Project Manager

Project Manager

Job Identification:15767
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-10
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Management
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

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.

Nepal’s Constitution has established food security, the right to food, and food sovereignty as fundamental rights, with the government entrusted to uphold them. However, Nepal ranks 73 out of 117 food-importing nations in the 2022 Global Hunger Report, with approximately 45 out of 77 districts facing food insufficiency. To address this challenge and align with Sustainable Development Goals, UNDP will implement the “Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS)” in 11 local governments across Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Bagmati provinces to enhance agriculture productivity and food security by leveraging affordable energy solutions, empowering local farmers through modern technology, and partnering with government bodies and national organizations with the support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The project aims to contribute to the “improved food and nutrition security of the communities in targeted municipalities of Sudur Paschim and Karnali provinces by promoting indigenous crop varieties through mechanization of agriculture using renewable energy-based technology.” The project will support establishing dedicated funds at local level to support the farmers for use of modern technology in production and processing. The project will work with local and provincial governments, cooperatives, traders, and service providers to enhance their knowledge on use of modern technology for food production and sustainable food system management through capacity building and provisions for climate information, policies, finance, and farm research. Extensive use of energy-based and climate smart technology will help reduce the cost of production and increase local food supply. This will also support economic empowerment of women and marginalized groups through job creation and contribute to environment.

In the context, UNDP is looking to recruit a full-time, dedicated, experienced and competent Project Manager for the Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS) project to ensure that project milestones are delivered in a timely and cost- effective manner that fulfils donor’s expectations. The Project Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Analyst, Resilience and Environment and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of project management including programme, finance and operations and implementation of project activities in 3 provinces and 12 municipalities. S/he will coordinate with major partners and seek guidance from the respective technical experts to ensure quality of the processes and outputs. S/he will be responsible for supervision of project team that includes both professional and support staff based in Kathmandu, cluster and satellite office (Monitoring, Communication and Reporting Officer (GESI/M&E), Liaison and Coordination Officer, Cluster Coordinators, Admin and Finance Officers and support staff), maintaining day-to-day communication and coordination with partner agencies, and liaison with federal, provincial and municipal officials, the local partners and other stakeholders.

The incumbent will report to the Portfolio Manager (UNDP/ Resilience and Environment Portfolio)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure effective coordination at national, provincial, and local level including with the partners and counterparts of the project

• Establish and maintain good working relations with key stake holders- national, provincial and local government, non-government organizations to support smooth implementation of the project and ensure their ownership on project results.
• Build and maintain a close coordination with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and Norwegian Embassy in regard to achievements of project results, timely reporting of progress, challenges, and potential modifications (in case required), and making responses to additional queries.
• Build and maintain a strong coordination and collaborate with the implementing partners including WFP, ICIMOD, AEPC and other for implementation of project activities at all levels based on agreed implementation framework and division of labor including financial and programmatic reporting and build synergy in approach and apply learning to address food and nutrition security risks in project municipalities and provinces.
• Build and maintain a strong coordination with partner members during implementation of project activities to ensure knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices to build synergy.
• Ensure coordination with UN field office and government line agencies during preparation of cluster workplans and guidelines.
• Ensure participation of provincial and local governments, line agencies, target communities, and other stakeholders including community of practices in planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities.
• Mobilize the Provincial Coordinators and Municipal teams to ensure integration of project approach into provincial and municipal planning for further scaling up.
• Communicate and coordinate with other agriculture and nutrition sector actors and partners working in 11 target municipalities and at the districts level about the objectives, approach, and intended outcomes of the project to build synergy in implementation.
• Organize Project Board meetings on a regular basis; consult with the Project Board on any issues that require the Board’s attention, including issues related to deviation from the approved work plans and deviation from the approved target and/or budget.

Ensure effective management and implementation of the project activities for timely delivery of quality outputs:

• Overall management of Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri- Food System project.
• Lead recruitment planning and day-to-day management of all project personnel (staff, consultants, and contractors), project finance, procurement, and logistics to perform various tasks as reflected in the project document and project work plan.
• Take lead on the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, management, and coordination as relevant to project implementation at different levels -federal, provincial, district and municipal levels.
• Lead the project planning exercise to produce project annual and quarterly work plan/budget and implementation of day-today project activities within the timeline in coherence with set guidelines and procedures and quality standards.
• Ensure that all activities under each output are prepared in a timely manner and implemented in accordance with stated outcomes and performance indicators.
• Identify potential issues related to project implementation and management and prepare a set of recommendations for discussion as relevant to project implementation and management.
• Take responsibility of coordination, management and monitoring of project finance, administration, procurement and logistics of the project in compliance with UNDP’s Rules and procedures
• Ensure that all financial and administrative matters related to the project are transparent, expedient, and effectively managed in line with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Coordinate and support all activities for annual audit exercise and ensure implementation of audit and evaluation recommendation.
• Provide supervision and coordination of the work of project personnel-PMU and field team to ensure delivery of project outputs and outcomes in a timely manner
• Facilitate strategic dialogue between project staff, the donor, implementing partners at federal, provincial and local levels, non-governmental organizations, and other counterparts.

