Project Manager - Recovery and peace building of the conflict-affected communities in North-East Nigeria Project (JSB) at UNDP

Background

• The Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East Nigeria and the neighboring countries has left over 7.1 million people in need of supports, including 1.8 million people internally displaced (IDP) in the three most heavily affected States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. In addition, 226,000 Nigerians refugees remain in the neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad1. Now in its tenth year, the crisis remains one of the most severe in the world, and the total numbers of people in need, IDPs and refugees are not significantly reduced over the past several years.
•  LGAs in the Northern and Eastern parts of Borno State continue to experience many terrorism incidents, with many residents displaced. For instance, a total of 14,587 displaced persons arrived in Monguno LGA in eastern Borno within the period from November 2018 to March 2019 because of the deterioration of security of the neighboring Kukawa LGA2. However, LGAs in Adamawa, Yobe and the southern and western parts of Borno are experiencing the early stage of stability. In these areas, Security Forces and vigilante largely take control of the security situation, although sporadic bombings and attacks in limited scale still occur. After the elections and the consequent inauguration of new Governors in Adamawa and Borno, public expectation for improvement of general situation in the region is very high. People have been returning to those communities in the early stage of stability. For instance, across the four LGAs of Hong, Michika, Mubi-North and Mubi-South in Adamawa State, the total number of returnees has risen to 511,830, which is much larger than 45,435 IDP in the area3. The IDPs in those communities are mostly from the other LGAs that are still unstable. These IDPs have been staying in the host communities for a prolonged period, and many of them want to immigrate to the area permanently. Furthermore, these communities will soon become the destination of return of refugees from the neighboring countries.
• The rapid return of people and inflow of IDPs and refugees have put significant challenges on those communities in the early stage of stability in several ways as follows: insufficient income with limited arable land, limited access to basic services, insufficient local governance capacity, social cohesion and security destroyed under displacement, and rampant sexual and gender-based violence. Therefore, those communities need to be supported urgently to address the multiple challenges. If they are not supported, there may be an increase in the risk of re-emergence of violent extremism and a roll back of the fragile social stability.
• In partnership with the Government of Japan, UNDP plans to implement “Recovery and Peace Building of  Conflict-Affected Communities in North-East Nigeria Project.” The objective of the project is to “support social recovery and peace building of 12 communities as the destinations of return of IDPs and refugees in the North-east Nigeria, applying UNDP’s integrated an resilience-based community recovery approach.” The project builds on the experiences and successes of previous investments and also complements other ongoing recovery and peacebuilding initiatives in NE Nigeria through support to Livelihoods, Basic Service,  Local Governance, and Social Cohesion and Security. UNDP South Nigeria Country Office now seeks hire a Project Manager to provide results-based project management for the “Recovery and Peace Building of  Conflict-Affected Communities in North-East Nigeria Project.”

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Early Recovery Programme Specialist and in coordination with other UNDP projects in the NE and CO, and the programme and Operation teams  in the SO and the CO, Project Manager will perform the following function:

Ensure Project Implementation:

• Ensure the achievement of outputs/results in line with the approved work plan through the day-to-day planning, management coordination and implementation of activities.
• Represent the project in various fora;
• Recruitment and management of staff in accordance with UNDP guidelines;
• Control quality of AWP and project revisions, and ensures that activities, targets and benchmarks have been formulated according to POPP and meet the programmatic standards and agreements with the partners (IP and donors). Ensures that proposed changes are supported by sufficient justification for project and budget revisions. Checks that documentation is prepared according to POPP and UNDP programme SOPs;
• Coordinate project implementation with relevant Government, UN, CSOs, and other development partners’ programmes/projects;
• Actively support the preparation of document and the organization of the Project Board;
• Consult with direct supervisor and PMSU on corporate compliance issues;
• Undertake monitoring visits to project sites and report on project progress and constraints;

Financial Management:

•  Ensure accountability for, and efficient use of project funds;
• Manage and monitor requests for financial resources and ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests in ATLAS, and ensure monthly delivery updates to the relevant staff on financial delivery performance;
• Provide leadership in overseeing of effective provision of services to counterparts including fair and transparent procurement process, efficient logistics and sound financial management;
• Liaise with the Technical Advisor and other project staff on financial management of the project activities, including monitoring project financial expenditures and transactions;
• Manage calls for bids and for proposals and selection of implementing partners within the UNDP programme and contractual frameworks for project activity implementation;
• Design the scope of works and TORs for the bids and call for proposals;
• Ensure the integrity of financial system and, overseeing the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities;
• Ensure strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations as per the Internal Control Framework.

