Description

Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Project addresses the complex and multidimensional challenges of rural areas of Georgia, specifically the need of unlocking and exploiting opportunities for rural livelihoods (esp. of those most vulnerable) to enhance sustainable growth and create employment. The project complies to the overall objective of the program by addressing call for people-cantered integrated territorial development, with focus on improved rural development governance, inclusive growth and development of rural livelihoods and sustainable use of natural resources for transition to a carbon neutral economy.

Overall objective of the project as a part of broader rural development effort is to enhance well-being of rural population by strengthening conditions for more inclusive and sustainable growth. It aims to contribute to the revival of rural areas, promotion of balanced and inclusive multisectoral development, in light of the structural transformations that are affecting economic and social fabric of rural communities in target 4 regions of Georgia (Kakheti, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti and Guria) with sustainability of the approaches on policy and programme level interventions. The project corresponds to the specific objective of EU’s ENPARD IV call under “Component 2: Rural development” and corresponding expected results with three specific objectives contributing to the achievement of the overall objective:

Specific objective 1 is to improve rural development policy and governance system so that it can effectively develop and implement integrated rural development policies by:

Advancing institutional and technical capacities of MEPA and other competent national authorities.
Strengthening area-based and bottom-up approaches in Rural Development policy development and implementation.

Specific objective 2 is to enhance inclusive rural development by:

Addressing the needs of the population with migration background within the state programs.
Promoting new solutions for improving rural infrastructure.
Improving accessibility of public services for disadvantaged, remote and depopulated rural areas.
Empowering the rural woman.

Specific objective 3 is to improve environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources and climate action by:

institutionalized under MEPA forest Engineers skills development programme; and
introducing Renewable Energy Community concept in Georgia.

Project will (a) contribute to a successful implementation of ENPARD IV financing agreement, (b) serve as complementary support to budget support component (SRPC), and (c) support the implementation of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021-2027. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement for the support to rural development, the harmonization of environmental legislation and enforcement mechanisms, and the improved management of natural resources. Also, the project can make important contribution to the work related to the recent EU membership application submitted by Georgia.

Developing effective working partnerships with all respective stakeholders involved in ENPARD IV and other relevant rural development programmes and projects and will be essential for the successful and timely delivery of the project expected results. These partnerships will cover several players including: EUD, FAO, ENPARD implementing partners, NGOs, LAGs and GALAG, other donors, national, sub-national and local authorities through enhanced policy dialogue, planning, case-based evaluations and other bilateral coordination and exchange mechanisms, including through the ENPARD stakeholders, Inter-Agency Coordination Council (IACC) and its working groups.
Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of Economic Development Team Leader and in close cooperation with the Project’s team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of the project, including:

Management and Delivery of Project Results:

Day-to-day management through planning and implementing envisaged project activities, management of resources and monitoring progress against the intended outputs and initial quality criteria;
Oversee and monitor implementation of work plans and budgets for all activities;
Ensure conformity of results with the Project Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project;
Ensure activities are well coordinated with programme components led by other partners;
Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to management and donors against work plans and according to agreed structure;
Ensure effective governance of the project through the organization of projects’ Steering Committee meetings and preparation of technical inputs on the progress of work and risks management;
Ensure that human rights-based approach, gender empowerment, and conflict-sensitive programming are mainstreamed throughout activities design and implementation;
Provide strategic guidance and supervision to project staff as well as national and international experts/consultants in the delivery of assigned tasks/responsibilities as well as develop Terms of References;
Oversee the effective communication of results and build the visibility of the Programme amongst the government and CSOs in Georgia as well as among the international community within and outside the country;
Ensure overall accountability of the use of project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations in all programme operations;
Ensure effective implementation of Team Europe based modalities within ENPARD and support Estonian Agency for Development in implementing the mandated activities.
Ensure visibility of the project, including adherence to visibility standards and templates of the donor, UNDP and Government, as required.
Support UNDP’s efforts for resource mobilization, including in planning and costing project inputs in close consultations with Senior Management.

Policy and Technical Advisory functions to UNDP and Government Counterparts:

Provide support to the Government of Georgia in the implementation of international commitments and national strategies and programmes on the Rural development;
Provide intellectual or substantive leadership in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options at local and national levels;
Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of Government, local authorities, non-government and development partners as well as opportunities to develop national public goods;
Map on a consistent basis the rural development issues, covering the situation and strategic opportunities in the form of reports;
Identify opportunities to enhance teamwork within the project and with other UNDP projects to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support within the framework of the project;
Provide policy advice on the ongoing policy development rural development and ensure the optimal design and sequencing necessary for enhancing the existing legal framework and institutional strengthening;
Contribute to policy briefs, strategic notes, discussion papers on emerging rural development issues, for consideration by the Government and other stakeholders.

Coordination and Partnership:

Establish trustful relationships and maintain a continuous and constructive dialogue with government, civil society, local communities and donors to maximize consistency and synergy on rural development cohesion interventions and to maximize impact and results;
Cooperate with the different actors at various levels supporting their specific roles in rural development.
Identify stakeholders and partners for the undertaking of various project outputs and activities;
Develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations; local communities and the private sector to deliver the project outputs and activities, as required;
Collaborate with ongoing rural development projects and strengthen the existing initiatives;
Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project according to the agreed management arrangements;
Ensure regular communication of project results, including producing communication products and visibility materials, and liaison with media in Tajikistan and beyond.

Knowledge Management:

Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of rural development, by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with respective colleagues, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons are well disseminated;
Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices;
Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders, for project implementation;
Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learned generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products;
Constantly monitor, and ensure the highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products);
Serve as a peer reviewer, as and when required.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the Economic Development Team Leader and in close cooperation with the Project’s team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of the project. The Project Manager supervises and leads the Project Analysts and Administrative and Finance Associate for "Support to the Rural Development in Georgia (ENPARD IV)”. In addition, the Project Manager is expected to provide oversight support to other rural development related initiatives implemented by UNDP.
Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy - Effective Decision Making:
Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources;
Business Direction and 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;
Business Management - Project Management:
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;
Business Management - Results-based management:
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results;
Business Management - Partnership 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;
Business Management - Communication:
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages; and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:
Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

Experience in working with the UN is an advantage;
Previous experience in working with Government and a wide range of donors, international organizations, INGOs and experience in resource mobilization.
Demonstrated experience in working with counterparts at various levels within Government structures on projects with complex technical dimensions.
Working experience in a country of Eastern Europe or South Caucasus in fields of agriculture, rural development, local and/or regional development is an asset.
Experience in policy analysis and other research methods and tools is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, public/development policy or related fields.
Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in the development sector with programme/project management responsibilities.
In-depth knowledge of Georgian rural development sector policies and political climate.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Georgian (verbal and written) is required.

Required skills:

Good knowledge about Georgia and its development context in rural development sector in particular.
Familiarity with the ongoing economic and rural reforms and initiatives in Georgia.
Good knowledge of human rights-based approaches, gender mainstreaming, conflict-sensitive programme and result-based management.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.