Background

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG) is a five year joint programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. 
JPLG’s goal is that ‘Local governance contributes to peace and equitable service delivery in Somalia‘. The Joint Programme has two specific objectives which are :
  • Communities have equitable access to basic services through local government;
  • Local governments are accountable and transparent.
JPLG commenced in April 2008 and has now entered in its second phase (2013-2017) and is expanded programmatically and geographically with average annual work-plans budgets of USD 25-32M/year. JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Somaliland and Puntland, local governments, communities and non-state actors.
For additional information please visit: www.jplg.org

The JPLG Programme Officer‘s position for Puntland will be established under the JPLG Programme Management Unit (PMU) which is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the Joint Programme.
The JPLG Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Program Manager (SPM) of the Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG), the guidance of the TWG and in consultation with the JPLG local team members (ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN Habitat and UNICEF)

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
  • Ensures Implementation, local coordination and representation of the JPLG in Puntland;
  • Ensures Monitoring and Reporting is conducted effectively and efficiently;
  • Ensures Administrative Supervision and Operations are running as planned;
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing;
  • Implementation, local coordination and representation of the JPLG in Puntland;
Coordinate JPLG activities and closely monitor the implementation of the Joint Programme AWPBs in Puntland to ensure that UN participating Agencies and counterparts are conducting activities and delivering results as planned:
  • In consultation with the JPLG local team members, provide technical guidance, inputs and support for the strategic direction, implementation and management of the Joint Programme in Puntland;
  • Stay abreast of governance and public administration reforms, planning and fiscal developments, sector policies and strategies; and advise JPLG (local team and the TWG) and local and central counterparts to harmonize systems and policies and avoid duplications and/or parallel systems;
  • Maintain relationships with government counterparts, holds regular briefings and share relevant reports and documentation, and network and leverage to promote JPLG mandates and ensure flow of information to donors, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders as directed by the PMU;
  • Represent JPLG (and when requested the JPLG Senior Programme Manager), promote the Joint Programme’s objectives and activities and strengthen technical relationships with central and local authorities, UN programmes and other related projects, Donors, NGOs and civil society representatives, academics, research institutes and the media. Ensure linkages with other key strategic partnerships and programmes at local level;
  • Lead the local preparation/consultation for JPLG Annual Work-Plans and Budgets for Puntland in close consultations with central and local governments, the JPLG local team and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Lead the local preparation of the bi-annual Review Workshops and annual Steering Committee meeting with central and local governments, the JPLG local team and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Coordinate capacity building activities in order to achieve coherence and harmonization of all programme activities and recommend adjustments to enhance the delivery of capacity development.
Ensure Monitoring and Reporting focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Together with the JPLG local team, closely monitor, , the implementation of the JPLG AWPB and the District Annual Work-plans and provide technical assistance (incl. referral) to local counterparts to execute the AWP activities; Conduct information/coordination meetings with local governments and joint-monitoring field missions (JPLG target districts) with the JPLG local team and other partners;
  • Undertake regular monitoring visits and coordinate joint and donor missions to monitor field activities, especially training activities, investigate and recommend on bottlenecks as well as new areas of possible intervention based on the local dynamics, evolving context and needs;
  • Conduct bi-monthly JPLG local coordination meetings as well as regular information/coordination meetings with the Office of the Vice-President, the Ministries in charge of Interior, Planning, Finances, Women affairs, relevant Sector ministries and central institutions;
  • Provide regular feedback, prepare regular reports to TWG on JPLG programme implementation status, challenges, strategic contextual issues, changes impacting on JPLG programme, opportunities, threats, risks – recommending possible proactive and reactive response or corrective, necessary strategic reviews.
  • In coordination with the JPLG local M&E Officer, track progress, results/impacts and challenges and risks in the overall execution of the JPLG AWPB, share lessons learnt, propose improvements and submit quarterly and annual progress reports to the PMU;
  • Identify gaps and challenges and support PMU to solve these problems and facilitate PMU to call on participating UN agencies to help solve identified problems, gaps and challenges.

Ensure administrative Supervision and Operations focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Supervise the JPLG local M&E Officer (and other PMU staffs to be recruited);
  • Provide day-to-day technical oversight and coordination of the JPLG local team (ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN Habitat and UNICEF), ensuring local team members delivers against the JPLG Annual work plans;
  • Promote coordination, collaborations, information sharing, knowledge management and team work (‘One UN’). Ensure effective communication and cooperation between the JPLG local teams as well as responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the JPLG/PMU Office in Puntland provide administrative and technical support for the preparation and during missions of PMU staffs, TWG and PMG members, Consultants, Service providers and JPLG donors;
  • Perform other activities required for the Joint Programme and by the Senior Programme Manager.

Ensure knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Programme for organizational sharing and learning;
  • Actively participate in the knowledge networks and take advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available at the zonal, national, regional and global levels;
  • Supports capacity-building of national counterparts;
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the programme.
Impact of Results:
  • The key results have an impact on the success of Joint Programme;
  • More specifically it shall contribute to enhance local governance and decentralized service delivery, strengthen accountability, transparency and capacities;
  • The position shall also improve coordination between UN partner agencies and relationship with central and local authorities, communities and other stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
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 in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
  • Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
  • Strong IT skills and knowledge of Atlas;
  • Ability to draft high quality progress reports and background notes;
  • Excellent communication skills in Somali and English and solid experience to advocate conduct workshops and facilitate discussions with senior governmental officials, UN Agencies and donors;
  • Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
  • Excellent knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.
Management and Leadership:
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and 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;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:          
  • Master Degree in a political sciences, public administration, international development or in a related field;
  • First level university degree in relevant academic fields and five years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:       
  • Minimum of three years relevant experience with master's degree or
  • Five years professional experience with a bachelor's degree in position at the national or international level is required;
  • Experience in local governance, public administration, public service delivery, project/programme management with a development partner;
  • Solid understanding of governance issues (at policy and technical levels), particularly on local governance, decentralization, service delivery and/or capacity development;
  • Proven hands-on experience and/or strong understanding of community engagement, local planning processes, capacity development, local economic development, land management and/or public finance;
  • Proven experience to conduct analysis, recommend policy and strategic developments, propose solutions and track results;
  • Strong experience in coordinating and coaching teams, building consensus/synergies, defining and ensuring delivery of results;
  • Knowledge of JPLG, UN Agencies and UN administrative rules and regulations is desirable.
Language Requirements:            
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Somalia is required;
Terms of Service:
  • 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.

Application:

  • Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated P11 Form instead of a CV which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc