National Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

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.

Background

This project aims to strengthen Mongolia’s performance-oriented Public Finance Management (PFM) aimed to improve fiscal resilience, efficiency, transparency, and development impact. Building on progress achieved through earlier EU‑funded PFM reforms, the project supports the Government of Mongolia to advance medium‑term and risk‑informed fiscal planning, modernize budgeting systems, enhance domestic revenue mobilization, and institutionalize results‑based budgeting at national and subnational levels. The initiative responds directly to key gaps identified in the 2021 PEFA assessment and aligns with national development priorities articulated in Vision 2050, the five Years Development Guideline (2026–2030), and Mongolia’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Implemented through a systems‑level and capacity‑development approach, the project will strengthen fiscal frameworks such as the Medium‑Term Budgetary Framework and fiscal risk management, while deepening performance‑based budgeting practices. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating cross‑cutting priorities, including climate action, gender equality, and youth inclusion into budgeting and expenditure management processes. The project will also support tax revenue policy aligned with international standards to expand fiscal space for sustainable development. Through close collaboration with key government institutions and development partners, the project seeks to institutionalize reforms, enhance accountability, and ensure that public resources are allocated and used more effectively to deliver inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development outcomes in Mongolia.
The project contributes directly to the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by strengthening transparent, accountable, and effective public financial management systems, and to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through enhanced domestic resource mobilisation and alignment with international tax and fiscal standards. By institutionalising performance-oriented Public Finance Management, the project supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through more efficient and equitable allocation of public resources, particularly in health, education, and energy sectors. Integration of climate considerations into fiscal planning and budgeting contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action), while mainstreaming gender‑responsive budgeting advances SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Collectively, the project strengthens the financing and governance foundations required for the implementation of the SDGs in Mongolia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Analyst for the Diversified, Inclusive and Green Economic Transition portfolio, the National Project Manager (NPM) is responsible for a day-to-day management of the “Strengthening policy and performance-oriented PFM systems in Mongolia” project, including planning, implementation, coordination, reporting, monitoring and evaluation; and for the substantive support to the project, and will assist in conceptualizing and implementing new projects on innovative financing including on sustainable infrastructure. 
The National Project Manager is accountable to UNDP for the overall management of the projects and for the delivery of results (outputs) specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The position will supervise PMF technical expert.
 

1.     Management and coordination of project implementation:

    Be in charge of day-to-day management of project. 
    Take a lead to build consensus among the project stakeholders on key results, expected outcomes and impact of the project. 
    Prepare and submit Annual work plan and budget in a timely manner. 
    Coordinate and manage the day-to-day implementation of the project and ensure achievement of targets as outlined in the project document and Annual work plan. 
    Implement the project activities, initiate and manage project-related procurement actions, including drafting of clear technical specifications for the provision of goods and services under the project workplan. 
    Ensure the timely mobilization and utilization of project personnel, subcontracts, training, and equipment inputs, 
    Ensure the quality and timeliness of goods, services, and works delivered by sub-contractors, through close supervision and pro-active risk mitigation strategies. 
    Provide technical guidance and support to relevant substantive areas of the project implementation, where needed. 
    Mainstream gender equality in the project activities, planning, monitoring, and reporting. 
    Coordinate and create synergies of project components, other relevant projects and programmes and initiatives. 
    Perform others coordinating tasks as appropriate for the successful implementation of the project in accordance with the project document.

2.    Coordination and provision of technical and oversight support to the management.

    Coordinate the project stakeholders on results, expected outcomes and impact of the project. 
    Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations, and make course corrections when needed within project board-agreed tolerances to achieve results. 
    Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed with the board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities. 
    Coordinate the development of short-, medium- and long-term strategic plans of the project, including timely annual and quarterly work plans, whilst considering emerging issues. 
    Coordinate the review and appraisal of proposals and annual plans submitted by the implementing entities and ensure provision of quality feedback and effective comments. 
    Lead the preparation of quarterly, annual and financial reports and submission to contributors and other relevant stakeholders, with a special view to capturing lessons learned and best practices for improving the performance of the facility portfolio. 
    Coordinate drafting of TORs for consultancies / services. 
    Supervise consultancy works and review and assess products/services provided by consultants and experts counterparts and notify/advise the head of the secretariat on quality and recommend appropriate actions to undertake for improvement of results. 
    Establish links between country priorities, positions of the international community and Project strategies in green economic transition.

3.    Implementation of reporting, monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies.
    Effective monitoring for ensuring implementation of project activities.
    Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and the results.
    Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the Project Steering Committee and Working Group for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log.
    Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log.
    Prepare the Project Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the report to the Project Management Team.
    Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and activity progress reports to UNDP as well as adequate financial management of allocated resources.
    Oversee timely preparation of reports for UNDP to donors and other stakeholders.
    Prepare presentations to donor partners, government and other stakeholders as required.

4.    Liaison, partnerships and coordination with external and internal partners:
    Create strategic partnerships with government, non-government, and private sector stakeholders and beneficiaries.
    Actively support the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy and maintain close relationships with donor partners.
    Closely liaise with the teams for programme results to ensure coherence and synergy among all projects of UNDP Mongolia.
    Build relationships with other UN agencies and build upon common activities to ensure maximum impact of project activities especially when targeting vulnerable groups such as children, youth and women and,
    Advise team members and management on new developments regarding key partners and stakeholders.

5.    Facilitate knowledge building and management:
    Provide quality advisory services to the CO and Ips and facilitate knowledge building and management.
    Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned.
    Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories; and,
    Contribute to the design and implementation of appropriate learning strategies for stakeholders.

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

Competencies

Core Competencies: 
Achieve Results:    LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact  
Think Innovatively:    LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems  
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 demands  
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 collaboration 
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:    LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity 
People Management 
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-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
   

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between 
  planned activities and programme management and results.; Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.; Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• 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

Finance

• Development finance expertise: Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g., social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate: Circular economy and green economy

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Equality Strategy

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Development Studies, or relevant discipline is required. Or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in public finance management, development, project/program coordination, policy development and/or analysis is required

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:

• Proven experience and knowledge in in public finance management, result-based management, Development Effectiveness and cooperation, gender equality, climate finance and its related issues is desired.
• Experience in working in the field of of public finance management, green development, climate change and/or environmental finance is desired.
• Extensive experience in mobilizing resources for development, developing systems, procedures and guidelines is highly desired.
• Proven experience in providing policy and technical advice to government officials, especially in financial policy and development finance, and is desire

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Mongolian is required. 

Equal 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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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

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