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Project Manager (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration)

Summary of key functions:
Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader/Head of the Conflict Prevention and Recovery Unit (CPRU) of UNDP Southern Sudan and under the guidance of Southern Sudan Disarmament, Demobilzation and Reintegration (SSDDR) Commissioner, the DDR Project Manager will manage and coordinate the implementation of the DDR project throughout the 10 states of Southern Sudan. The incumbent will monitor and oversee the progress of project implementation in all aspects (operations and processes, including budget and financial management, work planning, procurement, recruitment, audit, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting functions as well as coordination with counterparts, partners and relevant stakeholders). S/he will be responsible for the following:
  1. Managing the day-to-day activities of the DDR Project.
  2. Ensure effective coordination and information sharing on project activities with SSDDR Commission and State levels and within IUNDDRU;
  3. Provision of technical guidance to counterparts and state offices on programmatic and project implementation issues;
  4. Ensures needs and capacity assessments are completed and technical assistance is provided effectively to support
  5. capacity building of counterparts and partners;
  6. Oversee administrative and operational support is provided effectively to SSDDRC and state offices across Southern
  7. Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Managing the day to day activities of the DDR Project:

  • Managing the implementation of DDR project activities in line with UNDP Programmme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) based on annual Work Plan, including cost effective financial management and budget execution;
  • Planning and coordinating implementation of project activities with Government counterparts, and monitoring progress against established quality criteria as well as the DDR Project’s Annual Work Plan (AWP), Quarterly Plans (if required) and Budget. This includes the establishment of an M&E framework and system, including the organization and conduct of regular field monitoring missions to remote target areas/sites;
  • Initiate, follow-up on and finalize all required recruitment and procurement actions with operations units, for mobilizing goods and services as inputs to project implementation, including drafting terms of reference, requests for proposals and other required work specifications and related documentation;
  • In consultation with SSDDRC recruiting and managing project personnel, including long-term advisers, short-term consultants, and project related support staff;
  • Organize and conduct or oversee field missions, workshops, training and/or study tours for government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including budget revisions (as required). Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or liquidation of advances to implementing partners through the Funding Authorization and Certification of Expenditures (FACE) form;
  • Ensure a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan and system is developed and implemented, and M&E reports are finalized and circulated in a timely manner;
  • Monitor, update and submit project risks and issues log to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible management and risk mitigation actions (if required), and ensure all project risks and issues are addressed or resolved effectively and in a timely manner;
  • Finalize Project Progress, Financial and Annual Review Reports (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit these to the Project Board;
  • Ensure that the Atlas Project Management module is updated on a quarterly basis.
  • Effectively promote inter-programme synergies between DDR and other CPRU projects including CSAC and SRF.
Ensure effective coordination and information sharing on project activities with SSDDRC and State levels and within IUNDDRU:
  • Regular coordination meetings (R-TCC) with state offices, including communication and information sharing with counterparts, partners and relevant stakeholders, on project implementation and ensure complementarity and synergies with other reintegration projects;
  • Ensuring coordination and complementarily of the DDR project with similar livelihoods and reintegration support packages and projects implemented by other development partners. This includes effective liaison and coordination with UN, NGO, private and public sector reintegration and livelihoods actors and related programmes and projects, to share information, identify synergies and program activities suitable for sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants;
  • Participate in inter-agency working groups and initiatives to promote DDR in Southern Sudan;
  • Organize and coordinate regular field missions to remote target sites;
  • Undertake joint trainings, assessments, field missions and other activities in joint support of the implementation of the DDR programme. Establish joint planning and assessment missions and meetings with IUNNDDR team members including UNMIS, UNFPA and UNICEF;
  • Establish joint information sharing and reporting platforms for effective communication;
  • Jointly conduct field-monitoring visits (SSDDRC and UNMIS).
Provision of technical guidance to counterparts and state offices on programmatic and project implementation issues:
  • Advise and support counterparts and state offices in decision making on project implementation;
  • Ensure that project standards and policies are maintained communicated appropriately to government counterparts, partners and other stakeholders;
  • Oversee the development Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in order to standardize programme delivery across all 10 states, as appropriate.
Ensures needs and capacity assessments are completed and provision of technical assistance to support capacity building of counterparts and partners:
  • Oversee and coordinate provision of technical assistance to counterparts and relevant stakeholders to support an appropriate level of understanding of reintegration requirements and identify other opportunities for programme development;
  • Capacity and needs assessments of counterparts and implementing partners completed and that a capacity development strategy is developed and implemented;
  • Appropriate training and related capacity building activities for DDR Commission and state office staff are effectively implemented;
  • Management Information System (MIS) implemented, ensuring systematic lines of communication between the regional and state offices.
Oversee administrative and operational support is provided effectively to state offices across Southern Sudan:
  • State offices are appropriately staffed and equipped;
  • Effective operational and logistical support to SSDDRC GoSS and state offices is in place;
  • Any other duties as assigned by the SSDDRC and UNDP Team Leader of the CPRU.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • In-depth knowledge on development issues;
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Good knowledge of the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, PRINCE2 and ATLAS Finance;
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
  • Strong IT skills.
Management and Leadership
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters’ degree in business administration, management, public administration, political science, political economy, international affairs, development or related fields.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant international experience in managing large projects in a post-conflict context, preferably in the areas of DDR, community security and/or security sector reform;
  • Experience in working with government and other national institutions and counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in a complex, post-conflict environment;
  • Experience with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and PRINCE2 (project management), including experience with ATLAS Finance (resource management system) would be an advantage;
  • Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English required;
  • Knowledge of Juba Arabic or Arabic is an asset.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Project Manager (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration)