Overview
The Project Manager – Land and Trust-building will be responsible for the overall management, coordination, and implementation of the LANTERN project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of results.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and technical leadership related to land governance, durable solutions, trust building, and reconciliation.
- Lead strategic analysis of developments affecting land governance and state-citizen relations.
- Ensure evidence-based decision-making through research and monitoring.
- Drive high-level stakeholder coordination and represent the project in strategic forums.
- Provide strategic advice to UNDP, IOM, and implementing partners.
- Lead and manage the LANTERN project, including recruitment and overseeing consultants.
- Ensure project implementation aligns with the Project Document and Results Framework.
- Supervise assigned personnel for effective programme management.
- Prepare and revise annual, quarterly, and multi-year work plans and budgets.
- Manage personnel, procurement, goods and services, training, grants, and consultancy contracts.
- Monitor implementation progress and initiate corrective actions.
- Ensure effective project risk management.
- Support audits and assurance activities.
- Anchor the LANTERN project within UNDP's Inclusive Governance and SDG 16 portfolio.
- Coordinate with IOM, relevant UN agencies, and the Resident Coordinator's Office.
- Ensure coordination between UNDP and IOM teams.
- Work closely with communications teams for visibility products.
- Serve as Secretary to the Project Board/Steering Committee.
- Prepare annual review reports and governance-related documentation.
- Engage donors and development partners.
- Engage with key government counterparts and other stakeholders.
- Facilitate inclusive coordination among civil society organizations and communities.
- Provide guidance to Monitoring and Reporting Officers.
- Ensure effective monitoring of the Project Results Framework, risk matrix, and quality assurance mechanisms.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of narrative and financial reports.
- Lead the development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans.
- Support independent evaluations.
- Develop and implement management responses to evaluation recommendations.
- Capture, document, and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and innovations.
Required Experience
A minimum of five (5) years (with a master's degree) or seven (7) years (with a bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible work experience in the development sector is required in Law, Human Rights, Economics, International Relations Political Science, Governance, or a related area. Experience working in project management is required. Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, or management of programmes related to peacebuilding, governance, social cohesion, durable solutions, land governance, human rights, or reconciliation, including engagement with government institutions and multiple stakeholders, is required. Strong background in working with national and subnational level actors. Solid experience in supporting national initiatives, in a government setting, is a strong asset. Strong knowledge of state-citizen land disputes, land governance challenges, and durable solutions in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, including demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, or providing technical support to programmes, policy processes, or multi-stakeholder initiatives addressing these issues, is highly desirable. Solid experience with project planning and implementation is preferred. Prior work experience with a UN entity or development organization will be an added advantage. Experience with good communication and coordination skills is an asset.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Economics, Political Science, Governance, Business Administration or Management or a related area is required. OR A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
