Back Project Manager – Strengthening Socio Economic Recovery, Human Security and Resilience in Thailand

While the impact of COVID-19 is already affecting the whole society, those who are economically and socially vulnerable are hit the hardest. Informal workers have been affected immediately, as they lack access to social protection measures and safety nets, as well as entitlements at the workplace, such as paid leave or sick leave. According to Thailand’s National Statistical Office (NSO) Informal Economy Survey, 2019, 20.4 million people or 54.3% of the labour force are in the informal sector.

Additionally, individuals who are the most affected by the pandemic are those at risk of being left behind in development – including women, the elderly and youth, those who work community enterprises, and marginalised vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), LGBTI people, persons living with HIV, homeless persons, stateless individuals, or persons belonging to ethnic minorities, and refugees and migrants. Thailand’s poverty and inequality could rise drastically as the number of ‘new poor’ affected by COVID-19 is also expected to increase significantly. The conflict affected southern border provinces of Thailand have been particularly impacted by the pandemic, including challenges linked to food security.

In view of the impact of the pandemic on Thailand,  UNDP plans to implement a number of interventions building on existing strong partnerships established at the national and sub national level and leverage on ongoing initiatives linked to Response and Recovery at local, regional and national level, including the following:

Respond: supporting an inclusive, participatory and gender responsive response by working across key sectors to prevent the spread of the virus and to provide the necessary protection for the most vulnerable. As COVID-19 disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals and groups, it is crucial to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met in the development of the government response.

Recover: Support urgent gender responsive policy and programme recovery interventions to address the impact of COVID 19, especially for poor and marginalized groups by delivering the outputs listed below.

In that regard, UNDP aims at supporting the implementation of a programme titled ‘Strengthening socio economic recovery, human security and resilience in Thailand’.The overall objective of the project is to promote social and economic recovery and strengthen the community resilience of the Thai people – with a particular focus on vulnerable and at-risk groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), LGBTI persons and ethnic minorities – to ensure empowerment at both sub-national and national level, and in view of promoting SDG localization efforts. The various initiatives will aim at mapping and addressing the various in order to develop targeted, gender responsive measures to mitigate the immediate challenges and address long-term impact of COVID-19 and to promote sustainable economic and social recovery, as well as inclusive, transparent, equitable, sustainable and people-centred development and the achievement of the SDGs.

The overall objective of the project is to promote social and economic recovery and strengthen the community resilience of the Thai people – with a particular focus on vulnerable and at-risk groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), LGBTI persons and ethnic minorities – to ensure empowerment at both sub-national and national level, and in view of promoting SDG localization efforts. The various initiatives will aim at mapping and addressing the various in order to develop targeted, gender responsive measures to mitigate the immediate challenges and address long-term impact of COVID-19 and to promote sustainable economic and social recovery, as well as inclusive, transparent, equitable, sustainable and people-centred development and the achievement of the SDGs.

UNDP Thailand is therefore looking for a Project Manager – Strengthening socio economic recovery, human security and resilience in Thailand. S/he will work closely with government, civil society, academia, NGOs and donors. The Project Manager will report directly to and work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative. S/he will work closely with the project and operation team and in close consultation with the advisory team of the UNDP Thailand Country Office.

The Project Manager will be in-charge of coordinating the day-to-day management and operations of the project, ensuring high quality, efficient and effective project delivery. S/he shall be responsible for delivery of all substantive, managerial and financial reports from and on behalf of the project.

1. Ensure effective project implementation, including:

• Ensure effective project implementation at the local, subnational and national level;
• Ensure project meets expectations and deadlines, and update CO management and advisor teams at Bangkok Regional Hub as required;
• Gather inputs and coordinate the preparation of work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports;
• Establish systems for project planning, implementation and monitoring;
• Record and maintain documents on relevant CO-led activities, issues, and risks;
• Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on activities from the planning to the evaluation stages;
• Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds; conduct regular monitoring visits, as required;
• Draft and provide inputs to quarterly reports and donor reports;
• Coordinate development and preparation of financial resources including workplan budgeting and budget revisions, and expenditure tracking and revisions;
• Monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to CSO and NGO partners per UNDP corporate guidance; and
• Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication in line with government and UNDP guidelines.

2. Conduct awareness-raising, capacity building and advocacy activities, under the themes “Leave No One Behind” and safeguarding and promoting progress towards the SDGs, including:

• Coordinate the development of surveys, studies and reports to identify the impact on and needs of vulnerable and at-risk groups in the COVID-19 lens;
• Draft reports or conduct quality control over studies, reports, highlighting key issues, trends, emerging opportunities, risks, potential project partners, and entry-points for the country;
• Conduct consultations at local, subnational and national level with vulnerable groups, NGOs, CSOs, academia, private sector and government;
• Design and implement training, campaigning, and advocacy efforts as necessary;
• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions and donors, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector companies and civil society organizations in the specific thematic areas based on the strategic goals of UNDP Thailand, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Deliver Presentations/workshops to Resident Coordinators and the UN Country Team to raise awareness and build partnerships at local, subnational and national level.

3. Provide technical support, expert advice, and policy representation to support governments in developing policy documents and regulatory guidance, including:

• Promote sustainable and gender responsive solutions to COVID-19 related challenges with a particular focus on the inclusion of vulnerable and at-risk groups;
• Provide technical support, expert advice, and policy representation to support local, sub-national and national stakeholders in developing policy documents and regulatory guidance;
• Promote exchange of best practices;
• Facilitate discussions on key country-specific issues that can be incorporated in National Action Plans;
• Provide Comments on Base Line Assessments, and National Action Plans on supporting vulnerable and at-risk groups, or other policy instruments;
• Coordinate studies and support research to showcase best practices on socio economic recovery, human security and resilience in Thailand in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak ensuring to Leave No One Behind and safeguard progress made towards the SDGs.

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

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

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

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

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationship

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

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

Resource Mobilization

Ability to analyze information/ databases and develop a database of project profiles and identify opportunities for project proposal to donors

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

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

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

Job Knowledge/

Technical Expertise

Ability to understand and apply principles of professional discipline and identify new and better approach to work processes

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

Client Orientation

Ability to research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and maintain effective relationships within the work unit and with external client. 

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

Education:

• Thai national with Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in international economics, business studies, international development, management, public policies, political or social sciences or related fields.

Experience:

• At least 4 years for Bachelor’s or 2 years for Master’s holders, of professional experience in project management at international level and in a development context;
• Experience in using adaptive management skills to revise project activities in line with changing needs and circumstances is preferable;
• Experience working with major international organizations or the United Nations is desirable;
• Experience in leading solution-oriented projects with demonstrated results;
• Experience working on gender mainstreaming and a human rights-based approach is preferable.

Language Requirement

• Excellent command of writing and speaking Thai and English.

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 possibility of extension