Project Manager (Regional Initiative for Capacity Enhancement) DPF post

Capacity building at human resource, organizational and institutional levels remains an urgent priority in Southern Sudan. It is central to restoring core institutions - both in terms of physical infrastructure and technical ability - and providing basic services to citizens. The Government of Southern Sudan has, together with its international partners developed an Action Plan for Rapid Capacity Building and is in the process of developing a Medium Term plan for the coming years. UNDP Southern Sudan seeks to contribute to this capacity building process by targeting the right functional and technical capacities at Government of Southern Sudan and states levels, in order to increase the prospect of stability in the pre and immediate post-referendum period. The goal is to attain a ‘soft landing’ in the post-referendum period, irrespective of the outcome of the referendum itself. Improving the capacity of government is both urgent and important, given the historic events anticipated ahead, particularly the referendum scheduled for 2011. To meet the urgent capacity building gap, an initiative for capacity enhancement has been developed where member states of IGAD community have committed to support the Government of Southern Sudan both with human resources and financial assistance. The proposed initiative will support the Government of Southern Sudan to second and place 200 civil servants from IGAD Member States. These men and women will be deployed in strategic functions within national ministries, commissions and state-level local government. They will serve as rapid capacity enhancement support and be “twinned” with Southern Sudanese civil servants to ensure the direct transfer of skills and on-the-job training. This project will rapidly recruit and place highly qualified Civil Servants, to be designated as Civil Service Support Officers, to work within government structures. All 200 will be assigned to government structures and will operate as civil servants with a contract signed with the GoSS. The intended beneficiaries are principally key GoSS and State ministries and agencies responsible for strategic areas essential for finance; local government; access to justice and rule-of-law; infrastructure, trade and industry. In this regard, capacity development will be addressed in three ways: Support capacity placement in government agencies through deployment of civil servants. Strengthen South-South linkages between public sector agencies and think tanks in IGAD countries. Strengthen Government capacity to recruit and sustain required technical assistance. Civil Servants will be contracted by GoSS and deployed in strategic functions within national ministries, commissions and state-level local government as a form of technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity to deliver services. Civil Servants will be identified and recruited by GoSS with the support of UNDP and embedded in positions that serve to provide the impetus for enhanced service delivery. The key project interventions include the following: Financial and Economic Management; Human Resource Management and Development; Local Government and Decentralization; Rule-of-Law, Security and Justice; Checks-and-Balance Institutions, Trade and Industry, Education Administration and Health Administration. The proposed 200 Civil Servants will aim to be composed of approximately 50% Bachelors Degree holders and 50% Masters Degree holders with women accounting for at least 30% of the total placement. The Civil Servants are expected to have a practical experience in the field of their expertise at mid management level dealing with policy development and implementation. They are also required to have a minimum of ten years working experience for Bachelors Degree holders and five years for Masters Degree holders. Recruited civil servants from IGAD countries will use coaching and mentoring to strengthen core functions of government partners and mentoring advisory services to strengthen leadership and policy making skills. Coaching and mentoring are often inter-twined. Coaching will concentrate on day to day functions with interactions between coach and the coached providing opportunities for ongoing learning. On the other hand, mentoring supports senior management in handling day-to-day situations while at the same time building trust with the ministry staff. Mentoring will be provided onsite or short term specialised technical advisory support that will be dependent on the specific needs and requirements of requesting agency. The two services both create an ‘enabling environment’ for public agencies and their civil servants to better deliver public services. Linkages will be established between key IGAD country public sector agencies for specialized mentoring /advisory services to high level and senior civil servants in GoSS and States. In addition, linkages will be established/strengthened with at least two key regional public sector knowledge think-tanks in the region. (African Association for Public Administration and Management; Africa Parliamentary Knowledge Network; African Peer Review Mechanism, ICT and the African Capacity Building Technical Advisory Panels and Networks are suggested.) Support will be provided to strengthen the relevant ministries in GoSS to develop a coherent technical assistance scheme based on its needs. This will include policy development as well as the strengthening of linkages with IGAD members on human resource exchange and deployment. A Project Management Unit will be placed within the GoSS Ministry of Labour, Public service and Human Resource Development to establish Southern Sudan Government leadership and ownership of the technical assistance initiative and to facilitate the smooth launch, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Democratic Governance Unit, the Project Manager will be responsible for project activities in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Public Service. More specifically, the incumbent will manage