Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Operating in more than 170 countries and territories, UNDP works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to help build nations that can withstand crisis and drive sustainable development.
In Azerbaijan, UNDP has been actively engaged in supporting the country's efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing key development challenges. With a focus on areas such as environmental sustainability, governance, gender equality, and economic empowerment, UNDP strives to promote inclusive and sustainable development for all.
As Azerbaijan prepares to host the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in November 2024, UNDP plays a crucial role in providing support and assistance to ensure the successful organization and outcomes of this global event. COP29 will gather world leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change and advance global efforts towards a sustainable future.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst in the Energy and Environment Portfolio, the Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing on a day to day basis the sound and timely implementation of all technical tasks of the project at the national level. Specific responsibilities will include:
Ensure Effective Annual Work Planning, implementation and reporting:
- Preparation of all required work planning and reporting in terms of their technical content including AWP, Annual Project Progress Report, Quarterly progress updates/reports, Terminal Project report. etc.
- Preparation of technical reports in specific area of expertise (energy efficiency/climate change etc); coordination of all technical work under the project
- Technical support provided to CO; provision of technical inputs into various UNDP corporate technical documents.
Provides effective support to mobilization of technical expertise and financial resources of the project:
- Drafts TORs aligned with the project document outputs and expected results; coordinates TOR development with UNDP CO and national partners (as necessary) in terms of expected results; in coordination with UNDP CO secures ownership and participation of key national partners from line ministries in the project’s technical work
- Exercises responsibility and oversight over the hiring of knowledgeable national experts and their work, in order to implement activities and ensures quality deliverables
- Supervises the technical national consultants’ teams, provides leadership and guidance; acts as a quality assurance for all the technical deliverables
- Ensures effective team leadership by holding periodical technical staff meetings, checking progress towards delivery of technical reports, ensures quality of deliverables; facilitates national partners’ involvement and ownership over the technical knowledge products;
Responsibility over technical knowledge management products:
- Reviews, follow-ups and finalizes all technical reports, best practices, lessons learned, publications, etc. prepared by the project.
- Consolidates and analyzes country challenges, needs, current status of Paris Agreement progress implementation in the context of SDGs;
- Liaises and closely consults with the UNDP CO Programme Analyst in order to ensure that technical direction of the project implementation with the overall project document and AWP;
- Ensures provision of technical information and briefs, supports various UNDP corporate reports, briefs, inputs into policy papers, advocacy and information materials etc.
Serves as the main point of contact for communication between UNDP and other stakeholders involved in the COP process, including other UN agencies, governments, NGOs, and the public:
- Lead preparations for UNDP's participation in COP meetings, including organizing internal consultations, drafting briefing materials, and coordinating logistical arrangements for UNDP delegates. Ensure that UNDP's presence at COP meetings is well-prepared and strategically aligned with organizational objectives.
- Analyze policies, agreements, and negotiations related to climate change, biodiversity, and other environmental issues within the framework of the COP. Contribute to the development of UNDP's positions and strategies, ensuring alignment with UNDP's development goals and priorities.
- Lead preparations for UNDP's participation in COP meetings, including organizing internal consultations, drafting briefing materials, and coordinating logistical arrangements for UNDP delegates. Ensure that UNDP's presence at COP meetings is well-prepared and strategically aligned with organizational objectives.
- Actively participate in COP technical level meetings, advocating for the integration of sustainable development principles into climate change and environmental policies. Build alliances with other stakeholders to advance shared objectives and promote the role of development in addressing global challenges.
- Maintain accurate records of UNDP's engagement in COP meetings and related activities. Coordinate preparation of reports documenting key outcomes, decisions, and UNDP's contributions to COP processes. Share these reports internally and externally to enhance transparency and accountability.
- Provide guidance and support to UNDP staff members involved in COP-related activities, including capacity building on key issues, negotiation skills, and effective engagement strategies. Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and learning within UNDP to strengthen the organization's capacity to engage effectively in COP processes.
- Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities, to gather input, build partnerships, and promote inclusive and participatory approaches to addressing climate change and environmental challenges.
- Monitor progress towards COP objectives and track the implementation of decisions and commitments made at COP meetings. Evaluate the impact of UNDP's interventions and contributions to COP processes, identifying lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.
- Disseminate information about COP developments and UNDP's contributions through various channels, including publications, events, and online platforms. Engage in outreach activities to raise awareness about the importance of COP processes and UNDP's role in supporting sustainable development.
- Stay adaptable and responsive to emerging priorities, challenges, and opportunities within the COP process. Innovate and explore new approaches to enhance UNDP's effectiveness in supporting countries to address climate change and environmental issues while promoting sustainable development.
Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities:
- Responsibility for ensuring the practical tasks required to effectively implement the M&E plan are performed and that an appropriate database is established to enter, process and generate materials required to measure project progress towards indicators.
- The Project Manager will play a central role in supporting the midterm and final UNDP Independent Evaluations.
Facilitate knowledge management, events:
- Organizes and facilitates technical events at national level and supports the exchange of information/experiences during regional events, with the participation of other beneficiaries;
- Provide guidance to the E&E unit Program Advisor in organizing events, by identifying themes based on national needs/context to support the framing and design the regional dialogue agenda;
- Facilitate in developing meetings/events formats to optimize peer-to-peer learning and south-south exchange;
- Overseas logistics related activities of national NDC or other technical events (or participation of national partners in regional events) in particular ensures the participation of all the relevant key stakeholders in NDC implementation and ensures overall smooth dialogue;
- Contributes to the development of knowledge products (eg. Guidance, documents, articles, blogs etc)
- Supports the preparation of case studies and lessons learned based on technical work carried out in the country and under the project;
- Prepares and delivers presentations, briefing materials, talking points, contributions to corporate materials etc.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the overall guidance and supervision of UNDP Programme Analyst in the Energy and Environment Portfolio, the Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the project.
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
- Think Innovatively - LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
- Learn Continuously - LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
- Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
- Act with Determination - LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
- Engage and Partner - LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
People Management Competency: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross Functional and Technical competencies:
- 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 Direction and Strategy - System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
- Business Development -Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
- 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.
- Digital and Innovation- Data Analysis
- Ability to extract, analyze and visualize procurement data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.
- Procurement - Contract Management
- Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
- Procurement Management - Procurement
- The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Energy Efficiency, Construction, Environment, Climate Change, Public Administration, Management or other Social Sciences is required. OR
- A Bachelor’s degree in Energy Efficiency, Construction, Environment, Climate Change, Public Administration, Management or other social sciences in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with Master's degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of experience programme or complex projects management, preferably development projects, project coordination at the national or international level is required.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Azerbaijani is required.
- Working knowledge of Russian would be an asset.
Required skills:
- Experience in either Climate Change adaptation or mitigation.
- Experience in working with/for the Government organizations in Azerbaijan.
- Experience working with UN Agencies/UNDP and/or other international organizations.
- Experience working with the projects funded by major international environmental donor organizations, including but not limited to the GEF and GCF.
Desired skills:
- Experience in working with civil society organizations will be an asset.
- Experience in effective coordination of large, multi-stakeholder and/or multifocal area project(s) will be an asset.
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.
Disclaimer
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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This position is no longer open.
