Job: PROJECT MANAGER (LOCAL-AFRICA) UNCDF

Location : Dakar, SENEGAL

Application Deadline : 17-Oct-13

Additional Category Millennium Development Goals

Type of Contract : FTA International

Post Level : P-4

Languages Required : English French

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Dec-2013

Duration of Initial Contract : One year (renewable)

Background

UNCDF is the UN's capital investment agency for the world's 48 least developed countries. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. UNCDF programmes are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the development partners, national governments and the private sector, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.

LoCAL (Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility) is UNCDF's facility for investment in local level climate resilience. The facility channels global adaptation finance to local governments – who are at the frontline of dealing with the effects of climate change – and enables them to invest in building local resilience. The LoCAL Facility connects to existing national intergovernmental fiscal transfer systems and supplements capital grants to local governments with performance-based climate adaptation funding. This innovative financial mechanism cites the Performance-Based Grant System methodology developed by UNCDF, further refined to address local climate adaptation. The Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grant (PBCRG) provides a fast and effective means to channel adaptation finance to where it is most needed, while at the same time ensuring ownership, accountability and results. The methodology is derived from UNCDF's specific experience in setting up such systems for effective capital investments and capacity building in sub-national governments.

After the successful in pilot implementation of the LoCAL project in Bhutan and Cambodia to improve the climate change resilience at the local government level, UNCDF will support the roll out the LoCAL project in other LDCs in Asia & the Pacific and Africa, with the aim to increase the climate change resilience by mainstreaming climate change adaptation activities into the local government planning and budgeting process through Performance Based Climate Change Resilience Grant System (PBCRG).

LoCAL's development objective is to increase financing for and investment in climate change resilience and adaptation at the local level in least developed countries, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly the specific goals of poverty reduction (MDG1) and environmental sustainability (MDG7).

Project outcome – Increased local government access to climate finance in target countries in four regions to implement CCA activities.

The LoCAL Project will focus on the delivery of three expected outputs that will directly contribute to increasing local government's access to climate finance:

• CCA is mainstreamed into government's planning and budgeting systems; Firstly, the LoCAL Project will support local and national governments to mainstream CCA into regular development planning and budgeting processes as a way of demonstrating the ability of national systems and local governments to invest in CCA activities;
• Increased awareness of the role of LG in CCA;Secondly, the LoCAL Project will contribute to increasing the awareness of local governments' role in investing in CCA as a way of informing donors and national governments of the importance of increasing finance for local governments to invest in CCA activities;
• Increased amount of CCA finance available to LG budgets;Finally, the LoCAL Project aims to increase the amount of CCA-related finance available to local governments by continuously engaging with donors, national governments and local governments on resource mobilization. This component will involve supporting national partners to identify potential sources of climate funds and working with donors to increase allocation of climate funds available and accessible to local governments.

LoCAL is establishing a secretariat to support the roll out and the implementation of the project Globally in all regions. As part of the LoCAL Global Secretariat, the LoCAL Regional manager will be managing the roll out and implementation of LoCAL in Africa under the direct supervision of the LoCAL Global Manager who will report directly to the LoCAL Global Project Board, with the support of the Head of the three UNCDF Regional Offices (WCA, ESA and Asia) and in cooperation with other LoCAL Project staff based in Asia, Africa, the Arab States and potentially other regions.

This is a Development Project funded position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

The key result of the Project Manager for Africa will be to successfully implement the project by undertaking the following responsibilities:

Effectively manage the initiation process of LoCAL roll out in potential African countries:

• Develop the road map for LoCAL roll out in Africa;
• Facilitate the development of the LoCAL Roll out concept note in each potential country;
• Managing the development of the LoCAL project design in potential participating countries;
• Liaise closely with the Regional Technical Advisors in Africa to support the LoCAL roll out in Africa;
• Manage the LoCAL retainer consultants to develop the LoCAL design;
• Resource Mobilization to support LoCAL roll out in Africa.

Effectively manage the implementation of the LoCAL Regional Project:

• Ensure timely and effective delivery of the intended LoCAL Regional Project results as per the approved RRF, AWPs, etc;
• Prepare and implement the project annual work plans and quarterly plans;
• Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the project implementation, using the Result Based Management Approach.
• Perform regular progress reporting to the project board;
• Liaise closely with the Regional Technical Advisors in, Africa regions to ensure the quality of project implementation
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and 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;
• Capture lessons learnt during project implementation – a lessons learnt log can be used in this regard;
• Manage the International and National Technical Assistants.

