UNDP
Job Description
The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office Received funding from the Flanders Government to be implemented jointly by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The funds are intended to support a The proposed project on, “Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture in Malawi” which shall leverage investments already made under the (Climate Resilience Iniatitive in Malawi/Marketing Capacity Building) CRIM /MCB projects implemented by UNDP and FAO respectively to enhance agricultural production and promote access to markets through the following broad objectives:
- Enhance agricultural productivity of key-value chains by promoting utilization of advanced and low-cost technologies, access to and leveraging capital finance and advancing high-quality extension and advisory services.
- Facilitate an enabling environment for market access and linkages through processing and value addition, aggregation, de-risking instruments for private sector engagement and formation of primary and secondary cooperatives.
UNDP is further ancticipating to receive additional funding for implementation of CRIM II (Upon approval from the donor) Project in the Districts. The successor programme, CRIM-II, shall continue building resilience through community-based approaches in the districts of Mzimba and Kasungu by leveraging capacities built in Phase 1. Further, the project shall sustain the investment gains and scale critical adaptation interventions of Phase 1 that have proven viable and shall put the private sector at centre stage as the promoters of sustainable and scalable climate change and adaptation solutions beyond the districts of Mzimba and Kasungu. Additionally, CRIM-II aims at bridging the existing gap of market opportunities for entrepreneurs, expanding production activities that bring alternative sources of livelihoods, and improving and integrating watershed management/ecosystem-based management approaches and climate change adaptation planning. The project will support in sustaining development gains made by the communities to date,, including scaling viable entrepreneurship opportunities, proven under CRIM-I and prospecting new investments within the scope of climate change, adaptation and resilience building. The Private Sector shall become the enabler for adaptation and resilience.
- Provide overall supervision and coordination in production of project plans/outputs in line with ProDoc;
- Providing policy direction to implementing agencies in line with project outputs;
- Coordinate the development of operational procedures and innovations that ensures cost saving, improved delivery, and timely implementation of projects interventions;
- Liaising with donors, co-financing agencies to ensure timely availability of resources;
- Providing technical direction in recruitment of contractors and consultants and provide supervision on the same in line with UNDP procedures and desired outputs;
- Ensure timely review meetings with project steering committee, stakeholders and submission of reports.
2. Ensure Effective Financial Management
- Ensure timely production and submission of of financial reports;
- Ensure project spotchecks and audits implemented and ensure implementation of spotchecksand audit recommendations;
- Review of financial requests and reports.
3. Develop strategic partnerships.
- Develop a coordination strategy that ensures effective collaboration among government ministries/agencies, private sector partners and all relevant stakeholders;
- Coordinate capacity assessments, develop, and implement capacity development plans for the governments agencies and implementing partners to improve their skills, capabilities and enhance efficiency;
- Support the development of operational procedures and coordination mechanisms to ensure optimal collaboration among government implementing agencies, donors and all stakeholders;
- Ensure close contact with the Portfolio Manager to update on day-to-day progress.
4.Facilitate Knowledge management and sharing
- Facilitate the compilation of best practices, success stories and innovations and share them with other projects through briefs, reports and papers.
5. Ensure strong engagement with the UNCT donor partners
- Facilitate the development of synergies and linkages with other relevant national and regional initiatives in climate change adaptation and resilience;
- Facilitate linkages with development partners to mobilize resources;
- Engagement with large programmes and initiatives (NAIP, NRS, MNSSP II, etc).
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Joint Project Coordinator will be based at the District Council to lead the project coordination unit in collaboration with the District Commissioner, Director of Planning and Development, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources and reporting directly to UNDP and the Director of Environmental Affairs/Ministry of Agriculture. The Project Coordinator provides operational and technical advice to government agencies and implementing partners and is responsible for overall coordination and management of the project. The position will supervise team members. The Coordinator will work closely with other responsible parties in government, the UNDP Country Office, and FAO to promote effective coordination. Achieving the functions listed below will ensure the project is implemented smoothly and according to plan. At UNDP the Project Coordinator shall work closely with Program Analyst for Climate Change and Resilience Building.
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
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated sit.
Business Direction & 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 Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority area of expertise and resources
Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management: Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management: Partnerships Management: Ability to 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
2030 Agenda: Planet Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery: Crisis and environment
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Economics, Planning, Environmental Management or related field is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of working experience in the areas of design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/ or natural resource management.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in project planning and management;
- Proven experience in national or sectoral development planning processes;
- Knowledge and working experience in Malawi related to environment, climate change, resilience and development issues and processes;
- Demonstrated strong financial oversight management skills;
- Computer knowledge and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).
Desired Skills:
- Experience and knowledge of UNDP procedures;
- Experience in working with teams and multiple stakeholders;
- Familiarity with institutional, planning and regulatory structures, and rural livelihoods in Malawi.
Required Languages:
- Fluency in English and Chichewa is required.
- Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.