Project Manager (GEMS) 84 views0 applications

Background

The signing of Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018 in Addis Ababa brought renewed impetus towards stabilizing the fragile situation in the country. Since independence and transition from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has and continues to face immense political, institutional, social and economic challenges. Following signing of the R-ARCSS, South Sudan is gearing up to embark on a transitional period with the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) mandated, among other things to, implement the revitalized peace agreement with a renewed promise of no return to war, reintegrate refugees and internally displaced persons, undertake legal and institutional reforms, enforce accountable economic management and improve service delivery to citizens. According to the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), the direction of movement on R-ARCSS implementation thus far is positive.

The country lacks coherent core institutional structures of governance and critical infrastructure and has, for a long time faced severe economic crises in light of persistent oil price volatility and oil production shocks. By signing the R-ARCSS, the signatories committed to implement provisions of Chapter IV of the R-ARCSS, which advances key economic reforms. A well-calibrated economic management support package inspired by the R-ARCSS will enable the government to accelerate implementation of the targeted economic reforms, strengthen and improve governance and delivery of services. There is a need to invest in accurate, timely information and data collection as well because accurate information is key to effective management.

Public expenditure is characterized by mismanagement emanating from lack of clear public expenditure frameworks, including lack of public procurement law and application of Public Financial Management and Accountability Act, 2011, among other laws, that are not implemented. Therefore, reforms to deliver efficient and transparent public procurement systems and enhance accountability in the use of public funds, among others are necessary to ensure that public resources are spent effectively and efficiently in line with strategic priorities outlined in the R-ARCSS. Strategic capacity injection in key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) is crucial for effective economic management.

The R-ARCSS provides for the reconstitution and or creation of new Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Most of these institutions do not have foundational frameworks, requisite qualified human resources, organizational systems, tools and processes for basic functionality. They will all certainly require an injection of technical expertise and significant capacity support to enable them to achieve their objectives. The magnitude of the required support necessitates a strategic approach to identifying priority institutions that will drive implementation of the R-ARCSS. For each of the targeted institutions, priority will be given to institutional and human resource development, review and upgrading of regulatory frameworks.

Prior to the December 2013 crisis, amendments were made to laws governing the operation of key integrity institutions in South Sudan, namely Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) and National Audit Chamber (NAC). However, these amendments have not been finalized and the institutions have remained weak, resulting in indiscipline in public spending and poor stewardship of national resources. Thus, addition to articulating and operationalizing the regulatory frameworks governing the operations of these institutions, capacity improvements are required to enable effective delivery of their respective mandates.

Signatories to the R-ARCSS prioritized key institutions’ capacity building and legislative reforms to enable delivery of institutional mandates and conversely, successful implementation of the R-ARCSS. There is also a growing realization that successful implementation R-ARCSS requires serious demonstration of political will, sound leadership, and strong institutional and human capacities, lest, the revitalized agreement, like its precursors will again fail and plunge the young nation back to conflict.

In partnership with Norway and Government of South Sudan, UNDP through the Governance & Economic Management Support (GEMS) Project aims to contribute towards setting the country on a pathway to sustainable peace, development and improved well-being for citizens through: a) strengthening capacity of 38 (12 economic, 22 governance and 4 service) key national institutions to ensure effective and accountable implementation of the R-ARCSS; and b) bolstering key economic governance and accountability functions with attention to Chapter I to IV, which furthers key governance and economic management reforms. The project builds on the experiences and successes of Phases I & II of the Republic of South Sudan/Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (RSS/IGAD) Regional Initiative for Capacity Enhancement in South Sudan Project (2010-2019). The GEMS project also complements ongoing capacity building initiatives implemented at the sub-national level within the Partnership for Recovery and Resilience framework with support from other development partners.

UNDP South Sudan now seeks a Project Manager to provide results-based project management for the Governance and Economic Management Support (GEMS) Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) and in coordination with the relevant Programmes and Operations teams , the GEMS Project Manager will perform the following function:

1. Ensure Project Implementation
2. Ensure the achievement of outputs/results in line with the approved work plan through the day-to-day planning, management coordination and implementation of activities.
3. Represent the project in various fora;
4. Recruitment and management of staff in accordance with UNDP guidelines;
5. Coordinate GEMS project implementation with relevant UNMISS, UNCT, and other development partners’ programmes/projects;
6. Consult with CO Advisors on policy and technical advisory related issues and with the DGSU Team Leader on corporate compliance issues;
7. Undertake monitoring visits to project sites and report on project progress and constraints;
8. Financial Management
9. Ensure accountability for, and efficient use of project funds;
10. Manage and monitor requests for financial resources and ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
11. Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests in ATLAS, and ensure monthly delivery updates to the Programme Officer on financial delivery performance;
12. Provide leadership in overseeing of effective provision of services to counterparts including fair and transparent procurement process, efficient logistics and sound financial management;
13. Liaise with the Technical Advisor and other project staff on financial management of the project activities, including monitoring project financial expenditures and transactions;
14. Manage calls for bids and for proposals and selection of implementing partners within the UNDP programme and contractual frameworks for project activity implementation;
15. Design the scope of works and TORs for the bids and call for proposals;
16. Ensure the integrity of financial system and, overseeing the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities;
17. Ensure strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations as per the Internal Control Framework.
18. Building strategic partnerships and alliances
19. Participate in inter-agency working groups and initiatives to promote governance and economic management;
20. Engage in a constructive dialogue with partners in South Sudan, the region and UNDP HQ to maximize consistency and synergy between the various support components, as informed by the priorities of Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU);
21. Maintain continuous dialogue with the government and other key partners to ensure proper integration and co-ordination of other related capacity development efforts;
22. Support establishment of various governance and economic management forums at national level;
23. Provide professional opinions in areas of expertise to promote networking and teamwork between counterparts and the development community.
24. Resource Mobilization
25. Catalyze mobilization of additional resources from the government, donors and regional partners to widen the support base for Governance and Economic Management;
26. Develop partnerships with other individuals and organizations to ensure wide participation and sharing in development issues;
27. Maintain relationships between the project and development partners and present a clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they requested, and promote the institutional development efforts to new development partners;
28. Develop Concept Notes, project documents and proposals to support Country Office resource mobilization efforts.
29. Results-based management and reporting
30. Lead and advise the project team on the achievement of specific results of the project detailed in the annual work plan;
31. Identify synergies between the GEMS specific interventions and other UNDP projects to maximize impact and results;
32. Prepare reports, work plans, regular donor progress and impact reports for the project;
33. Participate in all internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the project;
34. Manage and monitor identified project risks and update the status of these risks in ATLAS;
35. Plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals; and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
36. Assist the UNDP project team to achieve results as identified in the annual work plan;
37. Undertake any other duties as may be required by UNDP.

Competencies

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda: Ability to identify and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Development and Coordination Effectiveness

Public Sector Development

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in relevant Social Sciences, a post graduate Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, and Economics would be an advantage.

Experience:

At least 7 years’ professional experience in project management, with over 3 years focus on governance and or economic management programming including the preparation and submission of timely donor reports;

Experience of managing development projects in post-conflict situations in the areas of governance and or economic management reforms;

Proven understanding of governance and economic management issues in post conflict public administration reform;

Proven experience in partnership building, networking and resource mobilization;

Substantial previous experience in project management and working with senior government officials;

Knowledge of UNDP programme management procedures and policies;

Proven strong analytical ability and written and oral communication skills;

Computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, PowerPoint and Word;

Experience from previous UN assignments in a post-conflict environment and work in a Country Office would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; Knowledge of Arabic language is an asset but not a requirement.