Oct 31, 2018
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of main functions:
Strategic Direction of Project Implementation;
Project & Grant Management;
Learning and Knowledge Management;
Effective Stakeholder’s Management & Support Resource Mobilization Efforts;
Effective Leadership and Supervision.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Direction of Project Implementation:
Identification of strategic project areas of cooperation;
Provision of strategic guidance and advice to relevant stakeholders and partners on policy issues, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation including key performance indicators and implementation strategies that will enable the project meet objectives and expected results;
Making the case for innovative ideas in support of new devolved structure, capitalize on successes and build them into the design of innovative approaches;
Guide recruitment of consultants to support project’s implementation;
Oversight of operational aspects of the project;
Safeguarding the project from risks by proactively mitigating against emerging risk areas;
Addressing obstacles and challenges identified with project implementation at the regional/local levels;
Advising UNDP senior management on the overall progress, emerging opportunities and possible areas of intervention;
Preparation of high quality technical and policy briefs, analysis and other documents for UNDP senior management engagement with external audiences (e.g. donors & senior government officials) to inform decision-makers and opinion-makers on UNDP programmes, & activities relating to their specific issues of interest;
Provide expert guidance on reporting tools and set reporting standards and timelines;
Ensure all relevant M & E documents are properly uploaded on to UNDP systems;
Make improvements and refinements for high performance; Optimize its usage in periodic results monitoring (quarterly, semiannual and annual);
Identify gaps and implementing challenges and design innovative solutions to address the constraints;
Set up technical criteria for appraisal and evaluation of projects and ensures final quality assurance checks prior to submitting projects to the Project Technical and Steering Committees;
Ensure overall quality management of entire project life cycle.
2. Project & Grants Management:
Oversee and coordinate management of the grant coordination cycle (assessing grant applications, selection of grantees, approval by grants committee, award, capacity building, monitoring & reporting) and related procurement processes ensuring transparency and project accountability;
Has fiduciary responsibilities and accountabilities for the project financial resources;
Ensures all project staff observes the highest standards of conduct in financial and procurement activities Formulate and draft project proposals for funding;
Design mechanisms for linking calls for proposals and the key priorities of the project within the conflict prevention and peacebuilding field;
Oversee financial allocations and expenditures approvals in liaison with the Finance Officer. Ensure timely payments according to UNDP rules, regulations and procedures. Resolve diverse and sometimes complex problems related to funding;
Take full responsibility for quality control of the grants and the funding processes. Focus on the quality more than the quantity of grants;
Oversee production of financial reports on a timely manner and in line with UNDP financial rules and procedures.
3. Learning and Knowledge Management:
Lead the creation & dissemination of substantive, high-quality and well-developed knowledge products, policy analysis pieces & communication materials;
Ensure knowledge is captured and properly documented including best practices & lessons learnt at the national and regional levels;
Lead field visits and report on progress and key issues;
Develop monitoring and evaluation plans and processes to measure the impact of grants awarded to grantees;
As the UNDP’s flagship project with direct partner interface at the regional level, build a knowledge base to inform strategic units in UNDP;
Highlight learning & knowledge management both strategically and operationally by ensuring findings and experiences are documented to influence and inform future activities of the project;
Lead the monitoring of delivery status, through preparation of substantive reports and in line with UNDP corporate standards.
4. Effective Stakeholder’s Management & Support Resource Mobilization Efforts:
Organize and coordinate grant assessment meetings;
Ensure quality and timely documentation on (calls for proposals, grants assessment reports, etc.);
Ensure recommendations and decisions coming from partnerships review, project approval committee, grants approval committee & reviews are effectively implemented;
Support activities to promote dialogue and bridging relationships among project stakeholders;
Provide technical support and advice related to the management of the project including the development of procedures and guidelines for managing calls for proposals;
Coordinate the technical appraisal of expressions of interest and proposals;
Identify bottlenecks in funds management process and design creative solutions to address them;
Contribute to the development of a partnership strategy and a resource mobilization plan of action to achieve optimum interest and possible funding for the project;
Liaise with national government to ensure support for new initiatives;
Participate in resource mobilization efforts for the project;
Prepare draft projects proposals for mobilization of financial resources;
Facilitate high quality engagement with key stakeholders;
Build good working relations with related local governments, UN agencies, implementing partners, donor partners, private sector and media;
Ensure that project activities are closely coordinated with stakeholders and that high level of collaboration and cooperation is in place at the regional/local and national levels;
Contribute to the production of reports and publications providing technical inputs.
