National Project Manager (Npsa10)

Background

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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.

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UNDP established the Green Commodities Programme in 2009 in recognition of global agricultural commodities and their contribution to economic, social and environmental sustainability, and the need to strengthen UNDP’s support and leadership in this field. As part of the UNDP Green Commodities Programme, and to promote sustainable palm oil production and operation in Indonesia, the Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP and several multinational companies have launched the Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative (SPOI) in 2012. The SPO initiative aims to improve the capacity of palm oil smallholders and conserve natural resources together with the Government of Indonesia’s Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) system. In 2015, UNDP (through the Green Commodities Programme and SPOI) and the Switzerland State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) initiated a collaboration on sustainable palm oil in Indonesia through the first phase of the project “National Commodity Platforms to support Sectoral Transformation”. It was further expanded by a second phase “National Commodity Platforms to support Sectoral Transformation” which ran between 2018 to 2021 and was expanded until 2023 by a top up project: “Sustainable Commodity Production and Trade: multi- stakeholder collaboration for systemic change” which is currently still ongoing. As of 2022, key results have been achieved with co-financing from the Good Growth Partnership , including a National Action Plan for Sustainable Palm Oil (NAP SPO), derived from a multi-stakeholder process and replicated at provincial and district level, a multi- stakeholder space for collaboration, capacity building for local stakeholders, and strengthening of farmer support systems. The Phase II is currently fostering national buy-in and sustainability for these results, while advancing farmers support systems’ strengthening in Tebo district.

As of early 2023, the Sustainable Commodity Production and Trade – Phase III is about to start to advance multi- stakeholder collaboration for systemic change. Through it, UNDP will foster the adoption of sustainable production through facilitating effective multi-stakeholder collaborative initiatives in globally important agricultural commodity systems in five countries, including Indonesia, in order to catalyze shared vision and multi-stakeholder collaborative action for transforming those systems. Achievement of this objective would be facilitated by UNDP through effective multi-stakeholder collaborative action, addressing the challenges presented by siloed stakeholders, mistrust and diverging agendas. UNDP FACS Team, together with the National FACS Coordinator, will support the country level interventions through ad hoc exploratory sessions, customized training, coaching and ‘case clinics’, with the aim of having the UNDP Effective Collaborative Action methodology at the heart of project implementation, while also offering advisory services to help align the multi-stakeholder dialogues with co-creation of technical interventions that genuinely influence sustainability in agricultural commodity systems. Hereinafter, the past, current and future phases of the UNDP-SECO collaboration that started in 2015, building on SPOI, will be referred to as GCP, referring to the programmatic umbrella (Green Commodities Programme) under which they were created.

In addition, the Sustainable Landscape Program Indonesia (SLPI) project just started in early 2023. Funded by SECO, the project contributes to good governance and sustainable management to a number of selected landscapes that can benefit from intact natural ecosystems, improved agricultural production and thus income opportunities for its inhabitants through the integration in (global) sustainable value chains. The SLPI is split into two components: Component 1 covering the landscape work at district level and Component 2 forming the Program Support System. For the implementation of Component 1, SECO launched a Call for Proposals in 2022 and the best four project proposals were selected to be supported under the SLPI. For the implementation of Component 2, UNDP was selected as the implementation partner. Component 2 aims at strengthening the impact of landscape interventions through tailored support, training, coaching and learning exchanges, centered around essential transformative practices that drive systems changes and effective collaborative action. The following tasks are carried out by UNDP under the scope of SLPI-Component 2: connectivity between different government levels and ministries (UNDP Indonesia); Community of Practice (UNDP Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) Team, leading the Green Commodities Programme); capacity Building on Effective Collaborative Action (UNDP FACS Team).

GCP and SLPI projects are clearly interlinked and both UNDP and SECO are willing to leverage synergies between the two initiatives to scale up impact.

In order to achieve the GCP and SLPI projects’ outcomes and outputs, UNDP is hiring a National Project Manager.

Duties And Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and on behalf of the Project Boards, the National Project Manager has the authority to run the GCP and SLPI projects on a day-to-day basis. The National Project Manager is responsible for making the day-to-day decisions on project implementation and ensures that the projects produce the results specified in the project documents to the required standards of quality and within the specified time and cost. The primary reporting responsibility of the incumbent is to the boards through the UNDP Indonesia Programme Manager v for NRM with matrix reporting to the FACS Global Team. The National Project Manager is responsible for ensuring smooth flow of information and services between the UNDP Country Office and the FACS Global Team, together with the National FACS Coordinator. The post holder will also be in charge of ensuring proper design of additional workstreams and interventions to support broader Sustainable Palm Oil programme goals, and assess project proposals for relevance and coherence.

The National Project Manager will also be responsible for acting as main contact and representative for GCP and SLPI with the donor and government.

The National Project Manager supervises and leads project support personnel and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The National Project Manager works in close collaboration with Government officials, the operations and programme staff in UNDP office, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society ensuring successful project implementation.

