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Project Manager: Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund

Harare

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Harare
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Crisis Prevention and Recovery
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Crisis Response
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
    • RESILIENCE
    • RESILIENCE, Environment&Disaster Reduction
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

As a key partner in the Resilience debate in Zimbabwe, UNDP has in partnership with several donors taken the lead in designing the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF). The overall objective of the fund is to contribute to increased capacities of communities to protect development gains and achieve improved well-being outcomes in the face of shocks and stresses enabling them to contribute to economic growth of Zimbabwe. This will be achieved through a combination of 3 sets of results which will focus on a) creating a body of evidence for increased application of evidence in policy making and application for resilience; b) setting up a multi donor trust for Resilience Building in Zimbabwe to allow for partners to come together around the Resilience Framework and principles to improve the absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities of at-risk communities; and c) setting up a risk financing mechanism which will provide appropriate, predictable, coordinated and timely response to risk and shocks from a resilience perspective. 
 
Operating on the principles of joint programming the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund will aim to provide flexible, coordinated, and predictable funding to support the achievement of increased national resilience to shocks – aligning to nationally owned and determined priorities. By improving coordination among all stakeholders, the Fund can also provide a forum for policy dialogue, and programmatic coordination and harmonization as well as building up a body of evidence for improved joint targeting and programme design.
 
Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes), the Project Manager is responsible for the delivery of the expected results of the Fund. The Project Manager will be responsible for leading the partnership with government counterparts and donors and managing the Project Management Unit and ensuring the effective and transparent management of the Fund consistent with the guidance from the Project Steering Committee and UNDP policies and guidelines. 
 
The Project Manager will set up and manage transparent and accountable systems and business processes that ensure UNDP’s accountability as Administrative Agent of and technical adviser to the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund.
 
The Project Manager will support Government of Zimbabwe and UNDP in the formulation of appropriate requests for proposals, as well as the setting up and management of a resilience monitoring and evaluation framework. 
 
