Background
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.ย
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.ย
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam
UNDP multi-country office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society.ย
In Malaysia, guided by the five-year Malaysia Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDPโs programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between the Government of Malaysia. While currently Malaysia is at the end of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP) implementation, UNDPโs support to the Government of Malaysia continues with the implementation of the upcoming Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP). Aligned with the Ekonomi MADANI, the 13MP emphasized the importance of policy execution to a better Malaysia for all with efforts to Raise the ceiling via measures to accelerate growth and development and Raise the floor via measures to ensure equity and a better quality of life.ย
Inclusive Growth and Prosperity (IGP)
Inclusive Growth and Prosperity (IGP) Programme of the UNDP Malaysia Country Office will support Malaysiaโs aspirations of inclusive, just and sustainable growth by strengthening the national policies to be responsive to the emerging megatrends and changing demographics while being resilient facing the global uncertainties. Additionally, the IGP Programme works to support the achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Currently, the IGP Programme focuses on supporting to address multidimensional poverty, reducing disparities through social protection and inclusive policies such as the care economy and equitable employment for people with disabilities, and strengthening policies for the Indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia.ย
In this context, IGP Programme is hiring a Project Coordinator based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, directly manage funds allocated and day-to-day activities for project implementation at the country level. The Project Coordinator reports to the Head of the Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Programme Unit and expected to work closely with the projectโ Implementing Partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Coordinator is under the direct supervision of the Head of Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Programme in UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, and in close communication with the projectโs Implementing Partners where the incumbent will be primarily responsible for project management, coordination and reporting of projects related to poverty and inequality and provide support of technical services. S/he will work closely with the IGP unit, programme and project staff within the CO, across other UN Agencies, and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.ย
The Project Coordinator will also contribute actively to assignments relating to the growing portfolios of projects within the IGP unit.ย
Accordingly, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks.
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 Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) / Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) Guidelines. Coordinate and 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 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 gender equality perspectives 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 including playing a supervisory role, and other such responsibilities to ensure optimal operation of the programme.ย Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.
Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, local community and grassroots organisations, other national and sub-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 pipeline development.ย 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, analyse, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks to ensure the project keeps on track to achieve targets. Conduct regular field visits to project location sites. 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/orย ย 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 facilitation 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 UNDPโs engagement and contribution in this area and the broader programme of work. Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and the UNDP communications team.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencyย
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously:ย 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 flexible Act with Determination: 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 discriminationยCross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Strategic Thinking - Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Systems 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 Negotiation and Influence - Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create โwin-winโ situationsBusiness Developmentย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
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.Business Managementย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Project Managementย - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals 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 audienceย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channelsEthicsย ย
UN Policy knowledge โ Ethics - Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrityRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Social Policy, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development, International Development/Relations, Public Policy, Political Law, Sustainable Studies or other closely related field is required.ย OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs 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.Experience:
Applicants with a masterโs degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.ย Applicants with a bachelorโs degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience on programme and policy work preferably in international development or the public sector. Experience in research and policy-level analysis on social protection, poverty and inequality, indigenous community issues or sustainable development topics.ย Excellent organizational skills with a successful track record of planning and implementing development policy projectsย Proven experience in effective collaboration and partnership development with national counterparts, government agencies, international organizations, private sector, civil society and/or other development partners Experience working with Government ministries/agencies with an in-depth understanding of Malaysiaโs development context Familiarity with the UNDP, and any experience working on sustainable development, SDG.Required Languages
Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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