UNDP Job Opportunities in Kampala, Uganda; Project Manager

Job Title:    Project Manager (Open to Ugandans Only)
Job Location:     Kampala, Uganda
Type of Contract:Service Contract
Employer:    UNDP
Post Level :    SC-4
Languages Required:English 

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    01-Jul-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :    1 Year (with possibility of extension)
Expected Duration of Assignment :    1 Year

Background
As the UN system's development programme and a GEF Implementing Agency since 1991, UNDP supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner.  As a GEF Implementing Agency, UNDP-GEF further offers countries highly specialized technical services for programme/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management. UNDP-GEF’s Green, Low-emission, Climate-resilient Development Strategies team works to support countries to attract and direct public and private investment towards catalyzing and supporting sustainable economic growth through initiatives focused on integrated Climate Change Strategies, Advancing Cross-sectoral Climate Resilient Livelihoods and Strengthening Climate Information and addressing barriers to Climate Resilient Development.

Given that energy production and utilization is a significant contributor to green gas emissions, efficient methods of production and utilization of energy ought to be adopted. Charcoal is the preferred cooking energy in Uganda particularly by urban consumers and is considered a relatively modern fuel rather than a traditional one.   Uganda’s charcoal sub-sector remains plagued by inefficient production practices, lack of sustainable supplies of woody biomass and inadequate, and sometimes conflicting policy statements. At the current rate of consumption, the pressure on biomass resources will increase even further as communities produce more charcoal to meet their livelihood demands and urban charcoal consumer demand. The GEF 5 is supporting a full-size project that will address key barriers to Sustainable Charcoal Production. This project aims at “Improved charcoal production technologies and sustainable land management practices through an integrated approach in Uganda.”, with an overall objective of securing multiple environmental benefits by addressing the twin challenges of unsustainable utilization of fuel wood (including charcoal) and poor land management practices common in Uganda’s woodland through technology transfer, enhancement of the national policy framework and the promotion of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) practices.

As part of the implementation process in Uganda,   a Project Manager is being sought to supervise and oversee the project activities and deliver the objective, outcomes and outputs of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

•     Lead, manage and coordinate day-to-day planning, implementation and management of project activities according to the Project Document (ProDoc) and project log frame;
•     Act as the Secretary of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and execution of their recommendations;
•     Prepare Standard Progress Reports (quarterly and annual), annual work plans and budgets for consideration by the Project Board and PSC;
•     Facilitate project audits and evaluations, production of documentation required by UNDP, MEMD and the PSC, and implementation of recommendations to the Project Steering Committee;
•     Facilitate effective communication and decision-making between the PSC, UNDP, MEMD and all stakeholders to ensure ongoing stakeholder cohesion and effective process management
•     Prepare the  project monitoring and evaluation plan;
•     Monitor the project’s progress towards the attainment of the project outcomes and objectives, in particular achievement of the project’s global environmental benefits;
•     Coordinate and manage the project’s Inception Workshop and preparation of the Inception Report;
•     Provide technical support to charcoal related policy discussions and development;
•     Assume responsibility for the quality and timing of project as per the Pro Doc ;
•     Support the completion of evaluation reports (midterm, terminal etc.) to MEMD and UNDP/GEF, including elaboration of management responses;
•     Prepare and approve Terms of Reference for equipment procurement;
•     Manage disbursement of funds, maintenance of accounts as per requirements of UNDP & NIM guidelines, and provide inputs to internal and external audits;
•     Establish and maintain relationships and act as the key focal point with UNDP CO to ensure all the programming, financial and administrative matters related to the project are transparently, expediently and effectively managed, in line with established UNDP rules and regulations;
•     Liaise with main stakeholders to ensure their roles are appropriately integrated into the project as envisaged;
•      Participate in recruitment and supervision of technical and training experts as required for implementation of the project and Delegate responsibilities to the appropriate Project officers;
•     Monitor the work of the agencies involved in managing specific components and outputs including delivery by consultants.

Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:

•     Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•     Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
•     Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

•     Promotes knowledge management in the project and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
•     In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
•     Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
•     Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

•     Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
•     Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
•     Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
•     Ability to manage for results; translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.

Management and Leadership:

•     Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
•     Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
•     Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
•     Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
•     Demonstrates outstanding communication skills oral and written communication skills;
•     Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including Government, donors and civil society;
•     Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
•     Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

•     Master’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant area such as Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, or Natural Resource Management or Environmental studies.

Experience:

•     Minimum 10 years relevant work experience;
•     Demonstrated knowledge of project management of a comparable project;
•     At least five (5) years experience in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency industry or climate change mitigation sector and working knowledge of the Ugandan energy sector with extensive contact in the public and private sectors and civil society organizations;
•     Past experience with Charcoal technologies and National Policy on Renewable Energy is advantageous;
•     At least three (5) years work experience at senior management level with demonstrable project level management skills and ability to coordinate activities involving a large contingent of professional consultants drawn around the country and/or internationally;
•     Strategic planning and results-oriented management profile with strong reporting and financial management skills;
•     Understanding of climate change mitigation strategies and emission reduction benefits accruing from low-carbon energy activities.

Language Requirements:
    Excellent written and fluent spoken English.

Note:
UNDP is any Equal Opportunity Employer. Highly Qualified women are encouraged to apply. Short listed candidates will be required to send certified copies of academic credentials to UNDP Human Resource Unit.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Deadline Date:    30/05/2014

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