Project Manager - Climate Resilience Programme

Project Description 

Pakistan currently faces serious development challenges due to the severe impact of unfettered climate change worsening the state of the environment and increasing pressure on its society, economy and natural resources. As per the Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan ranks as the 8th most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change. The annual mean temperature has increased by 0.5°C over the last five decades, leading to changes in the pattern of precipitation, an increase in glacial melting, rising sea levels and high intensity of flash floods and droughts. The variability in climate and weather patterns has increased the intensity and frequency of disasters which has drastically undermined development in the country. Pakistan’s society and economy remain highly vulnerable to future threats posed by climate change, therefore, making holistic multi-sectoral mitigation and adaptation measures the highest priority to manage these threats. 

Pakistan is also the fifth-most populous country in the world, with a population of over 220 million people that is growing at a rate of 2% annually (2020) while women make up nearly half of this number (48.54%). With 37% of its population living in urban centres, an urbanization rate of 2.7%, and a rapidly growing domestic market for plastics (growing at 15% per annum) the output of waste is immense. Especially in urban centres like Karachi and Lahore, the output of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) recorded is upwards of 12,000-16,000 and 7,000 tonnes daily MSW, respectively (2021). The average waste generation ranges between 0.3- 0.55kg/person/day.

UNDP is supporting projects across the region in Pakistan to respond to the growing threat of climate change; to mainstream environmental concerns into national development planning processes; and to expand access to environmental and energy services for the poor. In particular, UNDP has sought to ensure that the poor have stronger capacities to manage, adapt to and monitor climate change.

Resilience, Environment and Climate Change Unit (RECCU) is supporting projects across the country to respond to the growing threat of climate change, to mainstream environmental concerns into national development planning processes, and to expand access to environmental and energy services for the poor. In particular, UNDP has sought to ensure that the poor have stronger capacities to manage, adapt, and monitor climate change. Climate Change is a huge development challenge as well as a huge environmental challenge. It is a growing problem and is now hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable first and hardest.

Under its Climate Resilience Programme (CRP), UNDP aims to improve the cooperation and resilience of local and regional stakeholders to the threats and risks posed by climate change through capacity building, sustainable interventions, inclusive and equitable development, strengthened partnerships and community mobilization and awareness. The proposed project will provide assistance and support to the Government of Pakistan and its partners in the field of environmental sustainability and increased resilience to climate change at the national, provincial and local levels. The CRP aims to not only provide technical assistance to government counterparts for the effective implementation of climate change policies, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), NAP and SDGs targets and compliance with international conventions but will also contribute to enhancing the resilience of institutions and communities through the implementation of various mitigation and adaptation initiatives. 

The CRP will serve as an umbrella to park some of the bilateral funding generated through this project under multiple thematic areas under Climate Change. The CRP will also create opportunities for advocacy and to promote awareness and regional cooperation on climate action, especially with local communities and partners by building capacities of key stakeholders in the sustainable management of vital resources and key NDC sectors, i.e., Energy, Water, Agriculture, Forestry and other Land-use, Biodiversity, Protected Areas etc. The programme is aligned with the priorities outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions, National Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Plan, Long Term Vision (LTV) Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2025 Pillar IV: Energy, Water and Food Security, Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and importantly, the Country Programme Document for Pakistan 2023-2027. Moreover, the project will mainly implement supporting MoCC&EC on the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) while serving as the NPAP secretariat to catalyze collective action in Pakistan to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives. 

The Project Manager will play a pivotal role in leading the partnership's initiatives, engaging stakeholders, and implementing strategies that align with national and global NDC and LT LEDS commitment alongside the sustainability goals. The Project Manager will directly report to Programme Analyst, Resilience, Environment and Climate Change with overall supervision to the Assistant Resident Representative, RECCU. The project manager will supervise various roles under this position.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will directly report to the Programme Analyst, Resilience, Environment and Climate Change under overall supervision to the Assistant Resident Representative, RECCU. The project manager will supervise various roles under this position.
 

Scope of work

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic leadership and partnership development 

• Develop and refine NDC implementation strategy at the organisational level and carry out liaison with the government in generating resources through various thematic interventions. 
• Discuss with the govt and deploy a plan for NPAP implementation in Pakistan and engage relevant stakeholders. 
• Facilitate the process of NDC 3.0 and its alignment with LT-LEDS (Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy) and ensure further engagement with other development partners including UN agencies for a coordinated approach at the UNCT level. 
• Identify and prioritize key areas for action related to NDC, LT LEDS, plastic waste reduction, solid waste management and its implementation.
• Organize workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance stakeholder knowledge and skills related to climate resilience and plastic waste management.

Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues to promote shared understanding and commitment towards plastic reduction and climate resilience.

• Actively participate in UNDP in relevant national and international forums, advocating for policies and practices that support effective NDC and LT LEDS implementation, sustainable plastic management, climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Support UNDP’s representation in various forums, workshops and conferences for partnership building and resource mobilisation.
• Establish and maintain proper coordination with the Government stakeholders at the Federal and Provincial levels.
• Coordinate with multilateral and bilateral development partners, private sector and civil society organisations.
• Coordinate with the UN and other stakeholders on NDC and NPAP implementation plans and other related activities and deliverables as assigned.

Project Development and Management.

• Lead the design and implementation of projects that address NDCs, and plastic waste issues, ensuring they are data-driven and evidence-based.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and impact, making adjustments as needed.
• Lead development of project annual work plans, budgets, procurement and recruitment plans in consultation with UNDP programme and operations teams.
• Contribute to the development of terms of reference and tender documents for procurement of goods, services and works required for the delivery of project results.
• Establish a robust oversight, monitoring and evaluation system for the project and ensure compliance in terms of UNDP CO MSU requirements accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with UNDP programme and operations policies and procedures.
• Report to the Project Board on a periodic basis and ensure the overall direction and integrity of the project
• Provide direction and guidance to the Project Team

Establish partnerships and strengthen communication and advocacy 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolios.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement under CRP and NPAP. 
• Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. 
• Make recommendations to the activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
• Develop and implement a communication strategy to raise awareness of climate change, NDCs, NAP, LT LEDS, and plastic issues, and promote climate resilience initiatives.
• Prepare reports, policy briefs, and other materials to support advocacy efforts.
• Analyses and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, active contribution to the UNDP efforts in implementation of the Project`s resources mobilization strategies;
• Assess the performance of the project team and ensure annual performance appraisals as per the UNDP policy;

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned portfolio. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting.
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites.
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity-building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project-related issues. Support the establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, and facilitate
• innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

• 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.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

• Business Direction & 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 groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • 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.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: 
    • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. 
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
    • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. 
    • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
       
• 2030 Agenda: Planet 
  • Climate: Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans.

• Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, climate change, social sciences, developmental studies or related area or related field is required. Or
• A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above,  in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in designing, implementation and development of new climate and environment focused projects.

Required skills 

• Experience in managing large-scale projects on environment and climate change is required
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience with Climate change adaptation and circular economy-related project planning, oversight, monitoring, and reporting for projects/programmes is desired 
• Familiarity with plastic waste management issues and solutions and experience in developing circular economy models and their implementation is an asset
• Field experience of engagement with the communities, private sector, government and relevant stakeholders will be given preference 
• Experience in providing policy and/or programme advice and leading policy dialogues is desired.
• Experience in team management, negotiation and conflict management is desired.

Required Language