The Republic of Tajikistan received funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) toward the cost of Tourism Business Education Development Project. The total cost of the project is US$ 18.25 million, including IsDB financing of US$13.95 million. The project is co-financed by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The development objective of the Project is to improve access to and the quality of higher professional education in tourism and hospitality, based on best international practices, through the upgrading of the existing education institution to a modern, inclusive, and sustainable institution in Dangara city and strengthening its potential to serve as a Hub for tourism and hospitality education as a champion of Halal Tourism education expanding best practices within the country and in the region.
The project is composed of following components: (A) Access for Tourism and Business Education; (B) Institutional Capacity of Tourism and Business Education; (C) Project Management Support; (D) Financial Audit; and (E) Contingent Emergency Response Component.
A dedicated full-time Project Management Unit is established within the International University of Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Tajikistan (Executing Agency) to ensure efficient management and implementation of the Project within its approved scope/ timeline.
Specific Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Rector of Executing Agency (EA) and in close cooperation with the IsDB, the details of the specific assignments/tasks of the Project Coordinator will be as follows:
Overall Management:
Day-to-day management of the project, ensuring timely implementation of all project activities;
Ensure that the Project is implemented in compliance with the Project legal agreements, IsDB procurement and financial management regulations, Project Implementation Manual (PIM), including design and implementation schedule and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
In close coordination with EA, and IsDB develop multi-year work program, annual work programs for project, including annual project budgets and ensure their timely implementation;
Ensure regular communication with the senior management of the EA, and IsDB to inform them of the implementation progress, raise any critical issues that may impede project implementation, and follow-on agreed actions;
Monitor and ensure an effective and transparent utilization of the Project funds in accordance with the procurement plan and costing table;
Oversee the preparation of all reports, including Inception report, periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, PIASR) and ensure all reports are of satisfactory quality and submitted in due time.
Serve as a key liaison to ensure strong communication between the EA and the IsDB;
Ensure synergy of all Project’s components and sub-components by working closely and collaborating with the heads and focal staff of the EA’s relevant departments/units;
Ensure transparency in project implementation, publication of project information, development and control of public relations.
PMU Management
Ensure that all PMU policies and procedures are duly implemented.
Establish adequate mechanisms for coordination and management of PMU staff and consultants to properly perform their duties. Manage and coordinate the work of technical consultants contracted to support project implementation, review and ensure the quality of their outputs/reports.
Supervise the work of the project team, including the senior procurement specialist and chief accountant hired under the project, and ensure that the project implementation plan (PIP), procurement plan (PP) and financial plan (FP) are up-to-date and submitted to the IsDB on time;
Coordinate the recruitment of new PMU staff and consultants.
Monitor the performance of PMU staff through carrying out annual performance reviews, including recommendations/plans for improvement.
Prepare and supervise the implementation of PMU staff capacity building strategy.
Facilitate collaborative, constructive communication between staff and consultants to effectively carry out their duties.
Based on the evidence concerning the Project’s implementation progress, propose changes and/or calibrations as needed to the PIM to be approved by the EA, and submitted to the IsDB for no-objection;
Financial management
Ensure effective and proper management of all financial issues, disbursements and use of funds, in accordance with procedures and standards of accounting, budgeting, financial control and auditing, acceptable to financial institutions and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan;
Provide support to the audit and other reviews of the PMU and the Project in accordance with the audit contract and legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan;
Sign internal orders and instructions, minutes, checks, payment orders, purchase orders and other legally binding documents and/or documents on behalf of the PMU;
Manage material and financial resources of the office.
Procurement
Ensure the effective implementation of all project procurement, including procurement of goods, works and services in accordance with the IsDB and Government requirements.
Legal
Monitor the compliance of all activities carried out within the framework of the project with all legal obligations and provide recommendations for remedial actions where incompliance occurs.
Environmental and social aspects
Ensure that the project activities meet the environmental and social safety requirements.
Ensure compliance with environmental and social policies.
Ensure that disability and gender are mainstreamed across project activities and considerations for disability inclusion and gender sensitivities are accounted for during planning and implementation of all project activities.
Monitoring and evaluation
Ensure the functioning of an effective system for monitoring and evaluating project activities, intermediate and final results and overall achievements.
Coordinate reporting inputs for all project components and sub-components from EA and project leadership and undertake the analysis and interpretation of these inputs in the preparation of consolidated project progress reports, and a final completion report, to be submitted in a timely manner to the EA, IsDB and other stakeholders.
Conducting regular meetings with development partners to update them on project status.
Supervise monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure conformance of actual results to planned results, in accordance with the M&E Framework.
External relations and coordination
Represent the Project and its interests in dealing with government, local organizations, forums and on-time reporting public events, as necessary.
Attend and participate in conferences, seminars related to PMU project management.
With inputs from relevant members of the Project Management Team, develop an overall plan for project’s communication campaign, prepare communication materials and roll out a project communication campaign.
Key Results/ Performance Indicators
The Project is efficiently and effectively coordinated and managed with appropriate day-to-day follow-up and monitoring.
Effective management of the project team working in support of the Project;
Necessary actions taken to respond to any changes during the project implementation;
Progress is being made against Project objectives and targets;
Regular and clear reporting on progress, including project finances to EA and IsDB.
The Project M&E system and internal quality control are implemented as per the PIM and Project M&E OM
Documents (TORs, PIP, PP, FP, survey methodologies etc.) submitted to the EA and IsDB on time and of adequate quality.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
Higher education in the field of management, public administration, economics, education or relevant areas (Master Degree);
At least 8 years of experience in managing a work of multitasked professional teams preferably in education sector
At least 5 years of experience in managing donor funded projects; especially in the education sector, is an advantage;
Good knowledge and experience in education system of Tajikistan;
Good knowledge of project cycle, procurement and financial management;
Ability to think strategically and translate ideas into plans and actions;
Strong verbal communication and report writing skills;
Strong staff management and activity coordination skills;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in Tajik and Russian. Knowledge of English will be an advantage.
Computer literate: Windows, MS Excel and Word, and ability to learn new systems quickly.
Competencies:
Communication skills: the ability to convey relevant and accurate information in written and oral format;
Concern for accuracy and attention to details: the ability to ensure and maintain a high degree of accuracy and quality in work, including work under pressure and multiple assignments;
Problem solving: ability to make reasonable judgment and take initiative in all operational processes and propose practical and realistic solutions to address them;
Planning and organizing: ability to operate independently with minimum control, prioritize and schedule workload. Effectively manage high volume of multiple tasks;
Team work: building effective communication and relationships both within and outside the team. Sharing knowledge, information and best practices with others;
Results orientated: ability to ensure the goals and operational targets are achieved; constantly seeking to improve operational processes.
Contractual Conditions
The duration of the contract will be the project implementation period subject to annual performance evaluation.
Remuneration will be paid monthly in accordance with the salary scale agreed between the IsDB, Executing Agency and Ministry of Finance (in line with the relevant Government Decree);
The position may require travel to project sites within Tajikistan. Travel expenses such as daily allowance, accommodation, etc. will be reimbursed in accordance with the relevant procedures.
The Project Coordinator will be accountable to the Rector of EA on day-to-day project activities.
The place of work of the Project Coordinator – Dushanbe and Dangara cities.
Required documents:
CV
University diplomas along with translation into English;
Other relevant certifications confirming competencies of the Applicant;