Manage and supervise the project team to ensure effective implementation and achievement through below activities:

• Ensuring effective monitoring of project performance, and the preparation of high quality and results oriented progress reports for UNDP and the donor, as required.
• Oversees the day-to-day project implementation and ensure achievement of targets as outlined in the project work plan;
• Takes overall responsibility for the project and performs oversight roles for project compliance against the relevant government, and UNDP and FAO regulations for project management;
• Performing Project Manager duties on UNDP’s ERM (Quantum) in line with the DIM manual.
• Ensures that the quality of project inputs meet the expected standards and are sufficient to produce project outputs and targets;
• Leads and supervises project team, builds team coherence and establishes clear roles and responsibilities among team members; Mobilizes goods and services and other project inputs, including preparing ToRs for expert consultants, meetings and workshops;
• Consults with the project board through the National Project Director for any issues that require their attention, including issues related to deviation from the approved work plans and its tolerance (e.g. deviation from the approved target, and/or budget);
• Ensures effective monitoring of project performance, and the preparation of high quality and results oriented progress reports;
• Performs NPM duties on UNDP’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in web-based system in line with the National Implementation Modality‘s manual and as outlined in the delegation of authority for NPM as well as to comply with relevant project cycle management guidelines;
• Develops/updates as necessary the project standard operating procedures in line with the government and UNDP’S regulations; seeks the board’s approval; and takes responsibility for updating and revising it as necessary;
• Ensures gender-related economic, environmental, public research and analysis, to contribute to the formulation of policies, programme interventions, procedures, guidelines and tools.
• Manages critical issues, troubleshoots problems and develops solutions to the overall processes of project implementation;
• Ensuring that gender equality and women’s empowerment is integrated at all stages of the project cycle;
• Preparing and delivering yearly GCP and SLPI-Component 2 projects work plans, carrying out quarterly monitoring over their implementation and troubleshooting issues that may arise, and keeping the SECO counterparts in Indonesia updated with progress;
• As required and directed by the project board, liaising with UNDP’s Quality Assurance, Reporting and Evaluation Unit (QARE) to initiate project review and evaluation processes, and supporting the conduct of such exercises.
• Fostering coordination and collaboration between GCP and SLPI team members and the UNDP Global team, as well as between the SLPI team and partners implementing SLPI-Component 1 projects;

Ensure effective planning, budgeting, and execution of the project through following tasks:

• Organizes bi-annual project board meetings and reports to the project board on the project’s bi-annual and annual progress together with any issues that may require project board decisions;
• To make sure implementation of gender equality accountability framework and Gender equality Results Based management at project level i.e. performance management, gender marker assignment in web based system , reporting, etc;
• Conducts regular monitoring to ensure achievement of targets in line with the annual work plan and that project implementation at all levels complies with the approved project Standard Operating Procedure (SoP);
• Prepares project’s annual and quarterly work plans and organizes project board meetings to obtain their approval;
• Prepares bi-annual project assurance reports (PARs), in line with the standard template and presents it to the project assurance team on a timely manner;
• Provides additional inputs and data for external project reports as necessary and required by the project assurance team;
• Prepare and submit financial reports to UNDP on monthly and quarterly basis;
• Implements project work plan and ensures that the project remains within the tolerance level of the approved work plan;
• As required and directed by the project board, liaises with UNDP’s Quality Assurance, Reporting and Evaluation (QARE) Unit reporting focal point to facilitate project review, reporting and evaluation processes, and supports the conduct of such exercises under the overall management of the task manager as designated by UNDP QARE;
• Visit project sites as and when required to appraise project progress on the ground and validate written progress reports.

Create and nurture strategic partnerships and support to the implementation of resource mobilization

• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with the relevant public and development partners who are the principal counterparts for the project;
• Builds project reputation for quality design, reliable delivery as well as integrity and accountability;
• Initiates and maintains partnerships with development partners, government institutions, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to contribute to the achievement of project results;
• Taking responsibility as main contact and main representative for the projects nationally and internationally, by proactively representing the projects at international and national events and to national and international media; liaising with the FACS Global team, and possibly with other international development partners to share information on the projects; responding to inquiries, concerns, feedback about the projects from stakeholders and the general public;
• In coordination with UNDP’s Communication unit and other relevant counterpart communications department, strengthening visibility for GCP and SLPI projects and their donor, SECO, through the implementation of a communications strategy to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the projects, and facilitate resource mobilization.
• Leading efforts to ensure creation and coordination of partnerships with development partners, government institutions, private sector, civil society etc., including efforts to determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of NAP SPO, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Identifies and works with key partners/stakeholders to ensure synergies with other projects/initiatives and to avoid duplication of activities among actors;
• Identifies opportunities for mobilizing resources for the project, and prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation; and

Facilitate knowledge building and management for and from the project implementation.

• Conducts internal capacity building training for project staff to facilitate appropriate management and timely delivery of project outputs;
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice
• Leads in generating knowledge products such as best practices and lessons learnt for knowledge sharing; and
• Conducts internal capacity building training for project staff to facilitate appropriate management and timely delivery of project outputs including in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming
• Identifies best practices and lessons learnt from the project and from other initiatives that can be helpful to the project in achieving its goals and objectives;
• Effective contribution to learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming
• Organizes and delivers trainings for the operations/project staff on project/programme management issues;

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that

• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”.
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc.
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: 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
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction and 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
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
• Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations

2030 agenda- people

• Gender: Gender mainstreaming

Business Management

• Partnership 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. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP

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
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Regional Planning, International Development, Public Policy, Economics, Political Sciences, Environmental Policy or related fields. Master's Degree in these areas would be highly desirable , but it is not mandatory requirement

Experience

• Experience working with development of national and international funded projects.
• Strong knowledge and experience in project management are essential and ability to write high quality reports.
• Experience working with the operations and rules of UN system would be desirable
• Solid experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in conducting financial tracking and budget management.
• Experience in managing complex projects with global and country component and involving different set of stakeholders is desirable.
• Good knowledge and have a direct experience on working with government institutions at national and sub-national levels, private sector, CSO, universities will be highly desirable;
• Knowledge of agriculture, forestry, landscape management or environmental programmes is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise on social and environmental issues pertaining to palm oil is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Minimum of 7 (seven) years for candidate with bachelor degree or 5 (five) years of relevant experience for candidate with master degree in project management

Required Language

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking)

Professional Certificates

• Any relevant professional certificate(s) in the area of required competencies would be an asset but it is not mandatory.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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