Back Project Manager

Remuneration Level: SB4/ step 5 - USD 2,000

Background

The project aims at increasing employment and income-generation among deaf and blind people in Turkmenistan through training and creating new job opportunities by 2020. To this aim, the project will partner with the Deaf and Blind Society of Turkmenistan (DBST), who is the largest job and vocational training provider for visually- and hearing-impaired people in the country. The overall project target of increased employment and income is related to the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 1 – No Poverty (targets 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4, i.e. end poverty, ensure access to economic resources by all people, especially vulnerable groups); Goal 4 – Quality Education (targets 4.3 and 4.4, i.e. access to vocational education and decent work); Goal 8 – Decent Work for All (targets 8.5. and 8.6, i.e. employment of people with disabilities, reduce unemployed youth); Goal 10 – Reduce Inequality (targets 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, i.e. ensure equal opportunities for all), Goal 17 – Partnership for the goals (targets 17.9, 17.16 and 17.17, i.e. SSC and PPP to achieve SDGs).

The above aim will be achieved by addressing the core problem of limited employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities which is currently internal to the Deaf and Blind Society, i.e. lack of organizational capacity and obsolete equipment at the social enterprises to provide training and vocational rehabilitation to its members. The project will target three social enterprises, including Training and Production Enterprise No. 1 in Ashgabat that specializes on carboard and printing, and two sewing enterprises in the regions of Turkmenistan in Mary and Turkmenabat. As of today, the target enterprises employ around 87 out of 3,083 deaf and blind people, members of the Deaf and Blind Society. By the end of 2021, it is expected to achieve at least 50 percent growth in employment in those enterprises and ensure at least 10 percent growth in income of employees. The main prerequisites and conditions for implementation of this target is support of the Government of Turkmenistan in the project implementation, including adoption of regulations and changes in the national legislation. For this the project is planning to have a series of activities aimed at raising awareness of the decision-makers about inclusive employment models and bring Chinese practices for engagement private sector and business in creating jobs for people with disabilities.

Particularly, the project will strengthen production capacity of three selected enterprises of the Deaf and Blind Society of Turkmenistan, including cardboard and printing enterprise (Training and Production Enterprise No.1 in Ashgabat) and two sewing enterprises in Turkmenabat and Mary cities.

To achieve the above target, the project will produce the following key outputs: i) increased capacity of DBST to assist their members to access quality vocational training and meaningful employment; ii) modernization and equipment (renovate, address work-safety, and accessibility) of selected DBST enterprises to address the needs of people with disabilities in quality vocational training (skills development) and meaningful employment; iii) developed transformation plans for selected enterprises to become sustainable models of vocational skills training, supported employment and transition to an open market employment for people with disabilities. The project will also increase the awareness of social model of disability and inclusive approaches to address existing barriers to quality vocational training and employment for people with disabilities among policy makers, employers, and general public.

Project Management Arrangements

The project will be carried out under a national implementation modality (NIM). As the National Partner, the Deaf and Blind Society of Turkmenistan will oversee all aspects of project implementation. The National Partner will appoint staff members who will serve as the National Project Coordinators (NPC) in respective areas and who will be the lead individual responsible for overseeing the corresponding project.

Overall governance of the project will be carried out by the Project Board, which will include the National Partner, UNDP, and representatives of donor organisation. The National Project Coordinator will serve as Chair of the Project Board for this project only, with assistance from UNDP in organizing and running all meetings and other exchanges of information. Meetings of the Project Board will take place at least twice a year, one being in time for approval of the following year’s Annual Work Plan. Additional meetings may be called as needed by the NPC.

UNDP will join in managing the project and providing quality assurance, in accordance with plans approved by the Project Board. Most of UNDP’s work for the project will be based in its Country Office (CO) in Ashgabat, under the supervision of UNDP Resident Representative and UNDP Programme Analyst on Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth.

