Background

UNDP is looking for a Project Manager to oversee the implementation of the GEF-funded project that is designed to enhance the management effectiveness, biogeographically coverage and connectivity of Protected Areas of the Achara Autonomous Region of Georgia in order to better conserve the globally unique Colchic Forests[1](temperate rainforest). The area is of biodiversity importance because of the humid Pliocene flora refugium, high proportion of narrow-ranged (local endemic) plants, high percentage of endemic, as a well-known bottle-neck for migratory birds.

The project will support the government to bring about the functionally operation of the recently gazetted Machakhela National Park which will form the last link in a chain of 4 protected areas established to conserve the Colchic forests of the region (i.e. Kintrishi, Mtirala and Machakhela in Georgia and Jamili in Turkey). Additionally, the project will help to build management effectiveness and sustainability of all the protected areas in this chain in Achara and help establish transboundary links with the Jamili Biosphere Reserve in Turkey.

It will further support the Georgian Agency for Protected Areas (APA) and the target PA Administrations to improve financial planning, better integrate local communities into protected areas management and build capacity for applying, adaptable and participatory approaches most likely to achieve long term conservation and sustainable local rural livelihoods.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The Project Manager has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board and within the constraints and guidelines established by the Project Board. The Project Manager will report to the National Project Director for all of the project’s substantive and administrative issues. From the strategic point of view of the project, the Project Manager will report on a periodic basis to the Project Executive Board (PEB).

Generally, he/she will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the project, under the national implementation modality (NIM). The incumbent will perform a liaison role with the Government, UNDP, implementing partners, NGOs and other stakeholders, and maintain close collaboration with any donor agencies providing co-financing (notably the EU, KfW, CNF, USDoI).

The Primary responsibility of the Project Manager is to ensure that the project produces and achieves the objectives specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

• Ensure effective management of the project and supervision of the project team;
• Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document;
• Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with procedures for nationally implemented projects;
• Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
• Day-to-day management and supervision of the project ensuring that the expected outputs are completed on time and they comply with specific project criteria and requirements;
• Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel;
• Prepare and revise project work and financial plans; ensure tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Apply effectively results-based management tools, establish benchmarks, indicators and targets and, regularly monitor and report on achievement of results;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, in consultation with Technical Coordinator ensure drafting TORs and work specifications for experts and lead experts’ recruitment;
• Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
• Facilitate administrative backstopping to subcontractors and training activities supported by the Project;
• Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, APA and other oversight agencies;
• Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
• Provide direction and guidance to project team and responsible parties;
• Report progress of project to the PEB, and ensure the fulfilment of PEB directives;
• Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community based integrated conservation and development projects nationally and internationally;
• Ensure the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
• Assist relevant government agencies and project partners - including initiatives financed by donor organizations and executed by NGOs - with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
• Coordinate and assists scientific institutions with the initiation and implementation of any field studies and monitoring components of the project;
• Carry regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and the activities of any project site management units;
• Undertake adaptive management to achieve the project objectives and respond to challenges and difficulties in a pro-active and dynamic manner;
• Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project;
• Ensure visibility of project results, and of all relevant partners, in line with UNDP procedures;
• In agreement with the respective Programe Officer, liaise with donors and facilitate resource mobilization activities;
• Undertake management functions of another project within the EE portfolio if/when required at the decision of the management;
• Perform other duties, as required.

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.
  

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
• Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
• Good ICT skills;
• Oral, communications and presentation skills and competence in handling project’s external relations at all levels.
  

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree from accredited Universities/colleges in environmental sciences, natural resource management, business or other related field.

• At least 7 years professional experience in the area of, environment protection or natural resource management;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project or programme management, including funded by international organizations or funds, of similar complexity and nature is required; demonstrated capacity to actively explore new, innovative implementation and financing mechanisms to achieve the project objective;
• Working experience with the project national stakeholder institutions and agencies is desired;
• Strong computer skills.
  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Georgian languages.