Background
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Office/Unit/Project Description
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 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
The JICA Grant Project titled \"The Project for the Development of Basic Infrastructure in Settlements for the Displaced Persons and their Host Communities\" aims to improve living conditions, resilience, and social cohesion for 42,475 forcibly displaced persons and host communities in Zambia’s Mayukwayukwa and Meheba resettlement areas. With a budget of approximately $5.9 million, the project focuses on enhancing access to essential services, promoting economic opportunities, and building climate-resilient through the provision of infrastructure over three years (2025–2027).
The project funded through UNDP and implemented by the Department of Resettlement under the Office of the Vice President aligns with Zambia’s national goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sectors that include Health, Education, Water and Sanitation, and sustainable Livelihoods. Key objectives include the development of basic infrastructure, increased access to water for domestic and irrigation uses, while promoting the empowerment of women, youths, and vulnerable groups
Scope of Work:
Provide strategic leadership for effective project planning and implementation:
Lead strategic planning for the project, including formulation of annual project work plan (AWP) as well as plans for budget, HR, procurement, and overall project implementation; Provide quality and timely management of the project life cycle, including meeting programmatic and financial deliverables in adherence to project documents and applicable UNDP policy and programme management procedures and Government standards, rules, and regulations. Act as a senior advisor on issues related to project activities; Provide direction, guidance and direct supervision to UNDP project personnel, including technical experts, to ensure activities are implemented in a timely manner as planned. Undertake technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, and ensure high technical standards are met; Ensure all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows; Ensure proper execution of all administrative activities associated with project implementation that includes building and sustaining effective liaison with the CO’s functional areas and units (i.e., programme, M&E, finance, HR, procurement, and supply management); Identify opportunities for synergies with other projects within UNDP and beyond to advance the key objectives and grow its focus.Build and maintain UNDP’s strategic partnerships:
Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners; Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of key objectives, and to promote inclusive project implementation; Communicate relevant and critical information with key implementing partners and members of project governing bodies, and substantively contribute to project visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the CO 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 systematic building of capacities of Implementing Partners through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application to project implementation; Support resource mobilization efforts and project development for the project and the unity.Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set:
Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation, and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework. Ensure strategies, processes, systems, and mechanisms are in place to effectively fulfill programme and financial monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and reporting requirements; Lead implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations, underperformance, and other problems. Support diagnosing problems and ensure accountability for corrective actions within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP/CO management; Proactively perform risk assessments to identify and document risks related to the project, including operational, financial, legal, contractual, social, environmental, reputation and safety risks. Design mitigation measures and keep appropriate project governing bodies informed. Develop and complete regular reviews of risk management matrix for the project; Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities; Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP:
Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. Lead workshops with senior level officials and stakeholders; Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project; Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends. Represent UNDP in relevant technical meetings and working groups under the direction of CO management; Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement:
The Project Manager works under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist/Head of Unit - Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Unit.
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;
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic Thinking Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP. System 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.Business Development
Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.Business Management
Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. Communication 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; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.Partnership Management
Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.Minimum Education Requirements:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or; A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Minimum years of relevant work experience:
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management, quality assurance, management advisory services, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and partnership managementRequired skills:
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic area.Desired experience in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:
Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations; Proven knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies; Experience working on Human Security; humanitarian and development programmes and projects; Knowledge of relevant UN/UNDP Processes and Procedures is desirable; Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and should be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels; At least 10 Years of relevant development programmes experience at the national or similar development context.Required Language(s)
Fluency in English is required. Disclaimer