project manager for Supporting integrated and COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN LESOTHO

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Background Information:
 

Lesotho faces serious economic and social Climate Change (CC) related challenges and has been identified as one of those countries most vulnerable to CC worldwide.  Increases in peak temperatures and precipitation events and in their seasonal and long term variability would result in droughts, floods and both cold and heat stress risks.  CC is expected to impact on human health and energy access through multiple pathways.  It would result in reduced agricultural production through a shift and potential shortening of the growing period, cause malnutrition and thus affect child growth.  The proposed project seeks to ensure that climate change risks are addressed under the following AAP Global Project outputs;

(1) strengthening institutional and human resource capacities,

(2) improving policies and implementing measures, including specific pilot activities assisting communities in developing CCA Strategies and Action Plans and developing robust responses in energy and health sectors,

(3) developing an innovative, sustainable financing, and

(4) Implementing knowledge management and information dissemination activities on national and international levels.

Improved adaptive capacities in the health and energy sectors will help Lesotho to reduce or reverse expected economic and development losses that would occur without adaptation.

The project will be nationally implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and as the Implementing Partner (IP). The IP  will be accountable to the Government of Lesotho  and the UNDP for the quality of project outcomes and the appropriate use of project resources, both when directly implementing project activities and when delegating others to do so.

In this connection UNDP and the Government of Lesotho require the services of a Project Manager to form part of a technical and managerial team responsible for the successful implementation of the above project.

 Key Roles and Responsibilities

Project Manager

Supervise project staff

• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria.

• Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;

• Monitor events as determined in the Project Monitoring Schedule Plan, 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;

• Prepare and submit financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis;

• Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;

• Manage issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;

• Prepare the Project Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance;

• Prepare the Annual Review Report, and submit the report to the Project Board and Project Assurance;

• Prepare Annual Performance Report (APR)/Project Implementation Review (PIR) and submit to Project Board and Project Assurance;

• Prepare the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans as may be  required;

• Update the Atlas Project Management module if external access is made available.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate should posses the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Environmental Science,     Social Science, or any other field related gained from a reputable institution;

• Proven extensive experience and technical ability to lead manage and motivate teams of international and local consultants to achieve results and to manage a large project and complex, multi-stakeholder project.

• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills proven through successful interactions with all levels of project stakeholder groups, including senior government officials, business, executives, farmers and communities.

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills; strategic thinking and planning.

• Knowledge of UNDP project implementation procedures, including procurement, disbursement, reporting and monitoring procedures is highly preferable.

• Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organisations, in particular those of the GEF and UNDP,

• Proficiency in standard computer applications;

• Ability to multi-task and work irregular and long hours;

• Fluency in English and Sesotho.

     Applications with comprehensive CVs and names and contact details of three referees should be submitted by e-mail on or before 2nd April, 2010 to registry.ls@undp.org.

v  Please note that this vacancy is open only for Lesotho nationals.   

v  Only short listed candidates will be responded to. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with work experience and qualifications.