Background
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It works with individual countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.
The Lesotho Country Programme (2019-2023), is anchored on the NSDP II, the UNDAF (2019–2023) and is guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018–2021) through 3- programme pillars: (i) Governance, Accountability, Social Cohesion and Stability; (ii) Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth and (iii) Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change and Resilience.
The Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth (SIEG) Programme is aimed at strengthening capacities of private and public sector stakeholders to create decent and sustainable jobs, promoting economic diversity, facilitating increased economic participation by promoting innovative and technological interventions, collaborative and informative stakeholder policy -shaping platforms and technical support and development. This will be done through implementation of different projects and initiatives for focused on livelihoods development and economic diversification, and data, research and evidence for policy.
As part of the SIEG Programme, UNDP plans to implement the Enhancing Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development (EYES), in 2019. The project is aimed at addressing the challenge of lack of creative and innovative thinking for entrepreneurship and social development amongst the youth, which affects their ability to establish sustainable businesses and employment creating initiatives. The project model will link capacity building on design thinking, to promote cognizant ideation, technology-based solutions for development and facilitate partnerships and networks for mentorship and resources mobilization. The project will focus on solutions aligned to the identified NSDP priority sectors, of tourism, agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
To ensure the effective implementation of the EYES Project, UNDP is looking for the services of a Project Officer, to support implementation of the project by providing technical, management and administrative support. The project officer will work in collaboration with the Programme Officer and shall be accountable to UNDP and her partners on management of project resources and attainment of results. The Project Officer will report to the head of the Strategy and Polity Unit for day-to day activities and work closely with the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation, and the other responsible project partners.
Summary of Key Responsibilities
The Project Officer will be responsible for coordination, implementation, administration, M&E and reporting on the project activities. S/he will take overall responsibility for liaison with all project implementing partners to ensure successful implementation of the project by:
- Managing project implementation and collaborating with the implementing partners to ensure successful implementation of the EYES project.
- Coordination of project implementation and support to implementing partners and grantees, and provision of quality policy advisory services and technical support to the Government and project implementing partners
- Promoting knowledge sharing and learning within the project.
- Ensures effective implementation of the project and application of RBM tools for planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
- In collaboration with the participating partners, develop strategies and plans to ensure successful implementation of the project.
- Undertakes constant monitoring and analysis of the project environment and facilitates timely readjustments. Work with relevant stakeholders and partners to facilitate collection and collation of data for baseline and tracking of project performance indicators.
- Preparation of reports on project achievements, delivery and other areas of accountability to UNDP for regular performance monitoring and ensure implementation of any corrective actions as recommended.
- Support project implementing partners and coordinate linkage of results across all the project components
- In context of inclusive business models, encourage stakeholder collaboration and dialogue on the project and related matters.
- Provision of technical support to the implementing partners and grantees
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project.
- Promote innovations in implementation of the project, also identifying potential synergies and encourage partnership in delivery of project activities.
- Facilitate linkages with similar projects within the UNDP portfolio and promote cross unit collaboration.
- Effectively participates and ensures sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on issues related to youth development and youth innovations,
- Communicate ideas and information to improve project implementation and reach
- Works closely with the implementing partners to build a knowledge hub and advocate best practices for youth development.
- 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
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
- Excellent analytical and writing skills
- IT literacy and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Knowledge and the ability to apply communication methods and techniques
- Knowledge Management and Learning
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture
- In-depth knowledge of relevant development issues
- Ability to provide policy advice
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Effective communication skills in various contexts: strategic planning, mentoring, training and making presentations
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Commerce or related field.
- Experience of 3 years (Masters) or 5 years’ (Degree) in providing project management support, leading implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and related assignments
- Proven understanding and experience in youth development issues, empowerment and current thinking relative to entrepreneurship development, and partnerships development
- Experience working with community- based organizations and micro, small and medium enterprises market in Lesotho will be an asset.
- Good organization and coordination skills, with experience interrelationships between different stakeholders
- Familiarity with financial inclusion concepts, microfinance and use of technology for financial services
- Ability to perform under tight deadlines
- Strong communication skills
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 year ( with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 11 June 2019