Project Manager, Northern Uganda Programme

Background

The Government of Uganda launched a Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) which commenced implementation in July 2009 and now in a second phase running until June 2015. The main objective of PRDP2 is to complete the post-conflict recovery process; to strengthen the foundation for development in Northern Uganda; and to narrow the gap between Northern Uganda and the national average level of all socio-economic indicators. In this context, and building on previous UNDP engagements in Northern Uganda, UNDP will have interventions to support the implementation of PRDP2. The interventions will take place in the three regions of Karamoja, Acholi and Lango. With Support from BCPR, a draft Northern Uganda Programme has been developed. The proposed Northern Uganda Programme will adopt an integrated, holistic and area-based approach. UNDP Uganda has designed a Project Initiation Plan (PIP) to support the finalization of the Northern Uganda Programme document for UNDP support and have implementation started. Services of a Programme Manager is required  to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Project Initiation Plan.  Under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit (CPR) with overall reporting to the Country Director, the Programme Manager (PM) will provide programmatic and administrative support for the smooth implementation CPR projects and programmes in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.  He/She will be based at the UNDP CPR unit with regular field travel to project sites in Acholi, Lango and Karamoja.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership to programme implementation; Performs programme management functions in support of the national Implementing Partners and UNDP; Ensures the provision of effective technical assistance to project implementation; Provides innovative and proactive liaison and coordination services to project steering, implementation and dissemination; Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing. Provides Strategic Leadership to Project Implementation, focusing on achievement of the following key results: Quality assistance to the Government and national implementing institutions in the identification/design/preparation of activities that support consolidation of recovery efforts in Northern Uganda. Synergies between programme components as well as the experiences from participating Development Partners (donors) brought to bear in project implementation. Performs Project Management functions in support of the implementing partners and UNDP focusing on achievement of the following key results: Implementing institutions assisted in developing results-based Annual Work Plans that clearly set out the quarterly and output targets, indicators, activities, resource requirements, and budget; Timely disbursement and reporting on funds; Effective supervision and guidance to project personnel in ensuring effective programme implementation; Support to national implementing partners in the coordination of activities to ensure their efficient and effective contribution to programme outcomes; Implementation of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation system for the programme  and regular monitoring of activities; Sharing information regularly on the progress of project implementation, and any relevant issues, including the updating of project monitoring and issue logs; Management of financial and human resources according to UNDP rules and regulations for national implementation; Preparation of quarterly progress reports detailing progress against the output targets, and the activities undertaken in support of these; Timely periodic reports: quarterly, annual and as and when required. Provide regular financial reports to UNDP and Irish Aid; and At the end of each year and the end of the assignment, prepare and provide a comprehensive final report on the activities of the project, including accounting for all the disbursements, and financial audits that will be undertaken under the project for presentation to the cost-sharing partners. Ensures the provision of effective technical assistance to project implementation, focusing on achievement of the following key results Ongoing support and advice to activities that consolidate recovery and development in Acholi, Lango and Karamoja Sub region, and coordination of the provision of such advice through project resources First port of call for the implementing partners, whether through provision of direct technical assistance or identification and facilitation of alternative support options;   Backstopping of experts providing technical assistance to the implementing partners. Provides innovative and proactive liaison and coordination services to project steering, implementation and dissemination, focusing on the achievement of following key results: Stakeholders appraised of project progress through regular updates; Inter-linkages between constituent components of the programme actively promoted; Coordination with donors and other development partners on all elements necessary for successful implementation of the programme; Coordination with any other initiatives related to the consolidation of Northern Uganda programme and Communication strategy developed and implemented to ensure that programme results are known and understood by a wide constituency. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the different implementing partners as well as UNDP focusing on achievement of the following results: Identifying and codifying good practices globally and regionally for consideration in recovery programmes; Ensuring effective linkages with other (development) partners through for example preparing succinct briefings and concept notes to the Development Partners’ Consultative Forum, promoting and providing updates to inform UNDP representation in the Northern Uganda donor Group meetings, representing UNDP at the technical level meetings; Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Uganda; and Sound contributions to the recovery,  Crisis prevention community of practice in UNDP and effective usage of this community for support to the efforts in Uganda.

Competencies

Well proven analytical and writing skills Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams  Ability to multi-task Ability to travel to project sites as required Knowledge of the UN system will be an added advantage

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   Masters Degree in Business administration, Social sciences, Economics or International Development, or any other field related to recovery programming, peace building and project management. Experience:   Over five years of increasingly responsible development experience with good knowledge of crisis prevention and recovery issues in Uganda and/or in  Sub-Saharan Africa region; At least 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of recovery and development projects. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems. Good knowledge of development issues in conflict and post conflict settings;  experience managing multi stakeholder programme development process including coordination, developing working partnerships and learning processes Working in an international development agencies Experience in conflict analysis and peace building Strong background in project planning and management; Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilization, team leadership and management;   Experience in establishing inter-organizational networks and partnerships at the operational level;  Language Requirements:    Fluency in English

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.

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