Project Coordinator at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

JOB TITLE: Project Coordinator

JOB LOCATION: Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Job Description

BackgroundUNDP 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. 

The Philippines is recognized as a high user of online services: an estimated 67 million Filipinos use Facebook. Yet 59% of the population and 72% of all households’ lack access to the internet. The Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project, otherwise known as Pipol Konek, was implemented starting June 2016. Pipol Konek aims to provide free broadband Internet access to public places across the country. The target beneficiary sites of Pipol Konek is 13,024 by December 2018. As of August 2018, a total of 3,509 sites have already been installed, with 1,592 live sites and 1,689 sites with access points installed but awaiting telco links.

On August 2, 2017, Republic Act No. 10929 otherwise known as the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act of 2017 was enacted, which mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the lead implementing agency that will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of said Act. Under said law, the Free Public Internet Access Program was created that shall provide free access to internet service in public places throughout the country such as the national and local government offices; public basic education institutions; state universities and colleges, and TESDA technology institutions; public hospitals, health centers and rural health units; public parks, plazas, libraries, and barangay reading centers; public airports and seaports; and public transport terminals.

 The vision is to reach 100,000 sites by 2022. However, challenges in the implementation process, limited access to cost-effective and up-to-date technology options, as well as limited capacity of Philippine telecommunications companies at the local level have slowed progress towards this goal.  Working closely with the DICT, UNDP shall support the provision of free public internet services in select sites through the DICT-UNDP Free Wi-Fi For All Project, and contribute to the National Program on Free Public Internet Access to close the digital divide in the Philippines.

UNDP is seeking the services of a Project Coordinator who will provide technical support and lead, coordinate, and monitor the effective implementation of the DICT-UNDP FWFA. Project; and ensure effective implementation of the project following UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).Duties and Responsibilities:Under the supervision of the Team Leader, Institutions and Partnerships Programme, the Project Coordinator shall manage a lean project management team composed of technical, monitoring and evaluation and administrative staffs. S/he shall:  

1. Ensure strategic management of the project, including the financial and administrative management for the delivery of the project’s activities focusing on achievement of the following results:
   • Lead the preparation and updating of the program’s project document, detailed annual work plan, procurement plan and M&E plan, and transition of implementation modality;
   • Ensure the effective, efficient and timely implementation of project workplan;
   • Ensure delivery of outputs and contribution to outcomes through an effective implementation plan and close coordination with DICT and UNDP management and technical teams;
   • With the Project Staff, provide quality and timely financial reports, as per UNDP financial rules and regulations and DICT requirements;
   • Lead the project procurement, subcontracting and outsourcing of services;
   • Draft terms of reference and support recruitment and management of a team of national and international consultants and subject matter experts;
   • Manage project funds, maintain financial integrity, and ensure effective use of program resources;
   • Overall management of the initiative and technical inputs in the continuous implementation of the program under the overall guidance and advisory support of UNDP Senior Management and the Project Board;
   • Oversee the conduct of an assessment of technology options and digital solutions, both national and international, that would be appropriate to meet the ICT requirements of the project; and
   • Monitor and update Atlas project reports and activities, including but not limited to e-requisition for and receipt of Purchase Orders, non-PO payments and transactions, prepayments, receipt of goods, services and works, project narrative and financial reports.
2. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of UNDP focusing on achievement of the following results:
   • Build and maintain an effective relationship with DICT, other key partners and stakeholders;
   • Convene the Project Board Meeting regularly and as needed;
   • Develop and finalize Memorandum of Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, or other relevant legal instruments with relevant entities;
   • Promote coordination, dialogue, and good practice knowledge sharing among stakeholders;
   • Ensure effective collaboration with the UN and other development partners;
   • Management, certification and reporting on financial disbursement based on approved work plan and payment schedule; and
   • Project advocacy and visibility and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
3. Efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on achievement of the following results:
   • Ensure the implementation of the communications and advocacy plan for the project;
   • Establish suitable monitoring mechanisms and undertake regular monitoring and reporting on project progress, risks and constraints; updates the implementation plan as required;
   • Regularly reviews the Atlas project reports, ensuring that revenue, commitments, expenses, and disbursements are complete and accurate, and detecting erroneous or unauthorized charges;
   • Promote accountability through effective programme results reporting (monthly, quarter, and annual progress and financial reports), to the UNDP, DICT and the Project Board;
   • Lead effective resource mobilization and utilization, and partner and supplier management, to enable timely and high-impact delivery and effective advocacy;
   • Effectively contribute to sharing competencies and expertise across projects, teams and peers;
   • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in project;
   • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; and
   • Formulation of concept notes and ideas for continuity and sustainability beyond the project life.
4. Perform other duties and tasks as maybe requested by the Supervisor and as demanded by the post.

The Project Coordinator shall work closely with the Programme Analyst, Institutions and Partnerships Peogramme Team and report directly to the Team Leader Institutions and Partnerships Programme, under the overall guidance of UNDP Senior Management. Regular reporting to the DICT Management, through the Project Board, shall also be ensured.Competencies:Core:

• achieve results
• think innovatively
• act with determination
• engage and partner

Technical/Functional:

• project Management
• monitoring and Evaluation
• sustainable Development Goals
• knowledge Management
• collaboration and Partnership

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Information Management, Information and Communication Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration,  or related field, with at least five (5) years of relevant project management experience.
• A first-level university degree in combination with at least seven (7) years of relevant project management experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in complex project management, both in financial management (preparation of budgets and reports, procurement) and results management (monitoring, evaluation, and reporting), with a multilateral organization, or government agencies;
• Minimum of three (3) ongoing or completed complex projects related to information communication and technology (ICT) works i.e. system development, service digitalization and delivery, etc

Language requirement: 

• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Filipino

Note: this position is open for Filipino nationals only.

Disclaimer: Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents.

UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.  

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications. 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. 

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