Project Manager on Rule of Law and Elections

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Office/Unit/Project Description

Guinea-Bissau, a country rooted in the fundamental principles of democracy and the Rule of Law, has faced political instability since 1980. However, recognizing the imperative need for justice, peace, and security, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has embarked on a reform process, the National Program for the Reform of Justice (2015-2019), exemplifying the country's commitment to positive change. As part of this transformative journey, the government aims to strengthen the Rule of Law, uphold human rights, and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Guinea-Bissau recognizes the critical need to enhance its efforts in combating corruption and strengthening its justice system. The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as key Government partner in the area of governance, is developing and implementing various projects in a variety of governance related domains, including rule of law and justice, anticorruption and accountability, decentralization and local governance, electoral support, parliamentary support and civic engagement.

In this context, the UNDP is hiring a Project Manager on Rule of Law and Access to Justice that will assist the Governance Team in ensuring the day- to-day management and implementation of the project and the overall cooperation with the government.

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of UNDP Head of the Democratic Governance Team, the Project Manager on Rule of Law and Access to Justice will assume the tasks and responsibilities as follows:

1. Ensure implementation of project activities

• Ensure the overall day-to-day management and implementation of project outputs and activities as outlined in the project document.
• Provide strategic guidance and management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track in order to ensure the project achieves the planned results in accordance with relevant plans.
• Assist in the preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWP) and mid-year, annual and final narrative reports ;
• Liaise with national partners and donors to ensure smooth implementation of all project activities;
• Provide project management support to national implementing partners.

1. Provide effective programmatic assurance and implement assurance activities

• Monitor progress of implementation and update, when relevant, the AWPs;
• Monitor timely implementation of planned activities, assess the progress toward and the achievement of planned targets.
• Support preparation and review, as required, project reports (quarterly, annual and final) and ad-hoc documents to ensure that project reports are consistent with relevant standards and ensure timely submission.

1. Facilitate knowledge building and management

• Analyse new and emerging policy and strategy initiatives at national (national laws and regulations) and international (UN-system) levels, prepare briefings and advice UNDP Management on the implications for the implementation framework of the project.
• Actively promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture between the projects and the CO.

1. Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work as part of the Governance Team. He/she will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Governance Team Leader and the rest of the Team, as well as other projects, management units and operations staff, as well as other UN agencies in-country.

Competencies

Achieve Results- LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively- LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously- LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility- LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination- LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner- LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion- LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

• Project Management 

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

• Partnerships Management   

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

• Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.

• 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 other parts of the system

• Relationship management

Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

• Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)

Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

• Budget management

Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in law, management or public administration project management or related field is required or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 2 years(with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in programme and/or management support in rule of law; working with elections.

Required skills Required skills

• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, e-mail) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems are required

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience in programme implementation and elections support.
• Experience in Rule of Law and Justice.
• Experience working with UNDP or other UN agencies.
• Experience working with UN administration is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills/abilities: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being proactive and taking initiative.
• Proven Ability to manage workload individually and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent logistics experience/skills in organizing and successfully delivering high-level political events.
• Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills and experience

Required Language(s)

Fluency of English is required

Fluency in the language of the duty station (Portuguese) is desired.

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.