Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]

To lead the Peacebuilding Cluster UNDP Philippines seeks to engage a Peacebuilding Project this role UNDP is looking for individuals with strong analytical planning and implementation skills who can address the interconnections choices and linkages across multiple issues and sectors in the Bangsamoro region. We seek candidates who can apply global best practices to the national context and who are enthusiastic motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to peacebuilding and development in the Bangsamoro region and the Philippines. The successful candidate must possess substantial knowledge and demonstrated experience in managing the implementation of development projects particularly in the field of peacebuilding. The Project Manager will help shape UNDP initiatives and projects focused on conflict prevention preventing and countering violent extremism empowering women youth and Indigenous Peoples promoting social cohesion and supporting climate security initiatives.

In particular UNDP is seeking a Project Manager who will be based in Cotabato and will lead the day-to-day operations of the Peacebuilding Cluster. The Cluster implements a range of peacebuilding projects including Phase II of the Programme on Stabilization Peacebuilding and Resilience in the Bangsamoro (PROSPER Bangsamoro Phase II) initiatives on Preventing Violent Extremism the Joint Programme on Women Peace and Security and other projects that may be assigned. The Project Manager will oversee the work of project staff and coordinate closely with project partners. The incumbent will work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure integrated effective and efficient programme delivery. The Project Manager will also engage with other UN agencies government officials technical advisors and experts multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society organizations to support the successful implementation of UNDP peacebuilding projects.

TheProjectManagerwillundertakeday-to-daymanagementofthepeacebuildingclusterprojects. S/he shall carry out the following tasks:

Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative support for the delivery of the projects activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide quality leadership in the overall coordination and management of the project;Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans in order to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towardsthefullandoptimalutilization of project funds;
• Lead the identification of project issues challenges and risks appropriate recommendations and implements them;
• Prepare progress monitoring reports (e.g. donor reports) activity designs briefing papers technical reports meeting documentation situation updates official correspondences M&E documents and other documentation as may be required in project implementation;
• Organize and participate in workshops needs assessments consultations planning sessions and provide technical inputs as maybe necessary;
• Undertake communication assignments such as writing of articles press releases development of knowledge products and other related activities; Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties;

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of the project:

• Network and build strong working relations with Government UN and donor partners; Establish develop and maintain mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with NGOs civil society and community groups the press and media the business sector etc.;
• Establish networks with experts of UN System international development organizations and prominent private sector organizations;
• LinkwithotherUNDPprojectsandworkcloselywiththeUNDPProgrammeteamsand Operations team to supportefficientdeliveryofprojectactivitiesinlinewithstrategic objectives.

Overseethesuccessfulimplementationofallthecomponentsoftheproject:

Overallprojectmanagement;

• Manage the realization of project outputsagreed upon through activities; Providedirection and guidance to project team(s)/ responsible party (ies);
• Liaise with the Project Board or its appointed Project Assurance roles to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
• Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management planning and control of the project; Responsible for project administration;
• Liaisewithany suppliers.

Implementingtheproject:

• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities including drafting TORs and work specifications;
• MonitoreventsasdeterminedintheMonitoring&CommunicationPlan and update the plan as required;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP using advance of funds direct payments or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures); Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Brief appraised by the LPAC submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required;
• Update thestatusoftheserisksbymaintainingtheProjectRisksLog;Beresponsible for managingissues andrequests for change by maintainingan Issues Log;
• Prepare theProjectQuarterlyProgressReport(progressagainstplannedactivitiesupdateon Risks and issuesexpenditures)andsubmitthereporttotheProjectBoardandProject Assurance;
• Prepare the Annual Review Report and submit the report to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; BasedonthereviewpreparetheAWPforthefollowingyearas well as Quarterly Plans if required.

ClosingtheProject:

• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board and the Outcome Board; Identify follow-on actions andsubmit them for consideration to the Project Board;
• Managethetransferofprojectdeliverablesdocumentsfilesequipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Prepare final Combined Delivery Report / Financial Reports for signature by UNDP.

Supportstrategicpartnershipbuildingandresourcemobilization:

• Establish and maintain a strategic understanding of and engagement with all the relevant institutions including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies government institutions donors NGOs IFIs the private sector academia civil society and other stakeholders and beneficiaries at the national regional and local levels;
• Participate in meetings with donors prepare and deliver presentations of project results and follow up with relevant counterparts if requested by the supervisor;
• Implementresourcemobilizationstrategies toachieveprojectoutcomes thatinclude facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions to strengthen relationships and raise funds. Identify new funding opportunities for furthering the project ideas.

Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office:

• Organizetrainingfortheprojectpersonneltoenhancetheircapacitiesinthetechnical matters of the thematic area of the project;
• Identify evaluate synthesize and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked tothe and respond to related queries.
• Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project;
• Developandcarryoutapersonallearning plan.

Theincumbentperformsotherdutieswithintheirfunctionalprofileasdeemednecessaryfor the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutionalarrangements

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and the UNDP Head of Cotabato Field Office the Project Manager will work with key partners and stakeholders to deliver distinct outputs of the project to ensure quality implementation- from capacity building management of human and financial resources overseethemonitoringandevaluationandcommunicationframeworktowardsachievement of delivery targets.

The Project Manager will work closely with the project team Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and UNDP CO teams and project stakeholders.

WillingnesstorelocatetoCotabatoCityis required.