UNDP Armenia, in partnership with State Revenue Committee (SRC), with financial support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing Project Coordination support under the financing for the modernization works, equipment and related supervision services at the Meghri Border Crossing Point (BCP) in Armenia (the Project). The Project is expected to contribute towards improvement of safety and security of the border crossing process and facilitate local economic development through the modernisation of the Meghri BCP, which is currently in a dilapidated condition. All Project related activities are located on the territory of Armenia.

The overall objective of the Project to support the Government of Armenia in establishing the state-of-the-art BCP infrastructure to ensure improved conditions for business and trade, safe, secure, user friendly and facilitated movement of people and goods across the border.

The SRC acts as a Project Implementation Agency (PIA) and has created a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) specifically for implementation of the Project. UNDP will provide assistance to the SRC and its PIU, and will be responsible for the following:

• Capacity building for the PIU;
• Assistance with contract implementation;
• Coordination of all Stakeholders and support in implementation;
• Assistance with compliance & reporting obligations under the financing documents; and
• Environmental and social implementation support.

The PIU has competitively selected the Contractor to carry out the works for modernization of the Meghri BCP and the Works Supervision Consultant (the Engineer). The works have commenced, and UNDP will support the PIU and SRC in implementing the Project in accordance with the provisions of the Financing Documents and applicable EBRD policies. UNDP will closely cooperate and liaise with the SRC who will serve as the Client/Employer for all contracts under the Project and work directly with the PIU while discharging its duties. The detailed description of the UNDP assistance to the SRC and its PIU is provided in the Annex I and the requirements to the reports to be delivered by UNDP are provided in Annex II to this TOR.

UNDP requires Project Manager who will support the Project in overseeing and coordinating various aspects of the project. The Project Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of the project, meeting EBRD standards.

• Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the project, ensuring alignment with the objectives and requirements outlined in the Financing Documents and EBRD key documents;
• Coordinate / manage the day-to-day activities of the project and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards;
• Facilitate establishment of interactive and inclusive platforms for project implementation and collaborate with other programme units and project teams to ensure integration of critical development issues in the project activities and expected project outputs;
• Ensure operational management of project including through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure (as relevant), effective management of human, technical and financial resources, etc;
• Develop project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines;
• Act as the main point of contact between the SRC, the Bank, and other national stakeholders;

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned portfolio. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites;
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations;
• Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements;
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project;
• Monitor and manage project risks, identifying potential challenges and proposing effective mitigation strategies;
• Proactively address issues that may impact the project’s successful completion;
• Prepare and submit project reports, including the Inception Report, Quarterly Progress Reports, Annual Progress Reports, and the Project Completion Report, as specified in the TOR;
• Ensure that reports are in compliance with the Financing Documents and EBRD reporting requirements;
• Provide clear representations of the project’s achievements, deviations from plans, and recommendations for the succeeding period;
• Ensure that project activities are cost-effective and provide value for money;
• Monitor project expenditures and budget management;
• Work towards the successful completion of the project within the approved timeline and budget;
• Prepare and submit the Project Completion Report within the specified timeframe;
• Perform other duties as required.

Monitor construction schedule and disbursement, facilitate legal and contractual Oversight:

• Work closely with the Engineer to monitor the construction schedule and ensure timely disbursements;
• Address any issues or delays promptly to maintain project timelines;
• Provide guidance and support in legal and contractual aspects of the project;
• Review contracts, offers, and proposals, and advise on contractual situations, amendments, and variations.

Facilitate training and capacity building, strengthen partnerships and channels of communication.

• Collaborate with the SRC to identify training needs for the PIU staff;
• Support the development and implementation of a training plan, including areas such as procurement, project management, and environmental and social compliance;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on 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;
• Strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders to ensure regular and effective communication;
• Foster synergy with other programs to maximize project impact and outcomes;
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with all project stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio

Environmental and Social Best Practices, Gender Equality and Non-discrimination:

• Identify and address issues related to environmental and social best practices;
• Ensure that policies, procedures, and documentation promote environmental and social best practices and gender equality;
• Integrate gender equality and non-discrimination considerations into policies, procedures, and project activities;
• Monitor and address any barriers impacting women or men disproportionately;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Democratic Governance Portfolio and the UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the supervision of UNDP CO UNDP Democratic Governance Programme Analyst / Team Leader, the incumbent provides effective and efficient implementation of project activities with major focus on ensuring EBRD standards, policies and procedures under all pillars of the Project. The Project Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Manager will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.

Materials provided to the Project Manager and all proceedings within the consultancy contract shall be regarded as confidential, both during and after the consultancy. Violation of confidentiality requirements may result in an immediate termination of contract.

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

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

• Project Management:
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Communication:
  • Ability to 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.
• Effective Decision Making:
  • Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
• Financial planning and budgeting:
  • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysig and reporting.
• 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
• Relationship Management:
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
• Partnerships Management:
  • Ability to 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

Languages:

Fluency in English and Armenian languages is required.