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Project Manager (Support to Effective & Responsive Institutions Project (SERIP)

Yangon

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Yangon
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Democratic Governance
    • Governance and Peacebuilding
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Peace and Development
    • Managerial positions
    • GOVERNANCE AND PEACE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Myanmar has embarked on a major transition towards democracy, market style economy and peace. Myanmar has low middle-income status (LMIC) and is committed to lifting itself out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status within the next seven years. Following the implementation of the first ever UNDP Country Programme during 2013-2017 and as a key development partner of the government of Myanmar, UNDP is implementing a new UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2018-2022, striving to deliver on a large and relevant programme portfolio that is responsive to the main development challenges facing the country.  
 
The UNDP Country Office in Myanmar is a key interlocutor and advisor to the Union Government on rule of law, civil service reform, parliamentary capacity and institution building.  UNDP is expanding its programme at the State, Region and Township levels in order to ensure stronger institutions at all levels of government as well as broader civic engagement as part of the effort to build and sustain peace.   
 
A structure of UNDP Myanmar is in place since 2018 to support a more integrated and collaborative way to help Myanmar achieve sustainable development and sustained peace. The Country Office has aligned the new office structure with the new CPD and designed new ways of working that facilitate more collaboration across the office, create the foundations for more sub-national level work and higher delivery, facilitate the relocation of the Country Office from Yangon to Naypyidaw during the CPD period, and emphasize learning and support to national staff capacity development. A Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) will take place in 2020 at the level of both, the overall Country Programme as described in the CPD as well as the Support to Effective and Responsive Institutions Project (SERIP). The MTE will be critical to review programming and make recommendations on how it has to be adjusted going forward.
 
The Support to Effective and Responsive Institutions Project (SERIP) is a 5-year initiative that aims to strengthen the effectiveness of state executive and legislative institutions in understanding the needs and aspirations of the Myanmar people, in all their diversity but also growing inequalities, and in formulating, implementing and evaluating policies as well as in appropriating public resources in a way that provides effective, timely and equitable responses to these aspirations. The centerpiece of the Project’s approach is to provide dovetailed support to: (i) core government functions that are essential building blocks of the machinery of government, i.e. the chain of decisions and actions that are needed to make policies deliver concrete results for people’s lives; and  (ii) parliamentary processes as Parliaments define laws that organize a country’s public sector management system and are meant to make government more responsible and accountable. The Project is organized into 4 key intervention areas: (1) Data for Development; (2) Policy Management; (3) Parliamentary Law-making; (4) Subnational Governance, and supports the Government in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in the form of the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP). The project follows, throughout all its activities, the imperative of leaving-no-one-behind by introducing and supporting innovative and effective approaches to mainstreaming gender equality, environmental resilience and conflict-sensitivity and, more broadly, to fighting vulnerabilities. Also, with SERIP, UNDP seeks to assist government authorities shift gradually to a more decentralized system of public sector management.  
 
The Project adopts a multi-level approach, from the Union down to Township level and is area-based, as it will integrate its different workstreams in States & Regions including Bago, Mon, Rakhine and Kachin, where UNDP has a solid track-record of achievements and is a trusted partner of subnational authorities. 
 
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Unit, Governance and Sustainable Peace, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the direction of project activities and the achievement of project targets and results. S/he plans project activities and inputs, manages the day-to-day implementation of the project and supervises project experts and personnel. Under the leadership of a Technical Specialist (P4) based in Naypyidaw, the Project Manager will also technically support SERIP’s work with Myanmar’s sub-national parliaments in the States and Regions.
 
The Project Manager supervises a team of international and local project professional and support staff. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP CO Programme, Strategic Results, Partnership and Innovation team and the Programme Support Team and maintains effective working relationships with project Implementing Partners (IPs), donors and other partners such as UN agencies. 
 
The Project Manager is accountable for actively engaging in the Country Office integrated coordination and task team structures to ensure full integration of its activities within the Country Programme and projects. The Project Manager will need to manage integration and coordination among different government partners, UNDP project managers and technical advisors. 
 
The Project Manager will need to spend a balance of time between the Yangon and Naypyidaw offices.
UNDP Myanmar is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
  • Ensure management of project activities and achievement of project targets and results 
  • Lead effective day-to-day management of the project
  • Coordinate provision of high-quality technical advice and build partnerships 
  • Facilitate knowledge building and management
Ensure management of project activities and the achievement of project targets and results, by focusing on the following results: 
  • In accordance with the Project Document, and in close coordination with IPs, plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs), and establish Annual Targets according to UNDP CO timelines. Design project budget. Ensure that AWP activities suggested are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of project targets and results. 
  • Coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the Project. Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in close collaboration with relevant CO units. 
  • Ensure implementation of activities as per AWP and agreed deadlines as well as according to detailed implementation, procurement and HR plans. Identify bottlenecks and develop solutions. Regularly meet with IPs and other project counterparts. 
  • Assess assessment of project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results. 
  • Support establishment of adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close collaboration with the CO Results Team. Ensure that adequate systems are in place to gather data and information for project monitoring and that systematic monitoring of project progress against targets is undertaken, including regular field trips for monitoring purposes. Develop innovative improvements to enhance performance of the project.
  • Ensure that UNDP´s results-management systems are kept updated for project results-information including ATLAS project management module.
  • Manage the accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets to the Project Board and donors. Ensure that reports are prepared according to UNDP’s SOPs, quality standards and in line with the contractual obligations to project donors. Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted by deadlines. 
  • Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs. 
  • Implement project communications activities in close collaboration with the CO Communications Team.
  • Organize and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP. Share information on technical project-related issues with donors, other partners and stakeholders.
  • Ensure internal project level weekly and monthly meetings take place, and overall accountability for coordination and integration within the country office programme and projects. 
  • Implement project governance arrangements. Oversee organization of Project Board meetings and ensure timely preparation of agenda, background materials to agenda items and minutes as per CO SOPs. 
  • Ensure compliance with UNDP procedures for partnerships including development of all required legal documents for partner implementation including letters of agreement, memorandums of understanding, etc. monitoring compliance with agreements and ensure value for money. 
  • Immediately escalate issues with potential to impact UNDP´s effectiveness, financial soundness or reputation to the Programme Team and CO senior management. Ensure that UNDP´s corporate interest and rules are guarded at all times and that appropriate action is taken to immediately address problems and challenges.
Lead effective day-to-day management of the project, by focusing on the following results: 
 
