Job Identification : 12676

Locations : Banjul, Gambia

Posting Date : 09/05/2023, 09:32 AM

Apply Before : 09/20/2023, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NPSA-11

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Inclusive Growth

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration : 6 months

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English

Desired Languages : Knowledge of at least two local languages (Mandinka, Wollof, Fula, Jola)

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.

The Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD) model provides a vehicle for a multi-sectoral approach to addressing poverty and inequality at community level and will help government to respond to social demands through a partnership with development partners to ensure accelerated, multi-pronged, participatory, and accountable delivery of services particularly to far-to-reach populations. This will revitalize and transform the economy for the well-being of all Gambians and particularly address the persistent and serious disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of access to basic services including water, energy and road infrastructure as well as addressing existing inequalities, and disparities and injustices in access to socio-economic infrastructure.

The model aligns with international development norms of aiming to keep people out of poverty through a multi-dimensional approach. It will help unleash further opportunities to strengthen national capacities, promote south-south cooperation and more importantly, improve the conditions of the people, particularly women and girls in poor communities. Gambia has not had a strong record of government cost-sharing but with the entry of the new government, faced with the capacity challenges, this initiative provides an opportunity to move into this arena as being piloted currently.

The UNDP Country Office, The Gambia, UNDP HQ and GOTG are seeking the services of a Gambian national for the position of Project Manager to head the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of project activities during the period of the project. The Project Manager will be recruited by the Government of the Gambia in consultation with the UNDP CO in line with UNDP rules. Under his/her leadership, the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) will coordinate the implementation of all the PACD activities. The PCU will need to work closely with all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure smooth implementation of the project. As head of the PCU, the Project Manager will oversee execution of activities and accomplishment of the project’s objectives and outcomes as per the Project Document.

As the PACD pilot phase added a value to communities development schemes, the Government has expressed interest to develop a full fledged program capitalizing on lessons learnt from pilot phase achievements.

Duties and Responsibilities

The day-to-day effective management of the project and supervision of the team, focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming achievements:

•  Provision of direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
•  Develop strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;
•  Liaising with the Project Steering Committee to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project and coordinate the elaboration of the project document for the full fledged project following the pilot phase of PACD;
•  Implementation of the monitoring and evaluation strategy and coordination of the M&E processes.

The day-to-day effective management of the project and supervision of the team, focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming achieving the following results:

•  Ensure achievement of the overall aims and objectives of the project with a focus on providing specialized support to the partners;
•  Effectively manage and coordinate the project from the planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring;
•  Ensure tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Perform the function of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval;
•  Ensure effective application of RBM, active monitoring of project achievements against indicators, including the implementation on monitoring and evaluation tools for achievement of results;
•  Prepare timely donor and other project reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application;
•  Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Prepare and deliver all necessary financial and operational revisions and narrative reports, including workplans, in a timely manner;
•  Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting;
•  Coordinate the work of and provide guidance to project consultants as needed;
•  Facilitate the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
•  Ensure timely initiation and completion the terminal evaluation of the project, including supporting the consultants to achieve the expected outputs and deliverables of the inception report, terminal evaluation report, organizing validation meeting with stakeholders, etc;
•  Lead the joint work with other implementing partners to draft the final project report and lessons-learned report;
•  Lead the presentation of all project and lessons-learned reports to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for review, document key recommendations made by the PSC as inputs for the terminal evaluation report and project records;
•  Undertake monthly project visits to ensure implementation and project monitoring activities, where possible in collaboration with implementing partners and responsible parties;
•  Ensure efficient transfer and/or disposal of project assets to the designated partner/s as guided by the project document, UNDP policies and procedures in consultation with Head of Inclusive Growth;
•  Ensure strong visibility of project activities and achievements;
•  Day-to-day management and decision-making for the project.

Provision of direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies); will include but not limited to:

•  Identifying and obtaining any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
•  Mobilizing personnel, goods, and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications; and overseeing all contractors’ work.

