Project Manager

Colombo

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Colombo
Grade: Mid level - NPSA-10, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

To address digital challenges and harness possibilities, and in line with SDG transformations from its 2023-2026 Strategy, the Joint SDG Fund has launched the Digital Transformation Window. It invests in joint UN action led by UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) and implemented by UN Country Teams (UNCTs) to develop systemic responses that simultaneously address policy, capacity, financing and connectivity needs towards transformation impact. The Window builds on the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation launched by the UN Secretary-General in June 2020, which provides the framework for joint action toward a more inclusive, equitable, and safer digital world that serves the needs of everyone and is aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda. It supports the implementation of one of the key SDG transformations that represent the thematic priorities of the Joint SDG Fund in its new 2023-2026 Strategy “Financing Catalytic Action for the SDGs”. Sri Lanka’s Joint Programme under the Digital Transformation Window of the Joint SDG Fund is anchored under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Joint Programme is focused on strengthening the country’s civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system, which is currently primarily paper-based and has high coverage for birth, death, marriage, and divorce registrations.

The Joint Programme aims to assist the government in their existing efforts to enhance the legal identity ecosystem by digitalizing CRVS (which the new digital E-population registry together with the infrastructure to issue digitally verifiable birth certificates aims to do), as well as, crucially, promoting interoperability by supporting the process of issuing unique identification numbers at birth.

Against this backdrop, UNDP seeks to recruit a Project Manager who will be responsible for the management of the entire project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Joint Programme, including timely and efficient delivery of operational, financial, and administrative outputs; in line with UNDP rules and regulations, regular outreach and coordination with beneficiaries; regular coordination among partners to ensure coherence and complementarity.

The Project Manager will work under the supervision of the Team Leader, Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation Team with matrix reporting to the relevant WHO focal point.

Lead the overall management of the project:

Lead day-to-day management of the project, including managing programme staff, hiring, and overseeing external consultants, maintain working relations with key partners
Lead the development of annual workplans and/or revise workplans and budgets according to the decisions of the Joint Project Steering Committee.
Maintain oversight of expenditures and ensure both value for money and efficient delivery in line with established targets

Ensure team collaboration:

Anchor the Joint Programme within UNDP’s Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation Team with involvement of the Citra Innovation Lab, as well as other teams such as the Inclusive Governance, as necessary and secure programme team’s collaboration and agreement on priorities, policy, and work planning commitments.
Critically assess and advise management and team of results and recommendations for improvement

Ensure knowledge building and management:

Support Joint Programme team to collate insights and knowledge from implementation and share information widely
Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of Joint Programme achievements, particularly regarding local success stories

Monitoring and Reporting:

Develop and implement required monitoring and reporting frameworks in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and WHO.
Head, prepare and submit reports as required by the project;

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

Collaborate and contribute to the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Activities of jointly with SEDIT with a special focus on building a Digital Portfolio.
Contribute to the development of implementation plan to foster strategic partnerships with UN and external partner institutions, Governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs.
Lead with SEDIT on external engagements related to Digital Programming and its activities for thought leadership, positioning and resource mobilization.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management

Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
2030 People Agenda: Gender Mainstreaminig
Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Business Direction & Strategy

System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in business administration or management, economics, law, finance, public policy, ICT, governance, or a related area is required OR,
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in business administration or management, economics, law, finance, public policy, ICT, governance, or a related area in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of working experience in strategic planning, programme development and management in the context of development cooperation or a related area.
Experience working in project management is required.
Desired skills in addition to competencies section
Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination in the context of development cooperation or related area is preferred
Experience in supporting business process re-engineering or digital transformation is an asset.
Prior work experience with UN entity or development organization will be an added advantage.

Required Languages:

Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil and English is required.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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This vacancy is now closed.