UNDP Jobs - 29613- Assistant Country Director (Only for Nepalese Nati

Assistant Country Director (Only for Nepalese National)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

02-Jul-2012

Application Deadline :

11-May-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year Renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Only Nepali nationals are elligible to apply.

Under the guidance of the DCD, the Assistant Country Director, Programme (ACD-P) acts as a manager of and advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of CO programme. The main role is to develop, manage and ensure timely and quality results achievement of the country programme including monitoring, evaluation and reporting on implementation. The ACD (P) leads the programme team in strategic planning, identifies strategic programme areas and formulating new programmes ensuring consistency with UNDAF/CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities. The ACD/P provides top quality advice to Government and partners and contributes to knowledge building and management.

ACD-P heads the Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness Unit. As part of the management team, she/he contributes to the development and implementation of the vision and strategic direction of the Country Office and keeps close collaboration with other programme and operations team.

S/he works in close collaboration/network with other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor agencies and civil society to effectively support the implementation of UNDP programme in Nepal.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Planning, Coordination and Management:

As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction and positioning of the UNDP programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation and/or revision of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Country Programme Document (CPD)/Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP), project documents and AWPs, including M&E frameworks.
Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation.
Operationalization of UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN agencies including identification of possibilities of joint programming.
Formulation new projects ensuring alignment with the UNDAF and CPD/CPAP, problem and risk analysis, the preparation of Results and Resource Framework as well as M&E Frameworks.
Top quality advisory services in the areas of aid effectiveness and development results.
Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies, advocacy for policy-driven initiatives.

Partnership building and Resource Management :

Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes and delivery targets
Analysis and research of information on donors, substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.
Effective use of programmable resources made available to UNDP Nepal for its programmes (both core and non-core resources) and their allocations are as per priorities identified in UNDAF/CPD/CPAP & CO priorities.
Identification, development and management of strategic partnership with UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multi-bilateral donors, private sector, civil society, academia etc.
Strategic oversight of budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the programme, use of financial resources in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
Cost sharing agreements are in full adherence to standard texts with correct financial details
HACT compliance and regular updates.
Leadership in preparation of audit and timely follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported to senior management.
Cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects is operational.

Programme Performance, Results & Quality Assurance:

Effective leadership in development and management of the CO programme portfolio under her/his responsibility focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation and achieving the following results:

Full application of Results Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets (Balance Score Card) ensuring and monitoring achievement of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
ACD (P) performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval.
Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.
Ensures the effective implementation of UNDP Field Monitoring Strategy to help adjust the programmes
Aggregated reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes.
Accuracy and timely submission of donor reports.
Leadership in CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal control system and Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management and control of the workflows in the Programme Units.

Programme monitor/review, evaluation and reporting:

Effective leadership in management, monitoring and supervision of programme team achieving the following results:

Periodic reviews of UNDP’s programmes (UNDAF, CPD/CPAP) in close consultation with IPs and Government Coordinating agency and other development partners.
Effective use of field monitoring system and incorporation of findings in CO’s programmes
Development and implementation of CO Evaluation Plan to assess development results and incorporation of evaluation findings in its programme.
Preparation of Results Oriented Annual Report (ROAR) and other CO reports on programme results for donors as and when required.

Knowledge building and knowledge products:

As a senior technical expert ensuring proactive provision of top quality advisory services, knowledge products and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Updated information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals
Development of specialized policy advisory papers
Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Active participation in strategic advisory groups in the country. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners
Active collaboration with UNDP/UN Policy networks, advisors, centers and development of specialized technical networks
Active contributions to the County Office’s Advisory Group and close collaboration with the Country Office’s senior advisors to maximize the relevance and quality of the policy advisory services.
Organizes trainings and briefing sessions for CO and Project staff in the areas of: UNDP’s programming policies and project management cycles; Corporate operating systems (Atlas, HACT, IPSAS); Cost recovery mechanisms; Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme policy and procedures.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda : Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management: Contributing to results through provision of information

Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships: Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches: Developing new approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization: Implementing resource mobilization strategies

Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
Identifies and compiles lessons learned
Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Client Orientation: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
Building support and political acumen
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
Building and promoting effective teams
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years of Sr. level relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
Experience in developing programme finance management strategy.
Experience in mobilization of resources from donors and maintaining credible donor relationship.
Solid experience in programme finance management.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.