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for carrying out the activities of the project as set forth in this Project Document and any revisions approved by the Project Board. At least one month in advance of the start of each project year, the Project Manager will prepare Annual Work Plans. These plans will be reviewed and approved by the Project Board and thereafter will be used by project staff as tools for planning, implementing, and tracking work flows. In addition, for each meeting of the Project Board, the Project Manager will prepare a full status report on project activity, including recent accomplishments, risks, and proposed mitigation measures.

UNDP will engage national and international consultants to provide focused technical assistance to the project as needed.

UNDP country office staff will assist the Project Manager in all the administrative work of the project, including logistics and clerical work. In addition, the country office will provide administrative support to the Deaf and Blind Society of Turkmenistan with regard to various specific administrative functions (such as those involving procurement and financial management).

Overall responsibilities: The Project Manager has the authority to run the projects on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Board. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making on the Project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Working under the supervision of the Programme Analyst on Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the Project Implementation Unit, the PM will be responsible the day-to-day implementation of the projects and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.

PM responsibilities would include:

Overall project management:

• Management and supervision of project implementation and evaluation across all components. Assurance of successful completion of the project in accordance with the stated outcomes and performance indicators summarized in the Project Results Framework.
• Regular communication and coordination with the National Partner, members of the Project Board, and all other partners and interested stakeholders, with regard to all project activities. Organization of Project Board meetings at least twice a year.
• Regular communication with senior UNDP management with regard to all project activities. Assurance of coordination with other UNDP projects and broad strategic initiatives.
• Preparation of Annual Work Plans, including monthly targets and deliverables as well as annual spending targets in accordance with the Project Document. Tracking of work outputs throughout the year in light of these Annual Work Plans.
• Tracking and managing of project spending in accordance with the project budget, as well as UNDP rules and procedures, to ensure transparency, responsibility, and timely fulfilment of both program targets and budget targets.
• Preparation and submission of annual Project Implementation Reviews and other required progress reports to the Project Board and UNDP in accordance with applicable requirements, in all required languages (English, Russian, and/or Turkmen, using outside translation as needed).
• Coordination of the work of international and national consultants engaged in the project.
• Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via the mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the project.
• Oversight of the overall administration of the project office.
• Travel within Turkmenistan if required; possible travel outside the country for participation in directly relevant international meetings.
• Support during the project evaluations, if any.

Running a project:

• Plan the detailed actions according to annual work plans of the project approved by the Project Board and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria.
• Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications.
• Monitor events as determined in the Monitoring & Communication Plan, and update the plan as required.
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement.
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log.
• Based on the review, prepare the AWPs for the following years, as well as Quarterly Plans if required.

Closing a Project:

• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted and presented to the Project Board.
• Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board.
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries.
• Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the National Partner.

Developing a Project:

• In cooperation with the Programme Analyst on Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth, lead the process of developing and mobilizing resources for new projects in the areas of Project Manager’s expertise, such as data quality, statistics or any other.

• In the absence of the Programme Analyst assist and lead on issues related to overall programme management, development, resource mobilization and policy dialogue in the area of statistics.

• Technical expertise to appreciate project aims, ability to speak the “language” with experts;
• Good analytical and planning skills, ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, being good communicator at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Strong managerial skills, results-orientation, team building and leadership skills;
• Decisiveness, independence, good judgement, ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to work effectively under close supervision, as well as under minimal supervision.

Education:

• University degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Economic Development, International Development, Development Studies, and other related fields.

Experience:

• 5 years of progressive experience in project management, preferably in the area of social protection, social inclusion and integration of people with disabilities and disability policy, etc.;
• Skills in organization and management, including past experience with planning, tracking, evaluation, and supervision of work of consultants and/or employees;
• Strong skills in financial tracking and budget management;
• Advanced usage of information technology as a tool and resource; demonstrable skills in office computer use - word processing, spread sheets, etc.

Languages:

• Fluency in Russian, English and Turkmen, in reading, writing, and speaking.

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: 1 year with possible extension