Project Manager

Project Manager, Kathmandu, Nepal, P4

Job Identification: 16882
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Grade: P4
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Rotational/Non Rotational: Non-Rotational
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages: English
Vacancy Timeline: 3 Weeks
Job Category: Adolescent & Youth

Job Description

The Position:

A Project Manager for the “Safe and Enabling Environment for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (SAFE-Girls)” project, funded by the Republic of Korea is required for the Nepal Country Office based in Kathmandu. S/he will work under the overall leadership of the Country Representative and direct report to the Deputy Representative. The Project Manager will work closely with key UNFPA Nepal technical, programme, and operational staff for the effective implementation of the key components of the project.

The incumbent is the overall coordinator of the SAFE-Girls project and will work in close collaboration with focal persons from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), partner government/line ministries, and implementing partner organizations. S/he is responsible for providing policy, programme and operational management guidance to the UN partners, programme staff and countries in an integrated and coordinated manner for the successful implementation of the programme deliverables/results. S/he will manage the project team including three project officers (NOB) in the target provinces: Lumbini, Madhesh, and SudurPashchim. Together they are responsible to ensure the proper coordination, management and implementation of the SAFE-Girls Project. The incumbent will receive necessary technical support and collaborate with a Programme Specialist (Harmful Practices, HP) and a Program Analyst (Adolescent and Youth). The incumbent will work with the Harmful Practices and Youth Team within the Gender Unit.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, taking the lead in delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s current strategic plan focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender- based violence and harmful practices against women and girls.

UNFPA recruits principled and ethical staff with a firm belief in and commitment to upholding human rights and gender equality, who embody UN international norms and standards, and who will defend these diplomatically and courageously.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results and who are true team workers; we recruit staff who are transparent, exceptional in how resources entrusted to us are managed, and are committed to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Project Manager – “SAFE-Girls” oversees the strategic and technical elements of the project – GBV Prevention and Response, Adolescent and Youth empowerment, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Nepal. This includes overall strategic portfolio oversight, representation of UNFPA and coordination with external partners, as well as management of a team of technical personnel to deliver high-quality, timely and integrated technical and programme support on Adolescent and Youth (AY). S/he is charged with ensuring that UNFPA Nepal’s AY portfolio is technically sound and in line with the ICPD Programme of Action and SDGs, UNFPA’s Global Strategic Plans and 9th Country Programme for Nepal, and the development frameworks and international commitments of the Government of Nepal. It is further expected that the Project Manager will analyze the external environment in Nepal, identify opportunities for UNFPA in the area of AY, CSE, and GBV/HPs, and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in terms of programmes and funding, advocacy, and research/learning.

Main areas of technical focus include:

• Promotion of mentorship/safe spaces targeting adolescent girls;
• Expansion of youth friendly integrated SRHR services;
• Increasing access to SRHR information including comprehensive sexuality education;
• Supporting behavioral change communications and widening community/male engagement;
• Addressing menstrual health/hygiene issues and supporting economic empowerment and resilience.

The Project Manager is part of a multi-disciplinary team, which provides technical, policy, programme support and guidance to UNFPA Nepal Country Office and its counterparts in an integrated and coordinated manner.
Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative, and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will work closely with the national staff in the youth/adolescent team as well as with the SRH team of Nepal Country Office.

You would be responsible for:

A. Strategic Leadership, Technical Advice, Policy Analysis and Advocacy:

• Under the supervision of Representative and Deputy Representative, provide strategic leadership in terms of programme management, quality assurance, technical advice, advocacy, knowledge management, partnerships and inter-agency coordination in the areas of gender, harmful practices, youth empowerment, and Adolescent/Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH).
• Provide technical advice and guidance to the Programme team in order to facilitate smooth and effective implementation of the Gender and Youth programmes, especially the SAFE – Girls Programme.
• Advise Representative and Deputy Representative on gender, youth empowerment, Adolescent SRH (ASRH) and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) related issues, approaches, innovations and strategic communications.
• Represent UNFPA on substantive issues related to gender and AGYW and advocate for UNFPA’s mandate and positions effectively.
• Provide policy analysis on gender and AGYW issues and support Resident Representative and Deputy Representative in their strategic engagement with the Government and other key stakeholders.
• Lead or provide technical input to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents, including engagement with relevant Government entities such as the Ministry of Youth and Sport, National Youth Council, and the Ministry of Health and Population. Participate in relevant national and district level technical and strategic discussions.
• Lead the development of knowledge management strategies and methodologies and products.

B. Quality assurance in the programme, knowledge management, monitoring and reporting:

• Under the supervision of Deputy Representative, provide oversight and ensure quality assurance of the gender and AGYW programme activities, especially SAFE- Girls Programme. Ensure effective, efficient and transparent programme cycle management of adolescent and youth related activities, including annual work planning/budgeting, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, working closely with Implementing Partners.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to the Programme Officers responsible for day-to-day management of gender and AGYW programme activities.
  Identify and produce good practices and knowledge products on the evidence-based approaches. Facilitate the cross-learning and sharing of good practices across SRH, Adolescent/Youth, and Gender programmes of the Country Office for greater outcomes.
• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team, ensure that evidence on the results of the Programme interventions, as well as technical knowledge for gender analysis and behavioral change communications and relevant lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and made available for application in the Nepal Country Programme.

C. Partnerships Building, Resource Mobilization, and Inter-agency Coordination:

• Provide technical assistance and guidance in support of UNFPA’s convening role in adolescent girls-centered programming, youth empowerment and leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality.
• Collaborate with UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, research and training institutions, and professional societies; and act as focal point for inter-agency working groups in the substantive areas.
• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies related to gender and AGYW.
• Oversee and manage the design and formulation of programme proposals and initiatives related to gender and AGYW;
• Provide quality assurance for proposal writing and donor reports related to gender and AGYW. Explore potential and innovative partnerships related to the gender and empowerment of AGYW.

D. People Management and Leadership:

• Supervise project staff, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams. Proactively ensure that projects remain aligned with the broader aims of the CO and the Country Programme.
• Exchange relevant information and maintain an open line of communication with colleagues and his/her supervisor to ensure that synergies across programming activities are obtained. Coach and supervise professional and support staff, be responsible for staff performance, and advise on development needs.

E. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

F. Familiarity with child safeguarding principles including PSEA, and incorporating safeguarding consideration into the programming cycle/operation process/HR management/M&E process/Media, etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced Degree in any of the following disciplines: public health, education, medical science, social science, sociology, gender, international relations, international development, economics, communications, management or another related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in international development including programme design, management and coordination; of which at least 5 years in the field of development of adolescent/youth or empowerment of adolescent girls and young women-centered programming in international organizations is required;
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in providing technical assistance to a wide range of stakeholders including the government at all levels and leadership in the programming areas of empowerment of adolescent and youth, sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention and response of GBV and/or harmful practices is desirable;
• Solid experience in project/programme management including planning, monitoring, and reporting, and evaluation of development projects related to empowerment of adolescents and/or youth.
• Experience in conducting financial monitoring and budget management.
• Good knowledge and hands-on experience on working with government institutions at national and sub-national levels, international development organizations, private sector, CSO, and media.
• Good knowledge on rules and regulations of the UN system would be an asset. Previous experience in knowledge management, partnership building, and resource mobilization is an asset.
• Proven ability to lead teams to achieve demonstrable and high-quality results is required.
• Experience in project implementation at field level is essential; experience from a developing or humanitarian context is an asset.
• Working experience in South Asia is an asset.
• Demonstrated skills in basic office software programs are required.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN language is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-based programme,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Apply Before: 04/02/2024, 02:45 AM

Tagged as: Kathmandu, NGO INGO, Project Manager, UNFPA