National project manager of Nias islands transition project

Background

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Democratic Governance, Regional Development and Poverty Reduction, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment and Climate Change. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in crosscutting initiatives such as HIV/AIDS and gender equality.

Organizational context

The Nias Island Transition Project (NITP) is a UNDP-supported project of the Government of Indonesia with funding assistance from the Multi Donor Fund for NAD and Nias (MDF). The Project will build on the work of BRR and other rehabilitation and construction support projects to facilitate the transition from implementation by these agencies to the ongoing recovery and implementation of GOI funded activities at provincial and district levels and support development and implementation of a pro-active disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the responsible GOI structures (SATKORLAK and SATLAK) and supporting NGOs.

The development objective is to ‘support the institutional capacity of Nias to secure the legacy of the funds invested in the post-earthquake recovery and to enhance district capacity to successfully manage that recovery, whilst applying best practices that improve governance and reduce risks from future natural disasters’.

The project purpose is: Enhanced district capacity to successfully complete the recovery process and manage ongoing local government responsibilities, applying best practices that improve governance and reduce risks from future natural disasters.

There are three implementation objectives (components) supported by a project management component:

- Output 1: BRR and local government transition processes completed for key provincial and district (Objective) agencies and implemented in a timely, efficient and transparent manner;
- Output 2: Local government with civil society support complete priority reconstruction and rehabilitation activities after the transition;
- Output 3: Disaster Risk Reduction integrated into future local government development activities, including recovery and reconstruction;

Duties and responsibilities

Under supervision and guidance of the UNDP Programme Manager, the National Project Manager will provide strategic and management leadership in setting up and managing the NITP. This includes both management and substantive functions. On the management level he/she is tasked to develop and manage the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Medan and ensure positive rapports with the local governments in North Sumatra, Nias Islands and the national level governments and the donor community.

The NPM is tasked with providing detailed input into the project content and design and overseeing its implementation. This includes the appraisal of technical documentation and the production of technical reports. The NPM will be assisted by the PMU team (including the senior technical adviser) as well as consultants for specific tasks in implementing the work.

The National Project Manager supervises and leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The NPM works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Summary of key functions:

- Implementation of project strategies
- Project Management of the NITP
- Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
- Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

1. Ensures implementation of project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
- Project business modality mapping and preparation of the Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.

2. Ensures effective management of the NITP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

- Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.

Monitoring and evaluation

- Develop appropriate monitoring and evaluation plans including evaluation criteria and baseline data collection techniques during the finalization of the project design and implementation activities.
- Identify and develop tools to indicate the progressive transition of administration and transformation of the provincial and district governments and in the development of their DRR capacities and implementation.
- Liaise with the implementing agency and UNDP on the conduct of reviews and project evaluations and facilitate access by the evaluators to project documentation, personnel, and institutions involved in the project;
- Liaise with UNDP on the conduct or project financial audit and/or management audit; and,
- Ensure that audit recommendations are complied with.
- Translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies.
- Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.

Project implementation

- Develop NITP work approach and provide strategic direction to the PMU in developing project initiatives and work plan preparations to ensure consistency with strategic objectives and results of NITP;
- Provide technical oversight and serve as a technical resource for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives in the implementation of the NITP;
- Guide and support the operations of the Technical Expert Group (TEG). Prepare draft TORs for TEG members and assist the project manager recruit the TEG members. Assist the STA to develop and implement a simple process for continuous monitoring of the TEG activities;
- As for the STA, act as a TEG member in the NPM’s technical speciality areas;
- Provide support to and mentor the TEG members in their support and facilitation roles with the provincial and district government agencies;
- Assist the TEG to develop and finalise agreed work plans inputs to sub-projects;
- Prioritise and cost the proposed sub-projects and draft recommendations to the Project Board for sub-projects to be implemented; and,
- Develop relationships with international agencies, donor community, multi-lateral organizations, non-profit agencies, private sector companies, and foreign government ministries to support NITP.

Report writing

- Produce an NITP implementation document which is strategically developed, properly consulted with and has the buy-in from the relevant government stakeholders, discussed and approved by the Project Board.;
- Prepare project brief and technical papers for dissemination to government entities and stakeholders;
- Review, edit and finalize sub-project activities proposals;
- Publish needs assessment, policy briefs and technical papers; and,

Formulate immediate response activities

- Identify needs and keep abreast of emerging issues for immediate response activities;
- Design the activities and conduct proper consultations on the activities with relevant stakeholders; and
- Work with UNDP and staff from other relevant projects in Nias, Jakarta and Banda Aceh to implement the immediate response activities.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
-  Build and maintain close cooperative relationship with relevant stakeholders and partners in Nias and North Sumatera including but not limiting to provincial and district government agencies, the Dinas, Liquidation Team of MoF, civil society organizations, academic institutions, media, development organizations, etc.
- Provide technical assistance and advice on governance and DRR to relevant stakeholders and partners in Nias and North Sumatera, particularly the provincial and district governments and their agencies and as necessary.
- Conduct / participate in coordination meetings, forums and other relevant events in Nias and North Sumatera to be abreast of issues in local governance in Nias and North Sumatera and guide discussions in the areas of UNDP supports.
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Competencies

- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
- In-depth knowledge on development issues
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Required skills and experience

Education:

- Bachelor or Master Degree from accredited/recognized university
- Bachelor degree in development economics, social sciences, public administration, business administration or other relevant fields of study; with minimum 7 years of professional experience, preferably in the field of development; OR
- Master’s degree in development economics, social sciences, public administration, business administration or other relevant fields of study; with minimum 3 years of professional experience, preferably in the field of development.

Experience:

- Minimum of 7 years of field experience in one or more of the following disciplines: capacity building, local governance and decentralization initiative, civil service reform, public administration reform, disaster risk reduction or similar
- At least 3 years of large scale programme and project management experience;
- Extensive knowledge and implementation experience of the processes and procedures used by BRR in their recovery activities in Nias or Aceh would be desirable
- Direct implementation experience in recovery from major natural disasters including reconstruction would be desirable.
- Experience in capacity building at local government level (technical area not critical) would be desirable;
- Knowledge of the socio-economic and cultural conditions as well as development issues of Indonesia;
- Demonstrated capacity to facilitate recovery and / or capacity building processes;
- Demonstrated experience in working with government, especially at sub-national level would be desirable
- Ability to provide team leadership with strong interpersonal and communications skills, and with the ability to motivate a team;
- Excellent contacts and network within SUMUT and Jakarta at level of provincial and district government, central government, civil society and donor community would be desirable
- Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize strategic intervention;
- Awareness and ability to conceptualize gender sensitive issues;
- Initiative and sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to work in harmony with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Good team player committed to enhancing and adding value to the work of the team as a whole would be desirable.
- Strong English reporting, communication and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work under-pressure and handle multi-tasking situations;
- Computer literate
- Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies would be desirable.
- Experience in governance, DRR or community development projects implemented through local government agencies would be desirable

Language Requirements:

- Excellent fluency in the written and spoken English and Bahasa Indonesia.