Coordinate with Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs), Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs) and affiliated staff:

• Coordinate across UNCDF regions with LoCAL focal points and with the head of Local Development Finance practice in each region;
• When necessary, the Project Manager will also provide managerial oversight and support to active CTAs / RTAs who may be responsible for the incorporation of LoCAL into ongoing programmes. In case of CTA absence, the PM will provide managerial oversight and support to active UNCDF staff including programme officers (PO), programme assistants (PA) and other pertinent UNCDF staff;
• Facilitate the award and management of LoCAL financing via Performance Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs):
• Oversee and facilitate Request for Proposals (RFPs) in countries and oversee the selection process by conducting due diligence, short-listing and presenting recommended proposals to the Project Board concurrently with local implementation partners;
• Oversee the execution of agreed milestones in the MoU and ensure disbursements are made on time if/when conditions are met;
• Review quarterly performance reports, analyze performance and work with country and/or regional advisors to ensure timely intervention to keep operations on track.

Explore partnerships with relevant programmes and initiatives:

• Liaise closely with the internal UN system initiatives to explore operational and implementation synergies;
• Contribute through evidence and experience to the various UN frameworks and conventions including UNFCCC, COP among others;
• Represent LoCAL in relevant events;
• Liaise closely with potential local implementation partners for LoCAL including local focal points for international development actors, local governmental ministries, local governmental affiliates, among others.

Resource mobilization and corporate support:

• Develop strategies to mobilize additional resources based on project resource requirements and new opportunities;
• Monitor country level and regional level opportunities for donor funds mobilization;
• Support the efforts of the supervising Regional Technical Advisor in the region, LDPA Director and Deputy Director, UNCDF Partnerships and Communications Unit to mobilize additional resources for the project.

Impact of Results

Results of the work will have a significant impact on:

• Establishing the lead position of UNCDF among development partners involved in the financing of climate change adaptation through local governments;
• Strengthening the capabilities of local governments to build locally-based climate resilience;
• Ensuring project outputs and good human and financial resources management are directed at achieving the intended results of the programme;
• The position is renewable upon availability of funds.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
• Shows strong corporate commitment;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.

Corporate responsibility and teamwork:

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNCDF and implanting partners;
• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Project;
• Plans, prioritizes and deliver tasks on time;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Responds flexibly and positively to change through active involvement;
• Establishes clear performance goals, standards and responsibilities, and manages them accordingly;
• Promotes a learning environment, and facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.

Results-orientation:

• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
• Generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
• Partnering and networking:
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the project;
• Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links;
• Ability to manage multi-partner, multi-country projects in complex environments that use state-of-the-art innovation and practice;
• Ability to mainstream Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women into the programme cycle.

Innovation and judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues and how they relate;
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of entrepreneurial initiative to deal with challenging situations;
• Strives for quality client-oriented services (internal and external) when making decisions and taking action

Communication:

• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills.

Building Partnerships:

• Active and continuous engagement with local governments and implementation partners for project support;
• Frequent travel to countries to meet with local governments, policy makers, regulators, climate experts, climate industry actors, and development partners to promote LoCAL, identify partnerships and to conduct monitoring of the project;
• Build strong working relationships, supported by an effective communications strategy, with donors contributing to the project;
• Build strong networks with international and regional institutions and programmes and project involved in promoting building local climate resilience.

Job knowledge and expertise:

• Demonstrated strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge Programme ad Project Management according to UNCDF standard;
• Knowledge in Project Management and in particular PRINCE2 will be an advantage;
• Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
• Is highly motivated and demonstrates capacity to pursue personal development and learning;
• Strong financial analysis and business project appraisal skills;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills,Familiarity with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in public administration, Social Sciences, Business management or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience in the field of international development working on local development, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) both at field level as well at senior management positions and across more than one country;
• Deep technical knowledge of local government development planning and capital investment program implementation;
• Experience with similar assignments in LDCs and developing countries;
• Experience in developing project documents and start-up of new projects with UNDP/UNCDF Programme and Project management standards;
• Experience with new product development, testing, roll-out;
• Resource mobilization experience and record of success in reporting to and managing donor grants and reporting mechanisms;
• Strong programme and project management experience with emphasis on monitoring, evaluation and incorporating lessons learned into local development projects and programmes;
• Solid experience in financial management;
• Experience in implementing the Performance Base Grant Management system;
• Experience in organizing and coordination of a wide variety of meetings, conferences, events and other activities in professional contexts.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English and French, with outstanding written and oral communication skills.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx. Completion of all the fields is required.

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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.

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