UNDP Jobs - 30172- Programme Specialist - Public Sector and Parliamen

Programme Specialist - Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform, SIPD

Location :

Hargeisa, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2012

Application Deadline :

15-Jul-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (with possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

N/A

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

UNDP Somalia comprises two main clusters: (a) Governance and Rule of Law Programme; and (b) Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection Programme. The Governance and Rule of Law Programme of UNDP Somalia responds to all four outcome areas outlined in the country programme: capacity-building for peace and human security, strengthened governance and rule of law institutions, systems, practices and services, increased livelihood opportunities and improved natural resources management, and gender equality. Project areas currently include local governance, institution building, and access to justice, police and community safety. The Somali Institutional Development Project (SIDP) focuses on implementing the capacity building and institutional development pillar of UNDP Somalia’s Governance and Rule of Law portfolio.

SIDP was set up in 2008 and works with governance institutions in Somalia, i.e. in Mogadishu, in Puntland and in Somaliland to build their capacity so that they can perform their functions more effectively. The SIDP project team operates with staff in Nairobi, Hargeisa (Somaliland) and Garowe (Puntland) and possibly a team in Mogadishu in the near future. In 2011, a redesign process of SIDP resulted in thematic support of four key pillars working across a variety of institutions. These pillars are:

Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability;
Planning and Aid Coordination;
Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform and;
Implementing the good governance tasks which assist a political transition in South-Central Somalia.

The Programme Specialist provides analytical and operational support to SIDP activities in Somaliland under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform pillar. S/he reports to the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform Team Leader also based in Hargeisa. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the Operations office-Hargeisa, Governance Programme and SIDP project staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Public Sector Reform Team Leader, the SIDP Programme Specialist should be able to develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization to effectively respond to clients and solve problems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensure the effective implementation of project workplans by providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform Pillar;
Ensure effective and accurate financial resource management;
Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships
Ensure efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, reporting, monitoring and facilitation of knowledge sharing, and representation
Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Ensure the effective implementation of project workplans by providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform Pillar:

In conjunction with partner institutions and the Public Sector Reform Technical Adviser, assist in the development of annual workplans based on institutional needs and project priorities;
Monitor progress of the implementation of project activities in the workplans and advice on timely corrective actions to ensure optimal delivery;
Monitor the effectiveness and impacts of the project engagements through regular consultations with government counterparts, project staff and partners;
Prepare, coordinate and monitor the schedules and work plans of Technical Advisors and Consultants recruited under SIDP in Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform for Hargeisa;
Ensure full compliance of administrative activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
Update all partner institutions on any changes of UNDP regulations which may impact on their implementation or reporting of project –supported activities.

Ensure effective and accurate financial resource management focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Prepare or provide significant input into the preparation of Draft Letters of Agreement, work plans, procurement plans and budgets;
Advise counterparts and assist in managing Letters of Agreement (LOA’s);
Review financial reports submitted by counterparts to ensure the transparent and accountable use of funds provided in the framework of LOAs;
Compile and provide regular updates on project expenditures and assets management;
Report on progress, lessons learned and advice on the way forward in the management of SIDP’s financial resources.

Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships in focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Maintain excellent relationships with key partner institutions and/ or government counterparts;
Developing partnerships which assist the delivery of project workplans and activities;
Establish linkages with local/ international organizations working in the capacity building of local institutions.

Ensure efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, reporting, monitoring and facilitation of knowledge sharing, and representation focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contribute to the timely reporting of SIDP activities to the SIDP Project Manager - provide weekly meeting notes/progress reports highlighting key issues, and contribute to monthly progress reports, quarterly reports, and final reports as needed;
Hold regular briefings and share reports and documentation with the SIDP Team, the Head of Sub-Office and relevant stakeholders;
Collate best practice and experiences and integrate them into project implementation, and promote information sharing between among UN agencies and between UN Agencies, partners and government counterparts;
Conduct regular monitoring visits to all project implementation partners; contribute to the evaluation of partnership agreements and implementation of LoAs;
Participate as a member of project team in conducting studies, assessment and evaluation in Somaliland;
Any other tasks assigned by the SIDP Project Manager or the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform Team Leader to support the overall management and supervision of SIDP project.

Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Effective implementation of project activities under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform pillar;
Strong relationships with implementing partners and counterparts;
Good communications and working relationships within SIDP teams, and across regional offices;
Efficient and accurate financial reporting;
Accurate and timely monitoring and evaluation;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency, and effectiveness of the project operations as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

Effective implementation of project activities under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform pillar;
Strong relationships with implementing partners and counterparts;
Good communications and working relationships within SIDP teams, and across regional offices;
Efficient and accurate financial reporting;
Accurate and timely monitoring and evaluation.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate integrity by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Display cultural, gender, religious, racial, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treat all people fairly without favoritism;
Organizational awareness;
Working in teams;
Communicating information and ideas;
Self-management and Emotional Intelligence;
Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements;
Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning.

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, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results, 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;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Excellent partnership management skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in public administration or any other related field with 5 years’ of qualifying experience, or
First level university degree with a combination of 7 years’ qualifying experience.

Experience:

Master degree with minimum of 5 years’ cumulative professional experience in the area of finance; administration and project /operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization, preferably in a multi-cultural setting; Or
Bachelor’s degree in public administration or any other related field with 7 years’ of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university;
Thorough knowledge of governance and public administration issues is required;
In-depth knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations, and/or experience in Somalia (especially Somaliland), is highly desirable;
Understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics of Somalia (and especially Somaliland) is desirable;
Experience with ATLAS is desirable;
Hands on experience with capacity development, organizational development and advisory work;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Work experience in UN system or another International Organization is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali;
Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable.

Other Requirements:

Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated and signed P11 Form instead of a CV which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
This position is only open to nationals of Somalia.

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.