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.
Economic diversification in Equatorial Guinea is vital for long-term economic growth and job creation in the low-carbon transition, particularly for MSMEs, since they rely highly on large buyers, particularly international oil companies. To address these challenges in Equatorial Guinea, aย 4 year Linkage Project from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) funded by theย Middle-Income Country Technical Assistance Fund (MICTAF) and by theย Fund for African Private Sector Assistanceย (FAPA) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the government of Equatorial Guinea,ย targeting the MSME sector will be part of an effective local content intervention to provide a range of technical assistance (TA) and advisory services (AS) to improve:
The Business Enabling Environment (BEE) to reduce the bottlenecks of doing business and increase the FIโs offering of better MSMEs products. The capacities of supporting Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to revamp MSME's third-party services provisions.ย The capabilities of the MSMEs to increase the offering of high-quality services and goods following international quality standards, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in agriculture, fisheries, transport/logistics, and tourism, including access to export market (regional and global). Access to finance through local commercial banks. The value of contracts (access to markets) through business-to-business (B2B), Access to finance (A2F), and government-to-business (G2B) initiatives, with the final aim to create jobs, particularly for the youth and women.ยThe project is aligned with the objectives of the National Plan for Sustainable Development 2035 (PNDES[1]), which aims at: a) Poverty eradication, b) Social inclusion and sustainable peace, c) Production, productivity and industrialization and d) Social inclusion and sustainable peace. PNDES prioritizes the following sectors: agribusiness and fishing; mineral resources and hydrocarbons; industry and energy; tourism and hospitality; logistics, transportation, telecommunications, and technology; and financial services, consulting, and auditing. PNDES is aligned to the Agenda 2035, and it implemented through the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (2020-2025) and Support for the Economic Diversification Program (PRODECO).
The main objective of this assignment is to ensure the correct implementation of the Project activities, the effective coordination of the various interactions and transactions between the Project Implementation Team, the project beneficiaries, the UNDP, the AfDB, the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and other stakeholders, and ensure compliance with all terms and provisions of the Financing Agreement.
Functions and Responsibilities
The assignment is focused on the following functions:ย
Establishment and management of an effective operating framework for the Project, including a strategy/ planning process and a robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system (based on UNDP /AfDB requirements). Plan, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of Project activities. Provision of leadership, technical advice and assistance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), UNDP/AfDB, and other relevant government officials to ensure timely execution of planned activities toward the achievement of the project development objectives, including fulfillment of the project outputs and outcomes. Supervision and assessment of the Project Implementation contractors/ staff performance to ensure effective and timely implementation of the project.ยDUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the eestablishment and management of the project Oversight Committee (POC) and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).ย He/she shall render the following services:
Plan, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of Project activities.ย He/she shall render the following services:
Plan, ccoordinate and monitor consultantsโ activities to ensure timely submission of quality deliverables while maintaining good communication with and between the consultants and beneficiaries to achieve the project objectives, outputs, and outcomes. Coordinate, advise, and provide on-the-job training to PIU staff and UNDP throughout project implementation. The Project Coordinator must ensure adequate guidance is provided and that knowledge is transferred correctly to PIU staff and UNDP throughout the Technical Assistance implementation process to carry out their daily activities efficiently and on time.ย Liaise and coordinate with the beneficiaries and donors, gathering information from the relevant ministries and other key stakeholders, especially those in charge of local content development, to avoid overlapping activities. Undertake any activities and/or reviews related to the project whenever required or requested. Monitor the special account spending and timely submission of justifications per the relevant guidelines. Provide the necessary project data in the various platforms as required by the Institution and Ensure the transfer of knowledge to Project beneficiaries.Provision of leadership, technical advice and assistance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), UNDP/AfDB, and other relevant government officials to ensure timely execution of planned activities toward the achievement of the project development objectives, including fulfillment of the project outputs and outcomes.ย He/she shall render the following services:
Refine the Project objectives and develop the detailed project scope, activities, and deliverables, including the logic framework and project indicators baseline.ย Revise the project schedule, procurement needs, and work plan and ensure that agreed deadlines and technical assistance (TA) activities are implemented in compliance with the project development objectives toward achieving the project outcomes and outputs as stated in TAR (Technical Assistance Request). Coordinate and prepare quarterly project reports, including the project's financial budget execution.ย Coordinate with the procurement specialist to procure the various advisory services and training, from TORs to tender evaluation and contract negotiations, and monitor the deliverables accordingly. Review all reports and documents produced by the PIU staff and various consultants to conduct quality checks before transmitting them to UNDP /AfDB. Review evaluation reports throughout procurement processes to ensure compliance with the UNDP guidelines before transmission to AfDB. Advise on and conduct contract negotiations per the relevant guidelines.Supervision and assessment of the Project Implementation contractors/ staff performance to ensure effective and timely implementation of the project.ย He/she shall render the following services:
Oversee and assess the Project Team staff work plan, quality, and effectiveness. Act as project focal person for project issues and communicate with all stakeholders. He / she will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the PIU and coordinating all Project activities, Provide the necessary institutional support to UNDP/AfDB in all phases of the project and improve the institutional capacity to facilitate the delivery of future SME development projects and Regularly present the status and results of the project to the key stakeholders, including the presentation of financial reports.ย Act as project ambassador, liaising and engaging at a high level regularly with all project stakeholders (Public entities, oil & gas operators/ prime contractors, private sector, donors, and others) to establish and ensure continued support and alignment with the Project; and Ensure continued alignment between AfDB/ UNDP mandates, objectives, and activities and those of the Project.ยInstitutional Arrangement
The Project Coordinator will report directly to the UNDP and to the AfDB task managers and will work with other government and sector players involved in the planning and implementation of activities under the Project. The project coordinator will be responsible for preparing project implementation plans and reports on the implementation and monitoring and follow-up of the project. More specifically, it is expected to prepare:ย
Grant beneficiary quarterly reports (BQRs), with data desegregated to AfDB/MICTAF/FAPA teams and the portfolio management division of the Bank. Project Supervision Report (PSR), Implementation Progress Report (IPR), and Project Completion Report (PCR) to provide an overview of project implementation and results, a profile of established business linkages, and a proposal for the projectโs sustainability. ยAny other reports requested by UNDP, the African Development Bank, and the Government
Competenciesย Core 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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย Act with Determination:ย 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 discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)ย Thematic Area Name Definition 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 communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Businessย Management Projectย Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management 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 Business Management