Project Coordinator

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network building collaboration with nations to expand people's choices, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future, and striving to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where the Earth and people coexist harmoniously. According to the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP supports change in three main directions: 

1. Structural Transformation: Promoting green, inclusive, and digital transitions. 
2. Leaving No One Behind: Adopting a rights-based approach focused on empowerment, inclusion, equity, human agency, and human development. 
3. Building Resilience: Enhancing the capacity of countries and institutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to crises, conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, and social and economic shocks. 

UNDP has been actively involved in supporting various environmental projects in Belarus including those aimed at improving the livelihoods of local communities. 

The project “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus” aims to enhance forest protection and resilience through effective community-based fire prevention and response measures. It will help to improve the effectiveness of fire prevention and response by enhancing prompt inspection and extinguishing capabilities, thereby reducing the escalation of small fires into larger ones. 

The implementation of the project is aligned with the Outcome 2 of the UNDP Country Programme Document for Belarus 2021-2025 – “A significant contribution to climate action is made by 2025 through the introduction of key measures of climate change adaptation and mitigation”; and Output 2.4. “National emergency preparedness for major hazards strengthened, in line with regional factors and international environmental conventions.” Objective of the Assignment is to ensure effective implementation of the Safeguarding Forests of Belarus projects’ activities with delivery of all the intended outcomes and outputs in accordance with the work plan and Project Document.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Analyst in the area of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction, in close cooperation with the UNDP Programme and Operations Units, national project partner, and the respective national authorities and institutions, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for the project implementation, including planning, and delivery. The work will be carried out in line with the Project Document and in full compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations. 

Overall Project Management: 

• Assume primary responsibility for the daily project coordination - both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning, controlling the project expenditures and general monitoring of the project; 
• Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance projects/programs in Belarus; 
• Coordinate project activities to ensure project effective implementation and achievement of all the expected results in accordance with the work plan and Project Document;
• Provide professional advice based upon his/her specific area of expertise that is relevant to the project activities’ goals and objectives;
• Ensure that changes are controlled and problems addressed.

Project Administrative and Financial Management:

• Prepare detailed annual work plans and annual progress reports to be considered and approved by Project Board;
• Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plan and budget;
• Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;
• Assume overall responsibility for recruitment of consultants within the project, along with procurement of services performed by the project;
• Approve Terms of Reference (ToR) for national and international consultants and subcontractors in line with and following relevant UNDP procedures;
• Supervise the work of consultants and subcontractors and ensure compliance with the agreed work plan and respective ToR securing high quality of the results;
• Ensure effective management of the project resources in accordance with the project budget and agreed work plan;
• Ensure timely and in line with UNDP procedures provision of papers for settlements with contractors for delivery of services;
• Present the project at project workshop trainings and other events;
• Assume overall responsibility for timely reporting on project in accordance with the respective UNDP requirements vis-à-vis indicators in the Project Document;
• Prepare and timely submit project narrative annual/quarterly reports and other reports as might be necessary;
• Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines;
• Ensure that financial delivery targets set out in the agreed work plan are met;
• Liaise with project partners on project related issues;
• Addresses project issues as raised and/discussed by the Project Board;
• Monitor risks and project impact indicators as per the project framework;
• Timely undertakes actions to eliminate/reduce risks and issues;
• Regularly inform UNDP Country Office on the risks and issues, and actions undertaken to eliminate/reduces these risks/issues;
• Collects and analyzes lessons learned and best practices, and design replication strategies within the UNDP country work;
• Identifies sustainability and follow-on actions and submits them for consideration to the Project Board.

Staff Supervision: 

• Supervise and coordinate the work of the project implementation unit (PIU), consultants and subcontractors to ensure their results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
• Provides strategic guidance and management oversight to the PIU, reviewing and clear on a regular basis progress reports, deliverables, disbursements and budgets to ensure implementation is on track;
• Supervise work of the project consultants and ensure compliance with the agreed plans and delivery and high quality of the results in accordance with respective Terms of Reference;
• Secures any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project.

Partnership Building: 

• Maintain regular contacts with the National Project Partner, UNDP Country Office and Programme Analyst in the area of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction, on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
• Ensure preparation and holding of Project Board meetings and ensure that recommendations and issues made by the Project Board are addressed;
• Liaise with relevant ministries, other national institutions in order to involve them in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project;
• Ensure proper information coverage of project activities and PR in accordance with the respective UNDP rules and procedures, and Donor requirements;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
• Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus;
• Participate in communication (in the area of PR) and media activities. Coordinate distribution of project-related information;
• Maintain regular contact with the UNDP Country Office on project implementation issues of their respective competence.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned thematic area(s): 

• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues;
• Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.

Other: 

• Performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient implementation of the project.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Coordinator will carry out its duties under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst in the field of environment, energy, climate change and disaster risk reduction of Belarus UNDP Country Office.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results:          
  • LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively:      
  • LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously:  
  • LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility:       
  • LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination:          
  • LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner:   
  • LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:          
  • LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Results-based Management:

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Co-creation:

• Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together. 
• Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity. 
• Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

Communication:

• 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. 
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Effective Decision Making:

• Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Negotiation and Influence:

• Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Environmental Protection Management, Resource Management (or equivalent) and/or Business Management or related fields will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in environmental protection management or resource management (or equivalent) and/or business management or project management or related field.

Required Skills:

• Communication skills to convey project information clearly and professionally to different stakeholders; 
• Organizational skills to manage the tasks, resources and deadlines of a project using tools such as calendars, spreadsheets and project management software;
• Problem-solving skills to identify and resolve any problems that may occur during the project and to be able to analyse the situation, propose solutions and implement them quickly

Desired Skills: 

• Experience in Budgeting or Finance (of financial and budgeting processes; effectively financial, human and material resources management); 
• Proven experience with implementation of climate change and/or educational projects;
• Experience in leading and managing teams.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in Russian and English.

Desired Languages:

• Knowledge of Belarusian is desired.

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.

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