Background
Myanmar has embarked on a major transition towards democracy, market style economy and peace. Myanmar has low middle-income status (LMIC) and is committed to lifting itself out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status within the next seven years. Following the implementation of the first ever UNDP Country Programme during 2013-2017 and as a key development partner of the government of Myanmar, UNDP will implement a new UNDP Country Programme for the period 2018-2022, striving to deliver on a large and relevant programme portfolio that is responsive to the main development challenges facing the country.
The UNDP Myanmar Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Team anchors UNDP’s programme portfolio in these areas of sustainable and inclusive growth issues (including economic growth, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction) and provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Myanmar, and globally, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.
Given the importance of energy sector for the poverty reduction, and sustainable and inclusive growth in Myanmar, UNDP developed a project concept (PIF) “Myanmar Rural Renewable Energy Development Programme” in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and in consultations with the relevant line ministries/departments. The PIF was submitted to Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and was approved by GEF secretariat.
A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been obtained to carry out necessary analyses and prepare a full-fledged project proposal. In order to ensure the results of the project preparation work, UNDP is seeking a National Project Development Coordinator to work as the GEF PPG Team Member to produce a project document along with a set of relevant evidence based analysis for submission to the GEF. The approved PIF is attached to build on and develop a fully formulated project proposal. The proposed project aims to contribute into the following outcome areas;
1. Effective implementation of supportive policies for enhanced renewable energy utilization in rural productive uses;
2. Strengthened market demand for affordable renewable energy technologies for rural livelihoods application;
3. Increased investments in rural renewable energy for productive uses and enterprise development
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit (Sustainable and Inclusive Growth) and GEF PPG Team Leader, the National Project Development Coordinator & Translator will provide administrative, logistical and translation support for the PPG Team.
UNDP Myanmar will lead the project development process and manage the GEF PPG budget in full consultation with the UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser. The GEF project preparation team will be composed of the following:
1) International Specialist for Project Development (Team Leader)
2) International Specialist in Renewable Energy Financing (and using the DREI approach)
3) National Specialist in Rural Renewable Energy (Technology)
4) National Specialist in Rural Development
5) National Specialist in Gender Analysis and Social Safeguards
6) National Project Development Coordinator/Translator
In executing necessary preparation of the full-fledge project proposal, the National Project Development Coordinator & Translator will carry out the following tasks;
Based on the Project Initiation Plan support the PPG Team in driving project preparation forward in country including related to: studies; Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) workshop; detailed design of the project components and activities; stakeholder and project partner coordination meetings; project implementation and management arrangements; and UNDP-GEF Project Document (ProDoc) and GEF CEO Endorsement Request (CER) Document;
Provision of Administrative Services, Project Documentation Management, Financial Management, Monitoring and reporting and Provision of Technical Support Services;
Assist with preparation and implementation of official meetings and workshops including the LFA and validation workshop;
As per directions from the PPG Team support the Team Leader (International Consultant) and other technical experts, government and key stakeholders with specific activities during project preparation;
Support translations during consultations and provide/guidance on local protocols for field visits;
Support and assist the communication and awareness raising for climate change mitigation and capacity building of key stakeholders through the project development phase through meetings and outreach materials;
Support the development of a draft detailed work plan and the Key sections of the submission package and roles and responsibilities (templates to be provided) for the implementation phase of the project including clearly identified activities and entities responsible for their implementation;
Support the monitoring and revision as required of the work plan;
Preparation of progress reports accordingly to approve work plan.
Competencies
Corporate competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
- Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
Technical competencies:
- Ability to provide guidance on implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), including design and implementation of ABS and traditional knowledge policy and bioprospecting projects;
- Knowledge of environmental issues, NRM concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations;
- Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines.
Functional competencies:
- Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
- Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
Knowledge Management and Learning:
- Demonstrates practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.
Client Orientation:
- Maintains 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;
- Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
Professionalism:
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
- Excellent reporting skills;
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications/Education:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as public administration, management, development studies;
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of demonstrable experience in the area of development project support and management, and translation;
Knowledge of GEF, UNDP policies, procedures and practices and working experience with international organizations or GEF funded projects is an asset;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office)
Language skills:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Myanmar language;