Organizational Context

Guided by the UNDP Governance Team Leader and in close coordination with DfiD Governance Advisor as well as with the focal point in the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Project Coordinator assumes overall responsibility for the successful implementation of project activities and the achievement of planned project outputs. He/she oversees the day-to-day implementation of the project and is responsible for both organizational and substantive matters.  Further, the project officer provides technical advisory services to government counterparts as well as UNDP. The Project officer also promotes and advocates for UNDP’s global mandates and priorities related to the thematic issues. The Project officer works in close collaboration with the programme and operations teams within UNDP, to actively engage with government partners, DfiD and other key stakeholders of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Coordination and management of the project in the areas assigned;
• Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the project;
• Provision of top-quality technical and advisory services internally within UNDP CO and to the Civil Service Commission;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Team Leader of Governance and Capacity Development Unit of UNDP Ethiopia, the Project officer’s tasks and responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Take overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the project towards achieving the results/ outputs;
• Provide day to day management, coordination and supervision of the project, including the financial resources;
• Liaison with the Civil Service Commission, support the Civil service Commission in preparing annual work plans in close collaboration with UNDP and DfiD, ensure these plans are in accordance with the agreed formats, ensuring that the necessary technical support is provided to the Commission so that it delivers in accordance with its plans;
• Analyze, consolidate, edit and/or draft quarterly and annual progress/monitoring and financial reports, in close consultations with the Civil Service Commission; preparation of inputs for substantive and financial reporting, including results oriented annual reports and specific donor reporting; ensure timely and quality substantive and financial reports are provided
• Provide strategic and technical support in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, on the implementation of the project;
• Monitor progress of the project according to the agreed work plan and inform UNDP in advance of any foreseeable delays;
• Ensure proper use of project resources; and ensure that government inputs for project are available;
• Facilitate consultancy work of the project, including drafting ToRs, arrange consultations, consolidate feedbacks to reports;
• Represent the project at project meetings and annual reviews;
• Maintain close contacts with UNDP indicating foreseeable changes in the annual work plan and proposing realistic amendments and budget revisions;
• Prepare the project procurement plan, and coordinate the procurement of services and goods under the project;
• 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);
• Control and monitor project expenditures and ensure management of the resources as approved;
• Ensure timely and effective transformation of project inputs into project outputs;
• Coordinate all preparatory activities for seminars/workshops/symposiums to be held under the project, such as logistic/administrative arrangements, availability of the appropriate premises etc.;
• Assist in accelerating programmatic as well as financial delivery following UNDP’s standard operating procedures and regulations and based on agreed indicators;
• Under the guidance of the Programme Management Support Unit, ensure that the project follows financial and administrative documentation procedures in line with UNDP, and donor guidelines and Programme Implementation Manual;
• Active contribution to UNDP Ethiopia’s overall office effort on strengthening partnerships and resource mobilization.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP's Mission, vision and values and that of the respective Implementing Partner;
• Display Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Function Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Sharing:

• Document and share knowledge and experience;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning;
• Act on learning plan and applies newly acquired skill;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Good Knowledge of Result Management Guide and Toolkit and perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Result Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems; Strong analytical abilities, particularly in the areas of public sector governance, capacity development and knowledge transfer;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in public sector reform, and governance dynamics in the country

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Good sense of teamwork, inter-personal and conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong and harmonious relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in public administration, development studies, management, economics or other related social science fields.

Experience:

• At least 4 years of relevant experience (six years with first Degree) in programme/project management preferably in civil service reform programme/projects;
• Experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation and coordination; in providing management advisory services;
• Practical experience in in design, monitoring and evaluation of capacity building projects;
• Eexperience in co-operation with government entities and development partners;
• Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in governance programmes and/or projects;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software package (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• International level experience in managing and coordinating such project and public sector is an advantage.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English and Amharic.