Background
The project is designed to address the gender-specific barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan, with a focus on improving access to resources, capacity building, mentorship, and advocacy for systemic change. The outcome of the project is to empower women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan by enhancing their access to resources, the skills to sustainably grow their businesses, and advocating for policy reforms to create a gender-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The project aims to significantly enhance the performance and growth of women-led SMEs by providing tailored business acceleration programs. These programs will improve business practices, increase access to financing, and equip women entrepreneurs with essential skills, such as financial literacy, business strategy development, and loan application procedures. The project will focus on developing a gender-sensitive capacity-building curriculum and a comprehensive mentoring framework that takes into account the unique challenges faced by women. This is expected to result in stronger, more resilient women-led businesses that are better positioned to access new markets and resources.
Through the implementation of a robust mentorship program, the project will connect women entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who can provide personalized guidance. The mentorship will focus on strategic business growth, leadership skills, financial planning, and overcoming gender-specific barriers in entrepreneurship. By fostering a supportive peer network, the mentorship program will also help build long-term relationships among women entrepreneurs, strengthening their confidence and capacity for business leadership. Over time, this will contribute to increasing the number of women entrepreneurs successfully scaling their businesses and taking on leadership roles in Uzbekistanโs economy.
The project will also drive systemic change by improving the research, policy advocacy, and broader entrepreneurial ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. By conducting in-depth research on the needs of women-led businesses, including access to finance, markets, and resources, the project will provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and financial institutions. This will create a more supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, resulting in improved access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist/Inclusive Growth Cluster Leader and the overall guidance of the National Project Coordinator. The Project Specialist will ensure smooth and timely delivery of operations in accordance with annual and quarterly work plans of the Project through performing the following duties and responsibilities:
Overall project management - Financial, Administrative and Human Resources:
Lead the project team, including national and/or international staff, and short-term consultants, in both substantive and operational issues ensuring optimization of human and financial resources and nurturing a culture of results with highest performance standards; Undertake day-to-day management of the project, including effective project implementation and document progress towards the achievement of project outputs; Manage the project budget and facilitate budget approvals and revisions as per UNDP policies and procedures; Ensure appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP and prepare required financial reports. Facilitate transparent financial management of the project to comply with regular audits and evaluations; Ensure that the Project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost, review and appraise detailed work plans, including the Quantum reports covering activity definition; Ensure that the projectโs targets and results are entered and updated in results management systems including Quantum project management module, and relevant documents are uploaded to transparency dashboards; Approve requisitions, and follow up on purchase orders and payment requests in UNDP Quantum and other relevant systems, and ensure monthly delivery of the projectโs programmatic outputs; Prepare work plans, produce timely reports โ financial and programmatic progress reports โ as required by UNDP and donor reporting systems; Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to; Facilitate an environment of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the project.Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:
Develop the necessary strategic documents concerning project planning and implementation, such as policy papers, concept notes, etc.; Provide strategic advice, direction and direct technical input to the UNDP Country Office and Inclusive Growth Cluster on the projectโs thematic domain; Ensure programme assessments are undertaken and relevant baseline data collected so programme monitoring and evaluation can take place; Oversee the establishment of the monitoring and evaluation plan of the Project and ensure its implementation; Guide the development of the projectโs communication strategy in close collaboration with relevant partners; Ensure integration and mainstreaming of gender equality throughout the projectโs outputs and activities; Develop Terms of Reference for programme consultants/experts hired on a short-term basis and ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports; Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming); Ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports both by project staff and short-term consultants; Ensure participation and involvement of relevant stakeholders in the projectโs implementation in a transparent, gender-friendly and inclusive manner; Ensure proper coordination of the projectโs work with the national implementation partners and other stakeholders; Ensure sustainability of the project intervention by promoting leadership and ownership of the project implementation by government and through proper capacity building; Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the project; Ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned indicator targets; Ensure compliance with donor agreements; Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning; Develop and implement a structured strategy to support women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan by optimizing the use of preferential loans, targeting Women Champions with established businesses and Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs seeking to scale, while employing a cascade training model (ToT) to maximize outreach and impact.Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
Establish and maintain partnerships with all project stakeholders (government, donors, development partners, CSOs, etc.); Support the UNDP Country Office in mobilization of resources from potential donors, including preparation of strategies, programme briefs and project documents, organization of regular donor meetings and field visits; Work closely with UNCT in identifying partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialized expertise and possible co-financiers, resource mobilization, and implementing possible synergies with donors funded projects; Cooperate with donors, project partners, suppliers and beneficiaries when needed, prepare timely reports of project progress in line with UNDP and donor requirements; Extract lessons learned to support project improvement and feed into UNDP programming knowledge globally (facilitate knowledge building and sharing); Provide leadership and advocate to address policy related issues and other challenges.Closing the Project:
Develop a sustainability plan to transition project activities to local institutions for long-term impact; Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board; Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board; Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment, and materials to national beneficiaries; Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Specialist will work under direct supervision of the UNDP Cluster Leader on IG and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator. The Project Specialist closely collaborates with the national partners, other UNDP projects, UNDP CO programme and operations units to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the assigned tasks.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
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. Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Integration within the UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Communication: 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. Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Inclusive Growth: Digital economy. Social protection.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Mastersโ degree in any of the following areas: Business Management, Management, Public Policy, Development Economics or similar areas, or Bachelorยดs degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterโs degree.Experience:
Minimum of 5 (five) years of work experience (with Masterโs degree) or 7 (seven) years of work experience (with Bachelorโs degree) in the field of economics and/or project management in the sphere of economic development / finance / social development/public finance management/SME development.Required Skills:
At least 2 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience.Desired Skills:
Extensive experience in leading project implementation, strategic planning, and results-based management; Skilled in budget oversight, impact assessment, and stakeholder coordination to drive effective development outcomes; Proven expertise in engaging governments, donors, and private sector partners; Strong in policy advisory, capacity-building, and advocacy to influence policy reforms and foster multi-sectoral collaboration; Proficient in data analysis, M&E frameworks, and digital transformation. Skilled in leveraging technology for project tracking, impact measurement, and efficient resource allocation to optimize development initiatives; Work experience in any development organizations; Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Good command of Russian is desirable.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.
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.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
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