UNDP is the leading United Nations organization, fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the Sustainable Development Goals as the National Development Agenda, the Punjab Government took the lead in establishing the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Board in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.

As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Punjab SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Punjab, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection and inclusion to provide a comprehensive ‘SDG Push’ in priority policy areas to help Punjab embark on a stable, sustainable, and accelerated trajectory of achieving the SDGs. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including:

• Objective 1: Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped/marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
• Objective 2: Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channelling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
• Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) at DPU, UNDP Pakistan, the Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

The Project Manager works under the supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative of the Development Policy Unit UNDP and collaborates closely with the UNDP Pakistan DPU colleagues, Punjab Planning & Development Board, and the relevant stakeholders at the provincial and district levels.

Project management, planning, and implementation

• Lead strategic planning for the project, including formulation of annual project work plan (AWP) as well as plans for budget, HR, procurement, and overall project implementation, in line with the Project Document and close coordination with Punjab Planning and Development (P&D) Board, and seek approval of the Project Technical Committee (PTC) according to UNDP CO timelines.
• Provide quality and timely management of the project life cycle, including meeting programmatic and financial deliverables in adherence to project documents and applicable UNDP policy and programme management procedures and Government standards, rules, and regulations. Act as a senior advisor on issues related to project activities.
• Ensure that the AWP activities align with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to the achievement of project targets and results.
• Report the project progress to the PTC and other related oversight bodies and ensure the fulfillment of PTC directives.
• Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in close collaboration with relevant units of UNDP CO and senior management of the Punjab P&D Board.
• Oversee and coordinate the development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication, and risk management plans for the Project.
• Assess project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results.
• Establish adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close coordination with the UNDP’s Development Policy Unit and Management Support Unit (MSU). Ensure that adequate systems are in place (UNDP corporate planning system: QUANTUM) to gather data and information for project monitoring and that systematic monitoring of project progress against targets is undertaken, including regular field trips for monitoring purposes. Develop innovative improvements to enhance the performance of the project.
• Ensure that the UNDP´s and Punjab P&D Board results-management systems are kept updated for project results information.
• Manage accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets to the Project Board and donors. Ensure that donor and UNDP reports are prepared according to UNDP SOPs quality standards and in line with the contractual obligations to project donors. Ensure that deadlines submit all internal and external reports.
• Provide guidance, and direct supervision to UNDP project personnel, including technical experts, to ensure activities are implemented on time as planned. Undertake technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, and ensure high technical standards are met.
• Ensure all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.
• Ensure proper execution of all administrative activities associated with project implementation that includes building and sustaining effective liaison with the CO’s functional areas and units (i.e., programme, M&E, finance, HR, procurement, and supply management).
• Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training, and other required inputs to initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ and consultants’ works as necessary.
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through the advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures), as/if applicable.
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
• Be responsible for preparing and submitting financial reports to UNDP and the donor (Government of Punjab) every quarter.

Ensure the provision of high-quality technical advice, and build and maintain strategic partnerships

• Substantively contribute to harnessing effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of key objectives, and to promote inclusive project implementation.
• Communicate relevant and critical information with key implementing partners and members of project governing bodies, and substantively contribute to project visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the CO management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability, and synergies.
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

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

• Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of a detailed results framework. Ensure strategies, processes, systems, and mechanisms are in place to effectively fulfil programme and financial monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance, and reporting requirements.
• Lead implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations, underperformance, and other problems. Support diagnosing problems and ensure accountability for corrective actions within agreed-upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP/P&D Board senior management.
• Proactively perform risk assessments to identify and document risks related to the project, including operational, financial, legal, contractual, social, environmental, reputation, and safety risks. Design mitigation measures and keep appropriate project governing bodies informed. Develop and complete regular reviews of the risk management matrix for the project.
• Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities.
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

Lead knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas of the project

• Design and implement a robust sensitization and capacity development plan for Government stakeholders including the Planning and Development Board and key departments at provincial and district levels, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia around thematic areas relevant to SDGs.
• Coordinate and prepare thematic and substantive reports/analyses/briefs advocating formulation and dissemination of SDGs consistent policies, plans, and programmes.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize macro-economic and SDG-related information, and facilitate the Project representation in knowledge networks to draw on and share best practices and lessons learned, with emphasis on gender, people with disabilities, the youth, and other vulnerable groups.
• Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP and the Government of Punjab’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends. Represent UNDP and Punjab P&D Board in relevant technical meetings and working groups under the direction of CO management.
• Support the establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for disseminating knowledge from the project and ensure the development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and support and highlight UNDP and the Government of Punjab’s engagement in respective areas.

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