UNDP Jobs - 48745- Programme Specialist (Field Manager Caqueta and Hu

Programme Specialist (Field Manager Caqueta and Huila)

Location :

Florencia, Caqueta, COLOMBIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

22-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English Spanish

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

Although Colombia is characterized by a relatively stable democracy and sustained economic growth, for more than 50 years the country has been immersed in a prolonged conflict. Currently, Colombia is in a pivotal point as peace talks between the Government and the main guerrilla group (FARC) are currently underway in Havana. Most of the items on the peace agenda relate directly to the structural causes of the conflict and many stakeholders agree that following the signing of an agreement, peace will need to be built up from the regions.

In this context, the first few months to a year after the signature of the agreement will be the most delicate for the success of the peace process. Early peace-building activities to quickly consolidate peace are widely recognised as essential and together with them advanced planning, extensive consultation, determined reconciliation efforts and complex coordination especially in the areas where the presence of the State is limited.

The United Nations Development Program – UNDP is considered a leader on issues of peace and reconciliation in Colombia and has received the recognition of the State, civil society, and international cooperation agencies in the promotion of platforms for dialogue between the state and civil society, at the national and territorial levels, and in public policy advocacy.

The Development, Peace, and Reconciliation Area of UNDP in Colombia is the strategic area that seeks to contribute to peace building, human development, and reconciliation.

In order to achieve these objectives, it intends to:

Support planning for, and implementation of, peace building activities resulting from, or associated with, the peace talks held in Havana, including through the coordination with the Office of the UNDP Resident Representative and Resident Coordinator and with other UN agencies;
Promote social and institutional processes of non-violent transformation of conflict, strengthen public institutions, and encourage peaceful coexistence;
Empower socially, politically, and economically those populations that are vulnerable, excluded and/or affected by conflict, with particular focus on the indigenous, afro-Colombians, the displaced, women and youth;
Preserve the memory and dignity of the victims of conflict, through processes of reconciliation, in accordance with international standards.

Under the supervision of the Country Director, and in coordination with the Programme Advisor (Peace, Development & Reconciliation), the Programme Specialst (Field Manager Caqueta y Huila), shall attend to UNDP’s interests in the designated geographical area and represent UNDP at field level.

The Programme Specialst (Field Manager Caqueta y Huila) will supervise, lead and coordinate the activities of the Field Office team, including the current and future programme activities. For operational purposes, he/she will work in close collaboration with the operation and programme units in the UNDP-CO. The Field Manager will ensure that the activities of the field office are consistent with the established UNDAF/CPD/CPAP priorities, and that the emerging challenges and opportunities are responded to with creativity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Represent UNDP at field level and ensure regional coordination of UN/UNDP´s activities in the designated geographical area of Caqueta y Huila;
Provide strategic direction and innovative technical assistance at field level in the framework of peace, development and reconciliation strategy to support the CO in developing national and local partners ability to achieve their objectives in UNDP’s focus;
Ensure quality programme/project management at field level in the designated geographical area including proper strategic planning, implementation, continued monitoring, reporting, and partnership support;
Ensure the personnel management of UNDP´s field office is done in accordance with UNDP’s personnel policies and guidelines;
Ensure the operational management of the field office, which entails the administrative and financial processes in the implementation of UNDP strategy in the designated area.

Represent UNDP at field level and ensure regional coordination of UN/UNDP´s activities in the designated geographical area of Caqueta y Huila.

This entails:

Represent UNDP in various forums at field level including active participation in meetings with local authorities and government officials, as well as, multi-lateral, bilateral agencies and civil society; promotion of coordinating bodies, inter-agency for donor consultations, engagement within UN system, and Interagency Standing Committee (IASC);
Continually articulate all of the areas of UNDP’s strategies to ensure an integrated and coherent focus on all of the programs and projects present in the designated region with emphasis in conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding;
Make the UNDAF/CPD operational at field level, articulating the work carried out by UNDP in collaboration with the principal partners, in particular those efforts that focus on the promotion of the joint actions and interagency work;
Lead UNDP´s field representation, collaborating and coordinating as appropriate with other UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors to successfully implement UNDP´s strategy in the field.

Provide strategic direction and innovative technical assistance at field level in the framework of peace, development and reconciliation strategy ito support the CO in developing national and local partners ability to achieve their objectives in UNDP’s focus.

This may include:

Provide thorough field context analysis and concept papers, including bi-national situation analysis, and briefings about all UNDP activities in the relevant geographic area necessary for proper strategic decision making and programme management, with emphasis in conflict sensitive development analyisis;
Identify areas for supporting and formulating strategic and quick impact projects in the region, as well as, opportunities for resource mobilization and local sinergies;
Promote transformative social partnerships between UNDP, institutions, civil society and private sector in the region;
Advocates for the inclusion of UNDP’s focus areas in the public policy agenda;
Promote gender equality mainstreaming and conflict-sensitive programming;
Contribute to knowledge management documents to be shared within the country office, UN Country Team, the local, national and global community of CPR practice.

