The Project Management Specialist will provide analytical and operational support to the implementation of the Lead Africa Project and work under the supervision of the Inclusive growth and SDG Finance Adviser and in close collaboration with Operations.
Responsibilities:
Ensure that the Annual Work Plan (AWP), along with associated budget, HR, procurement, and overall implementation plans, are developed by the relevant technical experts in alignment with project goals;
Provide quality and timely management of the entire project life cycle, ensuring the delivery of programmatic and financial outputs in accordance with the approved project documents. All implementations must adhere to applicable UNDP policies, programme and project management rules and procedures, as well as relevant government standards and regulations;
Serve as a senior advisor on all issues related to project activities, offering strategic guidance and technical insight where needed;
Ensure the effective application of Results-Based Management (RBM) principles throughout the project planning and implementation processes, including resource planning, budget allocation, and overall resource management;
Provide strategic direction, guidance, and direct supervision to all UNDP project personnel, including consultants, responsible parties, and technical experts, to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of activities as per the project plan;
In coordination with the Project Team Lead, conduct technical reviews of all project documents prepared by the project team and implementing partners, ensuring they meet high-quality technical standards;
Establish robust mechanisms to ensure compliance with all relevant UNDP policies and frameworks, including but not limited to Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), Social and Environmental Standards (SES), Programme and Project Management (PPM), International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), Project Quality Assurance (PQA), and ensure their implementation via Quantum and Quantum+ platforms;
Ensure that gender equality and gender mainstreaming are fully integrated into all project interventions, to the extent permitted by the local context;
Conduct regular progress reporting to the Project Board, as agreed, and recommend corrective actions to address emerging challenges and capitalise on opportunities;
Oversee the execution of all administrative and operational tasks related to project implementation. This includes maintaining strong coordination with the UNDP Country Office functional units (e.g., Programme, M&E, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Supply Chain Management);
Proactively identify opportunities for synergies with other UNDP projects and initiatives from other partners, to strengthen impact and scale the project's strategic objectives.
Provide quality and timely management of the project life cycle, including meeting programmatic and financial deliverables in adherence to the project document and in compliance with UNDP programme and project management regulations and rules, policies and procedures;
With the Team Lead for the Project, undertake technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, and ensure high technical standards are met;
Establish an effective mechanism to ensure project’s compliance with UNDP policies that guide project design and implementation, including but not limited to, HACT, SES, PPM, IATI, PQA, and utilizing the specific platforms in Quantum and Quantum+ for their application;
Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed with the board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities;
Provide quality and timely management of the project life cycle, ensuring the achievement of programmatic and financial deliverables in line with approved project documents. All activities must be implemented in full compliance with UNDP policies, programme and project management regulations and rules, and relevant government standards and procedures;
Serve as a senior advisor on matters related to project implementation, providing technical and strategic guidance as required.
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
A minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management and programme management, including project formulation and partnership management.
