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NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER

Location : Gaborone, BOTSWANA
Application Deadline :06-May-11
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Post Level :SC-9
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
01-Jul-2011
Duration of Initial Contract :One year
Expected Duration of Assignment :3.5 years

Background

An experienced development professional is required to manage the implementation of the Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Component of the 2010-2014 Government of Botswana United Nations Project Operational Plan (GoB-UN POP), hereafter “the Project”.

The Project, implemented under the National Execution modality, has three focus areas, as follows:

Local Economic Development:

  • Executed by the Ministry of Local Government, this area of focus will
    support the Local Economic Development Project, an NDP 10 initiative the Ministry of Local Government
    will use to leverage local resources - natural capital, accumulated capital, knowledge and skills,
    creativity, enterprise, and institutions - to accelerate economic development, create jobs and reduce
    poverty (p324-325). The specific contributions the GoB-UN POP will make in this outcome area are
    capacity building in respect of policy and strategy frameworks for sustainable LED, development of
    district data capabilities, and strengthening implementation capacity.

Technical and institutional capacity to develop, implement and monitor inclusive development policies
and strategies is strengthened in key Ministries:

  • Activities under this area of focus are executed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Under this focus are, the GoB-UN POP will support - through high level policy advisory services, short term technical support, research and analysis - the review of the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction and related policies to provide inputs into new policy direction, the mainstreaming of poverty into National and District Development Plans, the
    development of an adequate system for measuring, monitoring and analysing poverty and measures to improve poor people’s access to productive resources/asserts such as land resources, housing and financial services.

Institutional and regulatory environment for inclusive trade and private sector development is
strengthened:

  • The Ministry of Trade and Industry executes activities under this area of focus. The support shall emphasise: (a) strengthening the evidence base to support policy and Project developments and reforms that improve the business environment, with particular focus on SMMES and the informal sector; supporting sector specific measures to build and enhance alternative value chains, in order to diversify the economy; and action research to support the work of key providers of business development and support services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director, Food and Poverty Policy Coordination, in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), and in collaboration with a Chief Technical Advisor working on the Project, the National Project Manager shall support all undertake the following tasks:

Program management and implementation:

Ensure timely implementation of the EDPR work plan. This will require:

  • Initiation of regular work plan reviews and consultations thereof with the Directors of the departments executing the Project. Timely institution of any agreed and necessary adjustments to the work plan as per formal work plan review recommendations. Coordination of logistics for work plan related events e.g. meetings and workshops, including recruitment of resource persons and procurement of ancillary services such as venues, transport and accommodation.
  • Facilitate and support the preparation of technical assignments as per the EDRP work plan. This will entail the competent design of work packages for all activities, development of TOR for activities outsourced to parties external to the project, the procurement of attendant short term technical expertise and managing the execution of all such activities.
  • Support the preparation of consolidated quarterly requests for advances to support the work of implementing partners.
  • Facilitate the collection and analysis of information essential to the execution of the EDRP work plan.
  • Undertake day-to-day supervision and performance management in respect of the EDRP.
  • Administrative and Financial Assistant and any other short term personnel.

Project Coordination:

  • Support the coordination of the implementation of all EDPR activities. In this regard, the National Project Manager shall ensure effective communication and synergy among implementing partners, liaise with and support technical counterparts, and facilitate and consolidate as necessary, inputs from technical experts.
  • Ensure that the GoB and UNDP leaders of the EDPR component of the UNPOP and the Directors of the executing departments are kept fully up to date on Project developments i.e. progress achieved, challenges encountered, and responses thereof.
  • Support effective coordination between EDPR activities and those undertaken under the other four components of the GoB-UN POP.

Information Management and Project Documentation:

  • Develop and maintain a complete database for the EDPR component and ensure that it is fully up to date with respect to project related documentation and cataloguing of challenges, issues and lessons learned.
  • Facilitate the publicity work on EDPR related activities .
  • Initiate and promote partnerships with Civil Society Organisations and the private sector in the delivery of Project outputs and advocacy.

Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

  • Design and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan aligned to the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of GOP-UN POP, to ensure the timely implementation of activities, including the organisation of reporting meetings, and full compliance with Project reporting requirements, including the production of quarterly progress and annual reports to be submitted to the EDPR.
  • Component Coordination Group. The preparation of complete quarterly and annual financial reports on the project.
    Full accounting for the management of assets procured under and for EDPR activities.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Knowledge Management and Learning.
  • Development and Operational Effectiveness.
  • Management and Leadership

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters degree with specialisation in a development related field, e.g., Economics, Environment, Sociology, Public Administration.
  • Computer literacy and ability to use Word Processing and office technology and equipment.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years working experience in the area of development, including poverty reduction and sustainable development. Botswana specific experience will be an advantage, as would be experience in Project management systems.
  • Experience wth Botswana based professional with some management/administrative/supervision experience, preferably in a development organisation (Government, Multilateral or Bilateral Organisation, NGO, CBO).
  • Experience in policy and Project work is necessary.

Language:

  • Fluency in oral and written English, with excellent communication skills, is a requirement.

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.