Project Operations Manager at UNDP_Deadline: 19-Dec-2011

“Cambodians living with dignity in a prosperous society at peace, based on justice, free choices and equitable access to productive resources”

 The United Nations Development Programme is seeking for qualified, talented, and result-oriented candidates to fill the positions below:

Location :	Phnom Penh, Country Office, CAMBODIA
Application Deadline :	19-Dec-11
Additional Category	Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract :	Service Contract
Post Level :	SB-4
Languages Required :	English
Duration of Initial Contract :	One year (with possibility of renewal for the length of the programme)

Background

Poverty reduction and growth are the highest priorities of government and it has been recognised by the Royal Government of Cambodia’s National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2011-2013 as one the most formidable development challenge it faces. UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (2011-2015) adopts an integrated poverty reduction approach in order to accelerate progress towards Cambodian Millennium Development Goal One (CMDG1). Addressing growth, poverty and equity requires acting simultaneously at the policy and macroeconomic levels and through direct interventions focused on the poorest populations. This involves developing policy options for growth that benefits all; supporting human capital development and institutional capacity in selected sectors of importance for the diversification of the economy; and scaling up schemes to improve the incomes of those in the poorest provinces. Thus, contributing to strengthening national and sub-national capacities to develop a more diversified, sustainable and equitable economy. Building on the successes of the Insights for Action Initiative (2005-2010), UNDP Linking Policy with Practices for Accelerating MDG1 (LPP) project was established in January 2011 and aims at (i) providing evidence–based policy options for inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth, (ii) supporting human capital development and institutional capacity development in selected sectors of importance and (iii) scaling up effective anti poverty practices for inclusive and equitable growth.  LPP programme is responsible for the preparation of key UNDP flagship reports such as Cambodia’s National Human Development Reports and national forums such as Cambodia Economic Forums.   As part of a project team comprising national and international staffs, the Project Operations Manager will be responsible for taking the lead in handling operational issue of the LPP project implementation.      The Project Operations Manager will work closely with the Policy and Research Coordinator and LPP project support staff in implementing LPP project activities in accordance to the agreed workplan and timeline.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Operation Manager is responsible for providing operational support to the Policy and Research Coordinator: to create seamless procedures between the project and relevant units in UNDP and to ensure accountability, transparency and high quality support to the implementation of project activities under the rules and regulations of UNDP in accordance with needs and timelines. Summary of key functions: Effective management and implementation of  project operations Effective management of contracts, agreements and donor reporting Provide capacity building, including coaching, to project support staff Build and maintain partnership/network and support resource mobilisation through promotion of UNDP/LPP strategy 1. Effective management and implementation of  project operation Develop and implement an operations plan (procurement, finance, HR, and administration) to ensure quality and timely results delivery; Regularly monitor progress toward planned activity, and take appropriate actions to prevent delays and anticipate issues; Contribute to the development of the project annual and quarterly work plans and indicators for result-based management in close collaboration with all the team members; Facilitate and prepare project budget, budget monitoring and budget revision;  Coordinate and facilitate development of a project monitoring and evaluation plan.  Follow up with the project team and identify the potential risks that relate to project delivery status; Coordinate and manage development of the project procurement and human resource plan and its implementation;  Prepare draft TORs for recruitment and procurement processes and initiate these in accordance with the plans, in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures and in a timely manner; Act as the focal point for inquiries from HR and Procurement, ensure the speedy execution of requests and provide necessary input (e.g. documentation) to the processes to facilitate the delivery of support services and a smooth disbursement of funds; Ensure good quality and timely financial reporting and budget monitoring and produce project budget analysis and financial reports for the Policy and Research Coordinator when required; Ensure accountability, transparency and competiveness in procurement and contracting aspects of the project; Coordinate and support the preparation of the project board meeting and ad hoc meetings with partners as required; Lead the preparation of project audits and ensure the implementation of audit recommendations in close collaboration with the Finance and Management Support Unit; Conduct analysis to identify financial risks and issues of the project’s financial status and delivery, including updating the risk and issue log; Work closely with UNDP Programme Analysts and Associates to facilitate workflows and work processes. 2. Effective management of contracts and agreements, and financial reporting Provide advice on identifying the available and best suited tools to engage with partners and donor such as Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Letter of Agreements (LOA), NGO cooperation agreements, NGO contracts, Cost Sharing Agreements with donors, and  agreements with UN agencies in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations; Provision of information for formulation of work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities in close collaboration with the Management Support Unit; Ensure good quality and accuracy of financial reporting to donors and timely submission; 3. Provide capacity building including coaching to project support staff Provide on-job training and raise awareness on procedures, manuals or guidelines; Coach and mentor project support staff on UNDP implementation procedures, the use of ATLAS and rules and regulations; Support the capacity development plan for project support staff and other project team members. 4. Build and maintain partnership/network and support resources mobilization through promotion of UNDP/LPP strategy Contribute to formulation and implementation of communication strategies towards the achievement of the UNDP/LPP project outputs and UNDP country programme outcomes; Prepare the necessary project budget and related documents for UNDP senior management,  and project donors; Build and maintain partnerships through networking with stakeholders to generate their interest in the area of work under LPP project as well as UNDP programme as a whole and in contributing to the resources mobilization effort.

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 knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; 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 Knowledge and understanding of evaluation and development evaluation in particular; Knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNDP’s Practice Areas; Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data; Ability to coordinate the work of others; Ability to implement new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change; Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit; Strong interpersonal skills; Excellent presentation skills Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; High gender and intercultural sensitivity, tact and diplomacy; Good team-player willing to assume additional responsibilities; Able to operate under pressure and tight deadlines Client Orientation Organises and priorities work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines; and, Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise Keeps updated in his/her area of substantive expertise; Analyses ongoing trends, evolving needs and emerging issues to identify appropriate responses for capacity building. Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches; and, Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office; Results-Based Programme Development and Management Assess project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;  Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical point of integration; Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation; Analyses country situation to identify opportunities for project development; and; Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly. Innovation and Judgment Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors Core Competencies: Self-development and initiative-taking; Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; Creating synergies through self-control; Managing conflict; Inform and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or other related fields. 5 years of relevant experience in project operations including finance, procurement, and Human Resources, with at least three years of experience in a management or advisory role. Hands-on experience in development projects and establishing inter-relationships between international organizations and national governments; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages; experience in the use of Quick book is an asset; Experience in working with government entities managing donor funds is an asset; Experience in handling of web based management systems. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must submit their applications online through UNDP Online Recruitment System. Correspondence either in hard or soft format will not be considered.
To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

1. Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11).
2. Click on the Job Title.
3. Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”.
4. Upload your application (P11).
5. You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

You must state in your application letter how you meet the selection criteria specified in the job descriptions. UNDP will contact references directly. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further selection process.

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