Ensure quality programme/project management at field level including proper strategic planning, implementation, continued monitoring, reporting, and partnership support, achieving the following results:

Provide leadership and guidance for programme planning and implementation with emphasis in the Peace Programme of UNDP;
Ensure quality implementation of projects within specified time frames according to project documents and in agreement with Programme/Projects Managers;
Ensure optimal use of financial resources in the programme, promoting project budget adherence for agreed activities;
Undertake field visits to monitor and evaluate programmes, as well as, conduct periodic programme reviews with government counterparts, donors and other partners;
Prepare programme/project status reports required for management, donors, local authorities, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports, etc;
Provide technical assistance to promote and strengthen local capacities for peace, development and reconciliation;
Coordinate the implementation at field level of activities related with the specific topics of the peace and development programme: Support to the peace process and a negotiated solution to the armed conflict; Sustainable regional development for peace; Rule of Law and Peace-Building; Transitional Justice and Victims’ Rights; Culture of Peace and Gender Equality.

Ensure the personnel management of UNDP´s field office is done in accordance with UNDP’s personnel policies and guidelines. This may include:

Identify human resource requirements and contribute to the decision making process for employment of field personnel, coordinating with Country Office or Programme Manager according to the position to be recruited;
Management and supervision of personnel who is reporting directly to the Field Manager, Coordination of the activities of all personnel operating in the designated area in collaboration with Project Coordinators and Coordinators of the Areas;
Ensure optimal use of human resources, identify training needs, and secure adequate training of field personnel;
Conduct performance planning (annual objectives and work plan) and monitoring (periodic feedback and annual competency assessments/evaluations);
Ensure the field personnel adheres to UN´s code of conduct and security policies;
Establish a good working environment, promotion of team work and team spirit.

Ensure the operational management of the field office, which entails the administrative and financial processes in the implementation of UNDP strategy in the designated area, focusing on achieving the following results:

Ensure effective management of the regional field office through proper leadership, planning, control, budget management and organisation in accordance with UNDP’s personnel rules and regulations, financial policies and procedures;
Ensure that all UNDP systems for programme administration and financial management are implemented and adhered to at field level;
Manage the different administrative, financial, and logistical processes of the field office in accordance with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures;
Develop a procurement plan and coordinate the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the contracting processes and procurement of goods and services, in coordination with the procurement unit of the UNDP office;
Ensure the field office is MOSS compliant.

Impact of Results:

The key results will have an impact on the successful implementation of UNDP´s strategy in the field and particularly the Peace, Development and Reconciliation Strategy by the interaction, negotiation and advocacy of programme goals , identifying alliances, and influencing local policy development aimed at filling gaps and empowering socially, politically, and economically vulnerable and excluded populations.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Ability to set and develop a strategic vision in a complex political setting;
Ensures an organizational environment that respects diversity, gender equality and cultural sensitivity and fosters openness to diverse perspectives;
Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Encourages and creates mechanisms to share expertise and team approaches between field offices, Country Office and HQs, as well as with other partners and stakeholdersSeeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Management and Leadership:

Proven ability to provide effective leadership, to manage teams, and transfer advice and knowledge to personnel at all levels and from different national and cultural backgrounds;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Effectively communicates to audiences in challenging and adversarial situations;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Set clear performance goals and standards, and executes responsibilities accordingly;
Proven ability to mobilize resources as a means to promote catalytic projects and/or the scaling up of strategic initiatives.

Judgement and Decision Making:

Capacity to work and sound decision making under situations of stress and pressure;
Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives;
Solid understanding of local and international political dynamics and ability to interact tactfully and diplomatically;
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives, communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures;
Manages and resolves conflicts with individuals and groups both within and outside the organization to achieve win-win solutions.

Knowledge:

Demonstrable theoretical and policy knowledge of conflict prevention, peace building and conflict sensitive development;
Demonstrable knowledge of an understanding of gender and human rights issues in crisis and the interface between them and conflict;
Knowledge of the socio-political and development situation in Colombia is essential;
Knowledge of the context dynamics in the designated geographical area (Caqueta y Huila) is desirable.

Results Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based programme management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
Good ICT skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in Social/Political Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, Conflict Resolution or a related field;
Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with experience of 7 years will be considered.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience on issues related to the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of development programs at field level, preferably in conflict and/or post-conflict contexts requiring conflict sensitive programming;
Demonstrable experience in negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution skills in crisis settings;
Good interpersonal skills and proven capacity to promote dialogue and partnerships among public institutions, communities, social organizations, vulnerable populations, and international organizations;
At least 5 years of experience in managing personnel and teamwork, including knowledge of administrative issues;
Knowledge of UN/UNDP operations in crisis settings is an asset.

Language:

Full working knowledge of English and Spanish, including excellent written skills.