I. Position Information Project Manager (Renewable Energy) Terms of Reference Organization: Office of the Quartet (OQ) Title: Project Manager (Renewable Energy) Reports to: Energy Adviser Duty Station: Jerusalem/Ramallah Duration of Contract: 6 months, with the option for extension II. Background On 27 June 2007, the Quartet (US, UN, EU and Russia) decided to advance the objectives of the Quartet insofar as they relate to the development of the Palestinian economy and the institutions of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Office of the Quartet (OQ) was established to: 1. Mobilise international assistance to the Palestinians, working closely with donors and existing coordination bodies; 2. Help to identify, and secure appropriate international support in addressing, the institutional governance needs of the Palestinian state, focusing as a matter of urgency on the rule of law; and 3. Promote Palestinian economic development, including private sector partnerships, building on previously agreed frameworks, especially concerning access and movement. OQ houses a group of advisors from Quartet institutions and partners, as well as critical support staff intended to fulfil its mission. The OQ is managed by a Head of Mission and a Deputy Head of Mission. The mission of the OQ is Building the State, Empowering the Economy. This mission statement encapsulates the focus of the OQ on issues of Palestinian institutional and economic growth and empowerment, in line with the Mandate. The agenda of the OQ is focused on five main pillars: i) Effective Government and Rule of Law; ii) Movement and Trade; iii) Reliable Infrastructure; iv) Access to Land and Natural Resources; v) Investment Promotion and Business Development. Within these five strategic pillars, the OQ s role is to identify solutions that are technically, financially, legally and politically feasible. Our team works with key stakeholders across the PA, GoI, international community, and the domestic and international private sector to bridge divides where they exist and facilitate meaningful progress toward Palestinian economic and institutional growth. III. Objectives of Assignment The OQ is seeking to recruit a Project Manager (PM) to help facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects in the Palestinian Territory. The PM is expected to manage one or more highly complex Page 1 of 5
renewable energy project(s), coordinating a variety of external stakeholders to drive consistent project progress and meet aggressive timelines. The PM will be responsible for one or more OQ project(s), initially helping to drive an existing OQ led project that is at the feasibility study stage. A project of this calibre is of a highly strategic and visible nature. This project will require the PM to work closely with the rest of OQ s energy team to deploy the project s next stages. The PM will report to the Energy Adviser on a weekly basis regarding project progress. The PM is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. The PM will support the work of the OQ via project management and delivery and project communication. The PM is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the project(s), and is expected to meet the organization s delivery and performance goals. The PM is responsible to review existing project documentation and produce additional documentation as needed. He/she should have a thorough and holistic understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) are capable of meeting the business cases. S/he must be able to apply, at a mastery level, the below duties and responsibilities as outlined below. IV. Scope of Work Specifically, the PM will contribute to the following areas: 1. Project Management and Delivery; 2. Project Communication; The work is of a highly confidential nature and the PM must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality. V. Deliverables The PM will deliver his/her contributions to the following areas (under the overall leadership and in full coordination with the Energy Adviser): Project Management and Delivery: 1. Lead or closely support the delivery of all work streams of the renewable energy OQ priority project including proposing to the Energy Adviser strategy and direction for all work streams of the project. 2. Adapt project strategy and direction appropriately in response to changing information. 3. Propose and agree on work-stream outputs with the Energy Adviser, and deliver work-stream outputs on time and within tolerances according to the agreed strategy. 4. Ensure that the project(s) produces the required results within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Energy work plan. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs. Page 2 of 5
Stakeholder Management: 1. Establish solid working relationship with project stakeholders. 2. Manage communications as required by the Energy Adviser. This will include ensuring stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions. 3. Advise the Energy Adviser on issues that may impact the achievement of project outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance). Project Communication and Outreach: 1. Meet with internal and external project stakeholders regularly to discuss project progress and agree and coordinate outputs or areas of cooperation, in line with the agreed project strategy. 2. Prepare a range of written communication documents (such as reports, letters, emails and presentations) for internal and external project stakeholders as needed. 3. Assist with the organisation and facilitation of meetings relating to the project. Project Expectations: 1. Prepare the detailed project plan in accordance with the OQ Energy Plan. 2. Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Energy Adviser. 3. Advise the Energy Adviser of any project deviations or risks. 4. Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to the OQ and stakeholders is achieved. 5. Embed sustainability considerations into project design and implementation, including social and gender inclusion, environmental factors, and economic aspects into project life cycle. 6. Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary. 7. Liaise with any external suppliers, contractors, or account managers. 8. Manage and review product quality and ensure products and services are accepted. 9. Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers. 10. Identify and report potential business opportunities for OQ to the Energy Adviser. 11. Identify and report threats to OQ internal business case to the Energy Adviser. 12. Provide feedback to the Energy Adviser on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of OQ agenda. Procedures: 1. Ensure that project complies with all OQ and UNDP organizational policies. 2. Ensure that all expenditure complies with OQ and UNDP financial rules and regulations. 3. Ensure that all procurement of goods and services complies with OQ and UNDP procurement rules and regulations. 4. Manage (in close cooperation with the OQ Finance Director) budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time. 5. Understand and manage OQ overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project. 6. Understand the unique structures of the OQ and budget appropriately for personnel. 7. Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial Page 3 of 5
reports). 8. The PM will monitor and instruct/request the Renewable Energy Economic Development Associate (EDA) to carry out the relevant tasks. Personnel Management: 1. Manage the Renewable Energy EDA, responsible for their professional development. 2. Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established. 3. Ensure that performance reviews are conducted. 4. Perform project support role. 5. Ensure safety and security for all personnel and project compliance with UNDSS standards. 6. Accountability for results and the use of resources: The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. It is the responsibility of the PM to raise any deviations or issues in project, process, or resources to the Energy Adviser. 7. Contribute to OQ s adaptation of best practices, standards of sustainability and quality, and innovation practice. VI. Qualifications and Experience Education: Advanced (Graduate level) University Degree in Project Management, Engineering, or other relevant discipline. University Degree (bachelor s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, Engineering, or other relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience: Skills and Abilities: At least 5 years of work experience in advanced and complex project management, preferably in the Infrastructure/Energy field. Highly skilled in research and analysis: Very strong qualitative and analytic skills; keen attention to detail and data accuracy. Excellent communication skills: Strong writing ability, business and report writing skills are preferred, ability to work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple competing tasks and prioritising demands. Strong team player: Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact with high-level individuals across a range of organisations; customer-orientation and sound judgment; ability to consistently demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organisation; team player and flexible as tasks and priorities shift; ability to self-start and troubleshoot without supervision; ability to work independently and in teams in a small office environment; demonstrated ability to excel in a multi-cultural environment. Other: Demonstrated competence with using standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Page 4 of 5
Language Requirements: Additional relevant skills PRINCE2 Foundation or its equivalent project management qualification is desirable. PRINCE2 Practitioner or its equivalent project management qualification is an asset. Demonstrated strong technical abilities. Ability to plan in coordinated manner and manage priorities. Fluent written and spoken English. Advanced knowledge of Arabic and/or Hebrew is preferable. Contextual Skills International organizations experience Management experience (managing delivery teams is preferred) Experience working with local governments Supervisory Experience Dealing with bilateral and multilateral funding sources Project Management Skills Budget Management Capacity Building Client Management Contracts Negotiation Management of Contractors Financial Rules and Regulations Knowledge Management Monitoring and Evaluation Multistage Reporting Programme Management Project Design, Development, and Delivery Risk Analysis Page 5 of 5