Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) is a public entity linked to the President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) with a mandate of poverty alleviation in Lebanon. Since its inception in 2002, the ESFD has launched many programs to improve living conditions.
The ESFD is currently implementing the EUR 22 million EU funded Local Development Programme along the Litani River Basin (LRB Programme), designed to complement the efforts deployed by the Government of Lebanon to address the pollution of the river in accordance with law 63/2016. The LRB programme includes well targeted and integrated interventions aiming at improving local governance, pollution abatement, and industrial and agricultural private sector development, creating employment opportunities, enhancing capacities of public institutions, and improving municipal service delivery.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Crisis Recovery Programme Specialist, the Project Manager assumes managerial responsibility for the project implementation. The Project Manager ensures the achievement of project outputs and deliverables in line with the agreed upon timetables and budgets and coordinates project activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Manage effective Strategic Planning:
- Coordinate and facilitate meetings with relevant stakeholders to develop project strategic directions, project scope, proposals, and concept notes;
- Develop and maintain annual workplans and corresponding budget plans with clearly stated milestones contributing to the achievement of target outputs defined in the project document (PRODOC);
- Plan and develop project budgets, allocate funds from various donors to projects’ outputs and activities, monitor expenditures and create updated financial forecasts and records;
- Ensure the design and implementation of a project approach that reinforces and monitors a) participation; b) conflict sensitivity; and c) gender equity and empowerment of women and youth;
- Prepare any follow-on project proposals as per the needs identified in UNDP.
Lead, manage, monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities.
- Manage the realization of project outputs and results through activities in line with the agreed upon timetables and budgets and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
- Recruit, assign tasks and responsibilities to the project staff and supervise their performance;
- Organize regular meetings for the project team members to assess work progress, address challenges and constraints, and provide guidance and support;
- Manage and monitor the project risks by maintaining the Project Risk Log and updating the status of risks;
- Carry out reporting responsibilities on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to donors based on specific donor’s requirements and guidelines.
- Monitor and evaluate activities implemented by partners and coordinate project evaluations, as necessary;
- Supervise consultants and evaluate their performance in delivering individual outputs as described in the TOR;
- Ensure relevant project outputs, best practices, and lessons learned are disseminated in compliance with the quality requirements of the implementing agency, UNDP, and other donors;
- Assist UNDP Program Officer in closing projects operationally and financially in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and in close coordination with implementing agencies;
- Perform Team Manager and Project Support roles when needed.
Develop relationships and provide advisory support:
- Establish and maintain strong working relationship with project partners, government institutions, public service agencies, local authorities, international and local NGOs, CBOs, representatives of local communities and beneficiaries and support the establishment of stronger working relations between different entities to ensure coordination and cooperation across the sectors;
- Undertake required efforts for resource mobilization with various bilateral donors and trust funds opportunities;
- Develop tailored proposals to meet the specific requirements of various donors and funding opportunities, aligning them with the project’s objectives.
Operational Coordination and Management:
- Prepare TORs and relevant documents for required inputs (individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods, organization of training, seminars, etc.) with expert technical support as required;
- Manage and assess the work of technical experts and consultants;
- Regularly review and evaluate the performance of outsourced activities, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective measures as needed.
- Facilitate communication and coordination among stakeholders, ensuring that all parties involved in outsourced activities are well-informed and aligned with project goals and timelines. Maintain documentation and records related to these activities for reference and reporting purposes.
- Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
- Confirm and attest to the satisfactory completion of outsourced project activities.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Manager will be working under the direct supervision of the CPCR Programme Specialist.
Competencies
| Core |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting 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 (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.) UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. Cross-Functional & Technical competencies | Thematic Area | Name | Definition | | Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals | | 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 Direction & Strategy | Effective Decision Making | Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources | | Business Management | Risk Management | Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks | | Business Management | Operations Management | Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organizations business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms | | External Relations & Advocacy | Public relations | Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public | | External Relations & Advocacy | Resource mobilization | Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements | |
Required Skills and Experience
| Min. Academic Education | • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, project managementand/or social sciences focusing on development, or other related fields; or, • First level University degree (bachelor’s degree equivalent) in the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree. |
| Min. years of relevant Work experience | • Minimum 7 years (with a Master’s degree) or 9 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in the area of development and management. |
| Required skills | - Proven inter-personal written and oral communication skills/experience;
- Proven management and financial skills/experience;
|
| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section | - Previous experience in working with UN, civil society organizations and Governmental bodies is an asset.
- Experience in resource mobilization.
- Previous advisory and management role
- Experience in resource mobilization.
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| Required Language(s) | Fluent Arabic and English is required. |
Disclaimer
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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