5. Effective Leadership and Supervision:
Providing intellectual and technical leadership;
Responsible for strategic guidance and day-to-day management of the project team;
Overseeing resources management of the team (both human & financial);
In collaboration with the Team Leader, Governance and Capacity Development Unit, establish team’s annual work plans and setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and expected results;
Taking timely decisions to meet objectives and escalating complex issues to the supervisor as needed;
Supervising and assessing work in progress to ensure delivery of results according to performance standards, overall objectives and project’s accountability framework;
Through both programme and operations specialists, ensure quality of project’s financial, procurement, administrative and programmatic compliance with UNDP rules and regulations as well as compliance with project’s timelines;
With devolution and decentralized structure, he/she will promote a unified team to facilitate integration, linkages, collaboration and synergies. Ensure staff are provided sufficient information, guidance and support to perform and deliver results;
Monitor staff performance in line with UNDP’s performance management guidelines. Provide necessary coaching and guidance;
In collaboration with the operations team, ensure security of staff especially in non-family locations and safeguard the projects assets.
Competencies
Core:
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)
Delivery
Ability to get things done
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
Technical/Functional:
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda -Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Dialogues with national and regional counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating regional and national perspectives;
Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues.
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management
Promotes a culture of accountability in the project;
Exercises leadership in strengthening accountability and results-based management in supporting project priorities, policy and decision-making processes;
Creates linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration between programme and operations teams and between National Offices and Field Office.
Building Strategic Partnerships - Identifying and building partnerships
An ability to work with a range of stakeholders, internal and external, including senior management, committee members, grantees, government, donors and practitioners;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Ability to engage with other agencies and forge productive working relationships.
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches - Developing new approaches
Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.
Resource Mobilization - Implementing resource mobilization strategies
Develops a strategy for resource mobilization and implements it;
Ability to identify and organize programmes to implement solutions and generate resources.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise - In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
Knowledge of frameworks and dialogue processes for effective and transparent engagement of civil society in national development;
Knowledge of Project Management concepts, principles and policies;
Ability to develop, share and effectively use knowledge products;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
Ability to determine degree of risk in project management;
Ability to ascertain need, plan, design, and execute training;
Ability to prepare quality reports;
Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;
Ability to lead a large, diverse and geographically dispersed team;
Ability to lead effectively, mentor and solve conflicts; ability to provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals - Research and analysis
Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.
Client Orientation - Contributing to positive outcomes for the client
Demonstrates a commitment to the provision of quality service to clients, promoting a mindset of valuing clients;
Provides client groups with opportunities for active participation/consultation on decisions relevant to their needs;
Develops strategic partnerships with clients to integrate common interests;
Leverages a network of senior level contacts and decision makers to pursue new approaches.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Masters’ Degree in Project Management, Public administration, Development, Refugee Studies or other related fields.
Experience:
At least 6 years of relevant experience (with Masters’ Degree) or 7 years of relevant experience (with Bachelors’ Degree) in project management and fund management;
Substantive experience in grants management and coordination including pre-and post-award management, financial analysis and budgeting;
Hands on experience in programme planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of civil society organizations projects;
Experience and knowledge of working with local governments capacity building programmes;
Managerial experience for a large and geographically dispersed team;
Experience dealing with high level government officials and donors.
Language Requirements:
Excellent spoken and written skills in English and Amharic. Knowledge of the local language is an asset.
Other:
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Gambela, Ethiopia
Full time
