Project Manager (Duty station: Zamboanga City, Philippines)

Background

In 2021, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) region achieved a remarkable 7.5% economic growth and a double-digit decline in poverty incidence, from 54.2% in 2018 to 29.8%. The region has positioned itself as the second-fastest growing region in the Philippines, overcoming significant obstacles posed by the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, bureaucratic challenges encountered by the interim regional government, and persistent security concerns.

However, despite the improving economic performance in the region, BARMM still holds the highest poverty incidence in the country. Sulu and Basilan continue to be included in the poorest clusters in 2018 and 2021, with poverty incidence among families recorded at 51.0% and 42.5%, respectively. The BARMM region also has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the country at 84% with majority of its populations being farmers and fisherfolk, which are traditionally among the poorest and most vulnerable sectors in the country. Despite BARMM registering the highest growth in the value of production in agriculture and fisheries at 7.2% in 2021, and BARMM holding the title as the leading fish producer region nationwide with a 23.8% share to the countrys 4.25 million metric ton fisheries production - in which Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi produce most of the regions harvest -, the economic benefits have yet to trickle down to the household and individual level. According to the 2021 Philippine Fisheries Profile report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, fisherfolk from the BARMM region holds the lowest annual income compared to those from other regions, with an income of PHP 142,056 annually, or a monthly average of only PHP 11,838. Worse yet, field anecdotes gathered from leaders of fishing associations in Basilan revealed that most fishers and boat workers can barely earn more than PHP 3,000 per month, driving the fragility of these critical communities.

To support vulnerable, conflict-affected, and underserved Bangsamoro communities across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as Bangsamoro communities outside the core territory of the BARMM, the UNDP designed the project on Modelling Livelihood Solutions for Coastal Communities In Basilan (MLSCCB). This project is centered on developing a model of fishery based communities with resilient and profitable fisheries-based livelihoods and enterprises within an enabling environment that promotes sustainable resource utilization and risk-informed, adaptive management and governance. Through this project, UNDP seeks to ensure the enduring vitality of coastal communities depending on fisheries while promoting environmental stewardship. Furthermore, through the provision of support for economic development and resilience building against multiple risks, UNDP seeks to contribute to durable peace and sustainable development in the region. To ensure that the interventions are appropriate to the target areas, the project is seeking a Project Manager who is based in Zamboanga City, and who will provide technical support in the implementation of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and under the direct supervision of the UNDP Head of Cotabato Field Office, the Project Manager will work with key partners and stakeholders to deliver distinct outputs of the project, to ensure quality implementation- from capacity building , management of human and financial resources, oversee the monitoring and evaluation, and communication framework towards achievement of delivery targets. The Project Manager will work closely with the project team, Peace and Stabilization Programme Team, and UNDP CO teams and project stakeholders. Willingness to relocate to Zamboanga is highly preferred.

The Project Manager will undertake day-to-day management of the EU - MLSCCB Project. He / She shall carry out the following tasks:

Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative support for the delivery of the projects activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the EU - MLSCCB project; Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans in order to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds;
• Lead the identification of project issues, challenges and risks, appropriate recommendations and implements them;
• Prepare progress monitoring reports (e.g. donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, meeting documentation, situation updates, official correspondences, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in project implementation;
• Organize and participate in workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions and provide technical inputs as maybe necessary;
• Undertake communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities; Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties;

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of the project:

• Network and build strong working relations with Government, UN, and donor partners; Establish, develop and maintain mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with NGOs, civil society and community groups, the press and media, the business sector, etc.;
• Establish networks with experts of UN System, international development organizations, and prominent private sector organizations;
• Link with other UNDP projects and work closely with the UNDP Programme teams and Operations team to support efficient delivery of project activities in line with strategic objectives

Oversee the successful implementation of all the components of the project:

Overall project management;

• Manage the realization of project outputs agreed upon through activities; Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
• Liaise with the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
• Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project; Responsible for project administration;
• Liaise with any suppliers;

Running the project:

• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications; Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures); Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Brief appraised by the LPAC, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required;
• Update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log; Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log.;
• Prepare the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance;
• Prepare the Annual Review Report, and submit the report to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; Based on the review, prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans if required.

Closing the Project:

• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board; Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment, and materials to national beneficiaries; Prepare final Combined Delivery Report / Financial Reports for signature by UNDP.

Support strategic partnership building and resource mobilization:

• Establish and maintain a strategic understanding of and engagement with all the relevant institutions, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, government institutions, donors, NGOs, IFIs, the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders and beneficiaries at the national, regional, and local levels.
• Participate in meetings with donors, prepare and deliver presentations of project results, and follow up with relevant counterparts if requested by the supervisor
• Implement resource mobilization strategies to achieve project outcomes that include facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions to strengthen relationships and raise funds. Identify new funding opportunities for furthering the project ideas

Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office:

• Organize training for the project personnel to enhance their capacities in the technical matters of the thematic area of the project
• Identify, evaluate, synthesize, and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked to the project goals and activities. Develop knowledge sharing materials and respond to related queries.
• Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project.
• Develop and carry out a personal learning plan.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• 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
• 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

People Management competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site .

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

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Business Management

• Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Partnerships Management. 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
• Resource Management. Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity
• Communication. Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions. Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, including Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy and Management, Peace and Conflict Studies, Environmental Science/ Environment and Natural Resource Management with a focus on fishery-based livelihood solutions or other related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelors degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years (with Masters degree or equivalent) or seven (7) years (with bachelor´s degree) in project management and coordination, preferably in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
• Demonstrated capacity in project management including preparation of budgets, annual work plans and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in fishery-based livelihood solutions is required.
• Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required
• Relevant work experience in sustainable area development OR peacebuilding at the level of communities.
• Previous experience in International Organizations, such as the UN, is an advantage, especially knowledge about Business Processes.
• Proven experience of working with the key mechanisms and stakeholders of the peace processes in BARMM.
• Proven experience of effective partnership development with national/local counterparts, development partners and civil society.

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Filipino is required.
Knowledge of local Mindanao dialect/s is desirable.

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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