UNDP Jobs - 31694- Programme Specialist - Disaster Management (Re-adv

Programme Specialist - Disaster Management (Re-advertisement)

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

16-Oct-2012

Application Deadline :

19-Aug-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially 01 (One) Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Renewable, based on performance and availability of funding

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 Bangladesh is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document for the period 2006 – 2011. UNDP Bangladesh is organized into (1) Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The main Policy and Programme thrusts are: (1) Poverty Reduction, (2) Democratic Governance, (3) Local Governance, (4) MDGs, Policy advocacy (5) Climate Change, Environment and Disaster and (8) Peace and Development.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Country Director (Disaster Management & Adaptation), the incumbent is responsible for leading and managing UNDP programmes and projects in the area of disaster management. The incumbent analyzes natural disaster trend, disaster preparedness and response, political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advice services. Disaster risks need to be effectively managed as an integral part of development. This entails understanding and identifying the risk factors that cause disasters such as the exposure and vulnerabilities of society to natural hazards.

The incumbent supervises and leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

He/she also provides quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation and policy advice related to the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme 2010-2014 and the Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change through Coastal Afforestation projects. The incumbent interfaces with staff of projects in ensuring project results are attained in time.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of programme strategies
Management of the Country Office (CO) programme
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management related to CBDRM, CCA-DRR, Early Recovery.

Ensures Policy analysis, influence, advice and implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to Common Country Assessment (CCA), UN Development Assistance Framework, Country Programme document (CPD), Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and other documents.
Identification of areas for support and interventions in the thematic/sectoral areas within the assigned areas of responsibility and the project portfolio. Clarifying UNDP positions and strategies (and assuring alignment between UNDP position and its projects, constant garnering of implications of analysis for UNDP’s programmes.
CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
Be accountable for results, avoid duplications and reduce transaction costs by proper planning and coordination

Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas ( in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Specialist performs functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects.
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of DEX/NEX projects.
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio. Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects.
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, International Financial Institutions, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Support ACD to report effectively and timely to donors on achievement of results, use of funds constraints and recommendations to be followed up

Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
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 success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes UN's Values and ethical standards (tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, impartiality)

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and sensitivity and adaptability
Demonstrates integrity by modelling in the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between people and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, UNDP core ethics, impartiality.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example, excellent knowledge of capacity building theory and the application of methodology, good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies, excellent ability to identify significant capacity building opportunities, ability to get capacity building, excellent ability to demonstrate national capacities building (mastery of the tools and their application)
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Display understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to engage with high ranking UNDP Managers, Government Officials and international donor community and provide policy advisory support services
Ability to identity opportunities, conceptualize and develop project reports
Ability to effectively support in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioural/attitude change
Ability to undertake result based management and reporting

Management and Leadership:

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Builds strong relationship with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong administrative skills and result oriented approach to work
Provides inspiration and leadership to project staff as well as all the partners.

Additional competencies:

Demonstrated experience with disaster management sector is required;
Experience in monitoring and evaluation of disaster management programmes;
Ability to produce high quality policy options for disaster management programming;
Ability to work in interdisciplinary mixed ability teams is crucial. Experience of working in a multi-cultural team is advantage. Good interpersonal skills, and understanding of Asia-Pacific culture and customs is and advantage; and
Excellent writing skills as well as strong analytical aptitude and communication skills are required. Prince training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Relevant Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Social Science, Environmental Management, Geography, Political Sciences, Arts or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience working in a programme/policy advisory role at the national or international level of which 2 years should be in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in disaster management related programmes / projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments;
Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in disaster management;
Experience preparing analytical reports, policy advice, data analysis and research;
International work experience in developing countries, especially working in disaster management is required. Experience in South Asia will be preferred; and
Work experience with UN/UNDP/development partners preferred.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English