Building strategic partnerships and alliances:

• Participate in inter-agency working groups and initiatives to promote early recovery and peacebuilding;
• Provide support for engagement in a constructive dialogue with partners in Nigeria, the region and UNDP HQ to maximize consistency and synergy between the various support components, as informed by national priorities, CPD and project objectives;
• Coordinate the implementation of the Project’s Public Communications Strategy including the positioning of the Project through social media, and make necessary changes according to upcoming priorities;
• Maintain continuous dialogue with the government and other key partners to ensure proper integration and co-ordination of other related capacity development efforts;
• Support establishment and/or convening of various early recovery and peacebuilding forums in the NE;
• Provide professional opinions in areas of expertise to promote networking and teamwork between counterparts and the development community.
• Disseminate information on best practices and be an active member of the UNDP global and regional networks;
• Prepare brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance and experience;
• Expand outreach of the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations;
• Follow-up the implementation of communication and advocacy plans;

Resource Mobilization:

• Catalyze mobilization of additional resources from the government, donors and regional partners to widen the support base for early recovery and peacebuilding activities;
• Develop partnerships with other individuals and organizations to ensure wide participation and sharing in development issues;
• Maintain relationships between the project and development partners and present a clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they requested, and promote the institutional development efforts to new development partners;
• Develop Concept Notes, project documents and proposals to support Country Office resource mobilization efforts.

Results-based management and reporting:

• Lead and advise the project team on the achievement of specific results of the project detailed in the annual work plan;
• Identify synergies between the project’s specific interventions and other UNDP projects to maximize impact and results;
• Prepare reports, work plans, regular donor progress and impact reports for the project;
• Participate in internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the project;
• Manage and monitor identified project risks and update the status of these risks in ATLAS;
• Plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals; and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
• Assist the UNDP project team to achieve results as identified in the annual work plan;
• Undertake any other duties as may be required by UNDP.

Impact of Results

• The expected key impact of this position is support to effective and efficient management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and development of this Project, while supporting coordination with internal and external clients and other stakeholders, to ensure the projects coherence and complementarity with UNDP programmes and projects, as well as those of other agencies. 

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards, as well as tact and diplomacy;
• 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 favouritism.

Functional Competencies:
 Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning amongst colleagues and clients;
• Demonstrates technical expertise on programme/project cycle, capacity building and public sector reform policies and programming;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to support strategic planning, results-based programming, management, reporting as well as resource mobilization efforts;
• Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Knowledgeable about UNDP’s program management/strategy regulations, systems and procedures, including execution modalities;
• Demonstrates outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills;
• Strong negotiation and networking skills;
• Strong IT skills; encourages the use of new technologies and strives for high standard of professional work;
• Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to motivate and interact with colleagues at all levels within the organization as well as with partners.

Management and Leadership:

• Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions;
• Results-Oriented: Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results in accordance with time and budget targets;
• Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability. Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates strong programme/project management skills;
• Handles confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master’s Degree Public / Business Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics and other related social science fields.

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ professional experience in project management, with at least 5 years focus on early recovery and peacebuilding programming including the preparation and submission of timely donor reports;
• Experience of managing development projects in post-conflict situations in the areas of governance, economic empowerment, early recovery and peacebuilding;
• Proven understanding of governance, peacebuilding and community economic recovery issues in post conflict;
• Proven experience in partnership building, networking and resource mobilization;
• Substantial previous experience in project management and working with senior government officials;
• Knowledge of UNDP programme and operation management procedures and policies;
• Proven strong analytical ability and written and oral communication skills;
• Computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, PowerPoint and Word;
• Experience from previous UN assignments in a post-conflict environment and work in a Country Office and/or Sub-Office would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.