Project Management Support Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs and Country Office levels, forms a UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line with UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021. The Health System Strengthening (HSS) Programme in Mozambique, especially the Health Portfolio has been expanding since February 2019. Under the HSS Programme, UNDP’s intervention contributes to the implementation of the CMAM Strategic Plan for Pharmaceutical Logistics (PELF). UNDP technical support contributes to the CMAM and NTP efforts to improve treatment outcomes for MDR-TB, infectious disease control, and storage conditions of the medicines, vaccines, and other health products. The new financing agreement is under the final stage of negotiation and along with the above intervention in Beira city (Sofala Province) Medical Warehouse, also comprehends the procurement and installation of an incinerator for the North Region of the country (Nampula) for end-user MoH/Central Medical Stores.

As part of the ONE UN Health Plan and the MoH Emergency Response Plan, and through the partnership with the Government, National Health Institute, UNDP is strengthening laboratory capacity for decentralized COVID19 testing, ensuring adequate health infrastructure, including through rehabilitation and installation of prefabricated modules. To implement health project activities, UNDP Mozambique is seeking the service of a project management support officer.

1. Ensures support to strategic planning, coordination and implementation of the programmes/projects focusing on achievement of the following results: • Support to the formulation and management of programme activities through preparation of annual workplans, establish priorities, timelines, targets and standards for monitoring results. • Provides continuous and timely follow up of various components of the project providing constructive ideas for problem solving. Constantly seek to improve project service lifecycle. • Works in close collaboration with other teams in the office including programmes, operations as well as, when delegated, with other UN agencies, Government officials, multilateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society in ensuring successful project implementation.

2. Ensures support to timely and effective management of projects delivery focusing on achievement of the following results: • Provides proper oversight for project activities and results supporting for that the activities of the project are in line with the project plan and budget. • Supports to screening profiles to identify, manage and supervise when delegated highly prominent consultants in support of the projects. • Identifies complex projects related issues and immediately escalate sensitive matters to supervisor in an efficient manner to enable action to be addressed promptly avoiding dashboard issues.

3. Foster partnership building and donor liaison focusing on achievement of the following results: • Contributes to the development of the Health Portfolio strategy and resource mobilization plans, including planning tools to implement the strategy. • Identifies and support building credible working relations with Governments and donor partners.

4. Support for implementation of communications strategy for the Health Programme visibility: • Develop project promotion and information materials such as human stories, success stories, articles, as well as control its quality and timely production. • Coordinates identification of and reporting on best practices and lessons learned in line with communications goals and objectives. • Ensures that a digital library of reference materials, knowledge products, such as communications tools, booklets, fact sheets and photographs of project activities, is established, regularly updated, and documented in a way that is easy for retrieval.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Experience in managing large-scale post-conflict programs/projects;

• Ability to lead 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

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong 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

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;

• Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts

Relevant previous experience at the national or international level in project management, project communications (for visibility), development and emergency. Previous experience with UNDP is a distinct advantage. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge, and experience in handling web-based management systems Demonstrated experience in developing content that communicates development ideas for media, web, print production, and audio-visual productions. Work experience with Programmes funded by The Global Fund, Gavi, The Islamic Development Bank is highly desirable. Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle. Strong communication skills and ability to engage with different types and levels of stakeholders. Knowledge of and experience in emergency, crisis and post-conflict contexts. Excellent oral and written skills, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and is located on the southeast coast of Africa. To the East, is the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia is to the north, to the west is Zimbabwe and South Africa and to the South, Swaziland and South Africa. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months in Maputo are December to February when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22°c and the average daily highs of 30°c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13°c to 24°c.

Basic health facilities and food are available everywhere. The security situation is reliable, but some precaution is needed at the same time. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. Regarding accommodation and food, houses and apartments can be rented from US$ 600 to US$ 1,000 per month and meals at the restaurant cost between US$ 10 and US$ 30. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices.

An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained from Mozambican Embassy prior to travelling. The metical is the local currency, and the exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 58 meticais (MZM) as of August 2018. Commercial banks are operational in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels. Beira is categorized as a family duty station offering a limited variety of accommodation options. It has a vibrant international community whilst also providing excellent opportunities to work in a national, Mozambican context. As this is a UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. https://www.unv.org