National Project Manager

National Project Manager

Job Identification: 18040
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Apply Before: 05/20/2024, 11:59 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-10
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Inclusive Growth
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Mobility required/no mobility: no mobility required

Job Description
Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

UNDP Nepal has invested in design and prototyping of a set of innovative interventions at Local Levels with focus on Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) and green economy since the last few years, as precursors to the development of portfolio approach to promote circular and green economy models. Since UNDP engagement with local governments has shown growing interest for the development and scaling of resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cities, these interventions have been developed to cater local needs and achieve national priorities set by the Government of Nepal. UNDP in collaboration with the Local Governments has been jointly working the Local Governments to convert degraded riverine land into productive riverbed farming, agro-forestry, and climate smart plantations with the aim of creating green jobs and protecting land from further deterioration and restoring the ecosystem. These programmes could act as contributing factors to address the youth unemployment and migration and ultimately to turn into the growing prospects on integrated circular and green economy in Nepal.

UNDP has been implementing an Initiation Plan “Circular and Green Economy for Environmental Restoration in Nepal (GREEN)” with the aim of creating synergy between innovative interventions on circular and green economy through an integration of the R&D function, policy driven, community-led and economically viable system such as waste-to-energy interventions, health services, tourism, and climate change and promotion of entrepreneurial skills and behavioural change communication. Building upon the progress, results and lessons learnt, UNDP Nepal will develop a detailed project document within this year. For this, a dedicated National Project Manager will be made responsible to lead, manage and coordinate the project. The National Project Manager will report to and work under the technical guidance of the Portfolio Manager of Inclusive Economic Growth. The National Project Manager will also work closely with Policy Advisor, Program Management Analyst of the Partnership and Results team, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor and the Communication team.

The National Project Manager will report to and work under the technical guidance of the Portfolio Manager of Inclusive Economic Growth. The Project Manager will also work closely with Policy Advisor, Program Management Analyst of the Partnership and Results team, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor and the Communication team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Effective and efficient management of the Circular and Green Economy for Environmental Restoration in Nepal (GREEN)

• Provide leadership to the implementation of the project taking responsibility for the overall programme performance and delivery of outputs ensuring UNDP corporate standards.
• Lead the project’s team and supervise the members of the team in all programme implementation, procurement, human resource, finance and administrative functions.
• Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of operational strategies, establishment of management targets and monitoring of achievement of results of all project components as described in the project document.
• Develop smooth transition of green economy approach and implement in the project activities considering disaster risk reduction principle.
• Use relevant contractual modalities and manage contracts and supervise the subcontractors to ensure the delivery of quality outputs.
• Provide technical support to develop policy and regulatory framework for promoting green skills entrepreneurship in partnership with Local Governments.
• Enhance livelihoods and restore ecosystem through integrated and innovative approaches, research and development on portfolio of circular and green economy.
• Technical support to conduct R&D functions and communicate the research findings to the concerned authorities/stakeholders.
• Analyze results/lessons learned and provide strategies for improved delivery of project interventions and identify any issue that requires attention by the UNDP and prepare succinct reports for discussion.
• Take the lead in preparing annual and quarterly progress reports as well as other reports for UNDP, donors, and other stakeholders, as per project requirements.
• Regularly update the Risk Log, M&E plan, HR plan and Procurement Plan. Based on the M & E framework in the project document, help develop and refine indicators for the effective implementation of the project.
• Ensure reaching out to the targeted beneficiaries with special attention to youths, women and disadvantaged communities with focus on Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) and green economy.
• Design and develop a detailed project document based on the results and lessons learnt ensuring full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations and policies,
• Coordinate with Country Office to ensure coordination on HR, Procurement plans, and partnership development.
• Monitor the day-to-day operation and submit the progress reports based on the approved AWPs.

Partnership Building and Resource Mobilisation

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities. Support ongoing coordination efforts.
• Supports coordination and strategic planning efforts and partnership.
• Contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for the implementation of the project.
• Develop mechanisms and instruments for selection of appropriate provincial and local governments, Non-Governmental Organization and civil society partners in the implementation of the project.
• Oversee the mobilization of additional resources from development partners.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects activities, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization. Research the engagement with non-traditional donors to support the project.

Human Resource and Procurement Management

• Maintain close contact with country office to ensure coordination on HR administration of staff as well other matters of concern.
• With the support of the Operations Division of Country Office, oversee all the recruitment and procurement of the project as per approved Human resource and Procurement plans.
• Use different contractual modalities and manage contracts.
• Supervise the subcontractors to ensure the delivery of quality work.

Financial Management

• Prepare and consolidate the overall budget, monitor expenditures, budget forecasts, budget revisions and financial reports in accordance with UNDP financial rules and implement internal control system.
• Ensure effective and accurate financial resource management.
• Prepare and consolidate the overall budget, monitor expenditures in accordance with UNDP financial rules and cost-recovery policies and implement adequate internal control.
• Prepare budgets, budget forecasts, budget revisions and financial reports.

Knowledge Management

• Facilitation of knowledge building and management of the project team.
• Analyse results/lessons learned and provide strategies for improved delivery of project interventions.
• Ensures that project lessons learned, and best practices are captured and documented to inform wider policies and programmes.

Gender and Social Inclusion Sensitivity

• Apply principles of gender and social inclusion as the cross-cutting issue in every aspect of the project implementation and management.
• Ensure Gender Empowerment and Social Inclusion (GESI) components in programme implementation; and communications tools and products developed and disseminated.
• Review, monitor, and report on the progress of GESI related targets and work plan on a regular basis.
• Facilitate in creating an environment to address GESI issues and make sure women and people from disadvantaged group are sufficiently benefitted from project result.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Collaborates with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management competencies:

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business management

• 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.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Risk Management: Ability to identify and organise action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

2023 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

2023 Agenda: Governance

• Governance: Inclusion and Participation

Partnership

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Management, Social Sciences, or another relevant subject is required,
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years (with Master´s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in in development financing, effective development cooperation, public finance, private sector development, capacity building and advisory services is required.
• Proven experience of managing bilateral, multilateral donors funded projects and its implementation in Nepal on Green Skills, project management or relevant area is required.
• Understanding of relevant current plans and policies of the Government of Nepal and familiar with various initiatives at provincial and local levels through various stakeholders (ministries and local bodies) will be an asset.
• Thorough understanding of gender and social inclusion and practical experience of integrating it into the GREEN sector is desired.
• Hands on experience in designing projects, project planning, implementation, and monitoring will be an asset.
• Substantial working experience of coordination and collaboration with private sector, and different spheres of government- local, provincial, and federal government is desired.
• Experience in policy review, formulation for skills development is desired.
• Knowledge and experience of working with government ministries, provincial and local Governments, United Nations, private sector, business & industries, and Development Partners would be an asset.
• Good report writing skill.
• Good knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures or experience of completing UN assignments would be an asset.
• Good knowledge of computer applications, especially MS Office Good understanding of other application for data management and project monitoring

Required Languages:

• Nepali and English

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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