The Project Manager will provide strategic guidance to the Project Programme Management Unit and ensure coordination with relevant UNDP and other UN programmes. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Effective PMU and Fund Administration management focusing on achievement of following results: 
  • Manage the ZRBF PMU staff ensuring adequate guidance, support and skills development through coaching and mentoring is provided for delivery of results;
  • Develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with grant recipients and Standard Administrative Agreements (SAAs) with contributing Partners for approval of the Steering Committee of the ZRBF;
  • Ensure the tracking and management of funds approved by the ZRBF Steering Committees and their proper administration;
  • Monitor and track project approvals, budget records, disbursements and statements of expenditure submitted by the Grant Recipients on an ongoing basis;
  • Always ensure consistency between ZRBF operations and UNDP operational policies;
  • Ensure consistency between project activities and the ToRs of the ZRBF.
  • Ensure timely donor reporting adhering to the reporting requirements described in the ToRs of the ZRBF;
  • Develop ToRs for consultants, and support and supervise consultants and other service providers;
  • Always manage the implementation of donor agreements on disbursement schedules to ensure sufficient funding of workplans;
  • Ensure timely collection of contributions in accordance with the payment schedules of the different contributing partners;
  • Develop, in close coordination with donors and Government of Zimbabwe, the main programmatic and legal documents (Terms of Reference, Memorandum of Agreement and others) and the continued positioning of ZRBF as the vanguard of resilience building in Zimbabwe– ensuring continued relevance of ZRBF and its activities;
  • Ensure reporting to UNDP and UN programmatic frameworks;
  • Develop and facilitate strong synergies and complementarities are realized between ZRBF and other resilience building initiatives in UNDP and ensure common results reporting to the CPD and ZUNDAF.
Strategic planning, formulation, management, and policy analysis focusing on achievement of following results:  
  • Advise the ZRBF Steering Committee on programme policy, planning, monitoring and fund administration issues;
  • Ensure effective management of the Secretariat for the Steering Committee;
  • With support from the Resilience Advisor oversee the development and set up of a system for continued analysis and testing of causal relations for resilience building;
  • Lead the formulation and continuous refinement of the operational policies and procedures of the crisis modifier component of the ZRBF;
  • Oversee the implementation and maintenance of the overarching resilience M&E framework for ZRBF;
  • Serve as the primary focal point and resource person for the crisis modifier in relation to OCHA and the wider humanitarian community in Zimbabwe;
  • Organize Steering Committee and Technical Consultative Committee meetings in accordance with agreed ToRs;
  • Organize and participate in dissemination and validation workshops.
  • With support from the Resilience Advisor, advise the RR/DRR on policy issues related to the ZRBF.
Optimal Programme Performance, results-based reporting, risk management focusing on achievement of following results:
  • Maintain regular contact with Grant Recipients and provide support and guidance on implementation and the preparation of results-based progress reports, in line with the developed Theory of Change;
  • With support from the Resilience Advisor oversee the organization and systems for optimal progress and impact reporting for the multi-donor fund
  • Ensure the quality of analysis, models and products developed by the ZRBF-PMU;
  • Oversee the preparation of consolidated analytical results-based progress reports based on submissions from Grant Recipients within the timetable specified in the Memorandum of Understandings;
  • Prepare strategic materials, briefs and/or position papers on emerging results and outcomes of the ZRBF;
  • Provide periodic summary reports to the Steering Committees on the overall progress of the ZRBF;
  • Develop and implement annual visibility and communications plans in accordance with donor agreements;
  • Ensure internal controls, oversight, risk management including timely implementation of audit recommendations. 
Effective and Strategic Coordination, Representation, Networking and Resource Mobilization focusing on achievement of following results:
  • Ensure Contributing Partners and stakeholders are kept informed of the activities of the ZRBF;
  • Negotiate Grant agreements with current and new donors to ZRBF in accordance with the TORs of the ZRBF;
  • Mobilize and interact with UNDP HQ and Regional Centres and relevant UN entities to appropriately respond to any needs occurring within ZRBF.
  • Mobilize resources for ZRBF as necessary;
  • Serve as the main contact for internal communications and reporting on the ZRBF with outside parties;
  • Ensure appropriate representation of the ZRBF at meetings with other UN bodies, donors, and Government of Zimbabwe;
  • Create networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
  • Actively promote regional exchange of Resilience Building in Southern Africa.
Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Advocacy Services:
  • Identify and articulate lessons learnt on the operations of the ZRBF and contribute to the formulation of guidelines, procedures and policies that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation; 
  • Actively seek and promote innovative methodologies and lead the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing;
  • Actively engage with Private Sector around sustainable solutions for resilient communities;
  • Advocate through internal and external networks the demonstrable value of the multi donor trust fund system to facilitate the achievement of Resilience Building goals;
  • Maintain strategic understanding of current key trends in Resilience Building and measuring and lessons learned from countries in the region;
  • Take a leading role in coordination fora when discussing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus;
  • Oversee the development of a national data management and M&E system for Resilience, including the developed of tools and procedures to ensure that relevant information is collected, analyzed and disseminated with integrity.
 

Competencies

 
Core Competencies
  • Leadership - ability to persuade others to follow;
  • Innovation - ability to make new and useful ideas work;
  • People management - ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
  • Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
  • Delivery - ability to get things done.
Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
  • Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
  • Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.
Management and Leadership
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills.
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction or other relevant Social Sciences
 
Experience
  • At least 10 years of relevant experience of increasing responsibility in international development and with international organizations along with relevant field experience in transitional environments;
  • Practical experience implanting initiatives within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus;
  • Proven project and operational experience in development as well as humanitarian settings;
  • Experience in managing multi-donor and multi- partner projects;
  • Experience leading a multi-disciplinary technical team in challenging contexts;
  • Knowledge of supervising setting up M&E systems for results based reporting an advantage;
  • Demonstrated experience in donor, CSOs, CBOs, Government and private sector liaison;
  • Previous UN or UNDP work experience will be an added advantage;
  • Experience in managing a Resilience, Climate Change or DRR projects will be an added advantage;
  • Certified project management experience eg MSP will be an added advantage.
Language Requirements
  • Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills.
 

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.

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This vacancy is now closed.
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