Background

UNDP multi-country office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provide technical assistance, policy, and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between the Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing several projects (with public sector partners) that support the 13th Malaysia Plan, which focused on driving inclusive, high-value and sustainable growth through technology, regional equity, social wellbeing, and environmental resilience under the Ekonomi MADANI framework. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of Head of Unit, the Project Manager is responsible for the overall strategic management of the project. This includes overseeing all phases from initiation to completion and ensuring high-quality, accurate work that supports effective delivery of the CO programme in line with UNDP rules and regulations. The Project Manager works closely with operations, programme, and project teams in the CO to exchange information and resolve implementation issues. The Project Manager will also contribute actively to assignments within the expanding portfolios of projects under the thematic pillar unit, in line with the incumbent performing other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office. 

Ensure Effective Project Development, Planning, Management and Implementation

• Contribute to the development and management of the Project in terms of expansion of the project and project management. 
• Under the guidance of the National Project Director and UNDP Head of Unit, provide strategic guidance and management of the overall management and implementation of project outputs and activities as outlined in the project document;
• Conduct regular risk assessments, including financial, operational, environmental,compliance, reputational, and stakeholder risks;
• In consultation with the National Project Director and UNDP Head of Unit, lead the implementation of risk prevention, monitoring, response, and recovery strategies;
• Supervise the overall financial management of the project to attain the annual delivery target;
• Ensure that UNDP-specific policies, rules, and processes (e.g., annual work plan, budgeting, finance, procurement, audit, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc.) are fully complied with according to the deadlines set. These include:
  • Preparation and submission of the annual work plan with annual outputs and activities, result-based indicators, and targets 
  • Preparation of overall and annual project procurement plan
  • Development of terms of reference for technical services, consultants/experts, and specification of equipment/materials as required by the project, in consultation with the UNDP Head of Unit, the Project Technical Advisor, and implementing partners\
  • Leading the preparation and submission of Quarterly Progress Reports, Mid-year Progress Reports, Annual Project Reports, Project Implementation Reviews, and Final Project reports to UNDP and the donor.
  • Supervision on all project documentation and records keeping for procurement, Midterm Review, Terminal Evaluation, audit, project assurance activities, and knowledge management.
• Monitor and manage project risks, and apply adaptive management including corrective and adaptive measures in project implementation.

Establish Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

Develop new and maintain existing partnerships with a view to resource mobilisation for effective project development and the achievement of the project’s objectives. 

•  Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders, advocate UNDP’s comparative advantages with the corresponding programme, initiatives, and projects; and ensure project visibility;
• Assess programme interests and priorities of key donors and development partners, support the development and/or update of CO Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Strategy;
• Identify opportunities and areas for UNDP support, and mobilise resources from, but not limited to, the private sector, bilateral or multilateral donors, development partners, and financial institutions;
• Develop opportunities, partnerships, and initiatives that can expand the scope, resources, and impact of the project, in consultation with the UNDP Head of Unit, the Project Technical Advisor, and implementing partners.

Provision of Technical Review Services
Provision of technical support services in the development of outputs/knowledge products and design of project activities, including monitoring and evaluation.

• Review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables produced under the project;
• Analyse and aggregate project results/outputs and report project progress at the objective and outcome level;
• Review and ensure technical soundness and cost-effectiveness of project activities;
• Develop and implement capacity-building activities aimed at government counterparts, civil society groups, media, and relevant stakeholders; 
• Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.

• Ensure effective facilitation of knowledge building and management, guidance to all stakeholders on project management, operational, and technical matters focusing on the attainment of the project indicators;
• Undertake regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning, and sharing results and good practices;
• Contribute to written inputs of UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy brief knowledge networks and communities of thematic practice based on project results, data and information, lessons learned, and best practices;
• Capture lessons learned during project implementation and document these in the context of developing a wider communications strategy about the project and its achievements, to facilitate dissemination within UNDP, stakeholders, and potential partners;
• Participate in regular internal progress meetings, including with project stakeholders;
• Participate in training events, communities of practice, as well as codify and share knowledge.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, and as may assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

People Management 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

 Business Direction and Strategy    

• System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated
  elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development    

• Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management    

• Project Management. Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Risk Management. Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risk
• Monitoring & Evaluation. Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the
  management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to  anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Partnership Management     

• Relationship Management. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

2030 Agenda: Peace    

• Governance. Inclusion and participation of Marginalised Groups
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Environment, Engineering, Business Administration, Renewable Energy, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or any other related subject areas is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the subject areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master's degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in managing and implementing development initiatives/projects is required. 

Required skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated project management experience including risk management.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and results-based reporting, including strategic management 
• Experience leading and managing outputs and activities in all phases of project management involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Proven field experience in development and implementation initiatives/projects either at national, sub-national/state, local, or community levels.
•  Demonstrated experience in collaborating and partnering with government agencies, the private sector, communities, or international organisations.

Desired skills and competencies:

• Experience with UNDP or other UN Agencies.
• Experience managing SDG-related projects.
• Experience in conducting regular risk assessments, including financial, operational, environmental,compliance, reputational, and stakeholder risks.
• Experience in resource mobilization.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English and Malay is required.

Travel:

• UNDP will cover the travel costs only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically  outside the  duty station.  Travel expenses as required outside the duty station and reimbursements will be administered in compliance with UNDP Duty Travel Policy under Administrative Section and Individual Contractor Policy under Procurement Section of UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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