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.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
Global trends increasingly highlight that sustainable economic progress cannot occur in isolation from peacebuilding and good governance. As interconnected challenges such as conflict, inequality, and corruption hinder development, there is growing recognition that economic growth must be inclusive, transparent, and rooted in stable institutions.
UNDP multi-country office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy, and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between the Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing several projects (with public sector partners) that support the 12th Malaysia Plan, which is anchored around three key themes, namely resetting the economy, strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity as well as advancing sustainability.
The Governance and Local Development Unit at UNDP Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam manages a diverse portfolio of projects that promote good governance across institutional, economic, and communal spheres. While efforts in the institutional and economic domains focus on national-level policy development and standard-setting, the peacebuilding component plays a central role in the communal sphere. UNDP’s peacebuilding initiatives emphasize inclusive dialogue, conflict prevention including prevention of violent extremism, and the promotion of social cohesion—particularly in communities facing divisions or vulnerabilities. Direct engagement with local actors and relevant stakeholders is essential to building trust, strengthening community resilience, and laying the foundations for sustainable peace.
In the current set-up for the Governance unit, UNDP will focus on developing a pipeline of existing projects relating to the promotion of peacebuilding, which includes areas related to the prevention of violent extremism, anti-corruption, societal cohesion and community resilience.
The Project Coordinator based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, directly manages funds allocated for project implementation at the country level. The Project Coordinator reports to the Programme Analyst for Peacebuilding and Community Resilience within the unit and will act under the guidance of the Country Office Programme Specialist as the Head of Governance and Local Development Unit.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Coordinator will work in a matrix reporting structure under the general supervision of the Programme Analyst, Peacebuilding and Community Resilience, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, and the Country Office Programme Specialist as the Head of Governance and Local Development Unit.
a) Coordinate effective project planning and implementation:
Develop project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines. Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio 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 and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards. Support implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks to assess project effectiveness, measure impact, and generate lessons learned Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows. Ensure operational management of assigned portfolio including through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure (as relevant), effective management of human, technical and financial resources, etc.b) Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.
Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, local community and grassroots organisations, other national and sub-national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies. Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners. Support resource mobilization efforts and project pipeline development, including developing draft of concept papers, project documents, undertaking related evidence-based research, etc.c) Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.
Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned portfolio. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting. Ensure that UNDP-specific policies, rules, and processes (e.g., annual work plan, budgeting, finance, procurement, audit, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc.) are fully complied with. Develop terms of reference(s) for technical services, consultants/experts, and specification of equipment/materials as required by the project, in consultation with the UNDP Programme Manager, the Project Technical Advisor, and implementing partners Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Liaise with the Finance team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations. Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure project operational and financial closure of the project. Contribute to project communication and reporting at project, national and regional levels, including in annual and quarterly reports.d) Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).
Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area. Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners. Draft and/or conduct quality control over related publications, highlighting key issues, trends, emerging opportunities, risks, potential project partners, and entry-points for the country.The Project Coordinator performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: 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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Systems 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 Negotiation and Influence: Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situationsBusiness Development
Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Communication: 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. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channelsEthics
UN Policy knowledge – Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Business Administration, Management, Law, or other closely related field in the Social Sciences is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in programme and policy work, preferably in peacebuilding, the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, human rights, or sustainable development.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:
Proven track record of experience in designing and implementing comprehensive awareness-raising and capacity-building programs focused on peacebuilding, the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, human rights, and sustainable development. Demonstrated ability to tailor content to diverse audiences including government officials, civil society, youth, and marginalized groups. Demonstrated experience of working with key actors in the local peacebuilding/PVE/good governance/sustainable development landscape, including government institutions, academia, civil society organizations, community leaders, and media stakeholders. Skilled in stakeholder mapping and engagement to foster inclusive, locally-led solutions. Experience in policy analysis and advocacy, particularly in relation to peacebuilding, PVE, governance, human rights, and sustainable development. Capable of identifying policy gaps, assessing implementation challenges, and formulating evidence-based policy recommendations. Experience working with the United Nations system or related international organizations, with a solid understanding of UN mandates, coordination mechanisms, and reporting requirements. Familiarity with Results-Based Management (RBM), the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), and UN programming cycles.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is required. Two (2) samples of written work will be required as part of the application. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
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