Regional Project Manager (IPSA-10)

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.

UNDP is the development agency of the United Nations and is present in over 170 countries. In Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), UNDP is represented by 18 offices and the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). IRH is an advisory hub for the region that provides policy and advisory support and implements projects at the regional level with a wide range of partners. The goal is to connect the region to a global network of development experts, build knowledge and capacity, and forge partnerships to address the development challenges of a large and diverse region. IRH also seeks to capture and disseminate development successes and best practices in the region and to improve the impact of UNDP’s work through effective communication and advocacy.

UNDP will implement a new multi-country project called Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Spurring an inclusive and green transition with responsive governance in the Eastern Neighborhood region. The project will span for four-year (2024-2027) and focus in Moldova and Georgia at the country level, while also promoting regional collaboration and knowledge sharing access as well to knowledge platforms, expertise and innovative solutions. The project is funded by the Government of Denmark.

The Project Will Be Implemented Through The Following Outputs

• Output 1. Enhanced democratic local governance for inclusive and sustainable local development in two areas in Georgia through area-based approach;
• Output 2. Enhanced governance in the Republic of Moldova through multi-stakeholder engagement to accelerate the green and inclusive transition;
• Output 3. Enhanced regional cooperation, knowledge and solutions for accelerated inclusive green transition and inclusive, anticipatory governance.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Regional Project Manager will be responsible for the substantive delivery of the regional project component and where needed responding to requests for technical expertise from the UNDP country offices in Moldova and Georgia; contribute to effective engagement and partnership at the regional level.

The Regional Project Manager will be primarily responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the regional component of the project, but also for integration of the initiative’s learning, effects and results provided from the country-level project colleagues to ensure coherence and timely reporting on the project results and project financing, as well as opportunities for scale and leverage

Project Support And Implementation

The Regional Project Manager will closely explore synergies with other project teams in the Istanbul Regional Hub and the global GPN teams. He/she/they will benefit from the policy expertise residing in the IRH and at HQ and encourage engagement from thematic teams including the Inclusive Growth, Governance and Peacebuilding, Environment and Energy and Gender, among others. The specific responsibilities will include:

• Effectively manage the regional component of the Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Spurring an inclusive and green transition with responsive governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood region project in line with UNDP’s procedures such as the POPP, financial rules and regulations and UNDP’s Internal Control Framework;
• Prepare an ensure effective implementation of annual activity work plans, procurement plans, as well as budgets revisions based on expected year-end outputs;
• Supervise the administrative and financial aspects of the regional component of the project and as per the Project document;
• Ensure effective monitoring and results-based management against annual and quarterly work plans and budgets, using monitoring & evaluation and risk management tools in Quantum;
• Prepare regular, quality, and timely progress and administrative project reporting to the donor as provided in the project document, as well as capturing learning for adaptability internally within project team, UNDP and beyond as needed;
• When and where necessary, propose updates to the overall project framework based on reviews, lessons learned, and best practices derived from different thematic areas and evaluations;
• Support the timely preparation, inputs and quality control of the content of the technical reports prepared by the short-term experts, briefs, webinars, and other knowledge events organized by the project.
• Support collaboration and explore synergies with relevant regional and global projects implemented by UNDP and other international organizations and relevant partners.
• Support the design of governance arrangements and decision criteria for the allocation of the pipeline development facility and ensure its alignment with the UNDP corporate approaches.

Policy positioning and advisory support to country office in promoting integrated green solution:

• Provide technical support to UNDP Moldova and UNDP Georgia in developing policy and programming solutions that can support structural transformation of economies, promote integrated local development, and inclusive transition towards green future in alignment with SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.
• Contribute to the development of analytical and technical reports commissioned by UNDP, serving as a peer reviewer and quality assurance as needed;
• Monitor the development trends and regulatory frameworks in the region pertaining to green transition, and assist in identifying appropriate solutions and good practices within the region, EU and beyond;
• Support collaborative efforts among thematic teams and project target countries.

Partnerships, Advocacy, Reporting And Resource Mobilization

• Ensure strategic partnerships and advocacy by providing high quality presentation of project activities at events and working meetings, organized by national and regional counterparts and development partners.
• Provide substantive inputs for effective dialogue with partner governments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, UN international organizations, such as the EC and OECD, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, private sector, academia and think tanks.
• Explore options for innovative partnerships and contribute to resource mobilization initiatives;
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with Projects’ counterparts and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating their feedback and suggestions;
• Compile and draft high-quality reports on project progress and results framework according to UNDP’s contractual obligations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Knowledge Management

• In close coordination with Regional Team Leaders on Inclusive Growth, Governance and Peacebuilding, and Environment and Energy, contribute to the consolidation and systematization of learnings and promote adaptive knowledge management, including exploring new technologies, tools, platforms to this end.
• Ensure the project’s visibility and contribute to the production of external and internal communication products, project briefs and advocacy/information materials, analytical reviews, country-level and (sub)-regional analyses that can underpin policy dialogue and the design of new policies, programmes or other relevant initiatives;
• Use the project’s experience and lessons learned to provide valuable contributions to relevant knowledge networks, communities of practice, and UNDP’s Global Practice Network (GPN) on issues related to green and just transition.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader for Inclusive Growth, and the Regional Programme Chief to ensure the knowledge management is linked with other thematic areas, including governance and peace building, environment and energy, innovation etc.

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 People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Inclusive Growth:
• Economic Transformation, Policy and Planning
• Inclusive Growth:
• Local Economic Development
• Nature, Climate and Energy:
• Green economy and green growth
• Governance:
• Local Governance and Public Administration
• Project Management:
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
• 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.
• Partnerships 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

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Master´s degree in economic or social sciences is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in economic or social sciences in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due 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 managing complex multi-stakeholder or providing policy advice in the area of sustainable and green growth or economic governance.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Required Skills

• Strong policy, programming and analytical skills in economics, governance and/or social dimensions of sustainable development.
• Technical expertise in management of complex programmes in the area of green transition and/or integrated local development.
• Experience in substantive and policy issues and development.

Desired Skills

• Experience in, and ability to coordinate with development agencies, institutions and IFIs.
• Track record of extensive experience in leading/managing knowledge products development and dissemination.
• Experience in working in Eastern Partnership countries developing country settings.
• Experience in, and ability to coordinate with other UN agencies and interact at the professional level with donors including the EU and regional and national partners.
• Experience in managing regional/multi-country programmes.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.