Business Development Project Manager (NPSA-9) - UNDP Moldova/Green Transition - 17060

Salariul lunar net: 42000 MDL - 52000 MDL

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Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

On 23^rd of June 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova the status of EU candidate country which is a substantial achievement, but which comes with great responsibilities and obligations. One of such obligation is the “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity” which includes Chapters of the environment and climate change acquis. In this sense, meaningful reform are expected in view of European Green Deal targets. [1][2] 

The proposed Green Transition Project takes due account of this endeavour. Hence, it will put in place the enabling conditions for a green transformation in Moldova through a combination of cross-sectorial decision-making in joint stakeholder platforms, capacity building measures, general education and awareness raising, dissemination of best policy practices, information sharing and networking, as well as pilot-testing green-transition related solutions and other activities, to ensure that the green transition concept is well understood and implemented.

The established enabling conditions and the investments into green-transition solutions will respond to the key development challenges that the country is currently dealing with such as the  climate change, environmental pollution and the energy crisis. 

It is well acknowledged that Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited resources and institutional capacities to address the climate change impacts. It is also due to the heavy reliance on the agricultural sector, water scarcity and other geographical factors. Currently the country is advancing with the national adaptation planning, including in the agricultural sector, aimed at putting in place proper intuitional, technical and budgeting capacities in the context of climate change, however significant gaps remain in embarking of the sectors into achievement of the long-term adaptation targets.   

Environmental degradation is also posing a major threat to Moldova’s development agenda as its economy relies greatly on natural resources which leads to their overexploitation and pollution. Inadequate waste management practices and outdated practices and technologies in the key sectors of the economy also contribute to the environmental degradation and pollution. Mainstreaming of the green agenda into the country’s economic activities is taking place slowly. 

Moldova is in line with the global trend of continuously growing urbanization, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas expected to rise from 47% in 2010 to 60% in 2030 (UN Habitat). Cities are increasingly and significantly contributing to the main drivers of global environmental degradation. The municipalities have the greatest impact on air quality and are responsible for more than 50% of total air pollution in Moldova. 

From energy security perspective – Moldova is highly dependent on imported energy sources, and rely mostly on the use of fossil fuels. In addition, inefficient energy supply and consumption across all sectors exacerbates the situation. Until recently being 100% dependent on Russian gas import, the country is actively seeking diversification of energy supplies after the war of aggression in Ukraine. Improvements both in energy efficiency and in the development of domestic resources – including renewable energy resources – for strengthened sustainability, competitiveness, and energy security rank high on the political agenda. Energy sector is also the main source of GHG emissions in the country. 

Against this background, the Green Transition Project aims to support the Government of Moldova to engage sustainably in a transformative green agenda by enhancing awareness, building capacities and encouraging investments into low-emission and resource efficient economy. 

The target areas of the project are resource efficiency, green and circular economy, cleaner and sustainable energy, and mobility. The Project will be implemented under the following three specific components:

1. Socio-economic framework for a gender-responsive and inclusive green transition enabled. 
2. Capacity and awareness on the inclusive green transition increased among key stakeholders.
3. Additional funding attracted by promoting and piloting investments in green and innovative technologies, while evidence-based decision-making for green transition is improved by deploying a reliable air quality monitoring system.

The implementation period of the project is 48 months, and the total budget is 10 mln EUR. 

[1] COM (2019) 640 final

[2] The Green Deal was presented by the European Commission in December 2019 and is a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at transforming climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and to ensure a green transition to a fair and prosperous societies. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The comprehensive responsibilities of the Business Development Manager encompass overseeing the achievement of project outcomes related to a green transition with the business/private sector engagement, aligning with the detailed concept document and ensuring strict adherence to specified quality standards. This includes coordinating the development of knowledge materials and providing crucial support to stakeholders, particularly business operators, in facilitating a green transition within their organizations. Additionally, the Manager plays a pivotal role in offering guidance on the application of green transition principles. In terms of the current project, this specifically applies to SMEs development, circular economy, green financing and cooperation, clean energy, sustainable mobility and transportation.

Furthermore, the Manager is tasked with conceptualizing and coordinating the grant programs for the private sector in the energy, waste, and transport domains. This responsibility spans both national and local levels. Additionally, the Manager actively explores and supports the establishment of relevant public-private partnerships, further contributing to the overarching goals of the green transition initiatives and attraction of the private investments.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Green Transition Project Manager and overall guidance of the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Analyst, the incumbent provides effective and efficient support to the initiative  through a range of actions contributing to the management and monitoring of initiative activities. The selected Business Development Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results.

The selected Business Development Manager is expected to collaborate also with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. 

The Business Development Manager, in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office and all relevant stakeholders, incl. Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy and LPAs, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the initiative) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying human rights-based (HRBA) and gender equality (GE) approaches, specifically: 

• Ensuring effective content and operational management of the activities related to the green transition specifically of the SME sector; 
• Coordinate the development of the relevant knowledge products;
• Conceptualize and coordinate grant programmes in thematic areas such as energy, waste ans transport;
• Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities;
• Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports; 
• Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results;
• Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor; 
• Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; 
• Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures.
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project;
• Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance; 
• Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP projects to ensure synergies and complementarities; 
• Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels;
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation and evaluation of the Project, as required. 

Key Results

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Green Transition Project in Moldova. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management. 

Institutional Arrangement

The Business Development Manager will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Analyst and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. He/she will coordinate the part time consultants, as envisaged in programme’s organizational chart.

The Business Development Manager will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: 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 discrimination.

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

• Business Management- Results-based Management      
  • Ability to manage projects and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Business Management- Project Management    
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Direction & Strategy- 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- Monitoring        
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results.
• Digital & Innovation- Agile' methodologies and practices             
  • Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.
• Digital & Innovation- Futures & foresight            
  • Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.
• Partnership Management- CSO Engagement      
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, business administration, public administration and other closely related fields is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree. 

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in providing business consultancy services, preferably in the area of SME development and financing is required.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Required skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Desired skills:

• Experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation will be an asset.
• Experience in coordinating or contributing to knowledge products in SME development will be an asset.
• Familiarity and prior experience with the donors requirements and procedures will be an asset.
• Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of stakeholders (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, mass-media etc) will be an asset.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, development partners, think tanks, NGOs, UN Agencies will be an asset.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language will be an asset.
• Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration will be an asset.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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