Project Associate

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Government of Tanzania received support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to strengthen Tanzania’s adaptive and resilience capacities by facilitating the integration of climate change adaptation planning processes. This goal will be achieved via three interrelated outcomes, as follows: 1) Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened. 2) Evidence base for designing adaptation solutions strengthened, and 3) A national adaptation plan developed and validated. The project will be implemented by UNDP under the Direct Implementation Modality in full cooperation with Vice President’s Office Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. UNDP seeks to recruit a full time Project Admin and Finance Officer to become part of the Project Team. He/She will assume the responsibility and accountability of coordinating all operation related roles to include logistics, administrative, procurement and activities including undertaking basic financial management to ensure effective utilization of resources and facilities towards the attainment of set objectives.

Scope of Work

The Project Management unit (PMU) will consist of the Project Analyst, Project Associate, and Project Admin and Finance Officer, and will be working under the supervision of the Vice President’s office – Department of Environment and UNDP. The Project Associate will carry out the following tasks:

1. Assist the Project Analyst in implementing project activities in Zanzibar: 

• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved workplan;
• Execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services, training, and low-value grants, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractors’ work;
• Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring plan, and update the plan as required;
• Provide support for completion of assessments required by UNDP, spot checks and audits.

2. Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports. 

• Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations, and make course corrections when needed within project board-agreed tolerances to achieve results;
• Ensure that changes are controlled, and problems addressed.

3. Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed with the board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities. 

• Prepare and submit financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis.

4. Manage and monitor the project risks – including social and environmental risks - initially identified and 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.

• Capture lessons learned during project implementation;
• Prepare revisions to the multi-year workplan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly plans if required;
• Prepare the inception report no later than one month after the inception workshop.

5. Ensure that the indicators included in the project results framework are monitored annually in advance of the GCF bi-annual report submission deadline so that progress can be reported in the GCF Interim Progress Reports and portfolio reports.

• Prepare the GCF bi-annual report;
• Assess major and minor amendments to the project within the parameters set by UNDP-NCE.

6. Monitor implementation plans including the gender action plan, stakeholder engagement plan, and any environmental and social management plans.

• Support the Terminal Evaluation process.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate will be embedded within the First Vice President’s Office and will report to the Director of Environment in Zanzibar and the UNDP Project Focal Point (Programme Specialist). The Project Associate will work closely with the Project Analyst to be based at the Vice President’s Office in Dodoma, and collaborate with the rest of the experts and relevant institutions.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline;
• Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements;
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback;
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible;
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident;
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships;
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Portfolio management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Project management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Operations Management

• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organizational /project’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.

Result based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Communications

• Ability to 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.

Effective decision making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with ones authority, area of expertise and resources.

Required skills and Experience 

Education

• Completion of High School education is required.

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, climate change, environmental sciences and related fields will be given due consideration.

• Specialization related to natural resource management, climate change, environmental sciences and related fields is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum  7 years (High School Education) or 4 years (Bachelor’s Degree) of demonstrable project/programme management experience;
• Experience working with ministries, and national local government institutions that are concerned with natural resource and/or environmental management; 
• Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects;
• Ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies;
• Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong communication skills, especially in timely and accurate responses to emails;
• Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
• Strong knowledge about the political and socio-economic context related to the Tanzania environment and climate change landscapes; 
• Ability to manage competing priorities; 
• Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff; 
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior.

Required Language(s)

• Excellent command of English and Swahili is a requirement.