Background
Many years after the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), numerous Bangsamoro communities, especially those living in the remote areas, have expressed their wish for the acceleration of the delivery of the ‘dividends of peace’. Many of these communities have been conflict-affected or are conflict-vulnerable. Bringing conflict-vulnerable communities at the forefront of any stabilization initiative is a key enabler of the sustainability of the peace process and the protection of its initial gains. Thus, this community-centric initiative will be implemented by UNDP in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities in the BARMM and its adjacent regions. It will adopt an area-based development approach based on the principles of inclusion, participation, flexibility and transparency, among others. The approach will include integrated, inclusive, participatory and flexible processes which ensure the involvement of different sectors, bottoms up planning and processes and being responsive to changes. The focus of the project is to bring about transformation and stability and this will have to be the communities themselves, with their leaders, LGUs and residents playing central roles and owning the relevant activities and results in coordination with relevant regional ministries and agencies.
In the BARMM context, Project CEDAR will: (i) contribute to an enabling environment for sustainable area-based development in the conflict-affected/conflict-vulnerable communities, (ii) promote human security through community economic development and livelihood initiatives, and (iii) enhance local capacities to implement community transformation for peace process. By doing so, the Project promotes confidence building and social cohesion within the communities and contributes to more peaceful and productive lives in the conflict-affected and conflict vulnerable communities in the BARMM and gains of the peace process will be protected.
To ensure that the interventions are appropriate to the target areas, the project is seeking a Project Specialist who is based in Cotabato City, and who will provide technical support and management in the implementation of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the Team Leader / OIC of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Specialist will work with key partners and stakeholders to deliver distinct outputs of the project, to ensure quality implementation- from capacity building, management of human and financial resources, oversee the monitoring and evaluation, and communication framework towards achievement of delivery targets. The Project Specialist will work closely with the project team, Peace and Stabilization Programme Team, and UNDP CO teams and project stakeholders.
The Project Specialist will undertake day-to-day support to implementation of the Project CEDAR. He / She shall carry out the following tasks:
Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative support for the delivery of the project’s activities focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the project; Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans in order to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds;
- Lead the identification of project issues, challenges and risks, appropriate recommendations and implements them under supervision of project manager;
- Prepare progress monitoring reports (e.g. donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, meeting documentation, situation updates, official correspondences, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in project implementation;
- Organize and participate in workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions and provide technical inputs as maybe necessary;
- Undertake communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities; Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties;
Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of the project:
- Network and build strong working relations with Government, UN, and donor partners;
- Establish, develop and maintain mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with NGOs, civil society and community groups, the press and media, the business sector, etc.;
- Establish networks with experts of UN System, international development organizations, and prominent private sector organizations;
- Link with other UNDP projects and work closely with the UNDP Programme teams and Operations team to support efficient delivery of project activities in line with strategic objectives
Oversee the successful implementation of all the components of the project under supervision of project manager:
Overall project management;
- Manage the realization of project outputs agreed upon through activities; Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
- Liaise with the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
- Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project; Responsible for project administration;
- Liaise with any suppliers;
Running the project:
- Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
- Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications; Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
- Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures); Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
- Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Brief appraised by the LPAC, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required;
- Update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log; Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log.;
- Prepare the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance;
- Prepare the Annual Review Report, and submit the report to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; Based on the review, prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans if required.
Closing the Project:
- Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
- Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment, and materials to national beneficiaries; Prepare final Combined Delivery Report/Financial Reports for signature by UNDP.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies
- 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
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction and 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
Ethics
- Legal Analysis and Report Writing - Ability to apply legal analysis to a diverse range of complex issues, and express themselves clearly; ability to communicate well, to all levels of staff and contractors/consultants, governments et.al
Business Management
- Project Management - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Partnerships Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
- Communication - Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Finance
- Budget management - Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
2030 Agenda: Peace
- Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions - Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, including Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy and Management, Peace and Conflict Studies or other related field is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with a Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in project management and coordination, preferably in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
- Demonstrated experience in project management including preparation of budgets, annual work plans and financial reporting.
- Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required.
- Relevant technical experience in sustainable area development, community transformation, livelihood support, and/or peacebuilding at the level of communities.
- Previous experience in International Organizations, such as the UN.
- Proven experience of working with the key mechanisms and stakeholders of the peace processes in BARMM.
- Proven experience of effective partnership development with national/local counterparts, development partners and civil society.
Required Languages
- Fluency in English and Filipino is required.
- Knowledge of local Mindanao dialect/s is desirable.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
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