Project Officer

Background

1- Office/Unit/Project Description:

UNDP Jordan's 2018-2022 country programme seeks to support national efforts in reaching a solution pathway that achieves the goal of a more inclusive and resilient nation which can effectively address the development challenges it is faced with, through its five programme pillars. The Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Pillar assist the country to integrate environmental concerns into national and sectoral plans and strategies; securing resources; and implement programmes that advance inclusive, sustainable development, and strengthen livelihoods. 

The Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Pillar`s support for environmental management and nationally owned sustainable development pathways include the following areas: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification; Water and Marine Governance; Climate Change and Drought; Energy; Waste Management; Green Economy; and Disaster Risks Reduction. 

Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, and climate change is impacting aridity due to increasing temperatures and reduced / more erratic rainfall patterns, and population increase due to natural growth and refugee influx. Climate change-induced hazards such as droughts, and extreme temperatures have almost tripled in Jordan since the 1980s, which impacts the availability of water resources, water demand for agriculture, and domestic purpose and existence of agriculture. The water and agriculture sectors - where 61% of the cultivated land is rainfed – are the most vulnerable, especially in rural areas.

Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector is a seven years project that will be implemented in the Dead Sea Basin in Karak, Madaba, Talifah, and Maan Governorates, and executed jointly by FAO, UNDP, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

The UNDP Jordan CO seeks to employ a full-time Project officer to manage the project’s site-based activities under the supervision of the Team Leader of the Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Pillar and in collaboration with the project`s PMU and local partners.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Team Leader, the project officer will ensure the effective and timely delivery of outputs and emphasize a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation.  Moreover, the project officer will introduce the best international practices to project teams, partners, and stakeholders by serving as a conduit for ongoing UNDP best practice input to project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The project officer will perform all relevant tasks in close coordination with the project`s project management unit (PMU), which will be nested in the Ministry of Environment premises and be responsible for overall planning and coordination for the projects` activities. The PMU will be led by a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and will be supported by focal points/liaison officers from the MoEnv, MWI and MOA.

2- Scope of Work 

• Implementation of programme results
• Implementation of reporting, monitoring, and evaluation policies and strategies
• Liasion, partnerships, and coordination with external and internal partners
• Knowledge building and management
• Any other duty required by the office

1- Implementation of programme results:

• Day-to-day management of project activities; through planning and implementing envisaged project activities, management of resources, and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria; Coordinate and work closely with  project`s PMU and assigned partners’ focal points (FAO, MWI, MOA, and MoEnv) and ensure that the project activities are implemented in line with the project outcomes, outputs, time framework, and budget;
• Ensure the project is implemented in compliance with UNDP and Human Resources Guidelines, and financial requirements;
• Ensure that project is executed according to work plans and within established budgets; 
• Support the execution and supervision of the project components, including elaborating the necessary terms of reference, and supervising the service providers in charge of implementing the activities.
• Provide technical backstopping to ensure the BRCCJ Project activities are soundly implemented;
• Assume the ultimate responsibility for all professional personnel (full-time Staff, Consultants and Contractors) engaged through projects funds directly, and for all other personnel indirectly (through the relevant Implementing Partners); this includes drafting of terms of reference, technical specifications, and other documents as necessary; and the identification and advice on the recruitment of project consultants, as well as coordination and quality control of consultants and suppliers;
• Assume direct responsibility for managing the projects budgets by ensuring that:
  • Projects funds are made available when needed, and are disbursed properly,
  • Expenditureses are in accordance with the projects’ documents and/or existing project 
  • workplans;
  • Accounting records and supporting documents are properly kept;
  • Required financial reports are prepared;
  • Responding to comments and inquiries from the donor/lead applicant on financial matters.
  • Financial operations are transparent and financial procedures/regulations for projects are properly applied; and 
  • Be ready to attend to audits at any time.
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP.
• Put in place and facilitate results-based implementation of project activities; 
• Represent and participate in meetings of relevance to the mandate of the Environment Pillar; Performance of other duties as required in support of project implementation

2- Implementation of reporting, monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies:

• Effective monitoring for ensuring implementation of project activities;
• Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the Project Steering Committee and Working Group for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Prepare the Project Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Management Team;
• Oversee timely preparation of reports for UNDP to donors and other stakeholders;
• Prepare presentations to donor partners, government and other stakeholders if required.
• Provide technical assistance to project teams and advice; progress reporting and accountability for resources used In cooperation with relevant projects team;
• Conduct necessary field visits to the project sites to collect data, consult with local stakeholders, supervise the implementation of the different activities (specially those carried out by contractors);

3- Liaison, partnerships, and coordination with external and internal partners:

• Create strategic partnerships with government, non-government, and private sector stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Actively support the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy and maintain close relationships with donor partners;
• Liaisese with FAO team to ensure proper synergy between the different components of the project;
• Ensure synergy and integration with all relevant projects/interventions implemented by UNDP across the country.
• Assist in establishing a trusting relationship with all concerned groups, including relevant ministries and local NGOs.

4- Knowledge building and management :

• Facilitate a learning and adaptive approach to projects management and implementation by supporting the development and dissemination of lessons learned;
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including corporate communications repositories; and,
• Contribute to the design and implementation of appropriate learning strategies for stakeholders
• Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP, and Government, as required.

Any other activity required by the supervisor 

The Project Manager will be based in UNDP Jordan CO and will report to the Team Leader of the Environment, Climate Change, and DRR pillar.

 Competencies

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies[WF1]  

4- Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

5- The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

6- Annexes to the TOR

https://www.jo.undp.org/

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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