UNDP Jobs - 93018- Task Leader-Project Development and Reporting

Task Leader-Project Development and Reporting

Location :

Yerevan, ARMENIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Aug-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

August 2020- December, 2020 (up to 90 workdays)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years (based on performance and availability of funds)

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

"Sustainable Developments” programme of socio-economic portfolio of UNDP Armenia in partnership with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure with the financial support of the Russian Federation is implementing “Integrated Rural Tourism Development” (hereafter Sustainable Tourism) and “Fostering Participatory Development in Bordering Settlements of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor Regions”(hereafter “Sustainable Communities”).

Sustainable Tourism

The project offers an intervention strategy for the development of rural tourism in Armenia with the objective of creating sustainable income-generating opportunities as supplemental income source to reduce the level of rural poverty, contribute to equal territorial development and shape conducive environment for rural development.

The project’s specific objectives are the following:

Objective 1: Planning of sustainable integrated rural tourism;
Objective 2: Increasing the income level through diversification of tourism products and services in the community;
Objective 3: Creating Sustainable Destination Management such us Destination Management Organization (DMO) for engaging local stakeholders in the development process.

Sustainable Communities

The Project focuses on reducing the asymmetries of territorial development of Armenia targeting sustainable development and economic integration of bordering areas in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions. The project will reach out to the vulnerable groups of 34 bordering settlements with a total population of 41981in two regions through reducing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and facilitating involvement of low-income population in income-generating and production activities, as well as providing access to improved livelihood as a result of rehabilitated community infrastructure.

The Project aims at promoting participatory development in target areas facilitating engagement of local population in decision-making at local level and need-based design of local development agenda. The Project pursues the following objectives:

Objective 1: To foster local participation in development planning and monitoring for bottom-up community development.
Objective 2: To increase economic activity in the settlements through efficient local production and processing.
Objective 3: To innovate for improved local production and management.

The Project builds its efforts on the best of already tried and tested models, particularly taking to the next level the mechanisms and models designed and piloted within the scope of Russia-funded “Integrated Support to Rural Development: Building Resilient communities” Project.

The intervention logic hinges on strong partnership and synergised efforts between UNDP and WFP, when the combined expertise and comparative advantages of two agencies will contribute to increased local production and income raise for the most vulnerable groups which will boost economic security in the localities and take to poverty reduction in the target communities. The underpinning principles of the project are participation, inclusive growth, local development.

UNDP Armenia is seeking a Project Development and Reporting Task Leader to support the programme in:

formulating and developing concepts for existing, as well as new sectoral interventions;
developing ongoing progress reports.

The Task Leader will work under the overall supervision of the socio-economic Portfolio Manager and direct supervision of the Programme Manager in close cooperation with the Project teams and the counterpart institutions/organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Task Lead will be responsible for:

Project ideas/concept development

Identify the development needs and formulate solutions as well as new project ideas to address those needs in collaboration with the management, team members, communities, beneficiaries, and partners;
Follow and analyze country existing development progresses to identify gaps/problems/opportunities, formulate solutions, design and develop concept notes and project proposals;
Monitor funding opportunities in socio-economic development and tourism fields and design solutions/concepts for application purposes;
Keep track of programme progress as well as related changes in the field to gain an understanding of the imposed challenges, shape visions, conduct recommendations for strategy improvement as well as develop and conceptualize new ideas;
Conduct all relevant researches, interviews, maintain comprehensive and up to date knowledge of development methodologies, trends and best practices;
Ensure that all documentation is preserved and properly filed.

Projects monitoring and reporting

Design and establish project monthly and quarterly reporting mechanisms to monitor teams progresses on project implementation, budget delivery and AWP indicators;
Collect reports from different team members to edit, revise, refine and develop a consolidated project status and ad hoc reports for the management, donor, partners;
Keep project monitoring framework, collect and keep track of relevant data for measuring project progress and impact;
Proactively recognize possible problems and report to the management to take the necessary steps and guarantee that the project is completed in a timely manner, within the required scope and in accordance with the approved budget;
Collect, verify, advise and develop content for different types of project related presentations, communication and promotional materials;
Provide input and/or draft briefs, talking points for the management on the topics related to programme activities;
Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation (e.g. official project proposals, reports, agendas of events and meetings, list of participants, presentations and other materials);
Ensure timely preparation of regular financial and narrative reports to UNDP, donors and the Project Advisory Board on Project activities, per required schedule;
Submit project deliverables and ensure that they adhere to quality standards;
Prepare status, progress and evaluation reports on implementation of the projects in accordance with existing guidelines of UN and donors;
Support in ensuring the regional and international exposure of successful projects to replicate and scale up worldwide;

Payment Modality:

The contractor will be paid on a monthly basis for the number of days worked (up to 20 days per month). For payment on a monthly basis, completed timesheets and certification that the monthly deliverables have been achieved are required

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UN and UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent researching and interviewing skills
Strong writing and editing skills
Excellent organizational skills
Tech-savvy with the ability to maintain and organize electronic files
Team player with the ability to collaborate with all departments

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to business development, planning, implementation monitoring, reporting, and project concept development.
Proficiency in professional writing and reporting;

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Remains positive and composed even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Business Management, Political Science, Journalism; International Relations, Social Science or other related fields

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in project development and reporting specifically in business, agro and tourism.
Work experience in project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices
Demonstrated experience in conducting assessments, analyses, and applied monitoring and evaluation in development context
Work experience in technical writing and reporting

Languages:

Proficiency in written and spoken Armenian and English, Russian is a strong asset.

Skills

Knowledge of agro and tourism sector related aspects and trends in Armenia will be a strong asset;
Knowledge of policy and development trends in regard to SME development in Armenia;
Advanced research, writing, outreach and communications skills Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the development, implementation and evaluation of projects
Excellent drafting ability and analytical skills, the ability to draft papers of high quality
Demonstrated initiative, tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion;
Excellent communication skills, ability to express ideas clearly and consistently both orally and in writing;
Strong teamwork skills;
Ability to work under the pressure;
High level of self-mobilization;
Excellent networking skills;

INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal.The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP ( all-inclusive daily fee option is applicable for this assignment)
CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).