Project Manager - (Aqaba)

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All related candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

In line with its Country Programme Document CPD 2023-2027, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan is focused on climate action, resilience, eradicating poverty, gender equality, and responsible production and consumption. UNDP Jordan is committed to preserving the Kingdom’s environment, alleviate the strains of poverty through encouraging new and equal economic opportunities amongst all constituents of society, enhancing gender equality and female economic empowerment, addressing climate change, and promoting Made-in-Jordan innovative circular economy model. 

UNDP is currently implementing a project to enhance coastal ecosystem biodiversity and resilience in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan (GoA-J). The primary objective of the project is to bolster the resilience of the unique coastal and marine ecosystems within the GoA-J against the increasing threats posed by human activities and climate change through the following outputs:

1. Establish a robust, inclusive governance system to ensure the conservation and sustainability of coastal biodiversity for the benefit of future generations.
2. Assess the coastal biodiversity of the GoA-J, both on land and underwater at selected sites, identifying management and conservation priorities.
3. Based on the coastal land assessment and extensive gender inclusive stakeholder consultation, cultivate and introduce native plants around selected dams along the coastline to enhance terrestrial biodiversity.
4. Based on the marine assessment at the northern tip of the GoA-J and after an inclusive process of stakeholders consultation, establish artificial reefs in areas where this intervention can boost marine biodiversity.
5. Utilize coral colonies growing on solid waste to create coral saplings, referred to as 'orphan coral saplings,' which will be adopted by tourists, known as 'adopted coral saplings,' and affixed to the artificial reef while benefiting from the economic value of collected waste.
6. Enhance ecotourism by planting native trees and orphan coral saplings, promoting sustainability and conservation efforts in the region.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio, the Project Manager is expected to perform the following responsibilities and duties:

Management and Implementation of the projects` activities

• Day-to-day management through planning and implementing envisaged project`s activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria;
• Execution and supervision of the project`s components, including elaborating the necessary terms of reference and supervising the service providers in charge of implementing the activities;
• Provide technical backstopping to ensure the Project`s activities are soundly implemented;
• Work closely with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA),  Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) and other concerned entities within ASEZA and in institutions in Aqaba to ensure that the project`s activities are implemented in line with the project outcomes, outputs, time framework, and budget;
• Development of the project`s annual workplans and the correspondent budget;
•   Provide technical assistance to project teams and advice; progress reporting and accountability for resources used In cooperation with relevant projects team ;
• Prepare project`s progress reports of various types and the Final project reports as scheduled and organize review meetings and evaluation missions in coordination with UNDP;
• Assume the ultimate responsibility for all professional personnel (full-time Staff, Consultants and Contractors) engaged through project fund directly and for all other personnel indirectly (through the relevant Implementing Partners); this includes drafting of terms of reference, technical specifications, and other documents as necessary; and the identification and advice on the recruitment of project`s consultants, as well as coordination and quality control of consultants and suppliers;
• Assume direct responsibility for managing the project`s budget by ensuring that:
• Expenditures are in accordance with the project`s documents; 
• Accounting records and supporting documents are properly kept;
• Required financial reports are prepared;
• Responding to comments and inquiries from the donor/lead applicant on financial matters;
• Financial operations are transparent and financial procedures/regulations for project are properly applied; 
• Be ready to stand up to audits at any time;
• Perform any other duties as assigned.
• Support and contribute to the achievement of the intended outputs of the other relevant ongoing interventions in Aqaba

Ensure strategic partnerships and communication and ensure the implementation of resource mobilization

• Coordination of project`s activities with other involved governmental and non-governmental organizations;            
• Working closely with CBOs, municipalities, and concerned partners;
• Coordination of project`s activities with other involved governmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Assist in establishing a trusting relationship with all concerned groups, including relevant ministries and local NGOs;
• Work as a liaison officer with the local communities institutions;
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder participation in the project implementation through coordination with all concerned institutions;
• Upon request of the Team Leader of Environment Portfolio, participate in the resource mobilization program and assist in drafting concept notes related to the pillar thematic areas.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required;
• Facilitate a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation by supporting the development and dissemination of lessons learned;
• Liaise with ASEZA team to ensure proper synergy between the different components of the project;
•  Ensure synergy and integration with all relevant projects/interventions implemented by UNDP, specifically in relation to marine ecosystem conservation;
• Represent and participate in meetings of relevance to the mandate of the Environment Pillar;
• Assists with writing of press releases and speeches related to events organized by the project, and ensures an adequate media coverage for such events and any other strategic issues/activities linked to project implementation.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Ensure active participation in learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming;

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager reports to the Team Leader of the Environment Climate Change and DRR programme. He/She will oversee, monitor, and support the implementation of the project`s components, primarily by means of full-time involvement in the project`s strategic and day-to-day management at the central and site levels. The Project Manager will supervise the project team of NPSAs and UNVs.

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

• Strategic Thinking:
  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Direction & 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

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

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature, Climate and Energy: 
  • Green Economy: Green economy and green growth
  • Biodiversity conservation, marine ecosystems
  • Climate change Mitigation: concepts and application