Project Manager

Background

In Jordan, the plastic sector plays a vital role in the country's economy, but it also leads to severe plastic pollution due to mismanagement. While in Jordan existing regulations address downstream aspects of plastic pollution, such as collection and recycling, there are currently no proposed upstream solutions to shift from Single Use Plastic (SUP) economy to a more sustainable approach in the F&B sector. This project aims therefore to implement upstream activities in the following four key areas, in compliance with the strategy set by the Global IP on circular solutions to plastic pollutions.

• Improving Regulatory Framework to ban specific SUP categories, enacting standards to increase the percentage of recycled material in plastic containers and standardizing the concept of "biodegradability."
• Promoting the shift to Sustainable Packaging: by encouraging the transition of the Food and Beverage sector toward sustainable packaging production, demonstrating also alternatives to SUPs in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, food stores etc.
• Developing Financial Support for SMEs in establishing sustainable packaging businesses. 
• Promoting consumer awareness and behavioral change towards sustainable consumption practices.

The project will focus on cities in the Middle and Southern regions of Jordan, including Amman, Zarqa, Russeifa, and Aqaba. It will foster innovativeness through the establishment of an incubation program for enterprises to develop sustainable solutions, , and will also explore innovativeness in green financing schemes, taking into account Islamic rules in developing financing facilities, and by adopting market analytics methodologies to promote the consumers’ shift toward reusable packaging.   

In terms of Global Environmental Benefits (GEB), the project intends to eliminate the production and use of 5000 tons of SUPs from the Food and Beverage sector, with the associated reduction of 17,000 tons of GHG and 0.625 g Teq of U-POPs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Team Leader of Sustainable Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio and the Programme Analyst, the Project Manager is expected to perform the following responsibilities and duties:

Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective project planning and implementation.

• Manage the overall activities of the project.
• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved workplan.
• Execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services and trainings, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractors’ work.
• Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring plan, and update the plan as required.
• Provide support for completion of assessments required by UNDP, spot checks and audits.
• Manage requests for the provision of UNDP financial resources through funding advances, direct payments or reimbursement using the FACE form.
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
• Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations, and make course corrections when needed within project board-agreed tolerances to achieve results.
• Ensure that changes are controlled, and problems addressed.
• Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed with the board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities.
• Prepare and submit progress and financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis.
• Manage and monitor the project risks – including social and environmental risks - initially identified and submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
• Capture lessons learned during project implementation.
• Prepare revisions to the multi-year workplan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly plans if required.
• Prepare the inception report no later than one month after the inception workshop. 
• Assess major and minor amendments to the project within the parameters set by UNDP-GEF.
• Monitor implementation plans including the gender action plan, stakeholder engagement plan, and any environmental and social management plans.
• Monitor and track progress against the GEF Core indicators.
• Lead stakeholder dialogue with external partners relevant to the project implementation. 
• Coordinate and liaise between the project partners and key stakeholders to ensure harmony in approach and consistency in implementation. 
• Participate, contribute and to the project on the country and global levels to introduce the project, delivering on results and sharing data and knowledge. 
• Prepare regular progress reports for donors, stakeholders, and policymakers.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future initiatives.

Contribute to the Regulatory framework aimed at reducing plastic waste generation strengthened and supported through a clear chain of responsibilities.

• Identify and involve key stakeholders such as government bodies, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations.
• Facilitate consultations and workshops to gather input on regulatory needs and responsibilities.
• Collaborate with legal experts to draft or revise regulations and guidelines.
• Ensure alignment with international best practices and standards.
• Design public awareness campaigns to promote compliance with the strengthened regulatory framework
• Work with media and communication teams to disseminate information.
• Mediate conflicts between stakeholders regarding roles and responsibilities.
• Address potential barriers to implementation, such as resistance from certain sectors

Ensure the full engagement of the private sector to implement innovative approaches on the avoidance of SUPs

• Identify key private sector stakeholders such as manufacturers, retailers and recyclers, analyze their roles, interests, and potential influence in plastic reduction efforts.
• Facilitate partnerships between private sector entities, government agencies, and NGOs.
• Engage specific industries (e.g., packaging, hospitality) to promote sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable materials or reusable products.
• Organize capacity-building programs to educate private companies on the benefits of sustainable practices.
• Provide training on compliance with new regulations, reporting standards, or circular economy practices.
• Facilitate platforms where private sector actors can share best practices, innovations, and lessons learned.
• Document and promote successful private sector initiatives as case studies.
• Publish reports or hold events that recognize leadership in sustainability

Contribute to the Fiscal policies and innovative financing schemes to support circularity of plastic products in the F&B sector implemented.

• Work with policymakers to develop financial or tax incentives for private companies adopting sustainable practices and ecofriendly products.
• Provide technical support for adopting environmentally friendly technologies, such as advanced recycling systems or eco-design.

Facilitate knowledge management, lesson learning and coordination with the global project carried out.

• Gather insights, experiences, and best practices from project implementation.      
• Documenting key findings, methodologies, and outcomes.
• Create technical reports, case studies, and guidance documents.
• Ensure and maintain an online repository for all knowledge materials.
• Organize forums or webinars to share knowledge among stakeholders.
• Facilitate workshops to discuss lessons learned with stakeholders and team members.
• Align these lessons with global best practices.
• Establish a communication schedule (e.g., monthly updates) with the global project team.
• Share periodic progress reports, findings, and lessons learned.
• Actively participate in the local project in global coordination meetings.
• Facilitate exchanges between local and global teams to share tools, methodologies, and data.
• Track the dissemination and usage of knowledge products.
• Document coordination activities with the global project.
• Train project staff and stakeholders on knowledge management systems.
• Build the capacity of the team to use lesson-learning frameworks effectively.
• Address delays or bottlenecks in information exchange.
• Ensure gaps in knowledge dissemination or uptake are identified and addressed promptly.

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

Institutional Arrangement

In this context, the Project Manager (PM) will work under the UNDP Sustainable Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the Sustainable Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio Team Leader and in close collaboration with team members. The Project Manager will also act as a supervisor to the project associate NPSA-6 and techncial  Associate NPSA-7.

Competencies

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required Skills and Experience

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.