Project Manager for Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen (ERRY) Project

Background

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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.

After 8 years of conflict, Yemen still faces an unprecedented political, humanitarian, and development crisis. Yemen’s conflict broke into a full-blown civil war in March 2015. Despite the continued efforts by the UN to broker a peace deal, Yemen continues to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. An estimated 24 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and Yemen already lost 21 years of developments gains just until 2019 after four-year of conflict. UNDP predicts that if the conflict persists unabated, Yemen will have the greatest depth of poverty (11.7 million people into extreme poverty), and second poorest in income inequality of any country in the world. The un-extended truce of April 2022 still holds in the country, with renewed hope for a peace process to be launched under the auspices of the UN.

Four years into the civil conflict, there are some glimmers of hope that a political breakthrough can be achieved and bring the war to an end. In anticipation, UNDP is scaling up its programming and staff capacity in Yemen to support the peace process going forward. In this regard, UNDP elaborated a revised country strategy note that focuses on supporting the transition from humanitarian to development, through three main pillars: (a) green economic recovery; (b) governance and peacebuilding; and (c) climate change, water, energy and environment. UNDP Yemen now seeks a qualified Programme Associate to support programming for the Green Economic Recovery and Development Unit

UNDP Yemen currently operates in Sana’a (main Country Office), Aden (Sub-Office), Hodeidah (Sub-Office) and Amman (Liaison Office).

The Green Economic Recovery and Development Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies on Green Economic Recovery and Development that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.

The EU-funded Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen Programme (ERRY) is a UN Joint Programme including FAO, ILO, UNDP and WFP. It aims to enhance the self-reliance of rural people and communities to better cope with crises, risks and shocks in four governorates: Abyan, Hajjah, Hudaiday, Lahj and Taiz. ERRY will focus on the most vulnerable groups such as women, the unemployed, youth, the Muhamasheen, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and stressed host communities, using inclusive, participatory and conflict-sensitive tools to mobilize and involve them in the proposed activities.

UNDP Yemen is recruiting a dedicated Project Manager to ensure the delivery of UNDP-specific results expected under the Joint UN ERRY Programme. UNDP’s components in ERRY Programme cover thematic areas of economic resilience, solar energy application, social services restoration and related capacity building for planning and implementation at local level, and social cohesion. S/he is expected to ensure coherence across UNDP results contributing to the ERRY joint programme and Resilience Building.

In addition, S/he is expected to ensure coherence across UNDP results/projects contributing to livelihoods and socio-economic recovery and resilience building and ensure the delivery of the specific results expected within the Green Economic Recovery and Development Unit.

The successful candidate will closely work with the Green Economic Recovery and Development Unit, and collaborate with Participating UN Organizations of ERRY Joint Programme and ERRY Joint Coordination Unit, UNDP Heads of Sub-Offices, Communication & Advocacy, Oversight and Support, Programme and Project teams.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Team leader, the Project Manager ensures effective delivery of UNDP specific expected results and supports programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Manager will supervise the projects teams and will work closely with the Economic Recovery Unit team and in collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance and Programme-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNDP Project Manager will directly report to the Team Leader, Economic Recovery and Development. with overall guidance provided from the Deputy Resident Representative -Programme. S/he will be responsible for project management ensuring quality and results by the following key functions:

Results-based project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting:

Ensure project documents are developed and approved in line with UNDP’s programme and project management guidelines.
Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations.
Ensure the achievement of outputs in line with the approved Annual Work Plan through the day-to-day planning, management and implementation of activities.
Lead and provide support to the project team and the Responsible Parties on the achievement of specific results of the project as per the AWP.
Prepare regular and timely progress and impact reports as per agreement with the donors for the project.
Participate in all internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the project.
Manage and monitor identified project risks and issues and update the risk status and issues in Quantum.
Plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals. and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results.
Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation procedures are instituted in all project activities and proper monitoring of project progress against annual work plans and budgets.
Ensure timely management and recruitment of project staff in accordance with UNDP guidelines.
Ensure grievances and incidents related to the UNDP Safeguards standards and policies are followed up in terms of timely investigations and reports.
Provides key inputs and analysis for overall socio-economic and political trend analysis, risk updates and mitigation measures for UNDP programmes, and for the development of new initiatives.

