Project Coordinator at UNDP

Job description

The Project Coordinator will head the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), housed in the ORASECOM Secretariat, located in Centurion, South Africa. The Project Coordinator shall be responsible for the overall delivery of the project within the specified time and budget. The Project Coordinator shall also have the overall responsibility for the project staff and day-to-day running of the PCU. The Project Coordinator is supervised jointly by UNDP and ORASECOM.

Summary Of Key Functions

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Project Coordinator (PC) shall be responsible for the overall coordination and delivery of all aspects of the UNDP-ORASECOM-GEF Project.
• He/she shall liaise directly with designated officials of the Participating Countries, other Members of the PSC, the GEF Implementing Agency (UNDP), the GEF Executing Agency (ORASECOM), UNDP Regional and Country Offices, existing and potential additional project donors, National Focal Points, and others as deemed appropriate and necessary by the PSC or by the Project Coordinator him/herself.
• The day-to-day implementation of the activities indicated in the approved Project Document to deliver the outputs and outcomes specified in the Project Document.
• Coordination and integration with the other initiatives carried out by ORASECOM, by member states, or supported by other partners to the ORASECOM, under the guidance from the ORASECOM Executive Secretary to contribute to the effective delivery of the ORASECOM Programme and the implementation of the Orange-Senqu River SAP and the ORASECOM IWRM Plan.
• He/she shall be responsible for delivery of all substantive technical, managerial and financial reports from and on behalf of the Project in the required format.
• He/she will provide overall supervision for all staff in the Program Coordination Unit.

Specific Duties
The Project Coordinator will have the following specific duties:

• Prepare an Annual Work Plan and Budget based on the Project Document, under the general supervision of the UNDP, ORASECOM and the Project Steering Committee, also in close consultation and coordination with related Projects under ORASECOM and the riparian states, GEF Partners and other international cooperating partners;
• Coordinate and monitor the activities described in the work plan and ensure all activities are delivered as planned;
• Flag any risks emerging during the project implementation that will hamper timely progress of the project implementation or successful delivery of intended outputs and outcomes.
• Direct the project monitoring and evaluation processes including the demonstration components, and the design of the replication strategy to be developed from the demonstration projects;
• Oversee the development of information management tools to ensure evaluation, monitoring and replication activities;
• Provide adequate information to the Project Steering Committee members in a timely manner to allow them to steer the project effectively;
• Ensure project compliance with all UNDP, GEF, and ORASECOM policies, regulations and procedures;
• Ensure consistency and avoid duplication between the various programme elements and related activities provided or funded by other donor organizations, guided by the ORASECOM Executive Secretary;
• Assure preparation of Terms of Reference for consultants and contractors;
• Plan and implement internal Monitoring activities of the project implementation together with UNDP, ORASECOM and the member states.
• Support the organization and logistics of the independent review/evaluation exercise together with UNDP and ORASECOM to ensure that independent evaluation consultants have the maximum explore to the project activities and results to the extent possible.
• Coordinate and oversee preparation of the substantive and operational reports from the Program;
• Foster and establish close linkages with the other Projects within the region, with other related GEF programs and, where appropriate, other relevant regional International Waters and related programs and projects within and outside of the region;
• Promote knowledge management and exchange, generate information to be disseminated as lessons learned and best practices based on the project experiences throughout the project implementation period.
• Represent the Project at meetings and other project related fora within the region and globally, as required; and
• Submit quarterly reports of relevant project progress and problems to the PSC, IA and EA.

Impact Of Results

The Project Coordinator is expected to deliver successfully the Project Outcomes and Outputs within the available resources. The successful delivery of the UNDP-GEF ORASECOM SAP Implementation project will lead to the progress in the implementation of ORASECOM SAP and Action Plans. Results expected from the SAP implementation progress is improved joint management by riparian countries through ORASECOM of the transboundary Orange-Senqu River basin and its resources, and strengthened technical and institutional capacity required for the joint management. Impacts of the results are environmental sustainability ensured and inclusive development supported in the basin.

These relate to the UNDP Strategic Plan Output 2.5: Legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and institutions enabled to ensure the conservation, sustainable use and access and benefit sharing of natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem, in line with international conventions and national legislations.

The project results can contribute to a number of Sustainable Development Goals, but most notably SDG 6 (IWRM) and SDG15 (Life on Land).

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP and ORASECOM
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Knowledge Management and Learning, and Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office through personal example.
• Strong IT and office software use skills
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients

Professionalism

Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

Graduate and/or postgraduate degree(s) in a subject(s) related to the assignment (water resources management, environmental management, natural resources economics etc.). An advanced degree can be substituted by a Bachelor’s Degree plus 5 years of professional experience in highly relevant fields.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years relevant professional experience, including at minimum 7 years in IWRM, institutional and policy matters related to water and/or natural resources management.
• Experience in ecosystem-based management, surface and groundwater resources and conjunctive management and other fields related to implementation of the SAP will be an advantage.
• Experience in transboundary water resources management is very important and experience in the Orange-Senqu Basin will be an advantage.
• Experience in managing a donor-funded, multi-million dollar project(s). Experience in managing water resources management related project at a transboundary scale would be considered as a strong asset.
• Understanding of Results-Based Management and monitoring and evaluation concepts and principles.
• Demonstrated diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated successful experience in the multi-partner financed programme coordination, relationship management with other partners.
• Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the GEF and the Implementing Agency (UNDP), and ORASECOM. Familiarity with Programme activities, and currently identified Project and Programme donors would be advantageous.
• Previous work experience in one or more of the participating countries, and previous work experience in the region on issues related to the Project will be very favourably considered.

Language

Excellent command of English in both writing and speaking is required.

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