UNDP ,Project Manager Jobs in Malawi

Adapt
Plan ( Re Launched)

Background

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 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 are
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

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

• 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 skills

Required
Skills and Experience

• Master’s
  Degree in administration, management, or other appropriate field

Experince

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 a variety of settings and
formats

Additional
Requirements:

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