Project Manager - Adapt Plan, Lilongwe, Malawi

PROJECT MANAGER - ADAPT PLAN

Location : Lilongwe, MALAWI

Application Deadline : 27-Mar-15

Additional Category

Environment and Energy

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Level : SB-4

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

15-Apr-2015

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year

Expected Duration of Assignment : 1

Background

Project title: UNDP-GEF/ Implementing urgent adaptation priorities through strengthened decentralized and national development plans.

Despite the fact that significant political will and commitment is shown to addressing climate change in Malawi through, for example, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II and various climate change strategies, significant barriers exist to the effective implementation of the policy and mainstreaming of adaptation into development planning. These barriers include poor policy implementation as well as technical capacity challenges and knowledge gaps. These barriers are exacerbated by the cross-sectoral nature of climate change.

ADAPT-PLAN is a new UNDP/GEF project concerned with mainstreaming adaptation into development planning at national and district level in Malawi. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility through the Least Developed Countries Fund and will run for 5 years. In keeping with the Draft National Climate Change Policy and the National Climate Change Investment Plan, the priority line ministries for mainstreaming at national level are the three line ministries of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, and the project has selected the three case study districts of Nkhata Bay, Ntcheu and Zomba. The ADAPT-PLAN project aims for each ministry and district to be able to mainstream adaptation within their development plans. Ultimately, the positive demonstration by these ministries/sectors and districts, of incentivizing the integration of adaptation into planning and enabling of appropriate finances will not only make this project replicable, but the intention is that other ministries/sectors and districts will actively want to follow suit at a later date. Resources are also to be made available for tangible adaptation activities to support some of the activities identified as priorities within each district. Most of the field activities will be subcontracted to Responsible Parties, with a major proportion of project funds to be spent on practical, field-level adaptation to benefit 5,800 households, following a participatory process that will see the development of community adaptation plans. This will have positive feedback loops to the mainstreaming processes outlined above. The pathway of change that will bring about project aims is based on three different project outcomes:

1. Strengthened awareness and ownership of climate change adaptation at local level;
2. Diversified livelihoods that are resilient to climate change;
3. Mainstreamed climate change adaptation in development frameworks at national level.

UNDP Malawi therefore is seeking a Project Manager for the ADAPT-PLAN project to coordinate and oversee the successful implementation of the project and supervise all activities, including monitoring and reporting on use of programme funds. The Project Manager will be based in the Environmental Affairs Department in Lilongwe, working under the technical direction of the Director of Environmental Affairs and will coordinate closely with the Programme Manager of the National Climate Change Programme to ensure that synergies and efficiencies are secured.

The Project Manager will report to the Programme Director (Director of EAD) and to the UNDP Malawi Country Office. It is anticipated that this contract will initially be for one year and pending assessment, may be renewed for an additional period.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will provide overall coordination and operational management for the successful execution and implementation of the project. (S)he will be responsible for supervision of activities implemented by responsible parties, accurate accounting and reporting on use of programme funds and monitoring the achievement of results. Specifically, the Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring:

1. Smooth operation and running of the project through day-to-day oversight and coordination of implementation of project activities
2. Successfully coordinate the project team in carrying out their duties at an optimum level through ensuring efficient and effective resource utilization.
3. Successfully coordinate the preparation and implementation of annual and quarterly results-based work plans in line with indicators and targets specified in the logical framework endorsed by management, as well as coordinate inputs into all project reports as required
4. Monitor project activities, including financial matters, and organize quarterly progress reviews, preparing quarterly progress and financial reports to be approved by the IP and UNDP CO.
5. Recruit and supervise technical and training expertise as required for implementation of the project.
6. Support the Project Board Executive in organizing the Project Board, reporting to the Board and providing feedback on project strategies, activities, progress, and challenges.
7. Develop and maintain close linkages with relevant sectoral government agencies, UNDP, NGOs, civil society, international organizations and implementing partners of the project, and engage them during dissemination of results and learning from project.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in the project 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
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.

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 outstanding communication skills oral and written communication skills
• Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including Government, donors and civil society;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's Degree in administration, management, or other appropriate field.
• A minimum of five years of experience in administration or project management, preferably in Malawi
• Strong communication skills in both English and Chichewa, with the ability to effectively and persuasively present information in

Additional Requirements:

• Technical skills in information and data management
• Understanding of climate change adaptaion id preferred..
• Understanding of Global Environmental Facility reporting procedures is an advantage.

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.

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