Project Manager

Contract

This is a NPSA-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-11 contracts.

Background

UNDP’s peace portfolio has designed a COVID 19 Response & Social Cohesion project which aims to improve health system responses, integrate, and address communication and information gaps on the COVID-19 threat in Afghanistan. This project is intended to extend support to difficult-to-reach areas where the threat of COVID-19 spread is high due to lack of access and limited availability of basic health packages and preventative measures through the following five output. Output 1: The front-line COVID-19 defense and health sector response is strengthened; Output 2: Collective solutions on COVID-19, social, economic, and environmental crises is offered, through data modelling, socio-economic analysis and incentives to vulnerable groups; Output 3: Enhanced social protection coordination framework in place on COVID 19 and beyond; Output 4: Local governance institutions are strengthened to deliver services during Corona pandemic. (The services include construction of health posts, transit centers for returnees, infrastructure that benefits the general public as part of the development projects); Output 5: Societal risks with different gendered impact posed by COVID-19 in the targeted communities are reduced through strengthening social cohesion and addressing issues related to COVID-19 stigma and discrimination.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit and the day-to-day coordination with the Programme Officer, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the direction of the project activities and the achievement of project targets and results. S/he plans project activities and inputs, manages the day-to-day implementation of the project and supervises project experts and personnel.

The Project Manager supervises a team of international and local project professional and support staff. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP CO Programme, Strategy, Results and Communications, Operations and Security Teams and maintains effective working relationships with project government implementing partners, donors and other partners such as UN agencies

Duties and Responsibilities

The Incumbent will undertake the following to ensure the success of the project:

1. Ensures the direction of COVID 19 Response & Social Cohesion project activities and the achievement of project targets and results, by focusing on the following results
2. Ensures day-to-day management of the project, by focusing on the following results:
3. Ensures and coordinates provision of high-quality technical advice and building of partnerships, focusing on achievement of the following results
4. . Facilitates systematic knowledge and capacity building by the Project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

5. To undertake any other duities as required.

6. Ensures the direction of COVID 19 Response & Social Cohesion project activities and the achievement of project targets and results, by focusing on the following results:

7. In accordance with the COVID 19 Project Document and in close coordination with UNDP programme teams and the project staff, plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and establish Annual Targets according to UNDP CO timelines. Design project budget. Ensure that AWP activities suggested are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of project targets and results.

8. Oversee and coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the Project. Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in close collaboration with relevant CO units.
9. Ensure implementation of activities as per AWP and agreed deadlines as well as according to detailed implementation, procurement and HR plans. Identify bottlenecks and develop solutions. Regularly meet with the government and other project counterparts.
10. Assess project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results.
11. Establish adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close collaboration with the CO Results Team. Ensure that adequate systems are in place to gather data and information for project monitoring and that systematic monitoring of project progress against targets is undertaken, including regular field trips for monitoring purposes. Develop innovative improvements to enhance performance of the project.
12. Ensure that UNDP´s results-management systems are kept updated for project results-information including ATLAS project management module.
13. Manage the accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets to the Project Board and donors. Ensure that donor and UNDP reports are prepared according to UNDP’s SOPs, quality standards and in line with the contractual obligations to project donors. Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted by deadlines.
14. Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs.
15. Implement project communications activities in close collaboration with the CO Communications Team.
16. Organize and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP. Share information on technical project-related issues with donors, other partners and stakeholders.
17. Implement project governance arrangements. Ensure organization of Project Board meetings and ensure timely preparation of agenda, background materials to agenda items and minutes as per CO SOPs.

18. Immediately escalate issues with potential to impact UNDP´s effectiveness, financial soundness or reputation to the Programme Team and CO senior management. Ensure that UNDP´s corporate interest and rules are guarded at all times and that appropriate action is taken to immediately address problems and challenges.

19. Ensures day-to-day management of the project, by focusing on the following results:

20. Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms.

21. Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and grants schemes to initiate activities, including drafting and reviewing terms of references and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work. Oversee effective provision of services to the government counterparts as required.
22. Oversee the appropriate use of project funds as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations. Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures).
23. Develop project budgets. Monitor budget implementation and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure. Coordinate preparation of financial reports to UNDP, as required.
24. Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Develop ToRs/JDs for project staff positions. Oversee recruitment processes. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance. Undertake performance evaluation according to UNDP´s policies and deadlines.
25. Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff, government counterpart and donors identify new risks and update risk frameworks for the Project Board’s consideration and decision on possible actions if required. Update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
26. Ensure appropriate management of project assets, attendance records, filing system.
27. Implement audit recommendations for the project. Provide inputs to audit management responses.

28. Initiate operational closure of the project

29. Ensures and coordinates provision of high-quality technical advice and building of partnerships, focusing on achievement of the following results:

30. Coordinate the advisory activities of the project technical staff. Ensure that technical outputs are provided according to plans and up to highest technical standards. Review and clear technical outputs for quality.

31. Establish, maintain and facilitate strategic dialogue between project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, NGOs, partners, donors and other stakeholders in project´s area of work.
32. Provide technical advice, draft papers/briefs/proposals in project´s technical focus.
33. Identify areas of cooperation and coordination with other UN agencies for implementation of joint activities within the area of the project. Implement joint activities with UN implementing partners as per AWP.
34. Advocate UNDP with the partners and stakeholders. Consistently promote a positive image of UNDP:
35. Identify resources mobilization opportunities in close collaboration with the Programme Team. Develop funding proposals and concepts as requested.
36. Provide inputs to formulation of UNDP strategies such as of ONE UN and CPD.
37. Coordinate project strategies and activities with other UNDP projects to ensure the effective implementation of the Country Programme Document.

38. Provide inputs to UN coordination platforms and participate in meetings, as requested.

39. Facilitates systematic knowledge and capacity building by the Project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

40. Ensure that the Project systematically builds capacities of the government counterpart and other national and local partners through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promotion of their application to project implementation.

41. Promote teamwork, information sharing and collaboration within the Project Team and between the Project Team and the Project Partners.
42. Ensure capturing and disseminations of lessons learnt during project implementation.
43. Promote skills development of project staff through coaching and mentoring

44. Facilitate the Project’s representation and/or participation in international knowledge networks to draw on and share best practice and lessons learned for application in Afghanistan

45. To undertake anu other duties as requited.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Cross-Functional Competencies

Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Cross-Functional Competencies

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Cross-Functional Competencies

Partnerships Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Cross-Functional Competencies

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Cross-Functional Competencies

Risk Management

Abilitt to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Cross-Functional Competencies

Resource Management

Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Technical competencies

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements: Master's degree or BA Degree in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies and public health administration or a related area.

Min. years of relevant work experience: Minimum of 7 years With Matsers Degree, or 9 years with BA Degree of progressive experience , in project development and management, with focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination in national and/or international organizations.

Required skills:

1. Demonstrated experience of management of a project of similar complexity
2. Solid technical knowledge in the field of peace and conflict.
3. Solid technical knowledge in the field of public health.
4. Extensive managerial experience including experience in leading multi-cultural teams.
5. Experience in working at the country level including in conflict and post-conflict environments.
6. Good computer literacy – MS office applications, web-based management information systems

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

1. Excellent knowledge of project management principles and best practices. Project Management Certification, either Prince2 or PMP/PMI would be an advantage.
2. Post graduate degree in the area of peace and conflict is an advantage

Required Language(s): Proficiency in English and the local language (Dari and Pashto).