Project Manager

Contract

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

In Guinea Bissau, 48 years of political instability have deeply constrained socioeconomic and human development. Rural women are particularly disadvantaged, suffering from strong multidimensional inequalities. Livelihoods of rural communities, especially of women, are challenged among others by the consequences of climate change. By affecting the quality and the availability of natural resources, climate change acts in Guinea-Bissau as a “threat multiplier”, exacerbating pre-existing economic, social, and political vulnerabilities and undermining the country’s ability to meet its citizens’ demands for basic goods. In this context, UNDP and WFP have partnered to activate the project “Creating safe and empowering public spaces with women to mitigate climate-security risks and sustain peace in Guinea-Bissau” supported by the UN Peace building Fund, that aims to mitigate conflicts over land and water aggravated by climate change in Guinea-Bissau. The project promotes peace through the creation of sustainable safe dialogue spaces for communities to discuss climate-related issues and identify solutions, which can be conveyed in a more organized, participatory, and inclusive manner to authorities at all governance levels. The project will strengthen existing policy mechanisms to ensure that the decisions made at the local level feed into local and national decision-making processes and national policies for climate security and land management. The intervention targets women, including young women, which are the most affected by climate-related security risks and whose adaptive capacity is hindered by economic, political, cultural, and social barriers. Women will be equipped with tools and capacities to participate in civic space, going beyond gender dynamics that usually marginalize them. In this context, the UNDP is hiring a UNV project manager that will ensure the day-to-day management of the project and the overall coordination between the two agencies.

Under the supervision of the Head of the Governance Cluster in close collaboration with WFP, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Develop the annual programme/project delivery targets and achieve the targets as well as the M&E plan for the project in line with the project document and budget; Elaborate UN Peace building required half-year, annual and final reports; Contribute to the implement the project on day-to-day basis; Implement the Project and identify areas of weaknesses to ensure the project achieves the planned results in accordance with relevant plans; Follow directions set for him/her including roles and responsibilities, accountability and reporting ensuring that the work is conducted in accordance with UNDP’s relevant business processes and that high – quality outputs are delivered on time as well as with UN

Peace building requirements: Perform project quality assurance, monitoring, reporting, field missions, audits, evaluations, formulations and project support services providing day-to-day work within the project and with other Country Office units; Establish annual results, on-going feedback and mid-term and final assessments in line with UNDP Rules and Regulations; Ensure project meets expectations with respect to quality, budget, delivery timelines, and strategy; Brief and consult with the Head of Governance and WFP representative on project progress and provide information and advice as required to contribute to the Country Office initiatives; Identify areas of improvement by applying best practices/lessons learnt using UNDP corporate monitoring tools and corporate reports; Provide support in partnerships with specific project partners; Contribute to manage donor expectations and manage day-to-day donor interaction; Seek and identify additional partnership and funding opportunities, and prepare funding proposals, donor briefing and presentations in support of resource mobilization to advance UNDP’s and the project goals; Assist to mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN agencies, and other relevant multilateral and bilateral organizations to advance and support the project; Propose collaboration with relevant Government bodies by working closely with Government counterparts and national partners; Establish strong ties to and with national programmes, and other relevant stakeholders;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism: technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferable to UNDP procedures and rules; ability to apply good judgement; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently; Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; Communication: good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff and local interlocutors; Flexibility: willingness to travel within the area of operations; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

5 years of experience in a relevant area, such as peace-building, social sciences, gender and human rights, international development; At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in demonstrated experience working with government officials, implementing partners, international donors and other counterparts; Knowledge in peace-building and gender equality; Strong organizational skills and attention to details; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest in governance volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Although there is a certain political instability, the day to day life is calm. Neither the International Community nor the population of Guinea-Bissau is not affected the political instability. The UN staff members are equipped with Codan Radios (VHF) for communication with other UN staff members and UN Security Department. Some areas of Bissau have electricity nearly 24 hours per day, others depend on generators. There are several internet cafes in Bissau. The country code is 245. MTN and Orange are the mobile phone companies in the country. There is access to banks and to 24/7 local ATM services. Official language: Portuguese; Spoken language: Creole; Working language at the United Nations: English and French.

Electricity and Communications: Some areas of Bissau have electricity nearly 24 hours per day, others depend on generators. There are several internet cafes in Bissau. The country code is 245. MTN and Orange are the mobile phone companies in the country.

Money/Banking: There is access to banks and to 24/7 local ATM services.