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.
In 2021, the IsDB new loan Program on “Sustainable Rural Development ” to the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed, the main partner of this project is the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverity Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Project is designed to provide priority support to the rural people by improving access to basic infrastructure and related services.
This UNDP Project is an integral component of above broader Uzbekistan - Sustainable Rural Development Project. UNDP is involved in implementing the Component on “Engineering Services & Strengthening Capacity in Infrastructure Management” (2022-2025). The overall objective of UNDP Project is to empower and build capacities of local partners (communities, architects, engineers, local authorities) in developing and implementing local development plans and promoting locally relevant green and energy efficient as well as digital solutions. The Project aims to build capacities of targeted communities and partners in adopting and implementing environmentally friendly solutions. Climate-related concerns will be mainstreamed into decision-making at all levels, facilitating climate-resilient and energy efficient development from the community level up to the regional level. The project takes a people-centred, gender sensitive and climate risk-informed holistic approach.
The project will be implemented under the National Implementation Modality (NIM) with the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverity Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan playing an executing entity’s/implementing partner’s role for it. This project will be executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) County Office in Uzbekistan.
The Project has 4 main interconnected components as follows:
- Output 1. Capacities of targeted local communities increased to identify local needs and to develop plans of actions, i.e., Community Development Plans (CDP), by identifying priority infrastructures for investments that have optimum and long-term benefits through an inclusive community engagement (including women and youth) and consultation with sub-regional and local authorities.
- Output 2: Capacities of local architecture-design institutions and regional departments of architecture and construction are enhanced for development of improved engineering designs and master plans that are responsive to the sustainability aspects (economic, operational, and environment sustainability), innovative energy and water efficient, low carbon technology, climate resilient and gender responsive, and promoting local resources.
- Output 3: Capacities of construction, architecture-design and public service delivery sector are increased on the local governance and community participatory mechanism in the planning and implementation of rural development programs and initiatives by using digital transformation, gender-sensitive approaches, innovative IT solutions, including development of digital infrastructure and information systems to ensure better access to social facilities and services in rural areas, including green redevelopment/regeneration and increasing resilience in post-disaster situations (such as COVID-19 and other pandemics).
- Output 4: Local communities are strengthened empowering women, youth, elderly, people with disabilities, involving in decision making processes and national/sub-regional/local government capacities and institutionalization in operation and maintenance of the infrastructure to ensure sustainable functioning.
The Project will be implemented in Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara and Navoi regions where Project offices will be established.
The Project Specialist will be contributing to national capacity building for sustainable rural development by pursuing integrated planning and implementation of innovative solutions which will reinforce project components through ensuring effective and efficient implementation of the project. S/he will be in charge of the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision of regional offices, and acting as a liaison with all relevant national partners. Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Specialist will work under the direct supervision UNDP Country Office ECA Cluster Lead as well as in coordination with the National Project Coordinator and IsDB and Ministry Project Management Unit. The Project Specialist is responsible for the coordinated and timely implementation of activities in accordance with the annual and quarterly work plans of the Project by performing the following main functions and responsibilities:
General project management:
- Project management through the implementation of appropriate activities;
- Providing directions to project personnel and project participants;
- Interaction with the Project Board or its representatives to ensure the implementation and quality of the project (UNDP Environment and Climate Action Cluster), to ensure the focus and integrity of the project;
- Designation and receipt of assistance and recommendations for effective management, planning and control of the project;
- Be responsible for the administrative issues of the project implementation;
- Interaction with suppliers;
Project implementation:
- Planning project activities and monitoring the progress of achieving goals in accordance with the established quality criteria;
- Project management in accordance with the project document, UNDP rules and procedures;
- Coordinate and manage the day-to-day activities of the project and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives;
- Monitor the implementation of project work plans, analyze emerging problems and take adequate measures to ensure the timely implementation of the planned tasks;
- Mobilization of goods and services for the implementation of activities, including the preparation of Terms of Reference and work specifications;
- Ensure that the project contributes to the advancement of gender equality in project activities by reaching, engaging and achieving benefits for both women and men (gender mainstreaming).
- Monitoring the implementation of activities in accordance with the Monitoring and External Relations Plan and updating the plan as necessary;
- Monitoring the use of financial resources to ensure the correctness and reliability of financial statements;
- Be responsible for managing issues and requests for changes to the project by continually completing and managing the project issue table;
- Preparation of quarterly project implementation reports (achieved results in relation to planned goals, updating of risk and problem tables, expense report) and its submission to the Project Board and to the unit responsible for Project Implementation and Quality Assurance (UNDP Sustainable Development Cluster);
- Preparation of the annual project report and its submission to the Project Board and the Results Board (UNDP Enviroment and Climate Action Cluster);
- Preparation, based on the report, a work plan for the next year, as well as quarterly work plans as required.
Project closure:
- Preparation of final project reports for subsequent submission to the project council and the results council;
- Identifying next steps and submitting them to the Project Board;
- Organization of transfer of project results, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
- Preparation of a consolidated report of work performed and other necessary reports for consideration by UNDP and implementing partners 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