Carry out project monitoring and evaluation and reporting responsibilities

• Finalize M&E framework/ plan of the project in coordination with project’s Monitoring, Communication and Reporting Officer (GESI/M&E) and ensure its timely and effective implementation.
• Regularly monitor project activities to ensure their implementation and initiate taking necessary preparatory actions for course corrections as needful in liaison with relevant parties.
• Undertake regular field visits to project sites, and facilitate joint monitoring with consortium members, government counterparts to ensure quality delivery of outputs and activities, including coherence in understanding and approach undertaken for implementation of activities.
• Carry out baseline, midterm and final evaluation of the project.
• Ensure regular oversight to project implementation based on project follow up and monitoring plan, implementation strategy, action plan, calendar of events, etc. developed in consultation with project staff (AFO, M&E, GESI, etc.)
• Ensure timely reporting to donors and government as per agreed time schedule and template following UNDP’s established procedures.
• Ensure timely finalization of technical and financial progress reports- quarterly, six monthly, annual, project completion reports, briefs and other documents and ensure their quality.
• Facilitate the process of monitoring and evaluation of project as per UNDP requirements and procedures
• Ensure regular updates and maintain consistency of project disaggregated data/information in line with project M&E framework.
• Prioritize and provide necessary support to donor monitoring, evaluation and reporting as per agreed work plan.
• Ensure that the project receives adequate level of visibility and attention through multiple means at all tiers of government .

Provide technical guidance and support to the project team:

• Organize project inception and review workshops to build common understanding about project outcomes, implementation modality, challenges, and deliverables in collaboration with RERAS and other partners.
• Provide technical guidance to project team, in liaison with the government officials and other stakeholders, in preparation of detailed project workplan and budget, development of project implementation strategy and action plan, and engagement of project staff at community levels.
• Guide the field team: Provincial Coordinator, Municipal Technical Officers, Monitoring, Communication and Reporting Officer (GESI/M&E), Liaison and Coordination Officer, Admin and Finance Officers and Community Development Workers based in the cluster and municipality to execute planned activities in a timely and efficient manner.
• Conduct regular meetings and follow ups with project team to take stock of implementation and reflect cross-cutting issues such as vulnerability, gender, social inclusion, human rights, etc. in project result framework.
• Engage in policy advocacy to enhance energy-food and nutrition security nexus.
• Provide quality inputs and feedback to the work done at provincial and municipal levels and ensure coherence with project objectives, plans and budgets

Preparation of process/ technical reports/ documents, Communication/ Knowledge Management and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI):

• Ensure documentation of project results and achievements and their dissemination at province and municipal levels in coordination with provincial coordinators
• Guide Monitoring Communication and Reporting Officer in data collection and analysis, documenting challenges and lessons learnt, preparing project reports, news, success stories and organizing events.
• Ensure development of high-quality knowledge products and communication materials in close coordination with Monitoring Communication and Reporting Officer (GESI/M&E) and UNDP communication team
• Ensure project approaches, and monitoring and reporting system reflect on gender and social inclusion results; and project team build capacities for GESI analysis through tailored support.
• Facilitate the dissemination of information about the objectives, progress, and achievements of the project.
• Take the lead, coordinate and participate in organizing national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings related to the project;
• Build the project’s reputation in the knowledge networks to draw on and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt.
• Ensure integration of GESI aspects in all stages of the project in coordination with GESI Focal Person of UNDP/ and consortium members.
• Provide advice and direction on strategic and policy issues to strengthen gender & social inclusion initiatives during planning and implementation

Perform any other related task as per the request of Portfolio Manager, Resilience and Environment and Policy Advisor

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:

Technical Competency:

• Project management: Hands on experience and expertise on managing bi-lateral and multilateral projects in coordination with federal, provincial, and local government, civil society organizations-I/NGO. CBOs, private sector and cooperative
• Gender: Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming
• Value chain development: Clear understanding of agriculture value chain and commodity specific technology development at different node of value chain
• Agriculture sectoral federalization: In depth understanding of agriculture sector federalization and working with federal, provincial, and local governments in strengthening agriculture extension system strengthening.
• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

Cross Functional competency:

• 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 .
• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in management of development with agriculture science, natural resource management or any other related fields. OR
• 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 years (with Master´s degree) or seven years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressive experience working in decentralized agriculture extension system and agriculture value chain or relevant related field is required.
• At least 5 years of proven experience of managing bilateral, multilateral donors funded agriculture projects and its implementation in Nepal.
• Experience of working in food security and agriculture rural livelihood,
• Good understanding of current agriculture 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)
• Through understanding of gender and social inclusion and practical experience of integrating it into the agriculture sector.
• More than 5 years’ hands on experience in designing projects, project planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Substantial working experience of coordination and collaboration with private sector, and different spheres of government- local, provincial, and federal government.
• Good technical knowledge/experience on agriculture value-chain, agriculture and land use, land tenure, agro-forestry.
• Experience in project management and project delivery
• Well versed in computer applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Good knowledge of computer applications, especially MS Office Good understanding of other application for data management and project monitoring
• Prior experience with UNDP, I/NGOS and knowledge of its policies, procedures and practice will be an asset.
• Good understanding of other application for data management and project monitoring
• Proven experience in overseeing and ensuring technical soundness of research and analysis.
• Good understanding of UNDP rules and procedures
• An experience of completing UNDP project management assignments
• Sound understanding/experience of agriculture policies, agriculture research and hands on experience and expertise of agriculture extension and research systems in Nepal.
• Proven experience of managing and supervising a team – comprising of more than 20 multidisciplinary professionals.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Nepali at professional level

Disclaimer

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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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Apply Before: 02/05/2024, 11:59 PM

Tagged as: Kathmandu, NGO INGO, Project Manager, UNDP Job Vacancy