Project Manager

The Project Manager will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in Cotabato City and is expected to lead the implementation and monitoring of the activities under the project. Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Institutions & Partnerships Team Lead and local guidance of the Head of the UNDP Cotabato Office, the Project Manager is expected to work closely with the MILG-Local Government Supervision Division (LGSD), other relevant MILG offices and other BARMM ministries and offices. S/he is expected to collaborate with relevant UNDP Philippines Country Office and UNDP Cotabato Field Office staff and project teams. Summary of Key Functions: - Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative management for the delivery of the project's activities. - Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of UNDP. - Support resource mobilization, financial accountability, and human resources management. - Efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation (M&E). - Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management Key functions include: - Lead the preparation and updating of the project's annual work plan, procurement plan and M&E plan; - Manage project funds, maintain financial integrity, and ensure effective use of project resources; - Oversee the conduct of an assessment of technology options and digital solutions, both national and international, that would be appropriate to meet the ICT requirements of the project; - Draft terms of reference and support recruitment and management of a team of national and international consultants and subject matter experts; - With the Project Officer and Finance and Administrative Assistant, provide quality and timely financial reports, as per UNDP financial rules and regulations and MILG requirements; - Ensure delivery of outputs and contribution to outcomes through an effective implementation plan and close coordination with MILG and UNDP management and technical teams; - Operational coordination through support to existing coordination mechanisms, propose modifications of the plan to respond to changes in the project context; - Overall management of the initiative and technical inputs in the implementation of the project under the overall guidance and advisory support of UNDP and MILG; - Preparation of detailed annual and financial plans based on the project results framework and theory of change; - Ensuring the effective, efficient and timely implementation of activities; - Support services to the project for procurement, subcontracting, and outsourcing of services. - Build and maintain an effective relationship with key partners and stakeholders, and keep MILG and the UNDP CO informed as appropriate; - Develop and finalize Memorandum of Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, or other relevant legal instruments with relevant entities, such as thinks tanks and academic institutions; - Promote coordination, dialogue, and good practice knowledge sharing among stakeholders; and - Ensure effective collaboration with the UN and other development partners. - Management, certification and reporting on financial disbursement based on approved work plan and payment schedule; - Programme advocacy and visibility and coordination with relevant stakeholders. - Identify and collaborate with potential partners to leverage Project funds and results; - Effective application of UNDP financial oversight through the Atlas enterprise management system, including processing purchase orders, requisitions and payments; - With the Project Officer and Finance and Administrative Assistant, ensure proper coordination and availability of all project documents for any internal and external audit requirements; - Draft terms of reference and support the recruitment and management of national and international consultants, subject matter experts, consulting firms, and other such resources; - Work closely with program administration and finance staff to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations; - Supervise the project team members and provide necessary guidance and coaching; and - Set performance parameters for the project team, assess their performance, and provide feedback. - Ensure the implementation of the communications and advocacy plan for the project; - Establish suitable monitoring mechanisms and undertake regular monitoring and reporting on project progress; risks and constraints; updates the implementation plan as required; and - Promote accountability through effective programme results reporting (monthly, quarter, and annual progress and financial reports), to the UNDP, MIG and the Project Board; - Monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of outputs and accomplishments towards the achievement of project intended outputs. - Identification of sources of information related to project implementation related issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals; - Maintain effective networks with development partners and Government at national level and subnational level; - Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; - Organization of training for the projects staff on programme.