  • Facilitate compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms.
  • Mobilize personnel, goods, and services and, training and micro-capital grants to initiative activities, including drafting and reviewing terms of references and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work. Oversee effective provision of services to IPs as required.
  • Ensure that HACT and micro-capacity assessments of IPs are undertaken as required, ensuring ongoing monitoring.
  • Oversee the appropriate use of project funds as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations. Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures). 
  • Monitor project budget implementation and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure. Coordinate preparation of financial reports to UNDP, as required.
  • Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Develop ToRs/JDs for project staff positions. Oversee recruitment processes. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance. Undertake performance evaluation according to UNDP´s policies and deadlines. 
  • Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff, IP’s and donors identify new risks and update risk frameworks for consideration of the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required. Update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
  • Ensure appropriate management of project assets, attendance records, filing system. 
  • Implement audit recommendations for the project. Provide inputs to audit management responses.
  • Initiate operational closure of the project.
  • Undertake frequent travel to monitor project implementation at national and sub-national levels including organization of team meetings, and consultations with partners. 
  • Ensure that the project promotes gender equality and applies conflict sensitive and human rights-based approaches and human rights due diligence.
 
Coordinate provision of high-quality technical advice and build partnerships, focusing on achievement of the following results:
 
  • Coordinate the advisory activities of the project technical staff, consultants and IPs, in close cooperation with Technical Advisor Governance. Ensure that technical outputs are provided according to plans and up to highest technical standards. Review and clear technical outputs for quality. 
  • Under the leadership of a Technical Specialist (P4) based in Naypyidaw, provide technical support with regards to parliamentary strengthening, and coordinate implementation of technical assistance supporting sub-national parliaments in Myanmar in line with the SERIP project document. Provide technical advice, draft papers/briefs/proposals on parliamentary strengthening.
  • In close cooperation with the Technical Specialist (P4), establish, maintain and facilitate strategic dialogue between project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, NGOs, partners, donors and other stakeholders in project´s area of work.
  • Identify areas of cooperation and coordination with other UN agencies for implementation of joint activities within the area of the project. Implement joint activities with UN implementing partners as per AWP.
  • Advocate UNDP with the partners and stakeholders. Consistently promote a positive image of the UNDP.
  • Identify resources mobilization opportunities in close collaboration with the Programme Team and the Strategic Management Unit. Develop funding proposals and concepts as requested. 
  • Provide inputs to formulation of UNDP strategies such as of UNDAF and CPD. 
  • Coordinate project strategies and activities with other UNDP projects to ensure the effective implementation of the Country Programme Document.
  • Provide inputs to UN coordination platforms and participate in meetings, as requested.
 
Facilitate knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:
 
  • Ensure that the Project systematically supports systematic building of capacities of Implementing Partners through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application to project implementation.
  • Promote teamwork, information sharing and collaboration within the Project Team and between the Project Team and the CO Programme Team.
  • Promote skills development of project staff through coaching and mentoring.
  • Coordinate capturing and disseminations of lessons learnt during project implementation.
  • Facilitate the Project’s representation and/or participation in international knowledge networks to draw on and share best practice and lessons learned for application in Myanmar.
Impact of Results 
 
The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness of UNDP´s development results in Myanmar. The efficient and timely achievement of project´s results will strengthen UNDP’s position as a strong and reliable development partner and satisfaction on the part of the development partners in the country. 
 

Competencies

 

V. Competencies and Selection Criteria

 

Description of Competency at Level Required

 

 

 

Core

 

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgment

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

 

Primary

 

Results-Based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

 

Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Policy Formulation

Ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at strategic priorities and positioning recommendations

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Capacity Development

Ability to support partner countries' capacity to manage ODA resources effectively and harmonise with national policy and financing frameworks 

Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Parliamentary Development

Knowledge of parliamentary institutions, process and dialogue support and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Core Government Functions

Knowledge of  key public administration areas and core government functions and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations in different development situations

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Secondary

 

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes  and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency)

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business or Public Sector Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in project management and in designing and implementing technical assistance for democratic governance;  
  • Technical knowledge in the area of parliamentary strengthening and familiarity with the other technical areas of the project (policy management,  SDG localization, local governance and statistics system strengthening/development effectiveness) would be a distinct advantage;
  • Experience in planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination in development organizations;
  • Excellent knowledge of project management principles and best practices. Project Management Certification, either Prince2 or PMP/PMI would be a distinct advantage;
  • Computer literacy – MS office applications, web-based management information systems;
  • Prior experience of development work in South-East Asia and/or countries in transition would be a distinct advantage.
 
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Disclaimer

 
Please note: Paper-based applications will not be accepted. Candidates must apply on-line through UNDP job website.
 
UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and 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. 
Only those candidates in whose qualifications and experience the Organization has further interest will be contacted for subsequent interview(s). 
 
UNDP regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone or e-mail queries on the advertised posts. 
Women are encouraged to apply the post.
 
Kind regards,
Human Resources Unit
UNDP-Myanmar
 
This vacancy is now closed.
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