Vacancy Announcement
Project Title: Support to the Trust-Building Pillar of the National Recovery Strategy
Post title: National Project Manager
Duty station: Dili, Timor-Leste with frequent travel to the districts
Duration: Six months with possibility of extension
Expected start date: March 2010
Type of Contract: Service Contract
SC Level: SB-4
Organizational Unit: UNDP, Governance Unit
Entitles/Benefits: Please obtain from the UNDP Human Resources Unit
Background
The Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) has been leading the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy, Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru, to address the impacts resulting from the 2006/7 crises, both on communities and on their displaced members. As part of its support to MSS in this respect, UNDP is implementing a project that expands the resources available to the Ministry in supporting the processes of return, relocation and reintegration by channelling support to a variety of national and international Government partner organizations. All programmes implemented so far have been promoting better communication and trust between former IDPs and their recipient communities according to the principles outlined in the trust-building pillar of the National Recovery Strategy.
The project is administered by a Project Management Board (PMB) comprising representatives of MSS, UNDP and AusAID (the project donor). In 2008, ten proposals were selected according to a set of criteria developed in close consultation with the MSS. In doing so, transparent socialisation and peer-review processes were conducted through the Hamutuk Hari’i Konfiansa working group established by the Government and supported by UNDP to coordinate trust-building activities of the National Recovery Strategy. Following approval of the ten proposals submitted for the PMB’s consideration, UNDP worked with each organisation to develop a complete project document and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) clarifying the nature, duration, reporting requirements and areas of responsibility for each project. A call for the second round of proposals was launched to national and international non-governmental partner organisations to further support the government-led National Recovery Strategy, especially its trust-building pillar, and to address the issues that arose from the recovery processes. More specifically, the key activity areas include:
- Strengthening the Government’s and local leadership’s capacity to engage in dialogue and help resolve and mitigate conflict including land disputes in Dili and other IDP-affected areas;
- Engaging with Martial Arts Groups and youth groups that may have previously been engaged in conflict during the crisis to encourage positive contributions;
- Post-return/relocation monitoring of IDPs and their host communities;
- Facilitating discussion and reflection highlighting a common and shared history and culture;
- Dissemination of Public Information in support of IDP-reintegration and broader social stability; and
- Socialisation of the process in defining the land law, with an emphasis on targeting former IDPs, and displacement-affected communities as well as areas where there is known to be a potential for conflict stemming from land and property disputes.
Scope of Work/Summary of Functions
The National Project Manager, will support the implemention of the project entitled “Support to the Trust-Building Pillar of the National Recovery Strategy”. After an initial period and following review of his/ her performance, the incumbent will be expected to fully take over the project management role, and be responsible for overall management, capacity development, coordination, monitoring and reporting of project activities.
The National Project Manager will report to UNDP Management through the Assistant Resident Representative/ Head of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit. S/He will work under the direct supervision of the HHK International Project Manager. Specifically, the National Project Manager will:
1. Management Support:
· Support to ensure that the project produces results to the required standards of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost described in the project document.
· Assist the International Project Manager in providing the overall direction and day-to-day management of the project.
· Assist in project administration such as finance, procurement and recruitment.
· Represent the project in meetings and events and backstop the International Project Manager as needed.
· Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
2. Capacity Development:
· Provide support and mentor national NGOs for enhancing their capacity for project design, delivery and reporting.
· Work with the focal point of small grants management at MSS and support his/her capacity development.
· Provide policy advice to MSS and UNDP on civil society related issues.
3. Coordination:
· Organise and participate in regular meetings to promote coordination and collaboration among beneficiaries of the project, including the Hamutuk Hari’i Konfiansa working group.
· Attend and provide regular updates to forums concerned with peace/trust-building, social stabilisation and social reintegration.
· Liaise with the MSS National Directorate of Social Assistance to ensure complementarities among programmes under this project and current Government programming.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Assist in planning and regular monitoring of the project and all programmes supported under the project as per signed MOUs and project documents.
- Assist in developing/ strengthening relevant M&E plans and ensure their implementation.
- Conduct monitoring visits per grants recipient organisations during their implementation period.
- Through regular monitoring, support in ensuring the quality of activities implemented by the grants recipient organisations, and advise/ support to improve the quality when necessary.
- Assist in monitoring and managing the risks, including the development of contingency plans as necessary.
- After an initial period, take responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiate corrective action where necessary.
- Alert the PMB on possible shortcomings, limitations or risks of exceeding constraints, and propose remedial actions.
5. Reporting:
- Provide direct support to grants recipient organisations in the preparation of necessary financial and narrative reports.
- Assist in the preparation and reporting to the PMB through monitoring reports and progress reports.
- Prepare any follow-on action recommendations required.
- After 6 months, provide weekly or as required updates to supervisor and UNDP management.
- Provide as required briefings to counterparts at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
Qualification and Experiences
- Minimum Bachelors Degree in a relevant area: Development studies, political science, management, peace-building etc.
- At least five years of relevant work experience.
- Fluency in English.
- Experience in project management and/or grants management.
- Experience and understanding of peace-building processes.
- Experience working and/or coordinating with civil society organisations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.
- Computer literacy.
Desirable Requirements:
· Experience with the UN System and good understanding of UNDP programme, finance and operational procedures is an asset.
· Previous experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Please submit your application, clearly indicating the position you are applying for, Curriculum Vitae, P11 form and other relevant supporting documents to the following address:
Human Resources Unit
UNDP, Building 11,
UN House, Caicoli Street
Dili, Timor Leste
Email: personel.tp@undp.org
The deadline for submitting applications is 19 February 2010.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Women candidates are strongly encourage to apply for this post.
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