Jobs - 48467- UN Coordination Specialist

UN Coordination Specialist

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

364 days

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

This position is located in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Lebanon. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office.

To strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team, and provide support to the RCO for coordinating and planning an integrated UN response focused on meeting priority humanitarian and stabilization needs in Lebanon. The Coordination Officer will support the work of 24 resident UN entities in Lebanon with a particular focus on bridging a primarily humanitarian response to one which adopts a stabilization and resilience-based development approach, encompassing support to basic services, social cohesion and expansion of livelihood economic opportunities, that is based on mitigating conflict risk and a needs-based approach to vulnerability. Building on national priorities, the RCO will engage with the UNCT on the identification of targets and priorities to the most vulnerable host communities. Through several tracks - strategic, programmatic and technical - the Resident Coordinator’s Office coordinates multiple planning and policy frameworks aimed at generating a more coherent and effective overall response focused on overcoming the acute socioeconomic impacts of the crisis and return Lebanon to a long-term sustainable development path.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Strategic Coordination and Planning Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Support and facilitate the definition of the UN’s strategy, role, and common priorities within the UNCT;
Support the RCO in the development, coordination, implementation and monitoring of a UN integrated strategic framework based on commonly identified priorities, strategic objectives, assessments and analysis;
Support the advancement, integration and complementarity of regional frameworks (e.g. Regional Response Plan, Comprehensive Regional Strategic Framework, etc.) into UNCT/HCT strategic planning and alignment with national priorities (i.e. Roadmap for Stabilization);
Provide support to RCO and UNCT in the development of common planning frameworks (e.g. UNDAF), ensuring frameworks, mechanisms and coordination structures promote integration and UN coherence including a system for monitoring and evaluation of impact;
Support the RCO in the development of a common work plan ensuring timeliness, coherence and quality of results and the promotion and development of proposals for joint UNCT initiatives in order to achieve shared results, consolidate support to Lebanese authorities and stakeholders, and increase visibility of this support;
Support and facilitate ongoing needs and situational assessment processes, conduct high-quality research and any other analytical work to constantly inform the UNCT work, strategic objectives and priorities;
Develop and coordinate planning through productive partnerships with the government, UNCT members, bilateral and multilateral donors, diplomatic missions, civil society and other stakeholders; in respect of multi-dimensional planning processes;
Ensure synergies of the UNCT work on institutional and organizational issues, to promote a united and coherent UN system, consistent with the organizational mandate;
Coordinate and provide substantive and practical support to the organization of conferences, UNCT meetings, seminars, workshops and consultancies;
Support the RCO and UNCT in engaging bilateral and multilateral donors, including for resource mobilization.
Draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and participate in knowledge networking to provide contributions to UNCT decision-making and collective learning;
Support the Head of RCO in identifying and managing required resources for coordination including mapping/analysis of UN humanitarian and stabilization initiatives (with OCHA and other partners), and provide analytic support to data emerging from aid management and coordination platforms;
Establish system to effectively monitor and report progress of UNCT against jointly agreed results including regular reports such as: developing and reporting the RC Annual Report, UN Thematic Reports and joint UN frameworks;
Provide client-oriented service and advisory support as requested and required to members of the UNCT.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
Ability to persuade others to follow;
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
Knowledge of anti-corruption concepts, principles and policies and the ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations;
Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Professionalism:

Takes initiative and consistently drives for high quality performance for self and colleagues. Strong inter-personal skills, including the ability to manage multi-stakeholder processes;
Values diversity and works effectively with colleagues and contacts in the immediate and wider teams in pursuit of objectives. Anticipates and manages risk;
Shows pride in work and in achievements;
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspective and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Listens to others;
Correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments;
Adjust priorities where necessary;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
Monitors and adjusts plans as necessary;
Uses time efficiently.

Creativity:

Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;
Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet clients need;
Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
Thinks outside the box;
Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
Is not bound by current thinking.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrate integrity by modeling values and UN ethics standards;
Managing conflict;
Demonstrate culture, gender, religion, nationality and age tolerance and ability to adopt.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field;
A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience of 9 years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning and/or coordination is an asset.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant, progressively responsible professional experience, including in policy development at the strategic level as well as facilitating and coordinating multi-stakeholder planning processes;
Field experience is required, including at least two years in a UN peacekeeping mission and/or with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes in a conflict or post-conflict setting;
Comprehensive knowledge of relevant UN policies, processes and operations is required. Experience in strategic planning processes and application is highly desirable.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English is required;
Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.