Financial management in line with corporate standards and guidance:

Ensure accountability for, and efficient use of project funds.
Manage and monitor requests for financial resources and ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests in Quantum and ensure monthly delivery updates to the Programme Officer on financial delivery performance.
Provide leadership in overseeing the effective provision of services to counterparts including a fair and transparent procurement process, efficient logistics and sound financial management.
Liaise with the Responsible Parties and other UNDP project staff on the financial management of the project activities, including monitoring project financial expenditures and transactions.
Ensure the integrity of the financial system and oversee the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities.
Ensure smooth audit of responsible parties.
Ensures the Integrity of financial systems and consistent application of UNDP Internal Control Framework (ICF), rules and procedures for the project.

Build and manage partnerships and mobilize resources:

Build and maintain partnership with other UN agencies and strengthen coordination and synergies among different UNDP implementing partners.
Contribute to additional resource mobilization efforts for UNDP Yemen’s work.
Strengthen partnership with key government counterparts to ensure timely implementation of the project; and
Maintain and build partnership with responsible parties by providing guidance and supporting smooth implementation.

Promote linkages, synergistic, relationships, networking and teamwork between counterparts, donor community and UN system.
Create tools and communications materials to promote project objectives, establish contact as a focal person for project in support to the UNDP CO cooperation with prospective partners for the project.
Maintain relationships between the project and the donors through the review meetings and Project Steering Committees and present a clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they requested and promote the institutional development efforts to new donors.

Facilitate knowledge management and sharing:

Identify knowledge gaps among key target groups and partners and design measures to address such gaps;
Collate sources of information related to policy driven issues, best practices and lessons learnt on resilience, an early recovery approach applied, and share with program partners;
Actively support the sharing of project results and products, lessons learned and good practices with other projects, government agencies, donors, etc, and participate in UNDP global knowledge networks and communities of practitioners on democratic governance/constitution review; and
Assist in developing capacity of implementing partners and national partners when relevant through top quality advisory and capacity building support.

Facilitate elaboration of resilience-building initiatives of UNDP:

Facilitate UNDP in scaling up resilience building initiatives and in the development of projects and resource mobilization based on lessons learned from ERP Projects; and
Facilitate and manage operationalization and implementation of relevant projects under the resilience building initiatives, as needed.
Facilitating gender mainstreaming throughout the project life cycle including design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and ensure coordination and partnership with national gender mechanisms, women-led organizations, academies, networks, forums, etc;
Facilitate the institutional and technical capacity of the project team and stakeholders on gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as social safeguards aspects;
Contribute to the implementation and reporting of gender-responsive actions, and allocating the required resources ;
Contribute to the country office communication, and knowledge management system on gender equality and women’s empowerment

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and manage the performances of project personnel

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy-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.

Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Business Management – Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Partnership Management-Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Business Development-Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management-Client Satisfaction/Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management-Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management-Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Development, Economics, Conflict Resolution, Social Sciences, or any other relevant field is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing projects in the areas of emergency livelihoods, employment creation, enterprise development, resilience programming, area-based development, local governance and social cohesion, innovation, partnership, coordination, networking, knowledge management and synergy development is required.
Working experience in conflict affected countries is required.
Substantive project operational management experience, including detailed working knowledge of human resources, procurement, ICT, finance, asset management and logistics, and work planning is required.
Strong record of gender and conflict sensitivity mainstreaming in programming is desirable.
Proven experience and understanding of concepts and tools for three thematic pillars i.e. local economic development, social services, peacebuilding and resilience is desirable.
Experience of remote management (including M&E and Third-Party Monitoring) is an asset.
Knowledge of UNDP and UN system programming, and familiarity with UNDP/UN project management rules and regulations and operational tools is desirable.
Previous working experience in Arab States is an asset.

Languages:

Proficiency in oral and written English language is required.
Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest UN Common System performance evaluations (if applicable).

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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