UNDP Jobs - 49477- Partnership Advisor (UN-World Bank)

Partnership Advisor (UN-World Bank)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

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

The 2008 United Nations-World Bank Partnership Framework for Crisis and Post-Crisis Situations committed the organizations to principles of engagement for a more effective and sustainable response, building on complementarity and interdependence and emphasizing an integrated approach linking politics, security and development. Building on the findings and recommendations of a recent review of the 2008 framework, a strategic results framework (SRF) has been developed by the UN and the WB to provide strategic direction and support to partnership efforts in fragile and conflict affected situations. Per the SRF, the focus of the partnership will be on improved regional and country-specific collaboration at strategic and operational levels; strengthened institutional co-operation and communications on policy and thematic issues; and development of operational policies, frameworks and tools to facilitate co-operation and cross financing. With funding from Switzerland and Norway, the UN-WB Fragility and Conflict Partnership Trust Fund (UN-WB TF) supports implementation of the Partnership Framework and the SRF, particularly at the country level, and is overseen by a joint UN-WB Steering Committee.

The Partnership Advisor will be on a UNDP contract and hosted by the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in the UN Secretariat in New York. S/he will report to the Chief of the Policy, Planning and Application Branch of PBSO under the overall guidance from the ‘UN-WB Partnership and Trust Fund Steering Committee’. The incumbent’s annual performance evaluation will be carried out by the Chief of the Policy, Planning and Application Branch of PBSO with input from the ‘UN-WB Partnership and Trust Fund Steering Committee’.

The Partnership Advisor would lead and coordinate joint work to achieve clearly defined outputs. S/he will collaborate closely with members of the UN-WB working group in support to the overall partnership. As a member of the Trust Fund Secretariat, s/he will also work closely with the program management of the Trust Fund.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Partnership Advisor would be responsible for promoting cooperation and strategic partnership between the two institutions in close collaboration with relevant WB and UN entities, and for maintaining regular and close contacts through active outreach at all levels. The Partnership Advisor would perform the following functions:

Support the implementation of the UN-WB SRF and agreed work program, including monitoring and reporting to the Working Group/Steering Committee;
Promote regional and country-specific UN-WB collaboration and engagement at strategic and operational levels, including on strategies and programmes;
Support collaboration on analysis, assessments and planning including with other partners;
Support higher-level UN-WB strategic contacts, dialogue and thematic exchanges, including regular ASG/WB Director engagements and inputs to Principals as needed;
Develop or contribute to knowledge products on partnership issues, including joint analytical work as well as evaluations, guidance notes and lessons learned papers;
Develop training material and conduct training sessions to enhance UN staff understanding of shared approaches as well as instruments related to each organization’s differing areas of mandate and competence. Serve as a resource person and support training for WB staff on how to work with the UN;
Develop and disseminate promotional material about the partnership and engage in outreach with other multilateral and regional organizations as well as Member States;
Ensure that the Steering Committee for the trust fund is kept apprised of key developments concerning the implementation of partnerships and consulted as appropriate;
Support the development and review of new proposals, the implementation of current initiatives and the evaluation of completed ones under the small grants programme supported by the TF, as well as fostering other cooperative activities, particularly at the country level;
Provide regular updates to donors, including drafting of annual progress report;
Any other related duties as may be required.

Impact of Results

The Partnership Advisor will ensure effective support for the implementation of the 2008 partnership framework and the strategic results framework (SRF), thereby ensuring the further development and strengthening of the UN-WB partnership, with the ultimate objective to make the international response in crisis and post-crisis situations more effective and sustainable.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Speaks confidently and exercises diplomacy in dealing with all partners, demonstrating tact, determination and sensitivity;
Builds strong relationships, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, facilitation as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

Expert knowledge of or field experience with political and development strategies for building sustainable peace in conflict-affected countries; understanding of and respect for the interests and perspectives of different stakeholders in a post-conflict environment; proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate programmes.

Planning and organizing:

Demonstrated ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a demanding, multi-stakeholder environment, to prioritise among these tasks, and to work toward short deadlines.

Communication:

Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written, including a proven ability to communicate complex processes or technical information orally and to prepare documents that are clear, concise and meaningful.
Proven ability to represent the UN effectively to external stakeholders, such as governments of host countries, donors, and international financial institutions.

Teamwork:

Superior client orientation and inter-personal skills with a proven ability to work cooperatively with multi-disciplinary teams and staff and managers at all levels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political or social sciences, law, economics, public policy, business administration, or related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, development, or international crisis management at the national and international levels;
Experience working with the UN or the WB at the field level in a post-crisis context is a requirement; previous demonstrated experience in promoting cooperation between the UN and the WB is highly desirable;
In-depth understanding of issues of fragility and conflict and the role of international institutions in these settings;
Proven cooperative and senior-level support skills;
Significant experience in policy and inter-agency coordination work as well as a strong record leading organisational change and reform processes are requirements;
Strong understanding of WB policies, programmes and procedures is highly desirable;
Experience in developing and implementing programmes in a multilateral or bilateral context is highly desirable.

Language:

Fluency in both written and spoken English;
Knowledge of French is desirable.