Project Manager

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as a global development network, championing transformative change and offering resource and knowledge-sharing across approximately 170 countries. In partnership with host governments, UN bodies, and other stakeholders, UNDP focuses on state-building, governance, and sustainable development. In the Maldives, UNDP has been a trusted partner for 45 years, supporting the country in governance, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the Maldives to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and to ensure no one is left behind – and we reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have the communication, analytical, planning, and implementation capacities that can address links, choices, and connections across many issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practices to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in the Maldives.

Funded by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), Maldives Resilient Reef Ecosystem and Economy for the Future (Maldives RREEF) project aims to establish sustainable financing mechanisms to support coral conservation and facilitate the development of, and investment in, projects and businesses that sustainably contribute to the resilience of coral reefs and the communities living on these atolls. The project will engage local private sector actors, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises led by men and women; support the development and deployment of incubators and accelerators for coral-positive entrepreneurs and enterprises; promote the use of and access to diverse and innovative financial instruments; and catalyse private sector finance at scale to protect Maldives’s reefs and build the resilience of local communities through the Blue Economy. 

The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (MECCT), Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), Fuvahmulah Nature Park (FNP), Addu Nature Park (ANP), Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture (MFMRA) as the primary partners. The project will also work closely with SME Development Financing Corporation (SDFC), Business Centre Corporation (BCC), Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI), Addu City Council (ACC), Fuvahmulah City Council (FCC) and the Ministry of Tourism.  

The Project Manager will be based in UNDP Maldives and will report to the Assistant Resident Representative, Resilience and Climate Change, UNDP. The Project Manager will be required to undertake domestic and international travel as per the requirements of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, the Project Manager will ensure effective and timely delivery of Maldives Resilient Reef Ecosystem and Economy for the Future (Maldives RREEF) project.
• Functions/Key expected results:

Implementation, management, and delivery of project results:

• Day-to-day project management through planning and implementation of envisaged activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria.
• Overseeing and monitoring implementation of work plans and budgets for all activities.
• Ensure conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project.
• Ensure activities are well coordinated with project components led by other partners.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to management and donors against work plans and according to agreed structure.
• Ensure effective governance of the project through the organization of Projects’ Steering Committee meetings and preparation of technical inputs on the progress of work and risks management.
• Ensure that human rights-based approach and gender equality are mainstreamed throughout programming activities and implementation.
• Provide strategic guidance and supervision to project staff as well as national and international experts/consultants in the delivery of assigned tasks/responsibilities as well as develop Terms of References.
• Oversee the effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Project amongst stakeholders as well as among the international community within and outside the country.
• Ensure overall accountability of the use of GFCR project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations in all project operations.
• Ensure visibility of the GFCR project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required.
• Support UNDP’s efforts for resource mobilization, including in planning and costing inputs in close consultations with Senior Management.

Strategic project planning, coordination and implementation: 

• Provide strategic guidance and management of the overall project implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure overall efficient coordination of the GFCR project including timely planning processes and delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP CO and the participating stakeholders.
• Ensure identification and promotion of initiatives and collaboration opportunities.
• Identify and develop opportunities for project co-financing.
• Support capacity building of national counterparts.
• Lead the identification, management, monitoring and reporting of risks, as well as escalation within UNDP and the project governance arrangements, as needed.
• Ensure effective project implementation through close monitoring of results, effective application of RBM tools and management of targets, coordination and follow through on decentralized reviews/evaluations.
• Ensure full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.
• Prepare the Project Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Management Team.
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and activity progress reports to UNDP as well as adequate financial management of allocated resources.
• Oversee timely preparation of reports for UNDP to donors and other stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations to donor partners, government and other stakeholders as required.

Liaison, coordination and partnerships with external and internal partners:

• Establish trustful relationships and maintain a continuous and constructive dialogue with government, civil society, local communities, and donors to maximize consistency, synergy and maximize impact and results.
• Identify strategic stakeholders and partners for the effective undertaking of outputs and activities.
• Advocate for project’s objectives with private sector entities, financing institutions and impact investors to leverage the required sustainable financing to meet project’s targets.
• Develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations, local communities and the private sector to effectively deliver the project outputs and activities.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among stakeholders according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Ensure regular communication of project results, including through communication products, digital content, visibility materials, and liaison with media in the country and beyond.

Knowledge building and management:

• Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
• Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of blue economy, SDG financing and coral reefs conservation by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with respective colleagues and stakeholders, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons are well recorded and disseminated.
• Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learned generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products.
• Monitor performance and results of the project and ensure the highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs(products).
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent in environmental management, natural resource management, sustainable development, project management, business management, social science, development economics, international development, climate change or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (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 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience related to the area of environmental management, natural resource management, sustainable development, project management, business management, social science, development economics, international development, climate change or related field.
• Experience in project management including coordination, financial management, risk management and partnership management is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies of climate change is an asset.
• Experience working with the project’s stakeholder institutions and agencies is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of the environment sector, business incubation/development and blended financing mechanisms is an asset.
• Experience in people management and modelling independent thinking and action.
• Experience working with government, donors or the UN previously.
• Experience in environmental or chemical management would be a strong asset.
• Experience in liaising with UN agencies, particularly in projects related to sustainable development or environmental conservation, is desirable.

Required Languages:

• English and Dhivehi

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/16325