implementation of all project activities and delivery of all services in line with the UNDP Rules and Regulations, in close collaboration with the project’s counterparts and within the timeframe, work plans, and budget of the project. Summary of Key Functions: Organization and management; Management for delivery of results; Capacity development for institutional reforms and development; Analytical knowledge products; Advocacy, networking and marketing; Partnerships and resource mobilization. Organization and Management: Facilitate the day-to-day functioning of the IGAD project Team. Manage the human and financial resources for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document and annual work plan; Prepare annual work plan and results framework for the IGAD project and based on approval of the Government and UNDP take the lead in implementing for delivery of results; Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly, quarterly and annual progress reviews; Organize meetings of the Project Board (Steering Committee); As per corporate UNDP requirements, establish participatory governance and decision-making system which involves all project staff; ensure enabling environment for high level performance of all project personnel; Establish performance management system, based on UNDP’s results and competency assessment system, to monitor staff performance; Ensure security of the staff and assets belonging to the projects; and, Identify opportunities to enhance team-work within the project, other projects of the Democratic Governance Unit and with other UNDP assisted projects to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support; Management for delivery of Project Results: Set up systems within the Ministry for receiving secondees and arrange their induction, or and accommodation; Establish and monitor systems for certifying attendance for monthly allowance payments, and a process for approval of the allowances; Lead the project team in preparing component or output-based concept or strategy papers and implementation manuals or guidelines; Prepare results framework for each output and establish performance and impact assessment indicators and system; Manage delivery of results by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in the subject area; Review professional performance and document implementation processes and results through project-based professional reports. Capacity Development for Institutional Reform and Development: Promote the capacity development approach developed by UNDP and, in consultation with the Government and UNDP, implement transfer of knowledge through a series of training and learning events; Supervise the project’s capacity building efforts aimed at government counterparts,, local authorities and development organizations; Document the experience of capacity development initiatives and prepare the national policy and strategy; Monitor the achievements of capacity development initiatives and ensure follow-up support. Analytical National Knowledge Products: Lead the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national and international know-how in the subject area. In this context, partner with practitioners and members of the UNDP global networks, leadership of the practice and sub-practice teams in RBAS, BDP, BCPR, Regional Centers and other related Bureaux; Promote the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas; Contribute to the production reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer. Advocacy, Networking and Marketing: Create or establish a positive and appreciative atmosphere for team-based work in the project and be an advocate for the work of UNDP; Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks; Prepare brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance and experience; Prepare professional articles and papers; Expand outreach o the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations. Proposals, Reporting and Resource Mobilization: Network and build credible working relations with Government, UN and donor partners; Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector; Mobilize resources to support the achievement of project outputs and outcomes. Collate reports from the civil servants and prepare joint reports to UNDP and to donors as necessary

Competencies

The selected candidate should have: Experience in managing UNDP own resources including infrastructure and capacity building components Leading people Sensitivity to differences, quality and quantity of work, performance stability Ability to work under pressure Initiative and independence Adaptability Team-building capacity including interpersonal and communication skills Ability to cope with difficult environment where formal institutions of government are at the embryonic stage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s degree in development, social sciences, political sciences, management or other relevant fields. Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience including professional experience in programme/project management in the field of development; Experience in providing advisory services in the area of democracy and governance; Experience managing civil service reform programming in an international context, preferably in a post-conflict setting; Proven management experience, preferably within UNDP or another a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation); Proven skills in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations; Proven experience in partnership building and networking; Dedication to the United Nations principles, to promotion of equal rights of men and women, and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity; Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, PowerPoint and Word; Previous experience in Southern Sudan an advantage. Language Requirements: Excellent knowledge of English and ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken 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.

Project Manager (Regional Initiative for Capacity Enhancement) DPF post