Back National Project Coordinator With Support to Ports of Aden Project

Yemen is experiencing one of the world’s worst protracted political, humanitarian and development crises. Yemen’s transition that started in 2011 with the support of the international community tragically unravelled after the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference in January 2014 and spiralled into a full-blown conflict by March 2015 with uncertain prospects of a peaceful political solution.

Yemen has long been a Least Developed Country and the poorest in the Arab region. Before the conflict, more than half of the 25 million population were already below the poverty line and 8 million people were receiving humanitarian assistance. Now it is estimated that more than 24 million people – 80% of the population require some form of humanitarian aid and protection. The World Food Programme (WFP) currently feeds over 12 million people in Yemen. With civilian casualties rising, Yemenis are suffering from multiple and entrenched hardships.

The port of Aden represents a critical and irreplaceable infrastructure essential to commercial and humanitarian activities in Yemen. In addition, the port is a major gateway for humanitarian, food and reconstruction cargoes for Yemen. The port of Aden receives around 50 ships per month carrying fuel, bulk food, containerized food and other supplies; construction materials and other goods essential to Yemen’s manufacturing sector.

In 2015, when fighting and port closure decimated Aden’s cargo import figures, much larger tonnages and high container volumes were handled at Hodeidah and much less at Aden’s port.  In 2015, the ports in Hodeidah and Salif handled over 64% of total cargo imports into Yemen between them.  The combined figure has fallen to around 35% in 2019 because nearly all container cargoes and all bulk construction materials carried in general cargo or bulk vessels are currently prevented from using Hodeidah and are now handled in Aden.

The port of Aden has suffered from the effects of war damage (critical infrastructure destroyed) and severe lack of maintenance, which compromises the safely of the cargo and impact the capacity of the port to handle cargo.

UNDP will take the lead role in providing support to the Yemen Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation (YGAPC) in close coordination with key stakeholders: sister UN Agencies (WFP); Government (local and maritime authorities; Coast Guard; Chamber of Commerce; Ministry of Transport and Finance); and others (Shipping Agents).

It is in this context that UNDP is seeking to recruit a National Project Coordinator to support the design and implementation of the Support to the Ports of Aden Project. Initial support to YGAPC will be: provision of the Port’s control office equipment and a damage and capacity assessment of the Aden Port, that will inform future interventions.The National Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, Emergency Port Rehabilitation Project and overall guidance from the Head of Sub-Office in Aden (matrix reporting line).
 

Summary of key functions:

1.    Support project management, implementation and coordination.
2.    Financial management and reporting.
3.    Support building strategic partnerships and resource mobilization.
4.    Results based management monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
5.    Assist in knowledge building and management.

1)    Support project management, implementation and coordination.

• Support the development of the work plan, activities, targets, budgets and standards for measuring progress and results to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations.
• Ensure the achievements of outputs in line with the approved work plan through day-to-day planning, management and implementation of activities.
• Based on the port assessment findings, support the preparation and finalization of a clear procurement strategy to support the implementation of the project using a phased approach.
• Liaise with YGAPC on the needs of the Aden ports.
• Support the preparation and execution of port site visits in order to verify and support the activities of the project.
• Ensure full coordination, liaison, and communication with local authorities, service providers and contracted responsible parties in the implementation of the project.

2)    Financial Management and Reporting.

• Ensure accountability for and efficient use of project funds.
• Approve requisitions in ATLAS and ensure continued delivery updates to the Project Manager and Head of Sub-office on financial delivery performance.
• Support the effective provision of services to counterparts including fair and transparent procurement processes, efficient logistics and sound financial management.
• Liaise with other UNDP project staff on financial management of the project activities, including monitoring project financial expenditures and transactions.
• Ensure the integrity of financial system and overseeing the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of project activities.

3)    Support building strategic partnerships and resource mobilization.

• Develop and maintain professional working relationship YGAPC and key stakeholders including Government (local and maritime authorities); Coast Guard; Chamber of Commerce; Ministry of Transport and Finance, sister UN Agencies (WFP), others (Shipping Agents).
• Maintain dialogue with all stakeholders to provide knowledge and understanding while ensuring accurate interpretation of project activities.
• With the Support of UNDP Communication Team, support the creation of tools and communication materials to promote project objectives and showcase project results.
• Maintain relationships between the project and the stakeholders and present clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they requested and promote the project to new donors.

4)    Results based management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

• Provide support to the project team and coordinate with service providers to achieve the specific results of the projects as per the annual work plan.
• Provide support in the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, work plans and regular donor progress reports for the project.
• When required, participate in all international and external coordination meetings representing the project.
• Provide support to the monitoring of identified risks and issues and update the status of these risks and issues in Atlas.
• Plan and prioritize work activities to meet organization goals; organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results.
• Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation procedures are instituted in all project activities and proper monitoring of project progress against annually and quarterly work plans and budgets.
• Facilitate proper monitoring of project inventory and project records.
• Undertake any other duties are may be required by Project Manager and Head of Sub-Office.

5)    Assist in knowledge building and management.

• Capture and disseminate lessons learned and best practices to contribute to the project.
•  Participate in international knowledge networks and other for a to draw on best practices and lessons learned in other contexts similar to and/or applicable to Yemen.

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that 

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

Core Competencies:

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work    

• Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Integrity : Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviors   

• Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership : Ability to persuade others to follow   

• Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management : Ability to improve performance and satisfaction    

• Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform    

• Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery : Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement    

• Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional Competencies:

Risk Management: Ability to identify and prioritize risks and organize action around mitigating them    

• Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Building Strategic Partnerships: Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships     

• Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-based Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals  

•  Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Financial Planning and Budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals

•     Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:   

• A Master’s degree in public administration, project management, development studies or related social sciences fields. A degree in a Maritime related field is desirable.

Experience:   

• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in project management, port management, shipping and related areas, preferably in the Arab region.
• Discretion and sound reasoning in dealing with sensitive matters; ability to independently solve complex and challenging problems.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Previous experience working for the UN is an added advantage.
• Previous experience working in ports and maritime related field are desirable.

Language Requirements:   

• Proficiency in English and Arabic is required. Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken Arabic and English.

Other:   

•  Non-Smoking environment

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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Contract Duration: 6 Moths