UNDP Jobs - 28136- Project Quality Assurance Specialist

Project Quality Assurance Specialist

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Mar-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year extendable

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Project Quality Assurance Specialist’s main responsibility is to coordinate and ensure the successful design and implementation of projects and programmes for maximizing outcomes and results, in line with corporate requirements. In addition, s/he will be working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in establishing proper internal systems for project monitoring, quality assurance and evaluation.The incumbent will ensure that programmes and projects are designed and implemented at a high quality level to support the Country Office's (CO) capacity and credibility.

UNDP Kuwait is comprised of four main programmes: Democratic Governance, Environmental Sustainability, Social and Human Development, and Economic and Private Sector Development. The Project Quality Assurance Specialist will work closely with Programme and Project staff in the Country Office, with UNDP colleagues at regional and HQ level, and with implementing partners to ensure that thematic, programme and project cycles (design, implementation, and closure) are carried out according to corporate guidelines and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensure the Country Office (CO) produces high quality material that complies with corporate requirements;
Ensure provision of top quality advisory services on quality control and assurance of the country programme and related project;
Implementation and management of quality control policies, strategies and processes;
Knowledge building and knowledge sharing on quality assurance and control.

Ensure the Country Office produces high quality material that complies with corporate requirements, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Prepare, edit, and/or review project documents and project implementation plans to certify compliance with standard practices, UNDP guidelines, & RBM;
Review partnership arrangements (agreements) to ensure compliance with corporate standards;
Support RBM and M&E based programme and project formulation including annual work-planning and reporting exercises in line with corporate requirements, the RBA strategy and CO-level strategies and plans;
Monitor quality of programme financial data;
Advise programme staff in matters of quality and raising quality standards;
Maintain efforts of the CO to produce continuous high quality by implementing quality control;
Maintain and guide the Country Office on UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and other guidelines.

Ensure provision of top quality advisory services on quality control and assurance of the country programme and related projects in support of effective partnership building and resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Establish effective mechanisms for controlling and assuring quality during the Country Programme implementation;
Review country programme and project documents and reports, including annual and quarterly reports;
Provide technical advice at the design stage of programmes/projects to improve quality of the projects;
Support CO programme staff with effective use of tools and methodologies for planning, designing, implementing, and closing projects;
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
Capitalize on the CO’s success stories and lessons learnt to add value to future projects and partnerships;
Participate in the change management process and ensure quality standards are met.

Implementation and management of quality control policies, strategies and processes focusing on achievement of the following results:

Establish and manage internal systems for effective and efficient programmes and projects, both internal UNDP and for Implementing Partners;
Promotion of high quality standards and capacity development in the Country Office;
Ensure the implementation of programme and project evaluation recommendations. Ensuring the optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluations and by developing a communication plan.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing on quality assurance and control focusing on achievement of the following results:

Orient and train Country office staff in understanding and applying high-quality results-oriented project design;
Collect, synthesize and disseminate best practices on project design and management capitalizing on the project and programme evaluations;
Identification and development of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues that will improve the quality of projects;
Facilitate programme unit’s application of best practices & advocate UNDP successful experiences in project quality design as well as substantive areas of expertise through global knowledge networks;
Provide training to partners and government counterparts.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme and the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP's interventions and activities. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities. Ensuring quality of projects enhances the organization's capacity and credibility in implementation of highly effective programmes with strong impact

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree with 5 years’ experience or bachelor’s degree with 7 years’ experience in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years of post Master’s relevant experience at the national or international level in monitoring and evaluation, including hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing relationships among partners;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic.