Project Manager

UNDP in Uzbekistan has been actively supporting the Government in labor market transformation and addressing the needs to enhance job creation and employment opportunities among the most socially vulnerable groups, including women, unemployed and unskilled youth, returning migrants, people with disabilities (PwD) and etc.

Currently, UNDP in Uzbekistan in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing a number of projects aimed at contributing to poverty reduction through increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the population, including “Adapting population skills to the post-pandemic economy in Ferghana Valley”, “Empowering the Youth to Embrace the Digital Economy and Digital Entrepreneurship” and ““Unlocking Opportunities for Youth Economic Empowerment through Digitalization” projects. 

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Inclusive Growth Cluster Lead, the Project Manager will ensure effective implementation of the project portfolio concerned with enhancing employment opportunities, and digital skills of the women and youth, as well as advancing future of work principles, with a certain focus on supporting innovative entrepreneurship programmes. 

The Project Manager is also expected to develop and maintain close relationships and network with National Implementing Partners, namely partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Agency for Youth Affairs, local authorities (for supporting makhallas) and local governance institutions, NGOs and Civil Society, other UN agencies and development partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will ensure smooth and timely delivery of operations in accordance with annual and quarterly work plans of the relevant projects through performing the following duties and responsibilities:

Project Management – Financial, Administrative and Human Resources:

• Lead the project team whether staff and short-term consultants, in both substantive and operational issues ensuring optimization of human and financial resources and nurturing a culture of results with highest performance standards;
• Undertake day-to-day management of the project, including effective programme implementation and documents progress towards the achievement of outputs;
• Manage the project budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per UNDP policies and procedures;
• Ensure appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP and preparation of required financial reports. Facilitate transparent  financial management of the project that is able to stand up to regular audits and evaluation;
• Approve requisitions, and follow up on purchase orders and payment requests in UNDP Quantum and other relevant systems, and ensure monthly delivery of project outputs;
• Prepare work plans, produce timely reports – financial and progress reports – as required by UNDP and donor reporting systems;
• Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to; and,
• Support an environment of learning for staff within the programme.

Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop the necessary strategic documents concerning project planning and implementation, such as policy papers, concept notes, etc.;
• Provide strategic advice, direction and direct technical input to the UNDP, Inclusive Growth Cluster on employment and job creation issues;
• Ensure project assessments are undertaken and relevant baseline data collected so project monitoring and evaluation can take place;
• Oversee the establishment of the monitoring and evaluation plan of the project and ensure its implementation;
• Guide the development of the project’s communication strategy in close collaboration with relevant partners;
• Ensure gender is integrated and mainstreamed throughout the project outputs;
• Develop Terms of Reference for project consultants/experts hired on a short-term basis and ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports;
• Ensure the participation and involvement of relevant stakeholders in project -implementation so that the process is inclusive, participatory and transparent;
• Ensure proper coordination of the project implementation among implementing partners and with government ministries and administrations;
• Ensure sustainability of the project intervention by promoting leadership and ownership of the project implementation by government and through proper capacity building;
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the project;
• Ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets;
• Ensure compliance with donors’ agreements;
• Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

• Establish and maintain partnerships with stakeholders (government, UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs and donors);
• Support the UNDP Country Office in mobilization of resources from different partners, including the preparation of strategies, programme briefs and project documents, organization of regular donor meetings and field visits;
• Extract lessons learned to support programme improvement and feed into UNDP future of work policies and programming knowledge globally (Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing);
• Provide leadership on early recovery and livelihoods issues within the UN in collaboration with other key UN partners such as ILO, UNICEF, IOM, World Bank and others;
• Provide leadership and advocate to address policy related issues and other challenges to ensure inclusive growth; and
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:

• Masters’ degree (or equivalent) in labor economics, international economics or trade, business management, management, public policy, law, international relations or other related fields is required.
• Bachelor´s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the field of economics and/or project management in the sphere of economic development, social development, employment promotion.

Required Skills:

• Sound comprehension of labor markets and employment policies, so as approaches and standards;
• Proven experience with the advanced methods and methodologies of designing and implementing labor market programmes;
• Strong knowledge or experience in the current labor market situation and challenges in Uzbekistan.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/17454