Develop strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization:

•  Develop and maintain partnerships and cooperation with the Government, as well as relevant experts, international organizations, assistance agencies and donors;
•  Establish pipelines and mobilize resources for project including ensuring timely donor reporting where necessary;
•  Lead and support project networking, linkages and partnership development with other UN agencies and development partners;
•  Strengthening partnerships with academia, development partners, think tanks and civil society for successful implementation of UNDP governance priorities in The Gambia;
•  Liaises regularly and forges close linkages with other UN programs, agencies and entities, as well as other international and national stakeholders concerned with or providing assistance to The Gambia;
•  Contributes to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of Responsible Parties for the implementation of UNDP projects.

Liaising with the Project Steering Committee to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project and coordinate the elaboration of the project document for the full fledge project following the pilot phase of PACD:

•  Acting as the Secretary of the PSC, its technical committee and ensure execution of their recommendations;
•  Liaising with the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and UNDP to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project and Project administration;
•  Managing and monitoring the project risks as initially identified, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
•  Updating the Quantum Project Management module as required;
•  Facilitating the submission of timely reports to the donor as required;
•  Assisting in all audits to ensure that requested documentation and information is provided as required;
•  Liaise with the technical committee to enhance the framework for preparation of the full fledged project, PACD phase II;
•  Serve as the pen holder in elaboration of the project document of PACD phase II;
•  Ensure the PACD Phase II project document is timely finalized and presented to PSC for approval before the end of the bridging period.

Implementation of the monitoring and evaluation strategy and coordination of the M&E processes:

•  Monitoring events as determined in the project monitoring schedule plan/timetable, and updating the plan as required;
•  Monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
•  Coordinating the implementation of activities with UNDP, UNCDF, NAWEC, DSPD and other national stakeholders and liaising with main stakeholders to ensure their roles are appropriately integrated into the project as envisaged;
•  Preparing project annual work plans and review reports for consideration by the Project Board and Project Assurance. In preparing the project annual review report, the project manager will ensure that successes, challenges, lessons learnt, and best practices are documented and incorporated;
•  Preparing the project quarterly work plans and progress reports (progress against planned activities and budget) and submit to the Project Assurance.

Any other duties assigned.

Closure of project:

•  Preparing Final Project Review Reports and follow-on actions for the Project and Outcome Board;
•  Managing the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment, and materials to national beneficiaries; and prepare final CDR/FACE for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager (PACD) will report directly to the Department of Strategy, Policy and Delivery -DSPD. The Project Manager will be based at the Department of Strategy, Policy and Delivery -DSPD and will work closely with the DSPD and UNDP’s PACD team and Inclusive Growth Cluster. Oversight and quality assurance on the deliverables will be provided by UNDP Programme Specialist/Head of Poverty, and Inclusive Growth.

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 mangement Competencies:

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

Technical and Cross-functional Competencies:

Development Effectiveness:

Innovation outreach and partnerships: Ability to communicate within and at large, participate in peer communities and engage substantively.

Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Effective Development Cooperation: Knowledge of development cooperation which can then be carried forward into inclusive, country-led mechanisms for development cooperation at national and regional levels.

People Management: Stakeholders management: Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and balance often contradictory expectations, building and maintaining relationships.

Sustainable Development:

Social inclusion and inequalities: Knowledge of nature and trends of multidimensional inequalities and disparities, issues of social exclusion (including issues of disabilities and ageing) and ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations.

Poverty and Human Development: Knowledge of poverty, human development and inclusive and sustainable growth issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Engineering, Project Management or other related fields.

Experience:

•  Minimum seven (7) years of experience in project management or similar responsibility in the public sector;
•  Experience working on multi-donor funded projects;
•  Familiarity with all processes of project management tools and processes;
•  Demonstrated familiarity with communications, monitoring of projects and project report writing;
•  Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholders including government and development partners;
•  Extensive experience in presenting in public forums, including high-level national stakeholders;
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrable ability to build trust;
•  Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results;
•  Excellent organizational, team building and planning skills;
•  Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the team, delivering through and with others.

Desired Additional Skills

•  Experience in working and collaborating with government and international organizations;
•  Initiative and strong leadership skills;
•  Result and client-orientations;
•  Strong analytical, communication, writing, presentation and communication skills;
•  Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, ability to work in a team and to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;
•  Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;
•  Knowledge of the Gambian context and the current transitional process would be an advantage;
•  Willingness to travel as appropriate.

Required Language(s):

•  Fluency in English as the official language of the duty station;
•  Knowledge of at least two local languages will be an advantage (Mandinka, Wollof, Fula, Jola).

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.

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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