Project Manager – CIFF (Open to all Applicants) Full Time

Job Description

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

Groundwater holds a crucial role in fortifying climate resilience in the HoA’s borderlands. Unfortunately, this resource remains largely overlooked and underutilized. In a region where surface water is scarce due to high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates, groundwater stands as the most dependable source to ensure consistent water supplies for domestic, agricultural, and livestock usage. It acts as a natural reservoir during droughts, aiding in adapting to unpredictable climate changes and shocks. Despite its substantial potential, groundwater exploitation remains largely untapped in the HoA.

The groundwater reservoirs in the HoA’s borderlands, whether national or transboundary, are vital resources for the vulnerable livelihoods in these areas. With significant pastoral and agropastoral communities and a burgeoning young population, the region’s borderlands are situated atop or in proximity to major groundwater aquifers, some of which traverse national boundaries.

The Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa are partnering to operationalize the Groundwater Access Facility for Africa Initiative to implement a program in the Somali regional state in Ethiopia to drill and equip boreholes with storage facilities, distribution networks, and standpipes to supply water to communities and livestock. As a result, the partnership will optimize the use of the shared resources, strengthen the resilience of borderland communities, create jobs, and improve groundwater governance through training and capacity development initiatives for various stakeholders. In addition, it also will establish monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems for better decision-making by policymakers and investors for sustainable use of the groundwater resources in the region.

The project is being implemented under the GAFA framework in the Horn of Africa and will contribute to Pillar II: Pipeline project for investments. The project will invest in selected potential boreholes, and the successful ones will be equipped to supply water for productive use across the Somali region in Ethiopia.

The Project Manager (PM) will oversee the overall planning, procurement, execution, and management of all activities related to borehole drilling, construction of water supply schemes, geophysical survey, and installation of solar and electromechanical schemes along with all other relevant activities in support of the project objective. The PM will manage recruitment, training, and supervision of drilling crews, support and follow up with construction work, procurement/supplies, and logistics, and ensure smooth and timely communication among all stakeholders.

Scope of Work

The Project Manager Will Be Responsible For The Following

• Planning and Supervision
• Develop a detailed work plan for drilling and construction activities, ensuring adherence to project timelines and goals;
• Supervise and manage drilling and borehole construction teams, ensuring work quality, safety and environmental standards are maintained;
• Ensure the proper use, maintenance, and servicing of the drilling assets;
• Coordinate with the federal government of Ethiopia, Somali regional state officials, and community leaders to ensure alignment with regional needs and regulatory requirements.
• Recruitment and Training
• Support in the recruitment of qualified drilling personnel and construction firms for the project;
• Develop and implement training programs for drilling crews and local technicians, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed for borehole drilling, construction, and equipment operation;
• Promote knowledge transfer to local staff and stakeholders to ensure project sustainability.
• Procurement and Contract Management
• Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP CO in Ethiopia and with the support of the UNDP resilience hub in Nairobi, the PM will oversee all procurement activities, including the purchasing of drilling materials, equipment, and construction supplies in compliance with UNDP and donor regulations;
• Manage contracts related to the procurement of services, supplies, equipment, and logistics;
• Ensure transparent procurement processes and proper documentation of all procurement and contracting activities;
• Coordinate logistics for the project, including transportation of drilling equipment and construction materials to project sites.
• Stakeholder Management and Communication
• Act as the primary point of contact between the project, the UNDP Ethiopia Country Office, and the local stakeholders, including the Somali Regional Water Bureau;
• Lead regular communication with key stakeholders, including government officials, regional leaders, and local communities, to provide project updates and resolve any emerging issues;
• Prepare and submit progress reports and updates, including financial and operational performance, to UNDP and CIFF.
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Monitor the project’s progress against established targets and timelines, identifying potential risks and challenges, and developing mitigation strategies;
• Ensure that project milestones are achieved and that outputs are delivered on time and within budget;
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports, including technical, financial, and monitoring and evaluation reports.
• Compliance and Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with national and regional regulations, environmental safeguards, and international best practices in groundwater resource management;
• Implement risk management strategies and maintain compliance with safety standards for all drilling and construction activities;
• Equipment security, appropriate maintenance and insurance.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Manager will directly report to the Team Lead – CRES and closely collaborate with the programme, operations, and project teams to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

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

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate
  • Climate Change Adaptation: Water Resource Management and Access to Water.

Business Direction and Strategy

• Systems 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

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Partnerships Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Portfolio Management
  • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
  • Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment;
  • Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to making 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.
• Risk Management
  • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Required Skills And Experience

Minimum education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil or Environmental\Engineering, Water Resource Management, Hydrogeology, Project Management, or related field, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum Years Of Relevant Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional working experience in water resource projects.

Required Skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Proven working experience in managing borehole drilling or water resource projects, including borehole drilling and construction, in developing countries, preferably in Somali region of Ethiopia or the Horn of Africa region is desired;
• Proven experience in procurement, logistics, contract management, and stakeholder coordination in the context of water development /construction programming, preferably in the Horn of Africa;
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing multidisciplinary teams in remote locations;
• Strong knowledge of national and regional regulations on water resource management and construction activities;
• Familiarity with CIFF or similar donor-funded projects;
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or donor-funded projects.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English as well as the national language of the duty station is required.

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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