International Project Manager- Urban Partnerships

for Poverty Reduction Project

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

 Direct and manage the complex project operations and ensure achievement of the
project results and outputs;
 Policy and Programme Services. Provide technical, financial and managerial oversight
and ensure efficient service delivery;
 Partnerships and Resource mobilization;
 Knowledge Services. Leadership and network at the national and international level and
form partnerships with high level urban poverty reduction stakeholders.
Direct and manage the complex project operations and ensure
achievement of the project results and outputs:
 Facilitate the day-to-day functioning of the Project/team. Manage the human and financial
resources, in consultation with the Management, for achieving results in line with the
outputs and activities outlined in the project document;
 Manage the human and financial resources, with accountability to the Project Board and
UNDP’s management, for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined
in the project document;
 Lead and oversee the project team located in towns as well as UPPR head office in
Dhaka) through planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring the delivery of
policies, reports, knowledge products and annual results based work plans and result
frameworks as endorsed by the management;
 Lead the coordination of project activities with related and parallel activities .
 Organize meetings of the Project Board, Project Outcome Board and Advisory Groups;
 Coordinate the distribution of responsibilities amongst team members and organize
monitoring and tracking system of all components of the project;
 Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans and
result frameworks as endorsed by the management;
 Manage an effective M&E system to assess achievement of related objectives and
identify problem affecting project performance;
 Ensure an enabling working environment for all staff so that no workplace harassment,
sexual harassment or abuse of authority take place;
 Ensure technical soundness of programme activities, achievement of outputs and
 outcomes and quality and cost effectiveness;
 Oversee the monitoring, evaluation and communication framework, including overseeing
preparation and implementation of a monitoring and communication plan and
responsibility for the quality of monthly and quarterly progress reports and reviews;
 Advises the National Project Director on all aspects of project implementation, monitoring
and evaluation as well as financial accountability; 
 Responsible for ensuring that that GoB staff acquire the ownership, knowledge, and
capacity to contribute to the project outputs and provide overall operational management,
for successful execution and implementation of the programme in line with the execution
policies and procedures of the project; 
 Develop and supervise the project’s capacity building efforts aimed at government
counterparts, civil society groups, media and other stakeholders; contribute to the
production of reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer;
 Ensure information sharing and bridging between UNDP programme management,
project management and national counterpart in the process of implementation of the
project;

Policy and Programme Services: 

 Provide intellectual or substantive leadership in the subject area through identification of
key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme
options for Bangladesh;
 Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject practice area, taking into account the needs of
country as well as the opportunities to develop broader public goods;
 Manage the mapping of development issues, covering the situation and strategic
opportunities in the form of professional papers and reports;
 Manage the process of implementing policy advisory services as well as delivery of
regional goods or products. Ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical
and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of
outputs (products);
 Promote convergence between the different development interventions in the relevant
area and also with the work of the different development agencies. Identifies
opportunities to enhance team-work within and across various government agencies and
with the other relevant institutes in order to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-
disciplinary support;
 Lead and manage the analytical and policy development work of the team and ensure
high quality policy or knowledge products. Promote the substantive quality of all
knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration and
compatibility with other practice areas;
 Oversee the project’s capacity building efforts aimed at government counterparts, civil
society groups, media and other stakeholders;
 Contribute to the production reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer;
 Coordinate with various government and non-governmental agencies regarding requests
for advisory and support services and lead the support from the project as required by
 the stakeholders;
 Ensure programme outputs are aligned procedurally with UNDP positions and practice
area development;
 Contribute, advice and take lead role towards influencing urban poverty reduction policy
at the national level;
 Coordinates with various government and non-governmental agencies regarding
requests for advisory and support services and lead the support from the project as
required by the stakeholders;
 Design, introduce and continuously develop feedback mechanisms and open
communication channels to ensure that the changing needs and expectations of the
public are fully taken into account when reviewing annual and quarterly work-plans;
 Ensure, in cooperation with UNDP that development partners are kept informed about the
programme progress throughout preparation and submission of necessary reports as
required;
Partnerships and Resource mobilization:
 
