Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]

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.

UNDP helps Kazakhstan honor its Paris Agreement commitments by supporting the expansion of the "green economy" to tap into new opportunities for jobs and businesses. It partners with other United Nations agencies to provide technical expertise to translate strategies into action, establish a monitoring framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and develop plans for transition to green energy, land management, climate-proof agriculture, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management. By catalyzing SDG and Paris-aligned investments (public and private), UNDP delivers client-focused solutions that respond to immediate, mid and long-term recovery and socio-economic development priorities, and; by leveraging on-the-ground presence and networks, we unlock bottom-up solutions towards lasting impacts at the country level, benefitting most disadvantaged and leaving no one behind.

• →Management of a designated Project of the Energy and Environment Unit in accordance with UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures and UNDP Kazakhstan Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
  • →Supervise and coordinate the Project(s) and ensure results are in accordance with the Project Document(s) and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP POPP. 
  • →Bear responsibility for the day-to-day management of organizational and substantive issues, budgeting, planning and overall monitoring of the Project(s).
  • →Develop Annual Work Plan(s) aligned with the Project Document(s) including required budget revisions.
  • →Support the work and decision-making of the Project Board by providing timely, detailed, and accurate information to the Project Board`s members. 
  • →Prepare Project Board meetings to share progress updates and by documenting decisions and follow-up actions.
  • →Coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date; ensure closure of the project is done per the established procedures.
  • →Provide policy advice and support capacity development of national counterparts through knowledge transfer including procedures, manuals, guidelines and systems for implementation.

• →Monitor progress and manage risks, ensuring that changes are controlled, and problems addressed, report on progress and issues:
  • →Develop and implement the M&E Plan to track progress against targets and indicators.
  • →Monitor project implementation against timelines; provide regular updates to the Project Board on progress, risks, and corrective actions.
  • →Ensure timely preparation of donor and project reports in line with UNDP standards.
  • →Oversee financial monitoring, including expenditures, partner contributions, and budget revisions, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
  • →Maintain and update risk and issue logs; proactively identify and escalate emerging risks.
  • →Coordinate partner meetings and field visits to monitor implementation and address issues.
  • →Support and facilitate mid-term reviews, terminal evaluations, and other assessments in line with UNDP guidelines.
  • →Track implementation of cross-cutting plans (e.g. gender, stakeholder engagement, environmental and social safeguards).
  • →Utilize Quantum and digital tools for effective data management, monitoring, and reporting.

• →Develop and maintain strategic partnerships:
  • →Collaborate intensively with all projects’ stakeholders, including other projects to maximize the impact of UNDP’s interventions that will contribute towards achievement of the expected outcome under the UNDP’s Country Programme Document 2026-2030.
  • →Maintain good cooperation and coordination with national counterparts, projects partners, and other stakeholders (donor community, international finance institutions, private sector).
  • →Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs.
  • →Actively identify and mobilize new partnerships and funding sources (resource mobilization) for new projects and initiatives, ensure blending of resources to achieve scalable impact.
  • →Establish records with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and follow up on partnership-related issues.
  • →By providing project level information, contribute to the development of pipeline initiatives primarily under the themes covered by the Projects.

• →Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:
  • →Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
  • →Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
  • →Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and 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. 
  • →Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of the assigned Project(s) of the Energy and Environment Unit, including technical coordination and mobilization of Project(s) resources, supervising Project(s) personnel, consultants and subcontractors. The Project(s) Manager will be tasked with the day-to-day management of the Project(s) activities, as well as dealing with material, financial and administrative reporting. The Project(s) Manager will apply an integrative manner and closely coordinate with the Project(s) experts, as well as other ongoing and future projects and initiative for building synergies, towards achieving outcome results as well as performance indicators specified in the Project(s) Document(s), in accordance with the required quality standards and within the specified time and cost constraints. This will require linking indicators to the workplan(s) to ensure results-based management. On institutional aspects, the Project(s) will closely communicate, coordinate and work with the National Project Director and relevant ministries of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other relevant government bodies and stakeholders. 

Under overall guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist/Head of EE Unit, the Project(s) Manager will closely cooperate with the Government, UNDP, its programme teams and operations, and other UN agencies, NGOs and other Project partners as appropriate. 

• 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.

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies:

• Business Acumen:    
  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. 
  • Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.
• Negotiation and Influence:    
  • Reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations.

• Human-centered Design:    
  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices.

• Results-based Management:    
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• 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.

• Nature:    
  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Social, Economic, Environmental Sciences, or other related sciences is required; or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation, leading and managing development 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:

• Working experience within the UN system in implementing development projects.
• Working experience with ministries and/or other national institutions, and ability to work effectively with fellow partners at all levels and with all groups.
  Additional years of work experience as a manager/coordinator in project implementation and the ability to manage conflicting priorities and tight timelines.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Russian and/or Kazakh is required.

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.

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. 

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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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