Background
The SDG Innovative Enterprises Challenge is a joint initiative by the Government of Eswatini, private sector and civil society, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The initiative will support young action leaders creating meaningful progress towards achieving the SDGs through sustainable and smart business solutions. The project will provide a platform for the development of innovative solutions to address development challenges faced by the country as well as the implementation of SDGs, especially in the areas of Renewable Energy and Waste Management. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Information Communications and Technology through the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP). Other implementing partners include the SME Unit under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (MCIT), the Eswatini National Youth Council (SNYC), and the Innovators Association of Eswatini (IAS).
Duties and Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Project Coordinator will be overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the project, and specifically undertake the following tasks:
- Develop Annual Work Plans with budgeted activities and manage project implementation.
- Responsible for the overall administration of the project life cycle.
- Maintain and manage an active database of the project.
- Monitor performance of beneficiaries, intermediaries and business development service providers.
- Monitor adherence to budget limits and authorize payments for service providers.
- Preparing monthly and quarterly reports.
- Facilitate training of beneficiaries on SDG-based solutions.
- Establish and manage partnerships for complementary linkages, not limited to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (MCIT), Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE), Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA), Small Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO), Swaziland National Youth Council (SNYC), Gender Unit in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, civil society organisations (CSO), UN agencies, community-based organisations (CBO), and the private sector.
- Ensure project activities’ implementation is cost-effective and adheres to UNDP operational procedures, in particular the Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) modality.
- Prepare quarterly and annual projects reports to RSTP, Standard Bank, the Project Steering Committee (PSC), and UNDP.
- Facilitate documentation of lessons and best practices and promote knowledge networks.
- Present achievement of milestones for the project on quarterly and annual basis to UNDP and PSC.
- Serve as an Ex-officio member of the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
- Facilitate coordination of project activities across institutions.
- Provide technical guidance to project implementation and ensure realisation of the project’s main objectives.
- Facilitate procurement of professional service providers (consultants), materials and goods.
- Assure the quality of these processes and products, and using evaluations for performance improvement, accountability and learning.
- Ensure that required resources are committed and arbitrating on any conflicts within the project or negotiate solutions to any problems encountered with external bodies.
- Develop recommendations for Project Steering Committee (PSC) approval as and when required.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Level 1.1: Support the preparation of information for advocacy
- Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences.
- Results-Based Programme Development and Management.
Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information
- Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation.
- Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals.
Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases
- Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.
- Maintains databases of donor information.
- Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Level 1.1: Implementing processes and uses products
- Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.
- Responds positively to new approaches.
Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)
Level 1.1: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies
- Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors.
- Maintains database of project files.
- Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis
- Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures
- Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position.
- Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks.
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning.
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
- Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project. management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals
Level 1.1: Research and analysis
- Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences.
Client Orientation
Level 1.1: Maintains effective client relationships
- Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion.
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
- Responds to client needs promptly.
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
- Self-development, 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.
- Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Informed and transparent decision making.
Required Skills and Experience
Qualification
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Economics/Business Management/Project Management/Social Sciences or a related field.
Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience in business management, project coordination and/or implementation.
- Over 3 years demonstrated expertise in programme/project management for results.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems including social networking tools (Teamworks).
Language
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Siswati.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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More Information
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