Background
UNDP Philippines partnered with DICT to support the provision of free public internet services in select sites through the DICT-UNDP Free Wi-Fi for All Project and contribute to the National Program on Free Public Internet Access to close the digital divide in the Philippines. In 2022, DICT agreed to refocus the project to provide internet connectivity to higher education institutions and health and vaccination facilities, assist the typhoon and emergency connectivity preparedness for provincial and municipal LGUs, and strengthening capacity of DICT to install and manage communications equipment and services. The Project is now called DICT-UNDP Connectivity, Capability, and Resiliency through Free Wi-Fi for All (CoRe FW4A). ย ย
As the long-term overall objective, the Project aims to provide women and men with access to free internet services in public places and government offices to supplement learning and help augment the governmentโs disaster preparedness and response, and healthcare services. The Project is composed of the following output components:
UNDP Philippines requires a Project Management Specialist to support programme management, strategic partnerships, effective communications, knowledge building and sharing, and resource mobilization. He/she will support Project Managers assigned in the I&P portfolio and will contribute to cross-practice cooperation and coordination, to maximize impact and focus on CPD outcome results.
The Project Management Specialist is also expected to effectively lead the day-to-day management and implementation of the CoRe FW4A following UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Management Specialist will be under the overall guidance of the UNDP Programme Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships. He/She will coordinate closely with government counterparts and other stakeholders in the execution and oversight of the Projects.
Programme Management: Responsible for providing oversight, strategic direction, and quality assurance to ensure that the project contributes effectively to broader programme goals in line with UNDP POPP, RBM principles, and the Country Programme Document (CPD).
Programme Oversight, Quality Assurance, and Compliance
Provide oversight and quality assurance to ensure project implementation aligns with UNDP POPP, corporate standards, and programme quality benchmarks. Coordinate with the I&P Programme Team to ensure integration of cross-cutting themes (e.g., gender equality, digital inclusion) and compliance with programme performance frameworks. Contribute to programme-level planning and reporting, ensuring project coherence with broader country programme objectives and UNDP strategic priorities. Support the implementation of results-based management practices, including results tracking, risk management, and adaptive programming.Partnership Building and Coordination
Build and sustain strategic relationships with government agencies, donors, civil society, and the private sector at national and subnational levels. Lead stakeholder coordination meetings and represent the I&P Programme Team in strategic dialogues, technical forums, and partnership platforms. Support donor coordination and facilitate timely information-sharing, in line with UNDP and partner expectations.ย Develop and expand partnerships through MOUs, partnership instruments, or joint workplans aligned with programme goals.Strategic Communications and Advocacy
Contribute to implementation of the projectโs communications and advocacy strategy, ensuring alignment with programme messaging and visibility standards. Lead strategic engagements with the Project Board on project risks, opportunities, and sustainability pathways. Advocate for gender equality and inclusive governance throughout programme and project activities.Knowledge Management and Learning
Contribute to programme-level learning and innovation by identifying and synthesizing best practices, lessons learned, and relevant case studies. Collaborate with the Results and Quality Team to ensure use of evidence in programme planning and policy influence. Support the documentation and dissemination of project contributions to UNDP knowledge platforms and communities of practice.Documentation and Quality Assurance
Review and contribute to the drafting of progress reports, policy briefs, assessment studies, strategies, and other programme outputs in close coordination with the I&P Team. Ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of project reports and documentation, including lessons learned and sustainability insights. Coordinate periodic knowledge-sharing sessions to strengthen programme learning loops and promote replication or scale-up of successful models.Project Management: Responsible for the day-to-day planning, implementation, monitoring, and closure of time-bound projects in alignment with approved work plans, budgets, and expected outputs.
Project Planning, Delivery, and Coordination
Lead the development, regular updating, and implementation of project-specific work plans, procurement plans, M&E frameworks, communications plans, and recruitment plans. Manage the day-to-day implementation of project activities, ensuring timely and quality delivery of outputs in accordance with approved project documents and donor agreements. Oversee assessments of technology options and digital solutionsโnational and internationalโaligned with technical requirements of the project. Coordinate closely with DICT and other implementing partners to ensure coherence, technical alignment, and joint delivery of project activities. Manage potential spin-off or follow-on projects with similar responsibilities as above.Operations, Procurement, and Financial Management
Ensure effective utilization of project resources, maintaining financial integrity and accountability in accordance with UNDP financial rules and regulations. Facilitate procurement, subcontracting, and outsourcing of goods and services in coordination with the UNDP Procurement Team, ensuring high-quality terms of reference and timely acquisition. Monitor and update transactions in UNDP enterprise systems (e.g., Quantum), including requisitions, receipts, non-PO payments, and financial reports. Ensure readiness of all required documentation for internal and external audits.Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Establish and implement robust monitoring mechanisms to track project progress, manage risks, and inform decision-making. Ensure timely preparation and submission of technical and financial progress reports to UNDP, DICT, and the Project Board, as required. Coordinate with M&E teams to ensure all activities and outputs are aligned with project results frameworks and performance indicators.Team Management and Supervision
Supervise project team members, ensuring performance management through goal-setting, coaching, feedback, and performance reviews. Promote cross-project collaboration and competency sharing across teams The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย
Competencies
Core Competencies:ย
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย 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 demandsย 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 collaborationCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction and 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. Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Resource Management: Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity 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 Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.Information Management and Technology
IT Project Management: Capacity to manage ICT projects, using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Information Management, Information and Communication Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the fields mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum of seven (7) years (with masterยดs degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelorยดs degree) of progressively responsible experience in managing and implementing complex projects of multi-lateral organizations and/or government agencies is required.ย At least three (3) ongoing or completed projects related to information communication and technology (ICT) infrastructure i.e., system development, installation, provision, or use of VSAT and internet, etc. and telecommunications equipment. At least two (2) years of progressive experience in networking, partnership building and/or negotiations with senior government officials, development partners, and/or private contractors. ย Working experience with UN/UNDP and/or international development organizations at local or international level. ย ย ยRequired Languages:
Fluency in English and Filipino is required.ยEqual 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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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