Background and Organizational Context
General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyse an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources.
UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways to mobilize investments flows from other sources, from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including: Sub-national and local infrastructure financing, Women focused/owned enterprise financing, Nature, climate and energy financing, Sustainable food systems financing and Inclusive digital finance.
Within UNCDF’s thematic are of nature, climate and energy financing, the Pro-Congo project, a joint initiative by UNEP and UNCDF under the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) Private Sector Window, aims to support entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Congo Basin countries by providing technical assistance and access to financial instruments including grants and loans, to promote tropical forest conservation, emission reductions, job creation, and biodiversity protection. Targeting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (RoC), Cameroon and Gabon, the project seeks to drive sustainable economic growth by facilitating access to capacity building, finance and market access for both mature and early-stage businesses.
To facilitate the achievement of these objectives, UNCDF seeks to hire a Project Manger to lead project implementation, coordinate the project team, and ensure successful achievement of project objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of UNCDF’s Senior Portfolio Manager for Nature and Climate, the overall responsibility of the Project Manager will be to act as liaison for all project stakeholders, providing technical assistance and ensuring proper implementation of the Pro-Congo project. He/She will conduct the following tasks:
a) Lead the implementation of all project activities and achievement of deliverables:
Develop detailed workplan and timelines for all project activities, ensuring alignment with the overall project objectives and oversee effective execution. Lead the overall management and timely implementation of the project outputs and activities. Provide strategic guidance and management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track to ensure achievement of the planned results. Lead and coordinate high-level task forces and steering committees related to the implementation of the project, including ensuring regular communication and collaboration with CAFI and UNEP for successful programme implementation. Facilitate and support the work of the programme’s implementing partners and deliver specialized technical assistance for effective program implementation. Ensure implementation of gender mainstreaming in line with UNCDF guidelines and global standards.b) Ensure proper monitoring and reporting of the programme.
Organize regular coordination meetings and draft regular progress reports as agreed in the project document, including regular briefing to donors and other relevant partners. Ensure the guidelines, frameworks and requirements of CAFI are followed throughout project implementation. Updating the Quantum and Quantum+ Project Management tools as required and monitor changes in the external environment and promptly propose to the UNCDF management of necessary solutions/actions. Overall responsibility to monitor project progress, Environmental & Social Safeguards, and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed. Monitor the utilization of programme resources and budget to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Take lead on the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project document. Participate in the mobilization of additional resources including from CAFI. Travel to the programme’s target countries as needed for on-site verification of results.c) Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders and undertake advocacy activities
Coordinate dialogue, engagement and partnerships with the respective Government authorities and lead advocacy activities with other relevant stakeholders at both project and country level, including with bilateral, multilateral and private sector actors. Ensure alignment of the project with relevant UN initiatives in the countries/region. Advise on the contribution of the project to the countries national priorities, progress towards the Sustainable Devlopment Goals (SDGs) and UNCDF’s Strategic Framework.d) Facilitate implementation of knowledge management activities.
Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities. Participate in training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge on sustainable practices. Facilitate development of success stories and other communication materials.e) Support broader UNCDF operations
Actively advocate for practices that support the objectives of UNCDF, leveraging professional expertise and networks. Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives and best practices in climate/nature/energy finance. Share knowledge and lessons learned from private sector operations and best practices in relevant fields.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 will report to UNCDF’s Senior Portfolio Manager for Nature and Climate, and will maintain a close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s Office in the countries of implementation through the UNCDF Regional Lead for West and Central Africa and the Caribbean. The assignment duration is initially for one year with possibility of extension based on the progress of implementation of the project and needs of UNCDF and its partners
Competencies
Core
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.
People Management: LEVEL 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making.
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
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.Partnership management - CSO engagement
Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs.Partnership management - Strategic engagement
Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.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.Business Direction & Strategy - Entrepreneurial Thinking
Ability to create clarity around UNCDF’s value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNCDF’s organizational priorities and mandate.Business Direction & Strategy - 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 Management - Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Programme or Project Management, Economics, or related field 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:
Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in project management, preferably in climate, environment, or development sectors is required.Required skills
Track record of managing donor-funded projects (especially with CAFI, UNCDF, UN agencies, or similar) is required. International experience working in developing countries in Africa is required.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Experience with reporting to and managing donor and partner relationships including grants and reporting mechanisms. Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures Experience in managing a project or programme team. Experience working with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Global Funds, IFIs, UNCDF and/or another UN entity. Experience of engaging with private sector, development partners and government stakeholders in Central Africa. Experience in project monitoring and quality assurance.Required Language(s)
Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages will be considered an asset.Travel and Reimbursement
The Project Manager is expected to render services from the office in Kinshasa, DRC. UNCDF will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Frequent travel within Central Africa (DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon) for stakeholder engagement and on-site verification of project activities will be required and will be paid for by UNCDF, in accordance with UNCDF travel policies. A separate TOR with clear deliverables, budget and timelines will be prepared and agreed prior to each field mission.
If any unforeseen travel is requested by UNCDF and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be negotiated to be covered by UNCDF in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the individual shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).
The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
a) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
b) A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
c) Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
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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