Project Manager (IPSA-11)

Background

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyse an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.  

UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.  

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources.  

UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways to mobilize investments flows from other sources, from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including: Sub-national and local infrastructure financing, Women focused/owned enterprise financing, Nature, climate and energy financing, Sustainable food systems financing and Inclusive digital finance.  

Within UNCDF’s thematic are of nature, climate and energy financing, the Pro-Congo project, a joint initiative by UNEP and UNCDF under the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) Private Sector Window, aims to support entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Congo Basin countries by providing technical assistance and access to financial instruments including grants and loans, to promote tropical forest conservation, emission reductions, job creation, and biodiversity protection. Targeting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (RoC), Cameroon and Gabon, the project seeks to drive sustainable economic growth by facilitating access to capacity building, finance and market access for both mature and early-stage businesses.

To facilitate the achievement of these objectives, UNCDF seeks to hire a Project Manager to lead project implementation, coordinate the project team, and ensure successful achievement of project objectives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of UNCDF’s Senior Portfolio Manager for Nature and Climate, the overall responsibility of the Project Manager will be to act as liaison for all project stakeholders, providing technical assistance and ensuring proper implementation of the Pro-Congo project. He/She will conduct the following tasks:

Lead the implementation of all project activities and achievement of deliverables:

• Develop detailed workplan and timelines for all project activities, ensuring alignment with the overall project objectives and oversee effective execution.
• Lead the overall management and timely implementation of the project outputs and activities.
• Provide strategic guidance and management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track to ensure achievement of the planned results.
• Lead and coordinate high-level task forces and steering committees related to the implementation of the project, including ensuring regular communication and collaboration with CAFI and UNEP for successful programme implementation.
• Facilitate and support the work of the programme’s implementing partners and deliver specialized technical assistance for effective program implementation.
• Ensure implementation of gender mainstreaming in line with UNCDF guidelines and global standards.  

Ensure proper monitoring and reporting of the programme.  

• Organize regular coordination meetings and draft regular progress reports as agreed in the project document, including regular briefing to donors and other relevant partners. 
• Ensure the guidelines, frameworks and requirements of CAFI are followed throughout project implementation.
• Updating the Quantum and Quantum+ Project Management tools as required and monitor changes in the external environment and promptly propose to the UNCDF management of necessary solutions/actions.
• Overall responsibility to monitor project progress, Environmental & Social Safeguards, and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed.
• Monitor the utilization of programme resources and budget to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
• Take lead on the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project document.
• Participate in the mobilization of additional resources including from CAFI.  
• Travel to the programme’s target countries as needed for on-site verification of results.

Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders and undertake advocacy activities .

• Coordinate dialogue, engagement and partnerships with the respective Government authorities and lead advocacy activities with other relevant stakeholders at both project and country level, including with bilateral, multilateral and private sector actors.  
• Ensure alignment of the project with relevant UN initiatives in the countries/region.
• Advise on the contribution of the project to the countries national priorities, progress towards the Sustainable Devlopment Goals (SDGs) and UNCDF’s Strategic Framework.

Facilitate implementation of knowledge management activities.

• Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities.
• Participate in training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge on sustainable practices.
• Facilitate development of success stories and other communication materials.  

Support broader UNCDF operations.  

• Actively advocate for practices that support the objectives of UNCDF, leveraging professional expertise and networks.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives and best practices in climate/nature/energy finance.
• Share knowledge and lessons learned from private sector operations and best practices in relevant fields.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.  

Competencies

• 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

Partnership management: 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

Partnership management: CSO engagement

• Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

Partnership management: Strategic engagement

• Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their  buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight

Business Direction & Strategy: Entrepreneurial Thinking

• Ability to create clarity around UNCDF’s value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNCDF’s organizational priorities and mandate

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

Business Management: Project Management

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

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Programme or Project Management, Economics, or related field is required. OR  
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, 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 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree)  of relevant work experience  in project management, preferably in climate, environment, or development sectors is required.  

Required skills:

• Track record of managing donor-funded projects (especially with CAFI, UNCDF, UN agencies, or similar) is required.  
• International experience working in developing countries in Africa is required.  

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

• Experience with reporting to and managing donor and partner relationships including grants and reporting mechanisms.  
• Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures  
• Experience in managing a project or programme team.  
• Experience working with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Global Funds, IFIs, UNCDF and/or another UN entity.  
• Experience of engaging with private sector, development partners and government stakeholders in Central Africa.
• Experience in project monitoring  and quality assurance.  

Required Language(s):  

• Fluency in French and English is required.  
• Knowledge of other UN official languages will be considered an asset. 

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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