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Project Description
In support of the national development objecitves for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth and transformation, UNDP Lesotho is collaborating with the Lerotholi Polytechnic and the wider academic ecosystem in Lesotho to implement the Lesotho University Innovations Pod (Lesotho UniPod project). The Lesotho UniPod, is part of the UNDP Africa UniPod Timbuktoo initiative that was launched in 2022, aimed at promoting collaborations within African Universities and to position them as centres of influence for economic transformation and development intelligence. The Lesotho UniPod will be hosted by the Lerotholi Polytechnic and partner with the local institutions of higher learning to cultivate and expand innovation and creativity for Lesotho’s economic transformation and development intelligence.
Specifically Lesotho UniPod is expected to achieve the following objectives:
To establish a national ecosystem for innovations, anchored on local knowledge and solutions, research and learning by creating linkages between academia, industry, and grassroots to ensure responsive and relevant development policy and programming; Establish the institutions of higher learning as a think-tanks and encourage proactive and transformative development research, innovations, and creativity; Foster youth entrepreneurship and advance value creation and economic transformation through development of local value chains and diversification; and Accelerate acquisition and integration of technologies in local innovations.
In this regard, UNDP is looking for a Project Coordinator, who will lead project implementation, engage with various stakeholders to design relevant interventions, and establish strategies for partnerships and sustainability of the project. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the management of the Pod’s activities, development of the ecosystem for the Pod, financial management and resources mobilization, administration and supervision of the Pod’s personnel. S/he will be accountable to the project steering committee for delivery of the project outputs, and under joint supervision by the Lerotholi Polytechnic and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Coordinator will be based at the Lesotho University Innovation Pod site, at the Lerotholi Polytechnic. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Rector, Lerotholi Polytechnic and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. The Project Coordinator will liaise with the UNDP Programme on Sustainable and Inclusive Growth to project implementation, assurance and oversight processes. Scope of Work
Key Functions:
Support program design and execution Financial and grant management Administrative and management support to the project Partnerships and collaboration
Specifically, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for the following:
Program Design and Execution:
Provide technical leadership for implementation of the UniPod activities to ensure the achievement of both the overall vision and specific project/s implemented by the Pod; In collaboration with project partners, develop and document program processes, standard operating procedures and guidelines for the utilization UniPod beneficiaries; Lead and work with the all team members, the tech transfer office, the Lerotholi Polytechnic and UNDP to ensure effective management and coordination of the programme activities; Identify and engage experts and team members as may needed to execute programmes in the Pod; Design and conduct research on best practices for supporting hardware entrepreneurs, and develop systems that ensure the UniPod is continually refining and improving its model and the offerings to our community, within the framework designed by the UNDP team; Work with the institutions of higher learning, government, development partners and private sector to establish an ecosystem for to support implementation and update of the Unipod products and programmes.
Financial and Grant Management:
Work with UNDP and Lerotholi Polytechnical to develop financial models and business plans that define and operationalize the organization’s vision and sustainability; With guidance from UNDP, build systems for financial tracking and control; Maintain cash flow projections, payment processes, and generally ensure that resources are available at the appropriate place and time; Ensure that the UniPod is always in compliance with donor requirements and grant guidelines; Ensure grant reports are filed on time and at the highest quality.
Administrative and management support to the project:
Develop coordination systems for the execution of daily tasks (travel, payments, HR, procurement, communications, and others as necessary); Hire and manage contractors for a variety of processes (construction, procurement, design, research, etc); Work with the leadership team, develop performance targets and reviews for staff and the organization as a whole, to ensure that goals are being achieved and resources put to effective use.
Partnerships and collaboration:
Identify synergies with projects in UNDP and other partners, that may benefit the project implementation and collaborative engagement; Nurture and establish concrete partnerships with the academic institutions in Lesotho to maximize utility of the UniPod by both the students and faculty staff; Identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership with different stakeholders for attainment of the UniPod vision and mandate; Actively seek and identify opportunities for resources and partnerships mobilization; Maintain an open engagement with partners, clients, and funders as necessary and lead advocacy for the UniPod; Establish project-specific communication and visibility channels and content for disseminating project related results and information. Competencies
Core
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.
Cross Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management:
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Direction & Strategy
Business Acumen
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Effective Decision Making
Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources. Partnerships Management
Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
2030 Agenda: People
Gender
Gender Mainstreaming Education:
An Advanced University (master’s degree or equivalent) degree in Engineering, International Development, Business and/or Operations or related field. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the master’s degree. Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years with a master’s degree or four (4) years with bachelor’s degree of professional experience in the development sector, with programme/project management responsibilities.
Required and desirable skills and competencies
Practical knowledge in project management is desirable; Experience in stakeholder management and partnerships development is an asset; Experience managing multi-stakeholder teams is desirable; Good knowledge of gender mainstreaming, conflict-sensitive programme and result-based management is an asset.
Required Language
English and Sesotho Disclaimer
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Note: 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.
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Closing date: 21 July 2023