National Project Coordinator

Background

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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.

With an observed temperature increase of 2.1°C over the past 70 years, Mongolia is among the countries most impacted by climate change. Mongolia is particularly vulnerable to climate change, resulting in degradation of pastoral land and biodiversity habitat, increased risk of disaster such as winter “dzud”, and loss of livestock due to the harsh winter condition and deteriorated pasture quality, among other adverse effects. This has resulted in heavy migration to its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, which became the most polluted city due to the expansion of its ger district. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, has undergone rapid urban expansion, nearly tripling its population since 1990 to reach above 1,6 million residents , which cannot be accommodated by the existing infrastructure as the city was originally designed for 500,000 residents.

With a two phased approach, the project will support 50 women headed households from the ger district of Ulaanbaatar with procurement and installation of electric heater, photovoltaic equipment for heating purposes to ensure healthy living condition with a clean indoor air quality for least advantaged households. This will also give opportunities for women to focus on activities other than tending to coal-fired stoves.

By investing in energy infrastructure, Mongolia can accelerate its development and generate substantial health, economic, social, and environmental benefits,gender equality related.

This project will promote a solution to introduce renewable energy based heating linked to market based incentive, along with chances for women to excercize community leadership and behaviour change. To ensure that the environment for Mongolia carbon market is in place, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will be supported to develop national carbon market regulatory framework. UNDP Acceleration Lab will run experiment to explore the role that women can have in managing of this climate induced health crisis but also empowers them to take the lead in transformative initiatives within their communities.

The objective of the project: To enhance community resilience in Mongolian sub-urban communities facing climate change induced health impacts and costs associated with air pollution, while simultaneously addressing gender inequalities and biases, by actively engaging and empowering women as key stakeholders in climate-resilient practices, inclusive leadership, and crisis prevention processes.

Output 1: Infrastructure development: Reducing the conventional coal burning techniques, by switching them to a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy will help improve living conditions in the ger district. The project will introduce solar photovoltaic (PV) and heat storage systems to shift households in ger communities away from coal toward renewables, improving air quality. Use of monitoring and evaluation techniques: standardized and reliable monitoring systems will be used to collect real time data which will verify emission reduction and credibility of the carbon offset program. Grid Reliance will be reduced as a result of the installation of the cleantech solution which will ensure less dependence from the overloaded electricity grid capacity.

Output 2: Increased community awareness and engagement, especially women empowerment: Engaging ger communities ensures their ownership of the change process. Swift transition through innovative technologies motivates households to adopt cleaner alternatives, reducing air pollution’s health impact. Educational ( Behavioral shift) initiatives encourage cleaner energy adoption, emphasising health and environmental benefits.

Output 3: National Carbon market mechanism will be developed so that the carbon trade system will be officially applied for similar type of infrastructure projects. The development of a national carbon market regulatory framework by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will set the basis for widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions and catalyze a low-carbon energy transition in Mongolia.

Key stakeholders of the project are: Ministry of Environment and Tourism, City of Ulaanbaatar, UNDP CO.

UNDP Mongolia CO is seeking a highly experienced individual to work as the National Project Coordinator (NPC) with responsibility to engage, facilitate, and provide professional support to the implementation of the project . Working in close coordination between UNDP and City Governor’s Office, the NPC plays a central role in ensuring the coordination between the stakeholders and responsible parties to the project.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator works under the general supervision of the Programme Analyst and collaborates closely with Programme Support Unit. The incumbent works with the project experts, technical experts, engineers, and counterparts of the Government beneficiary institution(s), as well as engages with other national institutions, ger district communities, Non governmental organizations, and other relevant actors.

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation.

• Develop project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines.
• Coordinate / manage the day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards.
• Facilitate establishment of interactive and inclusive platforms for project implementation and collaborate with other programme units and project teams to ensure integration of critical development issues in the project activities and expected project outputs.
• Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.
• Ensure operational management of assigned portfolio including through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure (as relevant), effective management of human, technical and financial resources, etc.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication

• 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 portfolio.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on 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.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

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 establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, 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.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• 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

People Management

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

Cross-functional & Technical Competencies

Business direction and strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized 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 in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
• Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business development

• Knowledge Facilitation : Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
• UNDP Representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies

Business management: 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

External Relations & Advocacy

• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
• Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Engineering design, energy, Climate change and other related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in public, private or third sector institutions with a special focus on coordination and articulation of different actors, preparation and implementation of multi-stakeholder work plans, resource mobilization, preparation of proposals for climate actions, project monitoring, evaluation, and management;
• Proven previous experience in Design and Engineering solutions, Renewable energy and energy efficient products;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge on climate change and air pollution is a requirement;
• Excellent understanding of Mongolian government’s climate change and environmental policies and general procedures;
• Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and others;
• Experience and relevant skills in the use of the Office suite (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.);
• Managing complex projects involving sustainable use of natural resources, engineering solutions for adaptation and mitigation of climate change;
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with international development agencies including but not limited to UN agencies;
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Zero tolerance for any harassment, i.e. any offensive behaviour, words and actions, including sexual and psychological harassment, bullying, etc

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English and Mongolian is required.

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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