National Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

SAFE project funded by GEF and implemented by the Government of Solomon Islands in collaboration with UNDP was developed to safeguard the country’s unique biodiversity and ecosystem services through a holistic and integrated landscape-seascape management approach.
The biological diversity of Solomon Islands is critical to the people of Solomon Islands in that it has shaped human wellbeing for centuries. The predominantly subsistence lifestyle that characterizes the Solomon Islands economy is underpinned by the country’s heavy reliance on its biological diversity. The importance of biodiversity as the basis for the people’s livelihood and wellbeing is therefore well understood and it is recognized that without biodiversity the country also loses its aesthetic, spiritual and educational values and significance, which are integral to our wellbeing and traditional way of life. Thus, the maintenance of watersheds, marine environment and water quality, soil retention and erosion control, provision of critical habitat for fauna, climate regulation, nutrient cycling and the pollination of plants are just a few of the essential ecological services that are essential to the islanders. Nonetheless, there is growing realization that the country’s biodiversity is also under increasing pressure from multiple sources of threats, for example, from habitat loss, land degradation, overexploitation, invasive alien species and climate change. These pressures can be devastating for the health of the country’s biodiversity and, therefore its livelihood and wellbeing.
The Safeguarding Solomon Islands Endemic and Global threatened biodiversity and ecosystem services from key threats, particularly invasive alien species and unsustainable land use practices (SAFE Project), funded under GEF7 and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government.
The project objective is to ensure that Solomon Islands indigenous species and ecosystems are at reduced risk from invasive alien species, land degradation and unsustainable resource use as a result of effective government enabling and capacity, community participation and resilient blue/green livelihoods. The project recognizes that these land and seascapes of the Solomon Islands underpin the lives and livelihoods of a large number of local communities and that implementation of a coherent and integrated strategy to promote improved measures for prevention and management of invasive alien species, land and marine degradation and unsustainable use of its natural resources is an integral part of the solution. This is to be achieved through four interrelated and mutually complementary Components that are focused on addressing barrier. The four Components of the project are: Component 1: Enabling framework for safeguarding biodiversity, combating land degradation and securing a nature-based economy; Component 2: Comprehensive risk management approach to address IAS threats to biodiversity and land degradation; Component 3: Community-based integrated ecosystem management and threat reduction at land/seascape scale; Component 4: Knowledge management, awareness, M&E and gender mainstreaming.
The service of a National Project Manager is required to oversee the overall day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the Implementing Partner. The National Project Manager (NPM) is the leader of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the Implementing Partner, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, responsible parties, consultants and sub-contractors. The Project Manager typically presents key deliverables and documents to the board for their review and approval, including progress reports, annual work plans, adjustments to tolerance levels and risk registers. The NPM will devote 30% of his/her time for technical aspects of the projectgiven the need to provide technical oversight, guidance and coordination across 5 provinces and a number of technical subjects involving a number of sector entities. As part of project management responsibilities, he/she will have overall responsibility for managing the organization, work plans, programs and activities, as well as progress and financial reporting to Project Board and UNDP. The National Project Manager will be the head of the Project Management Unit. The PMU will have operational and financial autonomy, including the authority to select and sub-contract specific project activities or components to local consultants and local institutions. The NPM will perform a liaison role with government, UNDP and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Manager works under the general supervision of the Resilience and Climate Change Unit Team Leader and collaborates closely with the SAFE Project PMU team and the Implementing Partner and Responsible Parties.

The National Project Manager (NPM) will perform project management duties as well as coordinate and support the technical aspects of the project.
1. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation.
• Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. 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.
2. Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.
• Provide leadership and support to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting.
• Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management.
• Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, and end line assessment; and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations. Organize project review and evaluation meetings. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections.
• Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions.
• Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities.
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.
3. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.
• Identify Project related capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and 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 for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends 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 of the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

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

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s 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.
• 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 Management

• 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.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• 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.

Partnership Management

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range public and private partners, build, sustain, and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Access and benefit sharing of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master´s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciencies, Operational Management, Sustainable Land Management or related fields is required, OR A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Social Sciences, Operational Management, Sustainable Land Management or related fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of project administration and technical experience, showing a progressive increase in scope and responsibilities.
• Experience in development issues in Pacific Islands countries context.
• At least one year of experience in managing BD, IAS GEF-funded project preferably with UNDP.
• Demonstrated experience on policy and institutional matters, and technical knowledge on aspects relating to biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and wetland management and resilient community livelihoods.
• Experience with the goals and procedures of government institutions, including those of UNDP and GEF as it relates to the Project goals and objectives.
• Experience organizing, facilitating, and mediating technical teams to achieve stated project objectives.

Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of “local languages” is desired.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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