 Mobilize and network with the experts of national and regional offices of the UN System,
international development organizations, sub-regional and regional associations,
affiliations and bodies (inter-governmental, non-government or private sector) and
prominent private sector organizations;
 Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from
international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private
sector;
 Provide inputs and services as may be required by the Management of the Project with
the objective of achieving high level of performance and results;
Knowledge Services:
 Lead and manage the inputs of the consultants and international advisers and undertake
knowledge capture at national, regional and global levels in the subject area and the
production of knowledge-based products;
 Lead the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national, regional
and global know-how in the subject area. In this context, partner with practitioners and
members of the National think tanks, UNDP global networks, leadership of the practice
and sub-practice teams in RBAP, BDP and other related Bureaux on knowledge
management services;
 Lead and manage the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to
national, regional and global know-how in the subject area. Support the Policy Advisers
to develop partnerships with national, UNDP and UN-Habitat global networks, leadership
of the practice and sub-practice teams in RBAP, BDP and other related Bureau on
knowledge management services;
 Manage the establishment of internal and external networks or communities of practice
covering prominent experts in government, non-government, private companies,
international development organizations and the UN system;
 Ensure that project results are captured and recorded in knowledge products to
communicate project results and impact;
  Promote a learning environment and systematic information sharing within the project
team;
The International Project Manager will conduct any other function or responsibility which may be
assigned by the management and Project Board. The PM will provide inputs and services as may
be required by the Management of the Project with the objective of achieving high level of
performance and results.
Impact of Results 
The position will strengthen UNDP’s project by contributing to the effective and successful project
management, supervision and coordination of activates, financial management and
disbursement, policy advice and support and liaison with government and donors.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
 Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights,
peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results
orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
 Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
 Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies: 
Management and Leadership 
 Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and
responds positively to feedback, timely responses queries;
 Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
 Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
 Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Development and Operational Effectiveness 
 Ability to engage with high ranking Government Officials and international donor
community members and provide policy advisory support services;
 Ability to identify opportunities, conceptualize and develop project reports;
 Capability to engage in team-based policy and programme dialogue, experience of
leading workshops and being a resource person;
 Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting: knowledge of
project cycle, excellent work/project planning skills, knowledge of UNDP’s new
programme modalities (PRINCE 2, RBM Guide, NEX execution, ATLAS etc);
 Ability to oversee timely project implementation and to provide the necessary trouble
shooting to keep project implementation on schedule;
 Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments,
manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery: excellent
project oversight functions, including audit, accurate and thorough risk assessment and
management;
 Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change.
Knowledge Management and Learning 
  Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through
leadership and personal example;
 Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning
plan and applies newly acquired skills;
 Excellent communication skills (written and oral);
 Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners,

Required Skills and Experience

Education:        
 Masters’ Degree or equivalent in Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Economics or related
discipline.
Experience:    
 A minimum of 15 years experience in poverty reduction and / or development
programmes, preferably in urban poverty reduction, preferably  seven years are at senior
management levels;
 Of which at least 5 years of work experience in development and capacity building in
developing countries, preferably in Asia and the Pacific and understanding of Asia-
Pacific culture and customs is an asset;
 Knowledge and experience with poverty analysis and mapping will be an advantage;
 Demonstrated ability to successfully manage large scale and complex projects, and
achieve outcomes and financial targets, including experience in design, monitoring and
evaluation of development projects;
 Demonstrated ability to engage at the highest levels with donors and development
agencies, government officials and UN Agencies;
 Demonstrated ability to manage large diverse teams, to provide leadership and
inspiration and to work in a challenging and complex working environment;
 Knowledge of international best practices in the field and a proven ability to adapt and
implement them in the local working environment;
 Proven diplomatic and conflict resolution skills;
 Work experience with UN/UNDP/other development entities is preferred;
 Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude, communication and
presentation skills are required;
 Experience in office software packages and experience in handling of web-based
management systems.
Language Requirement:
  Excellent command of written and spoken English.