
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;
Proactive and have the ability to discuss openly with all senior government staff;
Results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment;
Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions;
Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment;
Highly developed inter-cultural communication and skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Masters Degree in natural resource management or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years work experience in project management including management of financial resources within the disciplines of natural resource management, environment, engineering or other related development field;
Knowledge in hydrology/oceanography/ and climate change issues;
Sound understanding of coastal and flood management, development issues in PNG and basic knowledge of the international, regional and national climate change discourse is an asset;
Proven track record of experience policy formulation working with government, donors, private sector, NGOs, and other key stakeholders in PNG is an asset;
Strong management skills, including ability to supervise people and monitor other project staff as well as being responsible, honest, with strong sense of integrity and professional ethics;
Extensive information exchange contacts with national and international partners involved in climate change adaptation management and planning is an asset;
Demonstrated commitment to work and experience in working in a multicultural team environment, high level inter and intra-personal and communication skills;
Adequate working experience in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment including sensitiveness to local cultures and traditions;
Experience in facilitating and conducting stakeholder consultations at various organizational and societal levels;
Management experience, including supervision of staff and coordination of research teams in an multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
Proven record in the research and writing effectively towards various audiences including policy makers, community leaders, technical experts, academia, and vulnerable groups including women and children. Experience of writing research papers, policy briefs and recommendations, reports and publications is a plus;
Knowledge and experience of having good working relationships with variety of stakeholders including government, private sectors, civil society.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English;
Demonstrated writing and editing skills in English;
Willingness to learn and write in Tok Pisin including relevant local languages.