Integrated Area-Based Project Manager

Syria

Administrative - R&D | Projects - Humanitarian/Disasters

Finished or Exempted (For male)

Context

UNDP Syria looks for implementing a more comprehensive and holistic approach that seeks to address the root-causes of the community problems while simultaneously trying to mitigate the undesired symptoms. To that end, UNDP has adopted an Integrated Area-Based Approach (IABA) that intervenes in multiple UNDP Syria related portfolios (Economic Development & Livelihood, Social Cohesion & Local Development, and Rehabilitation of Infrastructure & Basic Services), and tries to mobilise as many stakeholders as possible. The ABA Approach is:

1. Inclusive in the sense that activities target “communities” rather than specific target groups within those communities.  

2. Participatory in the sense that successfully tackling the area specific problem requires the inclusion and participation of all stakeholders in the area in the process that leads to the resolution of the problem. 

3. Flexible in the sense that they must be highly responsive to changes in the area that may affect the problem so that its interventions remain relevant.  

4. Context Sensitive in the sense they are maximizing the stabilization impact of area-based interventions at a local, governorate or national level while avoiding doing any harm as regards stoking societal tensions.  Sabkha is considered an attracting destination for most people in Ar-Raqqa, since it is currently witnessing relative stability after the economic and social damage it was exposed to during the crisis including the severe decline and delay of agriculture and the failure to keep pace with the development in agricultural operations, manufacturing and marketing processes, irrigation problems and many others. The region has lost a lot of skilled manpower in all sectors.



The vocational and public education sector witnessed a noticeable decline, and the paths narrowed for young people who were unable to obtain the training and skills necessary to start their own businesses. Sabkha has also witnessed serious damage in the social fabric which was adversely affected by the repercussions of the war; the social consequences are no less severe than the economic results.



Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager, and in close coordination with the Portfolio/Project Managers, Area Associates, Focal Points, and Technical Officers, the Integrated Area-Based Project Manager will be responsible for managing and spearheading the implementation of the integrated area-based project activities in order to achieve the outputs and objectives as set out in the relevant project document, and in accordance with UNDP standards and best practices. The successful candidate is expected to provide overall guidance, apply results-based management, operational oversight, and facilitate synergy between the various project activities.



Objectives of the Assignment

1. Ensuring effective project management of the assigned activities by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

2. Leading the integration of the project activities to ensure effective implementation of the integrated area-based approach.

3. Establishing and sustaining collaborative working relationships among key project stakeholders, particularly the direct beneficiaries, through effective communication and consultation.

4. Aligning the project with UN values and UNDP priorities.



Scope of work

1. Ensuring effective project management of the assigned activities by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

- Manage and coordinate the implementation of the respective activities on a day-to-day basis as per the relevant project document, with a view to achieving project results;

- Supervise, guide and coordinate the work of the project implementation team (tasks, milestones, and deliverables) including consultants and experts;

- Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and staff roles and responsibilities and setting-out corresponding milestones;

- Monitor the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules observing the work-plans and set deadlines including monitoring of the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;

- Manage and monitor project risks initially identified, submit information on the new risks and possible mitigation measures to the Area Manager for consideration and update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risk Log;

- Ensure adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observe the project timelines;

- Ensure efficient use of project human, financial and logistical resources;

- Prepare project progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensure timely submission of the reports to the Area Manager and relevant instances, such as the portfolio and project managers.

2. Leading the integration of the project activities to ensure effective implementation of the integrated area-based approach.

- Assure a joint, inclusive and gender-responsive approach to community needs ensuring that all the strategies and initiatives are context and gender sensitive involving local stakeholders;

- Support the area office in conducting and updating a participatory area context analysis in a regular basis to contribute to local programming and readjustments if necessary;

- Manage consultations with the targeted local communities on the planned activities and propose necessary amendments in close coordination with the area office;

- In coordination with the Area Manager, establish creative mechanisms to regularly interact with the Area Office staff including associates and technical officers to share progress updates, exchange lessons and ideas, and collectively address challenges through effective corrective actions;

- Support the Area Manager to identify and implement initiatives with UN Agencies, INGOS and other relevant actors;

- Create best possible enabling environment for high level performance of Project Implementation Teams;

- Promote the mainstreaming of social cohesion across the activities, particularly, supporting networks of women and youth to build accountability systems by empowering local stakeholders;

- Clearly capture the positive responses of communities in the selected area and share this with the Country and Area Offices to reinforce the benefits of integration and strengthen the demand for this approach in the future;

- Capture the good practices and challenges for an effective integration of the project activities;

- Carefully document the implementation of the project (processes, steps, challenges, and successes) that are specific to the integrated nature of the project. This activity supports the adaptation, replication, and scale up of multisector models by other interested parties.

3. Establishing and sustaining collaborative working relationships among key project stakeholders, particularly the direct beneficiaries, through effective communication and consultation.

- Maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders including the direct beneficiaries, the contractors, implementing partners, and the local authorities;

- Collect, analyze and address stakeholders’ inputs and feedback to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities;

- Work closely and openly with the project team and stakeholders to identify innovative solutions;

- Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with-different-stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation;

- Maintain regular communication on relevant project issues with the area office and ensure quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs;

- Submit reports in a quality and timely manner.

4. Aligning the project with UN values and UNDP priorities.

- Ensure the principles of gender equality, social inclusion and resilience are effectively reflected in all project activities;

- Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, reports, and analyses;

- Ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities is, to the extent possible, reflected in all project activities;

- Strive to engage groups and communities in project activities that affect them;

- Seek, analyze and apply knowledge, information, and best practices;

- Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and UNDP Area Office.



Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results

- Project activities executed in line with UNDP corporate principles;

- Project staff/ team(s) effectively and efficiently guided and backstopped, as needed;

- Implementation of the transferred competencies and resources consolidated and effectively carried out;

- Funds delivered in accordance with the planned Annual Work Plans;

- Reporting completed in a timely and qualitative fashion in line with the project needs and UNDP requirements.

Competencies
1. Values
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
2. Core Competencies:
Management, leadership and operational skills:
- Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions;
- Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results on deadline and on budget;
- Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability;
- Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
- Demonstrates strong conflict-resolution skills;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
- Builds strong relationships with colleagues and external actors;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Innovation - ability to make new and useful ideas work
- Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions;
- Embraces new methods;
- Continually seeks improvement;
- Collaborates to improve methods and delivery.

Delivery - ability to get things done
- Makes new ideas work;
- Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking;
- Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done;
- Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions;
- Accountable for project implementation.

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
- Has strong interpersonal, negotiation and networking skills;
- Able to listen to others;
- Respects difference of opinion;
- Finds common ground to solve problems;
- Gains trust of peers and stakeholders; and
- Able to present complex, conceptual ideas in simple, persuasive terms.

Job knowledge and technical expertise:
- Able to manage deliver results under tight deadlines;
- Has sound knowledge of project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work and assignments;
- Has strong knowledge of project area and seeks to develop herself/himself professionally;
- Has experience with application of innovative methods and tools;
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to local politics and culture as well as community issues.

Consultancy Company

May 04, 2021

Required