Project Manager - Land And Trust-Building

Organizational Context

UNDP Sri Lanka's Inclusive Governance portfolio addresses governance challenges, conflict, and promotes accountable governance aligned with SDG 16. This role manages the "Land and Trust-building Engagement in the Regions of the North & East (LANTERN)" project, a joint initiative with IOM. The project aims to reduce state-citizen tensions by improving land governance systems and fostering trust, particularly in post-conflict areas.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager will lead the overall management, coordination, and implementation of the LANTERN project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of results. This involves providing strategic and technical guidance to partners, strengthening stakeholder coordination, and contributing to UNDP's peacebuilding and inclusive governance agenda in Sri Lanka. The role requires continuous engagement with government, UN, civil society, and community stakeholders to ensure coherent, conflict-sensitive, and evidence-based project execution. The project focuses on improving land governance, enhancing institutional capacities, and fostering trust-building for sustainable peace and development in post-conflict regions.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and technical leadership in land governance, trust-building, and conflict sensitivity, aligning with national priorities and evolving dynamics. Analyze socio-economic developments affecting land governance and recommend adaptive measures. Ensure evidence-based decision-making through research and monitoring. Drive high-level stakeholder coordination and represent the project in strategic forums. Manage the LANTERN project, including personnel and consultants, ensuring implementation aligns with the Project Document and work plans. Oversee budget, procurement, and contracts, and monitor progress against plans, initiating corrective actions. Manage project risks and ensure changes are appropriately documented and approved. Anchor the project within UNDP's portfolio, ensuring synergies with related initiatives. Coordinate effectively with IOM, UN agencies, and the Resident Coordinator's Office. Serve as Secretary to the Project Board and prepare governance documentation. Engage donors, development partners, and key government counterparts. Facilitate inclusive coordination with civil society and affected communities. Oversee monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and knowledge management activities, ensuring quality and timely submission of reports.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in the development sector (with a Master's degree) or seven years (with a Bachelor's degree) in relevant fields such as Law, Human Rights, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, or Governance is required. Experience in project management is essential. Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, or managing programs related to peacebuilding, governance, social cohesion, land governance, or reconciliation is also required.

Skills

Project Management, Partnership Management, Results-based Management, Communication, Systems Thinking, Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding, Land Governance, Human Rights, Trust-building, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Report Writing, Budget Management, Procurement, Risk Management, Interagency Coordination, Diversity & Inclusion.

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