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PROJECT COORDINATOR ADVISOR

Location : Santo Domingo, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Application Deadline :25-Jul-12
Type of Contract :FTA International
Post Level :P-5
Languages Required :
 English   French   Spanish  

Background
In January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake stroke Haiti, causing over 200,000 deaths, destroying part of Port-au-Prince and other nearby communities.

Given the situation in Port-au-Prince the Government of Haiti promoted the displacement of the vulnerable and affected population to the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic, creating a more vulnerable situation in an area with the highest poverty rate (above 80%). In addition this region has been severely affected by a series of natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Noel and Olga in November and December 2007 and slow flooding from the Enriquillo and Azuey lakes from 2007 through 2010.

Under this situation, the UNDP promoted local development activities in the border area through its different programmes and projects with local development and early recuperation approaches and designed “UNDP/DR Action Framework for the Development of the Frontier” under project Award Num. 00060601: “Developing national and local capacities in the Dominican Republic for managing the effects of January 12 earthquake in Haiti and strengthening bi-national work.” The implementation will ensure UNDP effective cooperation at the border area and will contribute to strengthen bilateral relationships and initiatives initiated by the Bilateral Mixed Commission.

With this project, UNDP expects to support the Dominican Government in facilitating dialogue and bilateral humanitarian assistance for Haiti and conflict prevention as well as managing social, economic, environmental, political and territorial issues arisen post-earthquake in the Dominican Republic and the reconstruction process to be carried out in Haiti.
It is important to highlight that the earthquake is a milestone in attitude changing regarding the bi-national cooperation. After this tragedy, the humanitarian cooperation and rapid and spontaneous solidarity of the Dominican Government and People is a favourable step towards a new step in the Dominican-Haitian relationship based on common interest of sustainable development.

In July 21, 2010, the Joint Declaration was signed in front of both Presidents by the Ministers of Foreign Relations of both countries in Quanaminthe, Haiti. This Declaration reaffirmed the BMC as a dialogue promotion and relationship strengthening organization, with special focus on common interest strategies.
 
Said Declaration had a defined path with four aspects to guide each sub-commission as function and operating mechanism that include:
  • Verify signed agreements and not ratified by parties.
  • Identify agreements signed or not that need to be updated to the current situation of both countries.
  • Integrate signed or terminated agreements outside of the BMC framework.
  • Identify new sectorial cooperation mechanisms under the framework of the current bilateral and international situation.
In August 3, 2010, the Dominican Government appointed a new Ambassador as the Dominican Executive Secretary to the BMC with the role of following-up and guaranteeing that the Dominican work is carried out effectively.

It is necessary to establish and strengthen institutional coordination and understanding mechanisms between both government given the adverse, complicated, social, and economical situation created in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Due to the above-mentioned situations, the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the UNDP signed a Project (No. 00076361) for the installation and operation of the Executive Secretariat of the Dominican-Haitian Bilateral Mixed Commission in the Dominican Republic. Its focus will be sustained improve relationships and quality of life of the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti within the framework established under the Bi-National Mixed Commission, to strengthen and develop opportunity that ensure a larger exchange and cooperation between both countries.

Duties and Responsibilities
The specific duties and responsibilities during the assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • The incumbent will be responsible of the administration, implementation, and results achievements of the Project with the Bi-national Mixed Commission (BMC).
Summary of Key functions:
  • Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance for the project, with human rights and development focus;
  • Provide technical cooperation, especially to the Executive Director of the Bi-National Mixed Commission and other commissions and working mechanisms created under the Executive Directorate, focused to improve and strengthen a bi-national agenda to promote human rights, conflict prevention and other development areas;
  • Provide technical assistance to initiate the working Sub-commissions under the Commission through establishing function mechanisms with the objective to start the agreements and priorities established under the Joint Declaration;
  • Advise in the coordination, policies and management of project activities, and evaluate problems hindering the implementation of the Bi-National Mixed Commission agenda and report regarding the adequate measures to guarantee timely product delivery and the achievements of the project;
  • Lead a catalytic process through facilitation, encouragement and active promotion with the support of MINUSTAH, UNDP and other agencies in the United Nations system in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, to promote in Haiti a support structure similar to the Bi-National Mixed Commission in the DR, balance negotiation capabilities between both countries.
  • Support the operational aspects of the BMC Secretariat in the DR in issues such as the establishment of an agreement and bilateral project follow-up system, creation of regulation and operating mechanisms, creation of an agenda; decision systematization, dialogue process observers; technical assistance in the implementation of priority themes; define job description for technical and administrative staff;
  • Provide assessment of content and technical organization of meeting, workshops and other events related to the achievement of the objective of the Bi-National Mixed Commission;
  • Support the Bi-National Mixed Commission to identify bi-national projects that focuses the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals to promote that both countries achieve their pledges at the Millennium Declaration;
  • Carry out quality control functions for the project, including impact and efficiency evaluation, monitor products and results; and guarantee timely and efficient delivery of project results;
  • Design phase-out sustainable strategy (accordingly) for each program components;
  • Lead and establish an innovative planning, monitoring and evaluation system for the programme that generates important products lessons learned to be shared worldwide in the UN community and others.
This position requires good knowledge and wide skills in issues related to development, humanitarian issues and human rights, to be used in a complicated political environment, and complex situation represented by weak governmental institution under a demanding workload pace.

A very high political sensitivity is required, as well as the capacity to work with high level decision makers in both countries under the United Nations System and key governmental counterparts. Able to promote consensus, synergy and shared agenda in the UN system as well as other stakeholders is essential.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling United Nations values and ethical standards
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism
  • Shares knowledge and experience and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
Management Competencies:
  • Demonstrates capacity for leadership and management, particularly in programmes focused on local development, governability and achieving of the MDGs at the local level
  • Personal capacities to support, supervise and adapt to local cultural environments
  • Capacity for decision making, initiative, proactive and responsibility.
  • Possesses negotiation skills and communication skills
  • Possesses positive and constructive approach
  • Possesses team spirit
  • Demonstrates ability to ensure a spirit of collaboration with UNDP staff and fully participates in the UNDP initiatives
Technical/Functional
  • Capacity for programme coordination, implementation and evaluation
  • Co-participation and ability to share knowledge and experience
  • Facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge to contribute to the compilation of good practices
  • Ability to perform specialized activities related to the programme management
  • Knowledge of office automation: Word processing, spreadsheets, email, databases, presentation and project management

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • University degree and Masters in topics related to development or social sciences related areas.
Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in development programme/projects.
  • Experience in managing complex situations is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of result-oriented management project implementation.
  • Experience with the UNDP.
  • Experience in human resources, financial, and budget management.
  • Ability to build and sustain strategic relation with relevant actors and networking.
  • Experience in concept management, such as researching and development policies analysis, participative approaches and alliances.
  • Long distance management skills: managing staff working in remote areas.
  • Knowledge of the Dominican Republic and Haiti contexts would be positive.
  • Knowledge of EU policies and regulations would be a plus.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in oral and written Spanish, English and French.
Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).
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.


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