UNDP Jobs - 50742- Project Officer – Community Engagement and Outreac

Project Officer – Community Engagement and Outreach - Moldova Energy and Biomass Project

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

17-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

09-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

till 31 December, with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 years

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

Background

The Moldova Energy and Biomass Project, funded by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP aims to contribute to a more secure, competitive and sustainable energy production in the Republic of Moldova through targeted support to the most viable and readily available local source of renewable energy, namely biomass from agricultural wastes.

The project purpose is to increase the use of renewable energy technology significantly through fuel switching and energy efficiency. It primarily focuses on improving heating comfort levels in rural public sector buildings including schools and community centers by using biomass from agricultural wastes. The project also stimulates local markets for improved household heating; industrial cogeneration, and biomass-based briquetting, as well as raise local capacity in the biomass sector, and promote the benefits of biomass energy and the project.

After 3 years of project implementation, the project is being extended until end 2017.
The main objective of the project extension is to scale up the successful activities and extend them to other regions, specifically Transnistria, Gagauzia and Taraclia, and to support the further consolidation of the Biomass market.

The project consists of four inter-related components as follows:
Output 1. Municipal biomass heating and fuel supply markets established
This component will aim at installing at least 80 additional biomass-based municipal heating systems in Moldova, with focus on Transnistria, ATU Gagauzia, Taraclia district and small towns. The focus will be on the further development of the domestic biomass fuel market in view of ensuring sustainable supply, enhanced competition between producers, application of quality standards, and consumer protection. Integrated renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions will be piloted to demonstrate the suitability of biomass-based heating systems for small towns.

Output 2. Foundations laid for establishment of efficient household heating, industrial cogeneration and biomass briquetting markets
At least 125 households and/or small business will be supported to procure modern and efficient biomass boilers under preferential conditions. Technical and financial support will be provided for the creation of 7 new PPPs throughout the country to foster PPPs for establishing biomass-based heating services and efficient operation and maintenance of the systems. LPAs, facility managers and boiler operators will receive technical training on management of biomass heating systems.

Output 3. Capacity built for growth of biomass markets at regional and local levels
The capacity development activities will continue to be a key element of the component being tailor-made and extended to Transnistria, Gagauzia and Taraclia district, as well as small towns. Vocational education and training (VET) sector will be addressed in view of a consolidated effort to equip the Moldovan labor force in support of the emerging markets and technologies. The school education activities on renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially the Bioenergy Summer Camps, will be extended to small towns from Moldova, Taraclia district, Gagauzia and wherever feasible Transnistria.

Output 4. The opportunities and benefits of biomass energy for Moldova are well known, visibility of project results is promoted
Wide-spread awareness raising activity on the opportunities and benefits of biomass energy will be further facilitated, with a specific focus on increasing the uptake of renewable energy technologies in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district, and Transnistria region, and visibility of the partnership and impact of the action will be effectively promoted.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Community Mobilization Officer and Project Manager, the Project Officer contributes to the effective and efficient management of the Moldova Energy and Biomass project. The incumbent 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, Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO), as well as the Regional Authorities for effective achievement of results, anticipating and 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.

Summary of Key Functions:
The Project Officer for Community Engagement and Outreach will be part of the Project Management Team (PMT), under the overall supervision of the Project Manager. The main role of the Project Officer is to ensure that appropriate communities in the Transnistria region, ATU of Gagauzia and Taraclia district are identified, in which investments in municipal biomass energy systems can be made, key stakeholders from these communities are committed to the project and that development services and products of highest quality and standards are provided to national counterparts. Further the Project Officer will act as the main contact person and adviser for all other project activities in Transnistria region.

