Position: Deputy Project Manager
Location : Kathmandu, NEPAL
Additional Category : Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract : Other
Post Level : Other
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : One year with possibility of extension
Background
The Effective Development Financing and Coordination (EDFC) project is led by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). The goal of the project is to further enhance the capacity of MoF and other relevant stakeholders through a strengthened enabling environment to effectively and efficiently plan, manage and coordinate Official Development Assistance (ODA). EDFC focuses on establishing and strengthening coordination structures in line with the national aid policy. Institutional capacity development of MoF’s International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD) is a core strategy of the project to improve evidence-based analysis and effective coordination with development partners, line ministries, and other development partners. The project also helps streamline MoF’s standard operating procedures to translate global policies and practices on ODA management into a single national system which also takes into account the transition to a federal system of governance in Nepal. EDFC also helps enhance the analytical capacity of MoF and other line ministries for the better alignment and prioritization of ODA with national development priorities, including through promoting transparency of aid data and use of the same through the national aid management information system managed by MoF with support of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary:
The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) of the EDFC project will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager (NPM) and will also work closely with the Senior Advisor, the project partners and donors, and all stakeholders involved in project implementation. The overarching responsibilities of the incumbent are the following:
• Support MoF and UNDP, and guide the project team, to successfully implement all activities planned for the duration of the project
• Prepare and monitor the detailed work plan, budget, and use other project management tools and documents to ensure effective project implementation and use of project resources in line with decisions taken by the Project Executive Board
• Supervise and manage project personnel
Duties and Responsibilities:
The detailed duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:
• Prepare a detailed work plan, schedule and budget, for approval by the International Economic Coordination and Cooperation Division (IECCD)/MoF and UNDP Nepal, and update it on a quarterly basis;
• Provide hands-on support to the NPM to ensure all project management functions are in order;
• Prepare detailed plans for project review, reporting and evaluation;
• Ensure the timely mobilization and utilization of program personnel, subcontracts, training and equipment inputs, including when these are procured by implementing partners;
• Coordinate with implementing agencies/partners to plan and implement training programs to develop their capacity on aid management;
• Prepare terms of reference for the procurement of international and national consultants including consultants for the Aid Management Information System (AMIS), expedite the procurement process, and ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of the services;
• Support UNDP, IECCD/MoF and guide the project team to implement all activities planned over the life of the project, in accordance with the project document objectives, and decisions taken by the Project Executive Board;
• Support and facilitate coordination with Development Partners (including INGOs) regarding AMIS;
• Facilitate and participate in regional and international meetings related to aid and development effectiveness with IECCD colleagues and draft concept note/ reports on meeting themes prior and after participation to help internalize the takeaways;
• Facilitate drafting annual Development Cooperation Reports and conducting of evaluation and monitoring surveys on Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation;
• Provide advice and direction on strategic and policy issues to strengthen gender and social inclusion (GESI) initiatives in the project/work plans and project implementation strategy; facilitate to create an environment to address GESI issues through the project’s activities;
• Supervise and manage project personnel;
• Translate documents from English to Nepali and from Nepali to English;
• Carry out other assignments, as required by the program, from time to time.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Good inter-personal skills;
• Clear and upfront communication skills;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Display cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Collaborates effectively in a team environment;
• Organized and good with following-up on pending issues; meets deadlines
• Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing;
• Focused on delivering results by taking calculated-risks and problem solving approach;
• Fair and transparent decision making; regularly shares information with team members;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
Functional Competencies:
• Demonstrate ability to identify and anticipate bottlenecks, as well as seek guidance;
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;
• Ability to organize and complete assignments within deadlines;
• Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with external partners e.g. supplier, vendors, service providers;
• Ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials proactively seek guidance and make clear recommendations to line managers;
• Dynamic and results-oriented;
• Strong verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; can multi task;
• Willing to work long hours;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Oversees and documents the process of strategy formulation for programmes at Project level;
• Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
• Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of the project;
• Builds strong relationships with all partners, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills;
• Displays the highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
• Possesses a clear understanding of the concepts of foreign aid management and coordination;
• Knowledge of the basic computer systems necessary for: (a) program management and coordination and (b) database management (AMIS/AMP or similar systems).
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Completion of Master’s Degree or PhD in Economics, Development Studies or any other relevant field.
Experience:
• Master’s with 10 years or PhD with 7 years of relevant experience;
• Substantial level of experience in different aspects of aid management, understanding of international conventions and high level forums on aid effectiveness and global monitoring survey for effective partnerships;
• Previous experience working within Government at a senior level (particularly with MOF or on ODA related issues) will be an asset.
Language Requirements
• Fluency in both spoken and written Nepali and English languages is required.
Other Requirements
• Knowledge of the basic computer systems necessary for (1) program management and coordination, and (2) database management (AMP/AMIS or similar systems).
Last date to apply: 22 March 2019
