UNDP Jobs - 33749- Assistant Resident Representative, Climate Change,

Assistant Resident Representative, Climate Change, Environment & Natural Resources, Disaster Risk Management and Energy.

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2013

Application Deadline :

20-Nov-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year, with possibility of renewal

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

Under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) of the Malawi UNDP Country Office, the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) acts as the manager of the Country Office portfolio on: Climate Change (CC); Environment & Natural Resources (ENR); Disaster Risk Management (DRM); and Energy. This, in effect, corresponds to the Outcome 1.3 under the current UNDAF 2012 – 2016. The ARR will be responsible for the effective implementation of the Projects / Programmes under this portfolio, which includes Projects on: Climate Change, Environment & Natural Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Energy Management. The ARR will work closely with UNEP and act as a country office focal point person for UNEP, particularly for the PEI coverage.

The main role is to facilitate the implementation of the CC, ENR, DRM and Energy Programme, ensure the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, strengthen strategic partnership and donor intelligence, undertake knowledge building and sharing as well as monitoring and evaluation of the CC, ENR, DRM and Energy programme interventions.

The ARR also ensures that the CC, ENR, DRM and Energy interventions respond creatively to emerging challenges and opportunities and undertakes strategic planning and repositioning of the CC, ENR, DRM and Energy interventions. The ARR ensures that the country office’s CC, ENR, DRM and Energy programme is consistent with UNDAF/CPD priorities.

To successfully implement the CO’s CC, ENR, DRM and Energy programme of support to the Government of Malawi, the ARR provides leadership to the CC/ENR/DRM & Energy unit and works in close collaboration with other CO programme unit teams, the operations unit teams, and UNDP Regional and HQ staff that work on CC, ENR, DRM and Energy-related issues. In addition, the ARR collaborates with the UN system in Malawi (within the context of Delivering as One), government officials, donors, and civil society organizations.

This is a Development Project Funded (DPF) post.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of the CO Senior Management Team (SMT), the ARR ensures the strategic direction of UNDP CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis of the governance, political, and socio-economic situation of the country and collaborative preparation/revision/review of UNDAF, UNDAF Action Plan, CPD, AWPs, and other documents.
Identification of strategic and innovative areas of cooperation with interested development partners.
Implementation of the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects under UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN agencies, in accordance with UNDP’s policies and procedures.
Analysis and application of UNDP policies and programmes and their implementation at country level.
CO business process mapping and establishment of internal standard operating procedures in results management, and control of the workflows in the CC/ENR/DRM & Energy unit.

Ensures effective management of the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects and supervision of the CC/ENR/DRM & ENERGY programme team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation, monitoring, to implementation achieving the following results:

Leadership and guidance in the formulation of CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects and programmes.
Effective application of Results Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring and achievement of results.
Anchoring of the UN Joint Programme on Climate Change under the “Delivering as One” framework.
Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects, and tracking use of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Under delegated authority, may perform the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval.
Effective monitoring, measuring the impacts of the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programme and evaluations. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment and timely adjustments of programme.
Effective follow-up to audit and audit recommendations.
Performance management of Unit staff
Coaching of Unit staff and ensuring team-work among the Unit members as well with other colleagues in the country office.
Organisation of cost recovery system for the services provided by the country office to projects in close collaboration with operations manager.

Institutionalizes and maintains donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization of which the objectives will focus on the following:

Establishment of the framework for scanning donors’ new aid environment to determine areas of priorities on CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes. This is to determine country’s need, areas of cooperation and priority areas.
Ensure that donor requirements as per signed agreements are met sufficiently and on time.
The development and implementation of partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization to achieve programme outcomes.
The establishment and coordination of partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
Leadership in National Sector Working Group(s) and other fora (e.g. National Climate Change Committee, DRM Platform, Donor coordination around CC, ENR and DRM, etc.) and bridging of the potential gap between the Government and development partners.
Determine programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing

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

Identification of information sources related to CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects, identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy projects and the country programme goals.
Development of policies and institutions on CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy that will assist Malawi achieve development goals and priorities in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice around CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy.
Organisation of trainings for the programme and/or project staff on CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy.
Provide technical support and policy guidance to government and other institutions on knowledge products in the portfolio areas.
Promotes South-South approach to project implementation.

Undertakes advocacy and information, education and communication (IEC) on CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Facilitation of the process of creating and raising the level of awareness of CO CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programme activities.
Each of the CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programme team members to increase effectiveness of the programme delivery.
Creating high-level advocacy on pertinent development policies and programmes across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders.
Determining appropriate media and methods of reaching out to the public on the country office CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes and design strategies for reaching the targets in collaboration with the CC/ ENRM/DRM & Energy Unit.
Ensures that project results are fully documented and communicated.

Impact of Results:

The key results have impacts on the overall success of the country office’s programme and reaching UNDAF/CPD goals. In particular, the key results have impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. In specific terms, it has impacts on the following results areas:

CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes policy articulation and advisory services promoted.
CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes implementation enhanced.
Team building and management enhanced.
Donor intelligence and strategic partnership improved.
Resource mobilization and management enhanced.
Policy advocacy on CC, ENRM, DRM and Energy programmes and related issues promoted.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Technical knowledge:

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to Climate Change, Environment & Natural Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management and Energy.
Exhibits a good knowledge of institutional development and capacity development issues.
Displays process, transparency and accountability in the country.
Demonstrates strategic thinking and analysis in the portfolio area

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, work planning, and reporting.
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
Ability to mobilise resources and undertake cost-recovery.
Ability to implement new systems and effect behavioural and attitudinal change.
Leadership in coordinating different partner interventions

Knowledge and Information Management and Learning:

Facilitates a knowledge and information sharing and learning culture.
Has good knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in disaster risk reduction.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with stakeholders and clients, focuses on impact and results for clients, and respond positively to feedback.
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively.
Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Patience to work under pressure and maintains positive outlook and humour.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Master’s degree in Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management, Energy and / or related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years practical experience in Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management and/or Energy Management at international and national level.
Relevant experience 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.
Proven leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate qualified professional staff
Demonstrated strong team building skills including the ability to coach, mentor, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to supervised staff
Experience in developing countries, preferably in the Africa region.
Thorough knowledge of the international policy environment and the global and regional discourse related to Natural Resources, Climate Change, and/or Disaster Risk Management.
Experience in international organizations, with experience in UNDP an advantage

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English.