Job Identification : 11800
Locations : Port Louis, Mauritius
Posting Date : 06/29/2023, 03:00 PM
Apply Before : 07/08/2023, 03:59 AM
Job Schedule : Full time
Agency : UNDP
Grade : NB5
Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area : Management
Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa
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
Desired Languages : French and Mauritian Creole
Vacancy Timeline
1 Week
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.
Following a call for proposals of the European Commission (EC) in 2019 under 11th European Development Fund, the UNDP Country Office for Mauritius submitted a full project proposal for a project titled “Supporting the economic empowerment of the artisanal fishing community of the Republic of Mauritius”. The project was approved in 2019 and is being implemented by UNDP under the Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) with Executing Entities in Mauritius (Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resource, Fisheries and Shipping). The project started implementation in 2020 for a duration of 4 years.
The Project
The main objective of the project is to “improve and strengthen the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the artisanal fisheries of the islands forming the Republic of Mauritius.” It will enhance equitable economic growth by empowering artisanal fishers to improve their livelihood. More specifically, it will support sustainable management and development of fisheries by providing logistical support and training to artisanal fishers to:
- Move out of the over-exploited and climate change-impacted lagoon to the more productive and sustainably managed off-lagoon area;
- Adopt measures that will decrease post-harvest losses by processing their catch and keeping them on ice;
- Improve their economic situation by adding value to their products and by making use of existing government’s incentives through loans and grants.
The activities of this project are geared to the attainment of 3 clear-cut Outcomes which are linked to:
- Better harvest efficiency and sustainable management of resources;
- Improved post-harvest processing infrastructure; and
- Enhanced fish processing techniques.
The project will complement and support the government’s initiative of modernizing the artisanal fishery, improving the economic situation of the artisanal fishers and promoting sustainable exploitation of the ocean by providing incentives to fishers to move out of the over-exploited lagoon.
Scope of Work
The Project Manager (PM) will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. S/he will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The PM will report to the UNDP Country Office (CO), in close consultation with the host institution for all the project’s substantive and administrative issues. From the strategic point of view of the project, the PM will report on a periodic basis to the Project Board/Steering Committee (PB/PSC) at the national level. Generally, the PM will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the Direct Implementation Modality (DIM). S/he will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP, other NGOs and key project partners, and maintain close collaboration with the donor.
Summary of Key Functions
- Strategic project planning, coordination and implementation
- Management of the Project
- Representation and Coordination
- Management of communication flow
- Partnership building and donor liaison
The PM leads and supervises the project staff (chief technical adviser, project assistant, operation assistant, communication officer and gender & monitoring and evaluation officer) working in the project, ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination. The PM ensures a client-oriented approach and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations in conformity with the UNDP Internal Control Framework and good management practice. The PM advises the Project Board/Steering Committee, cost effectiveness and responses to emerging complex challenges in managing the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
1). Ensures strategic project planning, coordination and implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Provides guidance and manages the overall implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring;
- Ensures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects including planning processes and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP country office and the participating ministries/organizations;
- Ensures identification and promotion of programming and planning opportunities;
- Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities;
- Supports capacity building of national counterparts;
- Oversees project implementation through close monitoring of results;
- Ensures effective application of result-based management (RBM) tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks;
- Coordinates and follows through on decentralized local evaluations;
- Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations;
- Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
2). Responsible for effective project management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensures smooth running of the project, builds an effective project team, promotes team work and an environment that is conducive to delivering results;
- Supervises and coordinates the production of project outputs, as per the project document;
- Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the project by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations;
- Continually find ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations;
- Approves contracts and ATLAS transactions under written delegated authority from the Resident Representative and/or Head of Unit. Atlas manager rights will be delegated;
- Responsible for the management of the project staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary;
- Ensures timely and regular reporting;
- Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with UNDP procedures for directly executed projects;
- Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and subcontractors;
- Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel;
- Builds capacity of the project staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing training/learning programmes;
- Contribute to preparation and revision of project work and financial plans, as required by UNDP, and support the operational and financial planning processes;
- Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report, Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, EC and other oversight agencies;
- Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports, and monitor all project activities, budgets and financial expenditures;
- Assist in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurances etc. as well as follow up on timely disbursements by the UNDP CO;
- Will act as Secretariat to the PB/PSC;
- Maintain project correspondence and communication;
- Assist in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops;
- Prepare agendas, make necessary arrangement for the PB/PSC and project meetings, and other internal and external meetings related to the project and write the minutes of those meetings accordingly;
- Maintain a proper inventory of all project equipment.
3). Responsible for Representation and Coordination in the area focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
- Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
- Ensures proper coordination and inputs to Inter-agency initiatives;
- Maintains collaboration and coordination with the other project managers to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices.
4). Promotes communication flow in the project focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Maximizes communication between the various portfolios and ensures that stakeholders (development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies and Government agencies) have one consistent UNDP counterpart;
- Ensures internal communication and coordination at project level and effective and proactive communication between relevant project units;
- Monitors the perception of the Eco-Fish Project at local level and suggest media activities that positions the project more strategically and effectively as a neutral broker for local development. Enhances local visibility for the project in development effectiveness;
- Ensures that local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with Communication Office in the country office;
- Coordinate and assists scientific institutions with the initiation and implementation of all field studies and monitoring components of the project.
5). Fosters partnership building and donor liaison focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the project level through innovative approaches to partnership development;
- Encourages ways of increasing project funding base such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local counterparts and following-up with donors on local opportunities;
- Carry out regular Environmental and Social Impact monitoring, as required;
- Handle any grievances received and respond accordingly as per the Stakeholder Response Mechanism of UNDP;
- Assist community groups, municipalities, NGOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops and hands-on training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
- Perform any other duty relevant to the assignment.
Impact of Results
- Effective stakeholder engagement, financial and time management have an impact on the quality and implementation of the project and programme.
- A client-oriented and efficient approach impact on the image of UNDP in the country.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Manager will report directly to the Head of Environment, UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, Country Office.
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.
Cross functional & technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
- Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
Business Direction Strategy: Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;.
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Business Management
- Results Based Management: Ability to manage Programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management
- Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
2030 Agenda: Planet
- Nature, Climate and Energy: SIDS: Blue economy.
2030 Agenda: Planet
- Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: livelihoods.
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness
- Crisis management / Country Management Support: Crisis-related communication and advocacy
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in project management, business administration, natural resource management or related field is required.
- First university degree (Bachelor) in a relevant field with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with Masters’ Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of project/programme management experience, with involvement with regional/international partners.
Required skills:
- Experience in natural resource management;
- Experience working with ministries, or other local governmental institutions that are concerned with natural resource and/or environmental management;
- Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
- Ability to administer budgets and prepare work plans;
- Ability to mobilize, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
- Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
- Good IT skills (word processing, presentation, spreadsheets, internet, email); and
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desired skills:
- Working experience with donor-funded projects (GEF, EU, World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, AFB, WHO, FAO, etc.) will be an advantage.
Language:
- Fluency in English (written, spoken and presentation).
- Fluency in French desirable.
- Mauritian Creole desirable.
Disclaimer
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.
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