UNDP Jobs - 24342- National Project Manager, City of Almaty Sustainab

National Project Manager, City of Almaty Sustainable Transport, UNDP CO

Location :

Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Aug-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Kazakhstan is the largest GHG emitter in Central Asia with annual emissions of 243 MtCO2e. The transport sector is its fastest growing source of CO2 emissions projected to increase from 9 MtCO2/yr in 2008 up to 22 MtCO2/yr in 2012 and 36 MtCO2/yr in 2020 (data source TNC of RK to UNFCCC, 2005). A significant share of transport emissions is associated with ground transportation in the former capital city of Almaty, the largest and most densely populated city in the country with a population of 1.6 million. Its population is expected to exceed the 2 million threshold in the next 3 to 5 years.

In Almaty, there are currently more than 500,000 vehicles registered. According to local authorities, there is an average of another 200,000 vehicles that enter the city from outlying Almaty Oblasts during working hours. Based on motor vehicle growth trends of other cities of Europe and Central Asia, further increases in private car ownership are expected in Almaty. The viable alternative to private cars should be public transport.

The objective of the project is to reduce the growth of the transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Almaty, while simultaneously improving urban environmental conditions by 1) improving the management of public transportation and air quality in Almaty; 2) building capacity in Almaty to holistically plan and implement improvements in the efficiency and quality of public transport; 3) building capacity to holistically plan and implement integrated traffic management measures in Almaty City; and 4) implementing a demonstration project that raises awareness and increases knowledge of sustainable transport.

A continuation of the “business-as-usual” growth of the transport sector without interventions will be counter to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of “ensuring environmental sustainability” (MDG-7) and to develop global partnerships to achieve development. CAST has been designed to contribute to the outcomes and outputs of UNDP Kazakhstan Country Program (CP) and the 2010-2015 UNDAF . Specifically, CAST aligns with Kazakhstan’s UNDAF Outcome 2: Environmental Sustainability, Agency Outcome 2: Government, industries and civil society take steps to mitigate climate change impacts through energy efficiency measures, and Output 2.3: Government and energy consumers are better equipped with knowledge, policies and pilot cases on energy efficiency measures in sectors with high CO2 emission levels.

The project will support achievement of GEF-4 Strategic objective-CC 5: Promoting Sustainable Innovative Systems for Urban Transport with a particular emphasis on “non-technology” options, such as planning, traffic management and modal shift to low-GHG intensive transport modes. The global objectives of CAST will be to facilitate GHG reductions through these modal transport shifts. As a consequence, urban mobility will improve through the use of efficient transport modes of lower carbon intensity and increased fuel efficiency of a modernized bus fleet.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Effective project planning and implementation, with participation of all interested parties, in accordance with the project document
- Preparation, tracking, and implementation of annual work plans for the project,
- Proper management of funds consistent with UNDP requirements, and project budget planning and control Organization and management of the work of the Project Implementation Unit, supervision of project staff, consultants and oversight of sub-contractors
- Development of Terms of Reference and contracts for national and international consultants, responsible for the recruiting procedures within the project
- Provision of effective interaction with relevant state agencies, scientific institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders
- Development of relations with other relevant GEF programs or other regional programs on development of sustainable transport
- Dissemination of information of project activity and results to project partners and the general public (including the creation and updating of project web page)
- Supervision of internal processes for quality control, including creation of logs of risks, problems and quality indicators of project activity, monitoring and maintaining these logs, and making necessary changes.
- Provision of progress reports on project implementation in accordance with the project document, GEF and UNDP requirements
- Delivery of needed information to independent outside project evaluators
- Regular reporting and communication with the National Steering Committeeand UNDP CO about project status, including problems
- Control of spending of project funds on intended purposes in accordance with the approved budget of each project outcome
- Monitoring and coordination of the delivery of co-financing as stipulated in the project document
- Provide regular input to UNDP corporate system ATLAS for financial and programme management on project progress, financial status and various logs
- Field visit undertaking to ensure quality of work if required
- Undertake any other activities that may be assigned by UNDP and the National Steering Committee.

The overall goal for the PM's work is the successful implementation of the project in accordance with the goals, work plan and budget set forth in the project document, including the following specific outputs:

1. Streamlined institutional arrangements for developing and regulating urban transport services;
2. Strengthened public service contracts used to issue licenses for public transit routes;
3. M&E system to track performance of licensed private operators and state enterprises;
4. Monitoring system (software, data collection protocols and surveys) to measure and report on CAST direct and indirect GHG emission impact;
5. Transport demand model that incorporates all public transit modes developed;
6. New optimized bus route network;
7. Updated strategic plan for developing sustainable transport in Almaty City;
8. Bankable project proposals for development of improved public transport in Almaty City;
9. Program for bus fleet modernization implemented;
10. Implemented parking scheme in Almaty;
11. Bankable project proposals for integrated traffic management and retail economic stimulus areas;
12. An urban transport information center and website linking all public transport modes (i.e. trolleys, LRT and feeder buses);
The Project Manager will be working under supervision of the Programme Analyst and Head of Energy and Environment Unit.

Competencies

Corporate Requirements:
- 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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
- As minimum Bachelor degree in Engineering with MBA/Master degree or Masters in energy/environment or other relevant academic discipline

Work Experience:
- Professional qualifications with at least ten (10) years of professional experience
- Five (5) year experience and technical ability to manage projects and a good technical knowledge in the fields related to private sector development, climate change, energy efficiency and institutional development and/or regulatory aspects
- Ability to effectively coordinate a complex, multi-stakeholder project and to lead, manage and motivate teams of international and local consultants to achieve results
- Good capacities for strategic thinking, planning and management
- Good computer skills
- Knowledge of UNDP project implementation procedures, including procurement, disbursements, and reporting and monitoring will be an added advantage

Language requirements:
- Fluent spoken and written Russian, good English are essential;
- Knowledge of Kazakh is preferred