Job Identification : 13951

Locations : Tbilisi, Georgia

Posting Date : 10/04/2023, 11:19 AM

Apply Before : 10/19/2023, 03:59 AM

Degree Level : Advanced/Postgraduate Degree

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NPSA-10

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Economics

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS

Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English and Georgian

Desired Languages : Other UN language

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Category : Management

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.

Funded by the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme Georgia, in partnership with Estonian Centre for International Development and in collaboration with the of Economy and Sustainable Development and Enterprise Georgia, implements a project “Inclusive Access to Markets” (IA2M), aiming at improving inclusive access to EU (primarily) markets of Georgian SMEs with strengthened value chains.

The project provides financial and technical assistance of Georgian SMEs to increase inclusive access to EU and European countries’ markets. IA2M project will also support to Georgian SMEs to take full advantage of international trade fairs and B2B events to boost their sales to EU and European countries’ markets. In addition, the project intends to boost export trade deals with EU and European countries through improved lead generation and empower Georgian SMEs to become exporters to the EU and European countries’ markets.

Furthermore, IA2M project will identify needs and constraints for international market positioning of Georgian SMEs in the target sectors and co-design (with private sector and Enterprise Georgia) specific services and support for targeted support to value chains to increase trade linkages with EU market systems. The Project addresses following objectives are interlinked and delivered as an integrated package of services:

•  Increased export of Georgian SMEs to the EU (primarily) but also to the European countries’ markets.
•  Strengthened value chains with strong growth and export potential.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of Team Leader/Economic Development, and in close cooperation with the Project team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of the project, as follows: Management and Delivery of Project Results:

•  Day-to-day management through planning and implementing envisaged project activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria;
•  Oversee and monitor implementation of work plans and budgets for all activities;
•  Ensure conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project;
•  Ensure activities are well coordinated with programme components led by other partners;
•  Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to management and donors against work plans and according to agreed structure;
•  Ensure effective governance of the project through the organization of projects’ Steering Committee meetings and preparation of technical inputs on the progress of workand risks management;
•  Ensure that human rights-based approach, gender empowerment, and conflict-sensitive programming are mainstreamed throughout activities design and implementation;
•  Provide strategicguidance and supervision to project staff as well as nationaland international experts/consultants in the delivery of assigned tasks/responsibilities as well as developTerms of References;
•  Oversee the effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Programme amongst the government and CSOs in Georgia as well as among the international community within and outside the country;
•  Ensure overall accountability of the use of project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations in all programme operations;
•  Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required.
•  Support UNDP’s efforts for resource mobilization, including in planning and costing project inputs in close consultations with Senior Management.

Policy and Technical Advisory functions to UNDP and Government Counterparts:

•  Provide support to the Government of Georgia, primarily Ministry of Economic and Sustainable Development (MESD) and Enterprise Georgia (EG) in export promotion, inclusive access to EU and European markets, growth of SMEs and strengthening sectoral value chains;
•  Provide intellectual or substantive leadership in the subject areas through identification of key policy/programme issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options;
•  Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of Government, SMEs, Business Associations, non-government and development partners;
•  Provide technical advice to Enterprise Georgia on design of specific support services to SMEs, based on the needs and constraints of SMEs for international market access and positioning;
•  Identify opportunities to enhance teamwork within the project and with other UNDP projects to capitalize on the specificadvantages of multi-disciplinary support within the framework of the project;
•  Ensure high quality of policy briefs, strategic notes, discussion papers on export development, SMEs growth and access to market- related issues, for consideration by the Government and other stakeholders.
•  Provide policy advice on the ongoing policy/program development related to export promotion, inclusive access to EU and European markets and supporting SMEs and ensure the optimal design of the synergetic project interventions, based on the Government needs.

Coordination and Partnership:

•  Establish trustful relationships and maintain continuous and constructive dialogue with government, SMEs, Business Associations, civil society and donors/partners to maximize consistency and synergy on export promotion, inclusive access to EU and European markets, growth of SMEs and strengthening sectoral value chains-related interventions and to maximize impact and results;
•  Ensure close and successful collaboration with Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and facilitate ‘Team Europe approach’;
•  Identify stakeholders and partners for the undertaking of various projectoutputs and activities;
•  Develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations; local communities and the privatesector to deliverthe project outputsand activities, as required;
•  Collaborate with ongoing export development, SMEs growth support, and value chains development projects to strengthen the existing initiatives and ensure synergetic effects;
•  Ensure adequateinformation flow, discussions and feedback among the variousstakeholders of the project according to the agreed management arrangements;
•  Ensure regular communication of project results, including producing communication products and visibility materials, and liaison with media in Georgia and beyond.

Knowledge Management:

•  Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of inclusive access to export markets by SMEs and strengthening sectoral value chains by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with respective colleagues, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons are well disseminated;
•  Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices;
•  Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders, for project implementation;
•  Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learned generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products;
•  Constantly monitor, and ensure the highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products);
•  Serve as a peer reviewer, as and when required.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of Team Leader/Economic Development, and in close cooperation with the Project’s team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of the project.

The Project Manager supervises and leads the two Project Analysts, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Administrative and Finance Assistant for “Inclusive Access to Markets” project. In addition, the Project Manager is expected to provide supervision and oversight support to various local and international experts that will be engaged in the project implementation.

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 PeopleManagement Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

•  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
•  Project Management:
  •  Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
•  Results-based management:
  •  Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
•  Partnership 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
•  Communication:
  •  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
  •  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
•  Inclusive Growth:
  •  Economic Transformation, Policy and Planning
•  Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility:
  •  Local Economic /Socioeconomic Recovery

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Master`s degree in economics, public policy/policy analysis, public administration, business administration or related disciplines.
•  Bachelor`s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience can be taken into consideration in lieu of Master`s degree.

Experience:

•  Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in the development sector, with programme/project management responsibilities.
•  In-depth knowledge of export promotion, inclusive access to EU and European markets, growth of Georgian SMEs, strengthening sectoral value chains, and a good understanding of Georgia’s socio-political and economic development context.
•  Previous experience in working with Government and a wide range of donors, international organizations, INGOs and experience in resource mobilization is an asset.

Languages:

•  Fluency in English and Georgian is required.
•  Knowledge of at least one (in addition to English) UN languages, is an asset.

Required Skills:

•  Strong project management skills;
•  Good knowledge of human rights-based approaches, gender mainstreaming, conflict-sensitive programme and result-based management.

Desired Skills:

•  Experience in working with the UN/UN agencies is an advantage;
•  Computer literate, with proficiency with office software packages, experience in handling web-based management and knowledge management systems.
•  Demonstrated experience in working with counterparts at various levels within Government structures on projects with complex technical dimensions.
•  Familiarity with the needs of Georgian SMEs, export development needs, EU-Georgia DCFTA framework and inclusive markets access approaches.
•  Knowledge and experience of development/growth of SMEs in Georgia is an asset.
•  Previous experience in resource mobilization for international organizations, INGOs is an asset.
•  Experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

Professional certification in Project Management discipline is an asset.

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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