UNDP Jobs - 49781- Head of Resident Coordinator’s Office

Head of Resident Coordinator’s Office

Location :

Khartoum, SUDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

Arabic 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

Under the leadership and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the incumbent will provide strategic and operational support to strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Sudan to coordinate and plan an integrated UN response to recovery and development issues in Sudan in line with the UN Development Assistance Framework 2013-2016 (UNDAF) and the Darfur Development Strategy (DDS). In so doing, the incumbent will lead coordination of activities emanating from the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO – known in Sudan as the UN Coordination Support, CSO) ensuring follow-up and feedback on all initiatives. The incumbent will also recommend proposals for enhancing inter-agency coordination in line with UN reform objectives and applicable harmonization procedures and will, where appropriate, initiate actions for implementation.

The Head will lead and supervise a team of 8 to 10 personnel based in the Khartoum main Office and in the Darfur and Abyei field Offices. In so doing, the incumbent will manage the day to day operations of all Offices and their budgets, ensuring the Offices are properly resourced through fund-raising efforts and donor reporting. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring appropriate policy, administrative and financial links with Headquarters bodies, particularly with the Development Group Office, which supports the Resident Coordinator Office system.

The Head of RCSO also works in close collaboration with programme, operations and communication staff of Sudan-based UN Agencies, particularly OCHA, DOCO in New York, relevant UN and UNDP HQ offices, government officials, multi-lateral and bilateral donors and civil society to ensure successful planning and implementation of UNCT programmatic and other activities as well as the successful delivery of the UNCT’s operations.

The UNCT in Sudan comprises 21 members, including representation from two main peace-keeping Missions, namely the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur, (UNAMID) and the United Nations Interim Security Forces in Abyei (UNISFA), with whom the incumbent is tasked to establish and maintain close coordination and collaboration links.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Development and Planning

Provide sound policy support to the RC and the UNCT, bearing in mind the transition, where possible, in Sudan, from humanitarian activities to early recovery and development work, to focus on the achievement of the following results:

Support and coordinate the process of continuously identifying, analyzing and prioritizing needs in order to facilitate an appropriate, coherent programmatic response by the UNCT in its response reflecting the RC and UNCT Work Plans, UNDAF priorities, the MDGs and their successor as well as development frameworks such as the Darfur Development Strategy (DDS);
Support and facilitate assessments and other analytical work to help determine UNCT strategy and priorities, reflecting the overall framework of the UNDAF, the DDS and other frameworks such as the Integrated Strategic Framework concluded with UNAMID;
Advise on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of joint UN programmes, common services and other UN functions;
Provide support in defining the UN’s role, priorities and strategies and the various coordination mechanisms, including support to lead agencies and Inter-Agency Task Forces;
Monitor relevant developments in the General Assembly, Security Council, and within the peace and security departments of the United Nations HQ particularly in so far as the UNCT work with the peace-keeping missions is concerned;
Provide technical support to the RC in strengthening capacity of the UNCT to continuously design, coordinate and implement joint development assistance initiatives;
Support the RC and the UNCT in the preparation of UNDAF annual and midterm reviews, when appropriate;
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with UN Colleagues and Government counterparts of all levels;
Support the RC and UNCT in engaging bilateral and multilateral donors, including for resource mobilization, where appropriate;
Draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to UNCT decision-making and learning;
Promote use of simplification and harmonization strategies, including advocating for common premises, etc., in order to reduce burden on national partners and maximize effectiveness of integrated UN operations;
Ensure the UNDAF M&E framework is followed-through and well reported upon;
Support the South-South Cooperation work in coordination with the UN Office for South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
Support any other key UN-wide initiative as necessary in the context of Sudan.

Coordination work:

Work very closely with the two peace-keeping Missions to ensure a coordinated response to issues and challenges faced by the UN in Sudan;
Ensure timely follow up and implementation of activities set out in the Integrated Strategic Framework;
Coordinate and ensure the roll out and implementation of key UN ‘globally mandated’ strategic activities such as programme criticality exercises; human rights due diligence policy implementation framework; Human Rights Upfront initiative;
Work very closely with OCHA in Sudan in ensuring all coordination activities are effectively implemented;
CO-chair and/or lead a number of UNCT sub-committees and task forces;
Plan and organize UNCT and other meetings chaired by RC. Coordinate and prepare agendas, alerting the RC to pending issues. Prepare records and conclusions and ensure appropriate follow-up;
Ensure efficient secretariat functions are provided to the UNCT and the Country Coordination Forum with donors;
Represent the RCO or the RC upon request in appropriate meetings and functions;
Support and coordinate all high-level visits to the country;
Advance the UN reform agenda and UN system coherence in close coordination with DOCO and ensure synergies of the UNCT on institutional and organizational issues to promote a united and coherent UN system, consistent with the organizational mandate;
Support the implementation of harmonized approaches and data collection and analysis;
Ensure that key information is conveyed in a timely and transparent manner to the UNCT and other recipients of such information (e.g government officials, Secretary-General’s office etc…);
Ensure that the UN agencies, the Government and donors are aware of the co-ordination role of the RC and of the RCO;
Coordinate all communications activities, including the development of a communication strategy for the UN in Sudan with UNIC;
Oversee the coordination with key relevant government partners and ensure that entry points and key contacts are maintained to facilitate the work of the UN in Sudan;
Coordinate and prepare Note Verbales on behalf of the UN system with regards to issues that affect the UN system as a whole; coordinate and prepare key and consistent messages on behalf of the UN, particularly through the UN Communications Group;
Oversee the development of a UN Communications Strategy for Sudan.

Management of the RCO:

Oversees and manages the work of RCO, its staff and finances as follows:

Oversight of the day to day operations of the RCO: Provide leadership, coordination and effective oversight to established coordination structures both in Khartoum and at the field level; this includes coordinating field offices work plans and overseeing all relevant administrative issues;
Financial management: Establish and implement adequate internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial transaction, systems and reports consistently applies rules and regulations;
Fund-raising and donor reporting: engage in appropriate fund-raising activities to ensure that the Offices are properly staffed and resourced in the medium to long term. Ensure consistent, timely and qualitative donor reporting;
Under the leadership of the RC, coordinate all activities emanating from the RSO, set priorities, develop the annual work-plans based on the applicable Project Document and ensure follow-up and feedback;
Guide staff in partnership building and strategic interaction with national partners, donors, aid agencies, civil society and the private sector, adhering to UN principles and values;
Manage the funds-request and the allocation process with the Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO). Monitor and control the usage of these funds, review transactions and ensure the preparation of expenditure reports;
Strengthen the RCO’s information and reporting systems, ensuring efficient flows of information between the RC and the UNCT as well as the UN Global system, particularly DOCO;
Work very closely with UNIC in enhancing communication, advocacy and outreach throughout Sudan with respect to the UN’s development activities;
Supervise, lead and provide guidance to the RCO staff in the fulfilment of their tasks.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Head of the Coordination Support Office impact the role of the UNCT through his/her leadership in the implementation of the UNDAF and joint programmes and ensuring complementarity of efforts between the UN and other international actors to maximize the effectiveness of the UN operations in Sudan.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Proven strategic vision and strong technical and analytical capabilities;
Ability to negotiate at the highest decision-making level;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
Outstanding political judgment;
Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
Excellent planning, organizational and management skills.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for One UN:

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level;
Promotes a One-UN agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and participates in the formulation of project proposals;
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Identifying and building partnerships;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with counterparts at all levels;
Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to the UNCT‘s mandate and strategic agenda;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Resource Mobilization:

Implementing resource mobilization strategies;
Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in international development studies, law, political science, economics, statistics, management, coordination, social sciences, or other relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of experience, including substantive international experience, in progressively responsible positions in the humanitarian, development or related field;
Experience in team management and in coordination;
Familiarity with the UN System and with the work of the UNCT.
Previous work experience in the region will be considered an asset.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is required;
Knowledge of Arabic will be considered an important asset.