UNDP Jobs - 49084- Technical Support to the Aid Coordination Director

Technical Support to the Aid Coordination Directorate

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months with possible extension depending on availability of funds

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 month with possible extension depending on availability of funds4 month with possible extension de

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

In 2011 the Government of South Sudan launched the revised Aid Strategy, the main objective of which is to provide a framework for development partners to improve the effectiveness of development assistance and humanitarian aid delivery in South Sudan by aligning funding with the Government priorities. Through its Aid Coordination Department, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) leads the efforts to manage and facilitate international support. The Ministry has implemented an Aid Information Management System (AIMS) to track international assistance and support decision-making in national institutions, donor agencies and implementing organizations. Using the widely deployed Aid Management Platform, the Ministry has made significant progress in improving data completeness, quality and analysis and published an annual Donor Book that reports on aid flows to South Sudan.

In July 2014, a broad group of development partners endorsed the ‘International Development Partners Principles for Operating in South Sudan in the Current Context’ (commonly known as the donors’ principles). The document established the guiding principles for dialogue and engagement as well as outlined areas of aid priorities in the current context. Among four areas of priorities, donors are committed to ‘Contributing to the maintenance of core state systems and capacity where they equitably benefit the people and reinforce them where there is potential to improve accountability both at level of governments and at the community level. We will continue to fight corruption and promote national and local accountability’.

In this context, UNDP South Sudan is looking for a full-time international Consultant to support the aid coordination function in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning through provision of direct technical support and strategic advice to the development partners – government dialogues around aid effectiveness, public finance management and improved alignment of government funding with development aid through a harmonised planning, budgeting and monitoring cycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will be based in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and report to the Director of Aid Coordination. S/he will assist the Aid Coordination to carry out its role in coordinating and monitoring donor support to the Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) and ensure that it is in line with the GRSS Aid Strategy.

Summary of Key Functions:

Provide strategic advice and technical support for continued implementation of the Aid Strategy and improvement of the aid architecture;
Provide technical support for maintenance and use of the Aid Information Management Systems (AIMS) and M&E;
Provide support in strengthening strategic partnerships and alliances for the MOFEP for effective public finance management;
Technical support for implementation of Aid Strategy, effective use of the M&E system and improvement of the aid architecture;
Support the Directorate of Aid Co-ordination to hold and lead regular Inter Ministerial Project Appraisal Committee’s (IMAC) and Quarterly Donor Forums;
Support MoFEP’s participation and leadership in donor aid mechanisms and pooled;
Provide technical support to MoFEP on ensuring that annual, mid-term, sectoral, plans are in line with the Aid Strategy and the international principles on aid effectiveness;
Provide strategic advice to MoFEP and development partners on adequately reflecting and eventually integrating ODA into budgetary frameworks as well as domestic budgets;
Support the Ministry to develop/implement a RSS-led monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for donor supported programmes;
Provide technical assistance to MoFEP to identify opportunities for enhancing the coverage, scope and functionality of the AIMS and effective linkages with the budget and expenditure frameworks;
Technical support for successful completion of the AIMS/AMP upgrade project, effective use and maintenance of the AIMS for aid reporting and accountability

System upgrade

Ensure adherence to agreed AIMS/AMP upgrade specifications, and work with the supplier and the client to amend specifications if and where required;
Maintain an ‘issue tracker’ identifying technical issues and work with the supplier to resolve them;
Work with the supplier to implement the AIMS/AMP geo-mapping functionality;
Work with the supplier to implement the aid effectiveness tracking functionality;
Work with the supplier to accurately reflect financial flows between donor(s) and implementer(s);
Work with the supplier to implement OECD and national sectoral aid classification;
Create a public aid data portal using AIMS/AMP;

Documentation and training

Train directorate staff in the application of the OECD CRS reporting guidelines, including aid flow concepts and the sectoral aid classification;
Train directorate staff in working with donor and implementing agencies on data identification, data entry guidelines and verification;
Develop donor specific data entry guidelines;
Train directorate staff in AIMS/AMP data entry, verification, export and analysis;
Train directorate staff in AIMS/AMP administration;
Develop the aid management section of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning website www.grss-mof.org;

Contract management

Manage the contract with the supplier, including supplier relations, invoicing, certification of services delivered, issue management and payment processes;
Manage the letter of agreement with UNDP which provides financing for the AIMS/AMP upgrade, using national systems and regulations;
Manage the budget and payment process for the AIMS/AMP upgrade in the Ministry of Finance Economic Planning.

Data entry

Support and supervise the entry of base data (donors, donor agencies, implementers, contacts, sectors);
Support and supervise the entry of donor project portfolios, i.e. projects currently under implementation, including financial flows between donor and implementer since project start;
Work with donors and implementers to identify commitments, disbursements and expenditures in their financial systems for accurate data entry in AIMS/AMP;
Complete data entry for projects in 2013/14 and Q1/Q2 of 2014/15.

Data reporting and analysis

Develop visually accessible templates for quarterly/sectoral/donor/ geographic / aid effectiveness reports;
Develop database reports for the efficient input of aid data to the national budget process;
Prepare a report on humanitarian and development assistance in 2013/14, as well as 2014/15;
Provide support to strengthen strategic partnerships and alliances for the MOFEP for effective public finance management;
Provide technical support and advice on improving performance of the public finance management system;
Support the MOFEP to engage with State Ministries of Finance, County level institutions and civil society on PFM issues;
Support the MOFEP to engage, create and coordinate partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors, UN agencies and international financial institutions on PFM;
Support the MOFEP in coordinating with the State Transfer STMC and CTMC to track and review public expenditure.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Professionalism

Strong dedication to professionalism;
Ability to work effectively with people from other cultures and dedication to gender equality;
Ability to work effectively under pressure;
Excellent interpersonal skills.

Planning and Organizing

Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, as well as identify priorities and adjust them as required;
Ability to allocate appropriate time and resources to complete work, allowing for contingencies and using time efficiently.

Aid Management

Good understanding of aid mechanisms, the OECD Creditor Reporting System, financial systems used in donor and implementing agencies and global aid transparency initiatives;
Good understanding of the aid effectiveness agenda, including the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States;
Strong understanding of public financial management, in particular in developing countries;

Writing and Editing Skills

Demonstrated excellence in producing well-written and accessible documents;
Ability to design professional-quality material that effectively targets the intended audience.

Technological Awareness

Fully proficient in the design of complex database and spreadsheet applications using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Micro Visual Basic, Microsoft SQL;
Proficient in the use of web content management systems and database systems, including WordPress, MySQL;
Fully proficient in presentation design using Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple KeyNote;
Fully proficient in the use of other applications, including the standard Microsoft Office suite and Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator.

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Public Finance, International development International Relations or related field.

Experience:

Minimum Five years professional experience in the public or private sector in banking, finance, management consulting, accounting or grant management;
Demonstrated experience in management and analysis of financial flow data, with experience in aid management a strong asset;
Excellent knowledge of international aid architecture and policy;
Experience in project / grant design and management;
Strong experience in managing and analysing large datasets;
Strong experience in visualizing data.
Prior work experience in East Africa an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English.