UNDP Jobs - 46043- Special Assistant to Country Director

Special Assistant to Country Director

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

19-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year

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 is one of the larger Country Offices in the Regional Bureau for Arab States with a current annual delivery volume of $60M. UNDP Somalia is a growing organization which focuses on three practice areas: Governance and Reconciliation, Rule of Law and Security, and Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods. UNDP’s assistance to the Somali people focuses on assisting efforts of peace building and providing support to nascent governance, justice, and security institutions, including activities under the Transitional Federal Charter such as the establishment of key government institutions and assisting the Constitution-making process. Further, UNDP is a lead agency on Early Recovery in the Humanitarian Country Team (IASC) and coordinates recovery assistance by international agencies in close collaboration with OCHA and the Resident Coordinator’s Office. The UN Agencies in Somalia have harmonized their programme cycles under the Joint UN Transition Plan for 2008-2009, with which UNDP’s Country Programme is fully aligned. The UNTP and the UNDP CP are also aligned with the Reconstruction and Development Plan (RDP) for Somalia.

The UN and its partners deliver support to the Somali people under extremely difficult security and political circumstances. Access to beneficiaries is limited and the capacity of national partners is often weak. Somalia is classified as UN Security phase III-V (most operations in Phase III or IV) and there are significant restrictions on travel. In such a complex environment, the need for innovative and flexible implementation arrangements as well as strong control and accountability mechanisms are critical.

During 2006, UNDP Somalia initiated a decentralization process with the objectives of increasing its presence in Somalia, fostering programmatic coherence and becoming more responsive to beneficiary needs. This has enabled UNDP to better adapt to the specific situation in each of the three main geographic zones of Somalia and allows UNDP to respond to the different humanitarian and developmental contexts as well as the specific operational environment. The new structure also facilitates the active participation of Somali authorities at different levels in programme planning, formulation and review.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director and in close cooperation with Executive Officer to the CD the Special Assistant to CD ensures timely and efficient support to the CD Office in the programme implementation, management of information flow, facilitation of UNDP representation and follow up on the commitments made. The Special Assistant to CD also serves as the key liaison between the CD and UNCT members, programme and operations staff of the Agencies, as well as UNDP staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, and between donors and civil society

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions

The Special Assistant to the Country Director (CD) will provide timely analytical information, coherent policy advice, clarity of intention and purpose that need to be managed sensitively and brokered within an evolving socio-political context. The Incumbent will be responsible for managing the substantive and normative agenda;
The Special Assistant to the Country Director will work in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDGO staff and Government officials, technical advisors and the experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure successful coverage, integration and coordination of UNDP activities within UNCT framework;
The Special Assistant to the Country Director will provide strategic inputs to facilitate UNDP representation with other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and donors and civil society;
The Special Assistant to the Country Director (CD) will provide timely analytical information, coherent policy advice, clarity of intention and purpose that need to be managed sensitively and brokered within an evolving socio-political context.

The Incumbent will be responsible for managing the substantive and normative agenda focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support the CD through high level meetings and prepare high quality and actionable minutes in a timely manner.
Analyze, compile and prepare papers/notes for relevant policy and operational discussions related to UNDP programmes;
Critically analyze briefs for the Country Director and ensure that they are substantively accurate and reflective of the CD's position so as to ensure that timely and coherent follow-up action is taken;
Ensure effective support to operational units and in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN programmes coordination focusing on results, outcomes, and inputs;
Draft speeches, forewords and other published statements for the Country;
Director, review and finalize talking points based on inputs from UNDP units, UN Agencies, Integrated Offices etc.

The Special Assistant to the Country Director will work in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDGO staff and Government officials, technical advisors and the experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure successful coverage, integration and coordination of UNDP activities within UNCT framework to support the CD on achievement of the following results:

Coordinate the preparation of strategic outputs to corporate units/ divisions in collaboration with concerned Bureaux/Divisions/UN Agencies in presenting a consolidated substantive/policy approach when issues are cross-cutting in liaisons with staff of senior government officials, UN agencies and international community;
Serve as a focal point, coordinate logistics and prepare substantive documentation for high level headquarters missions and special events in coordination with senior management staff and/or concerned units/projects, RBA Staff, UN agencies etc.;
Draft and prepare correspondence, documents, reports and speaking notes some of which are confidential and ensure appropriate reporting and follow¬ up of the CO's meetings;
Contribute to coordination and review of preparatory inputs of UNDP's substantive contribution to the UNCT for CGs, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners.

The Special Assistant to the Country Director will provide strategic inputs to facilitate UNDP representation with other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and donors and civil society.

Conduct design, planning and organization of external expertise in assisting in the development and capacity development for UNDP Programmes, as and then required;
Actively engage with Programme Staff to acquire information on substantive project development and implementation, as and when required;
Organize and coordinate thematic group meetings in support of UNDP Programmes, as and when required.
In close coordination with Deputy Country Directors (Programme and Operations) and other units of Programmes and Operations, make sure that the information on the programme delivery, including financial rules and procedures is updated on a regular basis;
Organize regular meetings of all programme staff, project managers and programme management team, including preparation of agenda, documentation and minutes carry out follow up matters arising from the meetings;
Support coordination mechanisms as required.

Impact of Results

The Key results have an impact on the overall CO operations efficiency and success. In particular, the key results will ensure overall coordination and will have an impact on the delivery of activities. Results will contribute to ensure a coherent team, timely and effective delivery of the UNDP programmes and a proactive response of UNDP to changes in the country context.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Sound political judgment as well as diplomacy, impartiality and discretion.

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 coordinate strategic planning, monitoring and reporting;
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
Good ICT skills;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

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;
Strong teamwork attitude;
Solid ability to organize tasks, to draft reports/ correspondence and speaking notes, to
Plan, to anticipate, and work under pressure;
Strong capacity for relationship-building, emotional intelligence and communication;
Solid capacity to work in a difficult context and ability to adjust to difficult living conditions;
Strong Capacity to think and act strategically including solid editorial strengths;
Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of national and international partners/ interlocutors;
Proven capacity of initiative, leadership and autonomy;
Reactiveness in acquiring and providing information;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master) in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, development studies or related subjects.

Experience:

Five years of experience with international organizations in developing countries and/ or significant previous background in institutional environment of development cooperation INGOs, UN system, multilateral cooperation, etc.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English;
Knowledge of Arabic will be advantage.