In May 2025, the Philippines will hold both midterm national elections and the first regular elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  The elections are pivotal, marking a critical step in establishing a fully functioning government within the BARMM. This underlines the need to support and expand the democratic space for political and governance work to flourish in a region where poverty reduction and security for all have been a high priority.

The upcoming elections in BARMM face several challenges, including a risk of widespread voter disenfranchisement especially among women, indigenous peoples, youth, and other vulnerable populations. Moreover, there is a concerning lack of voter awareness about the Parliament’s role and powers, including the recently promulgated implementing Rules and Regulations of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. To help address these challenges, UNDP and with funding support from the Embassy of Japan seeks to assist the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in ensuring inclusive elections.

UNDP is looking for a Project Manager, who will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in UNDP Cotabato Field Office. This involves working closely with the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships Programme (I&P) Team, UNDP Cotabato Field Office, COMELEC, and other stakeholders to ensure that the project has achieved its intended objectives.

The Project Manager will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in UNDP Cotabato Field Office and is expected to lead the implementation and monitoring of the activities under the project.

Under the direct supervision of the Institutions and Partnerships (I and P) Programme Team Leader, the Project Manager is expected to work closely with the Head of UNDP Cotabato Field Office, Results-Based Management Analyst of UNDP Country Office and the I and P Programme Analyst . He/she is also expected to collaborate with relevant government agencies such as COMELEC, and other stakeholders.
Key functions include:

Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative management for the delivery of the project’s activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead the preparation and updating of the project’s annual work plan, procurement plan and M&E plan.
• Manage project funds, maintain financial integrity, and ensure effective use of project resources.
• With support from project staff, provide quality and timely financial reports, as per UNDP financial rules and regulations and Government requirements.
• Ensure delivery of outputs and contribution to outcomes through an effective implementation plan and close coordination with COMELEC and UNDP management and technical teams.
• Operational coordination through support to existing coordination mechanisms, propose modifications of the plan to respond to changes in the project context; and
• Provide overall coordination and oversight of all project activities, with focus on strategic interventions that dramatically improve the quality and usefulness of evaluations and build government capacity for M&E.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of the project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Build and maintain an effective working relationship with key partners and stakeholders, especially with COMELEC.
• Develop and finalize Memorandum of Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, or other relevant legal instruments with relevant entities, such as non-government organizations and academic institutions.
• Work closely with the project team and stakeholders to ensure that the project outputs are delivered on time, meet set standards of quality, and are useful to stakeholders.
• Promote coordination, dialogue, and good practice knowledge sharing among stakeholders; and
• Ensure effective collaboration with the UN agencies and other development partners.

Lead resource mobilization and financial accountability focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identify and collaborate with potential partners to leverage Project funds and results.
• Effective application of UNDP financial oversight through the Quantum enterprise management system; and
• Work closely with CO programme and finance teams to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations.

Manage human resources focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supervise staff members under the PMU and provide necessary guidance and coaching; and
• Set performance parameters for staff members under the PMU, assess their performance, and provide feedback.

Efficient Contribution to the tasks related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of Project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan;
• Establish suitable monitoring mechanisms and undertake regular monitoring and reporting on project progress, risks and constraints; updates the implementation plan as required; and
• Promote accountability through effective programme results reporting (monthly, quarter, and annual progress and financial reports)

Ensure facilitation of communications, knowledge management, and advocacy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of Project’s Advocacy and Strategic Communications Plan;
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals; and
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management

• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
• Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks; Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Electoral Cycle Support
• Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Inclusive Political Processes

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