Background

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally, the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year. 

The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of 65 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in environmental protection, good governance and social inclusion worth more than USD 15 million per year.

UNDP is now seeking an experienced Project Manager to run two projects that it is implementing in partnership with the City of Skopje. The first project, “Resilient Skopje,” aims to help the city face the threats posed by climate change, air pollution and other environmental threats, and to work with the municipal public administration to design and deliver better services for its citizens. The second project, “ICT for Urban Resilience,” aims at strengthening capacities of the City of Skopje administration for planning and provision of services with use of ICT solutions and increasing the urban resilience of the City of Skopje.

The core activities of the first project include:

• Building a “green roof” for the GTC shopping center;
• “Greening” the slopes of the Kale Fortress;
• Transforming 12 areas of urban blight (eg, illegal garbage dumps) into “green” corners;
• Leading an advocacy campaign to reduce the burning of wood and other pollution sources for heat;
• Upgrading the valorization studies for the protected areas “Canyon Matka” and “Vodno”;
• Managing a research agenda for the municipality to generate a biotope map, an inventory of water habitats, a groundwater study, and a basic design for a “green corridor” along the Serava River; and
• Working with the city’s “innovation lab” to redesign administrative processes with citizen input.

The core activities of the second project include:

• Skopje Green Cadaster – phase III;
• Study for identification of sustainable sources of technical water for industry, private sector and communal enterprises;
• Development of an action plan for urban heat islands and implementation of at least one priority action;
• Development of external plan for technical/technological disasters;
• Updating the Register of underground wells for the Skopje agglomeration;
• Upgrading the Erosion GEO-database and development of thematic GIS maps for the City of Skopje;
• Revision of Vodno erosion and flesh floods protection system;
• Progress report on implementation of the Resilient Skopje Strategy

To be considered for the position, applicants need to demonstrate prior experience in project management and substantive expertise in environmental protection, nature protection and/or climate change. Familiarity with standard practices and rules and procedures for local government units (in particular the City of Skopje) is an asset. Experience in “human-centered design” in rethinking and redesigning public services is another advantage.  

The successful candidate will be expected to manage project activities in order to fulfil the outcomes and objectives as set out in the relevant project documents, and in accordance with the UNDP standards and best practices. The successful candidate will ensure that project activities are aligned with sustainable development principles and coordinate with other projects in the Environment and Disaster Risk Management portfolio and other UNDP units.

The Project Manager will report directly to the head of the UNDP environment portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent’s duties are outlined below and will be fulfilled in line with the prevailing UNDP rules and procedures as well as with due compliance with the UNDP internal control framework.

Summary of key functions:

1. Ensuring effective project management of the assigned projects by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
2. Maintaining collaborative working relationships among key project partners and donors, through effective communication, consultation and reporting;
3. Aligning the project with UN values and UNDP priorities.

1.Ensuring effective project management of the assigned projects by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Managing and coordinating the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project documents, including, as needed, supervision and guidance of other project staff, consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results;
• Developing comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and setting-out corresponding milestones;
• Monitoring the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules observing the work-plans and set deadlines including monitoring of the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Mobilizing goods and services to support project activities, including drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications;
• Managing and monitoring project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Board for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log;
• Assuming responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions;
• Ensuring adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observing the project timelines;
• Preparing project progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensuring timely submission of the reports to the relevant instances, such as the project boards and relevant donors;
• Managing project tracking in ATLAS in accordance with UNDP procedures;
• Managing the transfer of project deliverables to national beneficiaries and other project stakeholders.

2. Maintaining collaborative working relationships among key project partners and projects’ donors, through effective communication, consultation and reporting

• Maintaining strong relationships with the implementing partners, the City of Skopje and other relevant partners and donors;
• Maintaining regular coordination and quality assurance of expert inputs and products as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities;
• Identifying opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation;
• Maintaining regular communication on relevant project issues with the local and international counterparties, consultants and experts and ensuring quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs;
• Maintaining effective linkages with current and potential donors;
• Submitting reports to UNDP, partners and donors in a quality and timely manner.

3. Aligning the project with UN values and UNDP priorities:

• Ensure the principles of gender equality, democratic governance, social inclusion and disaster resilience are effectively reflected in all project activities;
• Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, researches, analyses and, where specifically relevant, analyzed in detail;
• Ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities is reflected in all project activities;
• Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities where synergies are possible;
• Strive to engage groups and communities in project activities that affect them;
• Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS:

• Project activities executed in line with UNDP corporate principles;
• Project staff/ team(s) effectively and efficiently guided and backstopped, as needed;
• Implementation of the transferred competencies and resources consolidated and effectively carried out;
• Links with other relevant projects/initiatives established and joint objectives effectuated;
• Funds delivered funds in accordance to the planned Annual Work Plans;
• Reporting completed in a timely and qualitative fashion in line with the programme needs and Country Office/national partners’ requirements.

Competencies

Values

• 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

Core Competencies:

Management, leadership and operational skills:

• Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions;
• Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results on deadline and on budget;
• Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability;
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates strong conflict-resolution skills;
• Handles confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Innovation - ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Adapts deliverables to meet client needs
• Interprets policy within context and applies with judgment
• Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions
• Embraces new methods
• Continually seeks improvement  
• Collaborates to improve methods and delivery

Delivery - ability to get things done

• Makes new ideas work
• Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking and policy
• Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done
• Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions
• Strives to improve team reputation with clients
• Expands capacity of team to deliver on time and on target
• Accountable for project implementation and/or team deliverables

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform 

• Has strong interpersonal, negotiation and networking skills;
• Able to listen to others;
• Respects difference of opinion;
• Finds common ground to solve problems;
• Gains trust of peers, partners and clients; and
• Able to present complex, conceptual ideas in simple, persuasive terms

Job knowledge and technical expertise:

• Able to manage budgets and deliver results under tight deadlines;
• Has sound knowledge of project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work and assignments.
• Has strong knowledge of project area (environment and/or nature protection) and keeps abreast with new developments in areas of professional discipline and seeks to develop herself/himself professionally;
• Has experience with application of innovative methods and tools;
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to local politics and culture as well as community issues;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A university degree in Environmental Engineering, Biology, Forestry, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Law, Economy or a similar field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (3 for candidates with a Master’s degree) of relevant professional experience in the areas of environmental protection, nature protection, and/or climate change

• Experience in project management, programme/project coordination and monitoring and/or provision of advisory services or similar;
• Good knowledge of the policies and institutional frameworks relevant to the environmental protection, nature protection and/or climate change;
• Good knowledge of the structure, practices and rules and procedures governing municipal work (particularly in the City of Skopje) is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in liaising and co-operating with government officials, municipal authorities, academic institutions, NGOs and the private sector;
• Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills. 

Languages:

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills are required in both Macedonian and English. Knowledge of Albanian or other languages used in the country is an asset.