Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager 

Type of Contract: National Personnel Services Agreement 

Duty Station: Gaza 

Duration of Contract: 1 year  

Closing Date:  Before 2:19 pm on 28 March 2023  

Background

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.

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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978 to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end.

UNDP/PAPP places empowerment, resilience and sustainability at the center of its operation and focuses on three priority areas: the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, where the needs are the greatest. UNDP/PAPP is active in four thematic areas: democratic governance and the rule of law; economic empowerment and private sector development; environment and management of natural resources; and public and social infrastructure.

Due to the blockade and restriction of access to people and commodities and the recurrent hostilities affecting the Gaza Strip since 2007, the overall socioeconomic conditions there have deteriorated. The negative impact has been compounded throughout the early months of 2021, by the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, increasing tensions, and the latest hostilities, further undermining Gaza’s development aspirations.

The obstacles to Gaza’s private sector expansion are mainly the blockade and isolation, lack of access to knowledge and technology, absence of an enabling business environment, significant investment risks and access to finance, scarcity of qualified workforce, limited participation of women in the economy, influenced by cultural norms and gender barriers, as well as reliance on cheaper substitutes and lack of quality standards.

In response to the above events, UNDP/PAPP has developed the “Gaza Economic Resilience Programme (ERP)”. The programmatic approach of the ERP is to transcend beyond early recovery interventions, and tackle development challenges in a systematic and comprehensive manner, integrating an adaptive management approach towards building the resilience of the Gazan people. In order to establish a sustainable foundation for future exports and expansion towards external markets, a comprehensive value chain approach to private sector development will be implemented. It will target the most promising sectors that have the highest potential for import substitution and local employment generation, addressing the obstacles to MSMEs growth. The three main components of the ERP are:

1. Employment Promotion/Generation.
2. MSME support and development.
3. Business Enabling Environment.

UNDP/PAPP- is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Project Manager, to manage “Gaza Economic Resilience Programme/ MSME support and development and Business Enabling Environment Components”. The incumbent will work under the guidance of the Assistant Special Representative, and the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst an expected duration of 3 years.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

The Project Manager will undertake the following functions:

1. Ensuring effective project management by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring, evaluation:
   • Implement and manage the project on a day-to-day basis, coordinate the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project document, including, as needed, supervision and guidance of other project staff, consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results;
   • Ensure the timely and quality delivery of planned project activities;
   • Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and set-out corresponding milestones;
   • Monitor the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules, review the work- plans and set deadlines, and monitor the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;

• • Mobilize goods and services to support project activities, including Call for Proposals, drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications;
  • Manage and monitor project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Board for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log;
  • Assume responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions;
  • Ensure the adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observe the project timelines;
  • Ensure that gender Equity is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, analyses and, where relevant, analyzed in detail;
  • Ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities is reflected in all project activities;
  • Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities, where synergies are possible.

1. Coordination and building strong partnerships with the implementing partners and relevant stakeholders, focusing on the achievement of the following:
   • Maintain strong relationships with the implementing partners, line ministries and other relevant partners and donors;
   • Manage the contractual agreements with implementing partners;
   • Maintain regular coordination and quality assurance of expert inputs and products, as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities;
   • Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation;
   • Maintain regular communication on relevant project issues with the local and international counterparts, consultants and experts and ensure quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs;
   • Engage with groups and communities in project activities to reflect their needs and elements of success to the planned interventions.
   • Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.

1. Preparation and finalization of the reporting, focusing on the achievement of the following:
   • Prepare project progress and ad hoc reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensure timely submission of the reports to the project board and relevant donor(s). The developed reports are expected to be of good quality with proper analysis of the results.
   • Assist in periodical corporate reporting, including Atlas quarterly progress and ROAR;
   • Develop presentations and other materials as required.
   • Update and file the relevant documentation in line with PAPP filling guidelines.

1. Knowledge sharing and other relevant responsibilities pertaining to the project implementation and contribution to the office’s overall programmatic initiatives, focusing on the achievement of the following:

• • Ensure compilation and synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices throughout project implementation;
  • Support the strategic sharing of relevant knowledge and information gathered throughout the project implementation phase, in close collaboration with the Communications & Partnerships Specialist;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
  • Actively commit to learning for advancing professional skills and career.

1. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement

Undertake duties under the guidance of the Assistant Special Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst. The Project Manager will be responsible for the management of the project to ensure the achievement of planned activities.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Master’s degree preferably in Economics, Business Administration or related fields OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, or related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree in managing development projects, including financial, budget, risk, staff, as wellas quality management

Required skills

• Proven experience in economic resilience projects, private sector development, value chain assessment and market system analysis, and in dealing with local governments or NGOs/CSOs including youth and women serving organizations, and bilateral and multilateral donors is required.
• Excellent use of project management software and Microsoft applications is required.

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

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNDP procedures would be an asset.
• Previous experience in inclusive growth and economic recovery is desirable.
• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results is desirable.
• Ability to build partnerships would be an asset.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals is an asset.

Required Language(s)

        Fluency in both English and Arabic languages.

Interested and qualified candidates can apply online through Apply Now-button below