Project Specialist (Coordinator) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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 ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is a capacity building program that aims to build the profile, and improve the management, of Development Minerals (industrial minerals; construction materials; dimension stones; and semi-precious stones) implemented since 2015, with the current, second phase implemented since November 2019. The program is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Commission and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP. The mining of Development Minerals has important implications for sustainable development, however, they have not to date received adequate attention for their potential to impact livelihoods and few development programmes have provided support for this mining sub-sector. Often referred to as Low Value Minerals and Materials (LVMM) due to their low price as a function of their weight, and their relatively low value to international commodity markets, Development Minerals provide crucial inputs for domestic economic development (infrastructure, manufacturing, construction and agriculture to name a few) and have the potential to be high value in terms of domestic development  and have the potential to generate more local jobs, with a greater impact on poverty reduction. The sector, however, commonly operates in an uncertain legal and regulatory environment, with a lack of publicly available and easily accessible geological data, which exacerbates wasteful exploration and discourages investment in the sector. Furthermore, the weak or often non-existent technical extension services such as skills training, capacity building, access to technology, finance, appropriate equipment, investment information and markets, contributes to the neglect of the sector.

Programme Implementation and Management

The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme builds the capacity of key stakeholders in the sector, including public stakeholders such as regulatory agencies and local governments; private stakeholders such as small-scale mining enterprises, intermediaries, transportation and logistics service providers, construction companies; business development stakeholders such as mining and quarrying associations, chambers of mines, training centres, universities, consulting companies; and social stakeholders such as civil society organizations and community groups.

At the global level, the programme supports knowledge sharing for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. At the continental level, the programme supports the African Union Commission’s African Minerals Development Centre. At the country level, the programme is implemented in ten focus countries: Cameroon and the Republic of Congo (Central Africa); Uganda and Tanzania (East Africa); Zambia (Southern Africa); Guinea Conakry and Burkina Faso (West Africa); Jamaica and Suriname (Caribbean); and Fiji (Pacific).

Training and support is provided in the following thematic areas of importance to the sector:

• Formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining
• Mine and quarry management;
• Environment, health and safety;
• Entrepreneurship skills;
• Market analysis and investment promotion;
• Geo-data and maps design;
• Community relations and addressing grievances.

Activities and support at the country-level include:

• Training and capacity building workshops;
• Small grants and partnership building to upgrade value chains;
• Studies, sector capacity assessments, and capacity development roadmaps;
• Organization of public-private dialogues;
• Production of maps and databases;
• Strengthening of regulations on environment, health and safety;
• Organizing community engagement meetings and dialogues to address grievances;
• Organization of technology fairs and networking events.

The Project Specialist (Coordinator) will be employed to support the implementation of activities at the country level. The Project Specialist (Coordinator) will be contracted by UNDP and will work closely with relevant government agencies, institutions and non-governmental organisations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Head of Inclusive Growth Unit and reporting to the Programme Manager of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (UNDP-Brussels); the Project Specialist (Coordinator) will have the following responsibilities:

Summary of key Functions

The Project Specialist (Coordinator) will provide technical, policy, programmatic, operations, knowledge management and partnerships support in the focus country as follows:

Technical and operational support:

• Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of country-level activities for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme;
• Responsible for country-level oversight and quality assurance of programmatic activities;
• Support the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme team in delivering training and capacity building activities;
• Ensure implementation and scaling up of business development through promotion of inclusive procurement in mining value chains in Zambia.

Policy and Programme management:

• Provide support in the identification, development and design of country-level studies, sector capacity assessments, and capacity development roadmaps;
• Provide support in organizing country-level policy dialogues aimed at strengthening regulations on environment, health and safety as well as public-private dialogues to strengthen value chains;
• Provide support in organizing community dialogues to address conflicts related to the mining of Development Minerals;
• Monitor the quality of small grant proposals and projects with in-country partners and ensure reporting;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a joint UN mining      programme in Zambia in the context of African mining Vision and the Responsible Mining Development Initiative through coordination of partners and stakeholders such as UN agencies, Government, Chamber of Mines  and others;
• Provide support to the country office with building and strengthening strategic partnerships in mining.

Knowledge management and Partnerships support:

• Provide support to the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme’s knowledge management networks and portal, including by convening online training participant alumni activities;
• Assist in the drafting of training/workshop proceedings, lessons learned and emerging best practices reports, annual progress reports and other knowledge products;
• Provide support to the  ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme team in building strategic alliances and partnerships at the country level on the programme’s thematic focus areas;
• Take the lead in organizing technology fairs and networking events at the country-level.

Impact of Results

Country level processes and guidelines are in place to ensure effective implementation of country level initiatives for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme;

Synergies between training and other in-country activities are realized due to effective knowledge management and knowledge sharing;

In country programme activities are effectively implemented monitored and reported.

Institutional arrangement:

The Project Specialist(Coordinator) will work under the direct supervision of Head of Inclusive Growth Unit and report to the Programme Manager of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (UNDP-Brussels).

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.

Technical and Cross-functional Competencies:

Required Skills and Experience

Business Direction and Strategy

Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;

• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritize plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.

• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP.

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 judgements and quick decisions within such framework.

Business Management

Partnerships 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.

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.

• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Partnership management: Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

2030 Agenda: People Gender: Gender analysis and issues

• Gender mainstreaming
• Gender and institutional development

Education:

• Master’s degree the followinnatural resource management, business administration, mining and other relevant fields from a recognized educational institution;
• Bachelor’s degree in the same fields, in combination with two (2) additional years of experience, is accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (Master’s degree) or 9 years (Bachelor’s degree) relevant professional experience is required;
• Experience in the implementation of programmes/projects on sustainable development, extractive industries, natural resource management, value chain development and/or small-scale mining is desired;
• Experience in developing programmes/projects;
• Experience working with government institutions dealing with mining/natural resources;
• Experience in communications and knowledge management is desired;
• Field experience is desired;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, achieving results;
• Ability to work well in teams;
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills;
• Capable of managing several tasks simultaneously;
• Knowledge of and ability to apply programme management methodologies, standards and tools;
• Knowledge in the field of sustainable development, extractive industries (particularly small-scale mining), natural resources and value chain development;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building networks and partnerships;
• Very strong analytical and writing abilities;
• Knowledge of the ability to apply UNDP and EU rules and regulations is an asset.

Disclaimer