The incumbent will ensure the provision of services and products to national counterparts and clients, commensurate with the scope of the programme/project. More specifically:

Community Engagement:

Play a key role in the development of people mobilization mechanisms, selection criteria, in agreement with the rest of the PMT, for districts and communities from the above specified areas wishing to participate in the project and, based on these criteria, lead the process of selecting communities with which to work annually.
Liaise with the regional and district authorities to organise meetings with all relevant stakeholders including mayors, managers of public institutions, and local agricultural / rural entrepreneurs with the aim of ensuring local buy-in.
Assist local authorities and beneficiaries in formulating and submitting expressions of interest to implement community-based projects.
Undertake a preliminary appraisal of the expressions of interest received from communities, and prioritise interested communities for awareness-raising and capacity assessment.
Conduct field visits to the priority communities to raise awareness among key stakeholders of the opportunities and risks presented by biomass energy technologies, and to assess the capacities and needs of the priority communities with regard to biomass and/or combined biomass-solar energy project implementation.
Actively participate in the development / adjustment of project operational forms, templates and other operational documents to be used by the project and communities/partners in compliance with project implementation procedures and local legislation.
Together with the Project Engineers provide technical assistance to the targeted communities in completing the application forms, and rank the received applications for detailed evaluation.
Liaise with the Project Training and Capacity Building Officer to develop appropriately targeted training materials to match the capacities and needs identified during the community field visits; ensure timely and effective delivery of materials and trainings.
Undertake a participatory approach of appraisal of the applications received following the established and approved criteria.
Based on the capacities of communities to mobilise the necessary resources to successfully implement their respective project, provide input to the prioritisation of projects for investment.
Provide input for the preparation of bidding documents, procurement and contracting.
Assist the local authorities through all stages of community project implementation and closely monitor progress and results; closely monitor the performance of communities in fulfilling their obligations, including financial and in-kind contributions.
Facilitate exchange visits of project implementers from the Transnistria region, ATU of Gagauzia and Taraclia district to the communities with demonstrated experience in project implementation.
Together with Project Engineers closely monitor the performance of contractors, closely liaise with the Local Technical Supervisor in monitoring quality of works, and ensure timely preparation and submission of feasibility, evaluation and progress reports, project documentation and carrying out of works.
Participate in organizing community project hand over ceremonies and organization of community reporting meetings on project results.
Undertake community projects impact assessments.
During the period that the initial round of projects is at the implementation stage, solicit further applications by continuing with the above activities on an on-going basis.
Work in collaboration with the other Project Team members to develop a strategy for promoting the participation of the new regions in the Annual National AwardsMoldova EcoEnergetica , and to select winning projects. Participate in the organization of the Bioenergy summer camp in the target regions.
Support in the elaboration and implementation of a communication and awareness raising plan on use of renewables and promotion in the Transnistria region, ATU of Gagauzia and Taraclia district.

Additional Responsibilities:

Assist Senior Community Mobilization Officer and Project Manager in development of annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and assist in the close monitoring of activities and disbursements.
Assist the Business Development Officer in reaching out to the business community and institutional stakeholders in Transnistria region, advising on implementation approaches and promoting project activities.
Assist the Capacity Development and Training Officer and the Communication and Awareness Raising Officer with the implementation of project activities in Transnistria region, supporting the establishment of contacts with all relevant stakeholders and counterparts and advise on implementation approaches.
Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning.
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.
On a regular basis, update project and CO colleagues on the status of implemented activities and overall sector-specific situation in Transnistria and the ATU of Gagauzia.

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.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job. 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.
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.

Leadership and Self-Management

Strong leadership skills and proven experience in managing interdisciplinary teams.
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Civil Engineering, or other related areas.

Experience:

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level of working in community based development projects or local energy infrastructure/environmental projects.
At least 5 years of experience in technical assistance, preferably training and capacity building of the community public sector or related work for a donor organization, NGO or private sector / consulting firm.
Previous experience in implementing community development projects in close collaboration with regional and local authorities in the targeted regions, within external assistance programmes, is required.
Demonstrated experience of working in the Transnistria region and ATU of Gagauzia.
Basic technical understanding and practical experience in implementing decentralized energy supply or solar energy infrastructure projects will be an advantage.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English, Russian and Romanian is a must.
Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be 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.