Project Coordination Specialist (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission )

UNDP, as part of its governance portfolio, is supporting the strengthening of the capacity of the electoral management body in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). This support is limited to the provision of institutional technical capacity building. In addition to the five-year Strategic Plan, an eighteen month comprehensive capacity building project on “Support to Capacity Strengthening for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission” (2011-2012) was developed. The primary objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. This Project aims to strengthen the institutional, structural, administrative and operational systems and processes. Under the guidance of the UNDP Country Director and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson the Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management of the project on "Support to Capacity Strengthening for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission". In managing the project, the Project Coordinator will be supervised by the DCD-P and work closely with the UNDP Governance Unit and ZEC. The Project Coordinator will ensure that implementation of this capacity building support project is consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. This post is a Development Project Funded post.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the implementation of the ‘Support to Capacity strengthening for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’ project: Coordinate and work with ZEC in the implementation and monitoring of the project, ensuring participation and coordination with relevant actors; Manage the implementation of this capacity building support project, through the development of workplans, objectives and monitoring/evaluation plans, and resolving challenges that arise in the process in conjunction with ZEC; Manage day to day administrative matters of the project; Manage the performance of consultants and specialist advisors engaged to support the project; Manage project implementation activities, including the design of a ToR for consultancies in consultation with ZEC; Develop specific activities, including the preparation of concept papers and agendas in consultation with ZEC. Overall management and supervision of the support projects: Monitor the overall progress and performance of the support project by ensuring proper planning, benchmarking and target setting; Provide quality analysis and substantive inputs to the development and management of the support project, in close cooperation with UN agencies; Prepare annual workplans, budgets and other documents for the management of support projects; Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly workplans and budgets; Monitor and evaluate activities implemented; Manage the accurate and timely narrative and financial obligations reporting on the progress of the support project; Consolidate inputs from other UN agencies, as required and ensure reports are provided to donors according to UNDP’s contractual obligations; Provide periodic updates to the DCD-P on the implementation and work progress of the support project. Provides advice to ZEC and facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing: Provide advice and guidance to ZEC on the implementation of the support project; Support dialogue on policy and best practices on capacity building issues with various stakeholders; Identify opportunities for enhancing resources, knowledge and experience for ZEC; Develop relationships with other electoral management bodies to provide opportunities for learning; Provide and identify best practices and lessons learned; Prepare information documents on capacity building issues for ZEC.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Organizational Awareness; Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring; Working in Teams; Communicating Information and Ideas; Self-management and Emotional Intelligence; Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements; Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning; Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making. Functional Competencies: Operational Effectiveness and Expertise: Able to establish goals and priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor workplans; Able to manage several tasks simultaneously in a high-stress work environment; Displays ability to manage formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; Demonstrates practical knowledge in capacity development approaches; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed, identify problems and opportunities; Identifies clients’ needs and develops appropriate solutions; Able to work independently and show initiative; Displays knowledge of electoral processes and international standards in elections. Professionalism Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others; Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office and with stakeholders; Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback; Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals and promotes good team spirit. Partnering and Networking Initiates and maintains relationships with partners; Exhibits ability to work collaboratively and inclusively with counterparts; Ensures effective coordination and cooperation with key partners; Able to develop and implement joint workplans. Management: Demonstrates ability to mentor staff and provide guidance and support; Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Accurately judges the time and resources need to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Establishes and monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Communication: Possesses excellent communications skills, both spoken and written; Is able to articulate information and ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field. Experience: A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible experience in project management, preferably with a focus on institutional capacity development for electoral or similar commissions; Demonstrated ability to prepare project proposals and manage financial and human resources; Demonstrated ability in monitoring and evaluating development projects; Experience in designing training and or capacity building programmes; Experience in working closely with national counterparts is desirable; A minimum of 5 years experience working with the UN, a UN agency or an international organization, working on capacity building and project management issues; Experience and knowledge of UN financial, human resource, procurement, management and general operations policies is an asset; Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment. Language requirements: Fluency in both written and spoken English. N.B. UNDP Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements. QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

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.

Project Coordination Specialist (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission )