UNDP Jobs - 49486- EU Joint Programme Manager (Open to Sri Lankan Nat

EU Joint Programme Manager (Open to Sri Lankan Nationals Only)

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

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

In 2011, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations in Sri Lanka came together to design a joint programme titled: ‘Support to District Development Programme Sri Lanka (EU-SDDP)’ and its overall implementation began in July 2012.

The EU-SDDP is currently implemented in the Districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, Mannar and Vavuniya as well as select DS divisions of Monaragala, Puttlam and Anuradhapura by five UN Agencies: UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS, FAO, ILO and the International Financial Cooperation (IFC) of the World Bank. The overall budget for this EU-UN Joint Programme is EUR 59 million which is allocated for a period of five years (inception phase (6 months), implementation phase (48 months), and closure phase (6 months). The first two years of the Joint Programme have been completed and currently the programme is in its implementation phase.

To support the continued implementation of the programme, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office is looking to recruit a Joint Programme Manager (JPM) to be based at the UN Compound in Colombo, with regular travel to the field. The JPM will work under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and will report on a day to day basis to the Head of the RC Office. S/he will directly support the Joint Management Committee and Chair of the Joint Coordination Committee (EU) and will work closely with all partner agencies and relevant counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

Liaise with Government counterparts at the National and sub-national levels under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, to facilitate the implementation of the programme;
Preparation and follow up of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meetings;
Ensure the smooth implementation of the integrated programme, support the Implementing Agencies (IAs) to identify and leverage on synergies, monitor progress and identify and resolve obstacles and bottle-necks;
Prepare and follow up on Steering Committee meetings and action points at the sub-national level;
Ensure communication of results with key stakeholders and the general public.

Support the implementation of activities throughout the implementation phase of the Programme (ending April 2017):

Advocate the EU-SDDP with key national and local stakeholders in partnership with the implementing Agencies (IAs);
Support IAs in concretizing programmatic and operational synergies;
Provide necessary support to the IAs in the preparation of work plans during the Implementation Phase;
Finalize ToR for Coordination Mechanisms at the sub national level and ensure their regular scheduling;
Develop a joint M&E framework and facilitate a coordinated approach to the mid-term review and final evaluation;
Support IAs in preparing their respective Annual Action Work Plans and Multi-annual Action Work Plans and integrate them into one Annual Programme Work Plans and corresponding Multi-Annual Programme Work Plan;
Develop common templates for work plans, reporting and monitoring, when required;
Work with the EU and the external visibility contractor on the design of standard templates for project visibility items (plaques, labels etc.).

Preparation and follow up of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meetings:

Provide secretariat support for the meetings (agenda, minutes, invitations);
Act as focal point between EU/UN RC and IAs;
Provide consolidated presentations on programme implementation to JMC and follow up on agreed actions;
Channel issues to the correct fora when senior management decisions are required.

Ensure the smooth implementation of the integrated programme, support IAs to identify and leverage on synergies, monitor progress, and identify and resolve obstacles and bottle-necks:

Ensure regular communication on progress between the IAs, facilitating the implementation of activities;
Provide necessary guidance to the IAs in monitoring budgets and financial delivery;
Vetting and guiding the IAs Contribution/Administrative Agreements Addenda;
Conduct regular field monitoring visits and maintain strong communication with key local stakeholders;
Consolidate Action Progress Updates and Annual Action Progress Reports prepared by the IAs into one single integrated report while ensuring quality reporting;
Ensure timely submission of consolidated Updates and Reports to the JCC; and maintain risks and issues logs;
Provide necessary support to the IAs in the Closure phase of the programme (ending October 2017) in line with the contractual agreements;
Coordinate final evaluation of the programme in collaboration with the IAs and EU as required.

Prepare and follow up of Provincial and District Steering Committee meetings:

Provide the necessary assistance to the relevant sub-national authorities to organize Steering Committee Meetings at agreed intervals.
Ensure information from the sub-national level meetings reaches Colombo and vice-versa, either through participation in the meetings or close follow up with IAs.
Ensure follow up to agreed actions and channel issues to the correct fora when senior management decisions are required.

Ensure communication of results with key stakeholders and the general public:

Work with the external visibility contractor in collaboration with the IAs to establish and maintain a dedicated web page for the programme;
Liaise closely with the Visibility Contractor, ensuring promotion of visibility for the programme in line with the strategy agreed between the EU and UN.

Impact of Results:

Effective implementation of the Programme will lead to poverty reduction and improved access to infrastructure and services, local economic development and local governance strengthening in the four target Districts and border villages in three adjacent districts;
Additionally, as a flagship programme for the EU and the UN designed to pilot the ‘one UN’ approach to delivery, implementation will provide important lessons learnt and best practice examples for the global UN reform agenda.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and 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 favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management;
Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the programme;
Encourages UN staff to share knowledge;
Develops deep understanding of the UN and EU policies;
Knowledge of UN Joint Programme implementation modalities;
Knowledge of EC-UN Financial and Administrative Framework Agreements.

Coordination Effectiveness:

Ability to lead the design and implementation of programme activities;
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies, the EU and main constituents; advocate effectively and communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and results for the client;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Establishes priorities for self and other members of the RC office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree or above in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years relevant experience at the national or international level in programme management, with hands on experience in design, implementation, financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Strong understanding of and proven experience in the UN system, UN Joint programming initiatives and prior experience working with EU funded projects would be a decisive asset.

Language:

Fluency in English with excellent written and communications skills;
Knowledge of either Sinhala and/or Tamil required.