Background

The overall objective of the Support to Confidence Building Measures Programme is to contribute to an environment of trust and cooperation across the Nistru/Dniestr River by generating new perspectives on shared interests and a shared future for people from both banks of the river while responding to their pressing development needs.

Specific objectives (outputs):
Output 1 (Business development and employment opportunities):
Increased cross-river cooperation of economic actors leading to improved employment opportunities and livelihoods across the Nistru/Dniestr River.

Output 2 (Empowered communities and infrastructure support):
Empowered local communities and actors from both sides to participate in collaborative projects addressing pressing development needs and improving critical community infrastructure.

The programme will represent a framework for engaging in development interventions across the security zone on both sides of the Nistru/Dniestr River, comprising a series of activities that will strengthen, regularize and intensify interaction between otherwise divided societies, aiming to establish this interaction as a norm.

The programme looks to deal strategically with barriers to cooperation experienced by all development cooperation actors working in Transnistria region of Moldova by building the trust towards such actions and broadening opportunities for engagement for a wide range of actors. Additionally, it will provide support for improving critical community infrastructure, in line with agreements reached during the working groups and broader negotiation process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent contributes to an effective and efficient implementation of the confidence building project component related to business development activities, through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Officer applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Officer works in close collaboration with the Project team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Project Officer (Business Development) in close cooperation with the project team, under the direct guidance and supervision of the Business Component Project Manager, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the Programme) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. More specifically:

• Ensure practical coordination of assigned areas of project activities in order to meet expected results. Contribute to the annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year end outputs. Ensure close monitoring of activities and disbursements;
• Ensure the implementation of the support to confidence building projects in the field of business development and cooperation, and provide necessary support to implementing partners;
• Support project development and formulation. Design, plan and monitor sub-projects. Ensure the high quality of the concept papers, terms of references, proposal outlines and agreements in close cooperation with service providers and/or grant recipients;
• Establish monitoring and evaluation systems. Establish a system of progress review with each of the implementing partners;
• Ensure timely submission of financial and activity reports by implementing partners, and ensure harmonized reporting by recipients on key performance indicators;
• Advise service providers and/or grant recipients on strategies to facilitate results-based implementation of project activities, and ensure constant feedback on quality of their implementation, suggesting corrective measures as necessary;
• Support the selection, capacity assessment, contracting, monitoring, evaluation and audit of recipients, ensuring compliance with UNDP regulations;
• Contribute to the preparation of qualitative work plans and financial progress reports as may be required by the Project Manager. Provide close support for the preparation of procurement/contracting and financial delivery reports for UNDP management. Timely submit the above mentioned deliverables;
• Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels;
• Maintain close coordination with assigned project partners, helping at ensuring synergies and avoiding overlaps in project implementation.

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Support to Confidence Building Measures Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values.
• Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives
• Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting
• Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
• Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document.
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities.
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.
• Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy
• Extensive experience in working with a multidisciplinary team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in economics, business administration, development studies, international relations, or other areas relevant to the position.
• Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Experience:    

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience is required at the national or international level in areas related to business development, small and medium enterprises and civil society organizations support, job creation and/or business cooperation development;
• Experience of work in/with the Transnistria region and a good understanding of related issues is a very strong advantage.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization and/or in programmes financed by the European Union, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a very strong advantage.
• 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.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.
Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed Personal History Form (P11) as attachment instead of CV/resume.
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.