Local recruitment: Project Coordinator (Iran nationals)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Téhéran, Iran 🇮🇷

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.

In I.R. Iran, UNDP has been working since 1966 to contribute to fulfil the country’s development aspirations as a partner of the Government of Iran. UNDP has also been engaging closely with other development partners, such as academic institutions and the private sector, by providing knowledge products, policy and technical assistance, and innovative development solutions, for more than 50 years. Connecting to UNDP Global network of expertise and South-South cooperation are an integral part of our work. UNDP is committed to helping Iran achieve the National Development Goals (NDP) and the Global Goals (SDG) as articulated in the Country Programme Document.

Against this backdrop, UNDP Iran is fully engaged in supporting a new development paradigm (a new normal) looking at digitalization, resilience and a more balance approach with nature in terms of economic development. The Prosperity team will design and manage projects related to socio-economic development, jobs-livelihoods, entrepreneurship, business development, social protection-poverty reduction and other related areas linked to and integrated with environment and health programming focusing on green economy, circular economy and waste management, area based development, and etc. that the Prosperity Unit will make the use of any analysis and research related to its focus areas looking at policy areas and new opportunities to integrate socio-economic development moving beyond incremental, single point solutions to initiatives that are a better fit with the scale and speed of deep systemic development problems and frontier challenges facing the I.R of Iran.

Unique environmental and geographical conditions of Islamic Republic of Iran along with periodic natural disasters, has led the arid and semi-arid lands of Iran like Sistan and Balouchestan county to encounter Scarcity of water resource imposing enormous economic, social, and environmental costs on communities. Sistan and Balouchestan is heavily dependent on agriculture with limited options and means to develop alternative livelihoods. At the same time, opportunities exist in some counties like Chabahar which can significantly reverse the socio-economic declines. These challenges demonstrate a pressing need to provide sustainable and clean water and energy solutions, including through promoting water efficient agricultural management practices for sustainable livelihoods in target communities. Consequently, the project for “Strengthening the resilience of local communities living in vulnerable situations against water stress in Chabahar area” seeks to provide sustainable and clean water and energy solutions, including through promoting water efficient agricultural management practices for sustainable livelihoods in target communities. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The NPSA holder will directly report to the Programme officer/Prosperity Unit.

Under direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the Project Coordinator will provide all required arrangements with project partners, governmental entities, stakeholders and beneficiaries for sound and effective management of the above-mentioned project implementation.

Overall day-to-day management and implementation of the project as per agreed work plans.

  • Project cycle management from initiation to its implementation, closure, facilitating its evaluation, review and documenting lessons and learning
  • Develop project work plan, monitoring plan, human resources and procurement plans
  • Oversees effective application of RBM (Results Based Management) tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, as quality assurance, ROAR (Results Oriented Annual Reporting)
  • Develop project financial and substantive reports for accuracy, compliance, and substance

Ensure project implementation is on track including through:

  • Analysis and aggregation of project results/outputs, and reporting of project progress against agreed project milestones.
  • Risk management and monitoring.
  • Provision of technical guidance through planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring the delivery of agreed project outputs and knowledge products.
  • Development and implementation of capacity building activities for the stakeholders and target groups in line with the Project Document requirements.
  • Completion of other relevant duties and tasks as required.

Monitor the project’s technical and financial progress and project timeframe including:

  • Preparation and submission of annual work plan to UNDP, MoI (Ministry of Interior) and else project partners in line with the corporate and donor requirements.
  • Preparation of overall and annual project procurement plan.
  • Development of terms of reference for technical services, consultants/experts and specifications for equipment/materials as required and in consultation with UNDP Programme officer, technical experts and Implementing Partners.
  • Assist in preparation and submission of systematic progress reports as per the agreed reporting schedule and corporate and donor requirements.
  • Ensure due documentation and records keeping for procurement, evaluations, audit, project assurance activities.
  • Review and provide feedback on the deliverables assigned to and produced by the national and international consultants and contractors in line with the agreed time and quality standards.

Coordinate meetings with Government partners, national and international consultants, contractors and stakeholders 

  • Organize regular coordination meeting across all parties to ensure synergies and integration
  • Ensure due documentation and records keeping for all discussions and agreements with project partners 
  • Ensure maximum level of collaboration with project partners

Ensure sound knowledge management and communication  

  • Preparation/update of project information page and project related information and communication materials for posting in UNDP website and social media pages as per agreed schedule
  • Development of knowledge products in line with the project requirements and agreed schedule and themes
  • Substantive contribution to the design, publication and dissemination of information and communication materials and/or knowledge products in internal and external knowledge-sharing platforms, tools and mechanisms.
  • Synthesis and documentation of project results, lessons learned, best practices and case studies drawn from the project and sharing with the relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure due preparations for and reporting at the Project Board meetings; timely follow up on Project Board decisions and recommendations

Competencies

Core competencies: 

  • Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
  • Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross Functional &Technical competencies:

Business Direction & 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
  • 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 Management    

  • Results-based Management. Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Project management    Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Working with Evidence and Data. Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
  • Monitoring. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

2030 Agenda: People    

  • Gender. Gender Issues & Analysis

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Hydrology, Water Management, Water engineering, environmental engineering or other related environmental fields is required. 
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional 2 of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 

Experience:

  • Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressively relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
  • Good understanding of project cycle management
  • Adept with complex concepts and challenges conventional knowledge and practice constructively
  • Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
  • Effective communication, analytical thinking
  • Ability to formulate ideas and concepts as well as ability to provide administrative support for project implementation
  • Familiarity with Iran context in water management field
  • Familiarity with working in international organizations, and/or government.
  • Experience of working with development projects focusing on water is a distinct advantage
  • Experience of working with the UN is an advantage but not required

Required languages:

  • Fluency in Farsi and English.
     

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.

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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POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

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