Project Manager

• Enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for indigenous women and girls through investments in entrepreneurial skills and leadership training.
• Raising awareness of the rights of indigenous women and girls.
• Addressing formal and informal customs that perpetuate gender-based social exclusion.

The proposed initiative, named the Indigenous Women and Girls – Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project, aims to bolster intergenerational socio-economic development of indigenous women and girls in Mindanao. It targets two key barriers: weak participation of Indigenous women and girls in governance and management of ancestral domains, and their constrained access to education and livelihood services hindering their economic participation.

To address these barriers, the Project will carry out interventions that will result in the following: (i) IP women and girls benefiting from improved accountability and transparency of ancestral domain management and governance; (ii) IP women and girls with increased income and improved livelihoods; and (iii) improved gender and human rights-responsive policy and institutional support for IP women and girls at national and regional levels. With these targets, the I-LEAD Project will undertake three interrelated and mutually reinforcing project components:

• Ancestral domain governance is strengthened with a human rights and gender perspective
• Gender-equitable and culturally appropriate economic empowerment
• Support to NCIP and stakeholders on gender and human rights-responsive policy and knowledge management

The Project will operate in select ancestral domains in Regions XI and XII, and will prioritize gender and human rights perspectives, ensuring the full enjoyment of rights by diverse gender identities, especially women, and empowering individuals to claim and advocate for their rights.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Outcome Lead for Climate Action, the Project Manager will lead the day-to-day monitoring and implementation of the I-LEAD Project, including the design and implementation phases. S/he will work closely with government partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and high-impact delivery of targets. The Project Manager will also serve as the primary focal for the UNDP Country Office in facilitating coordination and collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the lead government agency for the Project. 

The Project Manager will work under the immediate supervision of and directly report to the Programme Analyst of the Climate Action Programme Team. S/he will work closely with the Inception Phase team, project team, UNDP Country Office teams, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the New Zealand Government.

Specific Functions:

Ensure strategic project management:

• Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the Project;
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds;
• Lead the identification of project issues, challenges and risks, and appropriate strategies, and direct and oversee implementation of these strategies;
• Supervise the preparation of the Project Document and progress monitoring reports (e.g., donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, situation updates, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in project development and implementation;
• Supervise and oversee planning and implementation workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions, and provide technical inputs as may be necessary;
• Review and approve communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities;
• Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties; and
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisors.

Efficient project implementation:

• Based on the approved work plan, review and endorse approval of suitable partnership agreements and project activity designs;
• Provide guidance and supervise the implementation of partnership agreements and project activities;
• Ensure compliance to physical and financial delivery deadlines by implementing remedial measures to address bottlenecks, if needed;
• As needed, consult with or obtain approval from the Project Board on major changes to the agreed upon work plan; and
• Spearhead the conduct of spot-checking and quality assurance activities to ensure that implementation of activities are within the quality standards of UNDP and remain on track.

Adaptive project delivery:

• Foresee possible roadblocks, as well as opportunities, and be able to put forth and implement contingency measures;
• Oversee the interaction of the project team, experts, partners, and stakeholders and ensure that collaborations contribute to the strategic goals of the project;
• Provide new innovative ways of working to achieve the goals of the project in the most efficient and effective means possible; and
• Ensure that deliverables of the project team, experts, and partners contribute to the strategic goal of the project and provide timely and technically sound feedback.

Effective partnership management:

• Network and build strong working relations with authorities and experts from the government agencies, UN system, international development organizations, private sector organizations, and other donor partners;
• Establish, develop and maintain mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with private sector, universities, civil society and community groups, the press and media, the business sector, etc.; and
• Closely collaborate with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), New Zealand Government, and work closely with the respective UNDP programme teams and operations team to support effective delivery of project activities in line with strategic objectives.

Facilitate Knowledge building and management:

• Identification of credible sources of information concerning programme implementation and related issues;
• Identification and synthesis of best local and international practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project;
• Effective network with development partners and government both at national and subnational level; and
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have listing 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 

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

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 
• Effective Decision Making: Ability to make decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Management    

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

Digital & Innovation: Team design & management

•  Ability to create a clear sense of shared purpose while leveraging curiosity, expertise and agency at an individual level 
• Set up and manage team rituals and rhythms that create a safe space for learning and reflection. Foster a positive culture around failure, encourage exploration, experimentation
• Set the conditions and structures for 'fluid' team modelling and distributed leadership enabling the team to continuously develop and renew itself
• Ability to create synergy between team members with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, being able to leverage their broad knowledge and skillsets 

2030 Agenda: Planet       

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: 

2030 Agenda: Prosperity               

• Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility: Women’s economic empowerment