UNDP Jobs - 51127- National Programme Officer

National Programme Officer - Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat (Open to Yemeni Nationals Only)

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

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

The Joint Steering Committee (JSC) was established in September 2013 and is co-chaired by the Prime Minister, the Special Adviser of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen (SASG) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator. The Prime Minister has delegated the chairmanship of the JSC to the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and the SASG has delegated it to the Senior Officer of the Office of the SASG based in Yemen. The Government is represented by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary General of the Prime Minister Office; bilateral donors are represented by the GCC, Netherlands, Turkey, UK and US; the multilateral agencies by IOM, UNDP and UNHCR; and the INGO Forum Chair represents the international NGOs. Finally a representative of the Yemeni society is in the process of being added.

The PBF Secretariat in Yemen will be set up to provide key support to the Joint Steering Committee, particularly though not exclusively through coordination of RUNO activities in support of achieving results identified by the Peacebuilding Priority Plan. The tasks of the Secretariat, among others, include the coordination of the implementation of the Yemen Peacebuilding Priority Plan, the organization and preparation of JSC meetings, conducting consultations with relevant stakeholders, communicating the process of implementation of the PPP to all relevant stakeholders, as well as monitoring and reporting on the peacebuilding outcomes of the PPP. To ensure the full engagement of national actors, including Government and civil society, the Secretariat will also be expected to provide capacity building on topics relevant to peacebuilding to the national and local authorities, implementing partners and the people involved in the peacebuilding programme. The Secretariat serves as an interface between the strategic decision-making level bodies, the state institutions and the UN Agencies in the country and PBSO.

Under the day-to-day supervision by Programme Coordinator and the overall guidance and supervision by the co-chairs of the JSC, the National Peacebuilding Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat Support Project designed to support the JSC and Recipient UN Organizations (RUNOs) in Yemen to implement the Peacebuilding Priority Plan (PPP).

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate project activities, from substantive, administrative and financial points of view, systematic coordination of activities of the project/ JSC Secretariat;
Manage day-to-day JSC Secretariat project activities to facilitate implementation of the PPP on behalf of the JSC;
Plan and prepare for JSC meetings, trainings and consultations;
Communicate and ensure follow-up of the JSC’s decisions, particularly ensuring timely submission of project documents and reports to JSC members, PBSO, and MPTFO that administers PBF-funded projects;
Ensure that reports to be considered by the JSC and submitted to PBSO are drafted and reviewed (e.g. annual report by PPP outcomes);
Develop briefing notes, progress updates and support in preparing other documents to facilitate the work of the JSC;
Ensure quality of meetings organized by the JSC Secretariat (e.g. draft minutes, JSC draft decisions, etc.);
Prepare minutes of JSC meetings to ensure that decisions taken and recommendations made are recorded and follow-up is ensured;
Provide support to JSC, enabling them to steer the implementation of the PPP;
Organize the review and analysis of project proposals and ensure a transparent and impartial process of developing recommendations to the JSC in case new proposals are being considered by the JSC;
Ensure that periodic progress reviews of PPP implementation are carried out involving RUNOs and the JSC;
Supervise all Secretariat M&E activities and ensure that they are carried out in accordance with PPP M&E plan;
Ensure the role of the Secretariat to act as a local repository of knowledge regarding the rules and regulations of the PBF and related management arrangements;
Guide the project team to support inter-project coordination to enhance cooperation, collaboration and synergies between RUNOs (and other stakeholders);
Support public information efforts on the PPP and peacebuilding awareness raising;
Liaise with the UNDP Country Office on project management and operational issues;
Establish and maintain relationships and act as the key focal point with UNDP CO to ensure that all programmatic and operational matters related to the project are transparently, expediently and effectively managed, in line with established UNDP Rules and Regulations;
Report all incidents related to security and issues of general concern to UNDP CO;
Control the transfer of programme deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials as per the standards UNDP procedures;
Control establishment and maintenance of proper electronic and paper filing systems;
Facilitate relationships between JSC members and relevant stakeholders to enhance national ownership and participation during the implementation of the PPP;
Perform any other duties as and when required by the PBF Secretariat Programme Coordinator.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN system;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrated detailed understanding of Yemen’s political context and the main drivers in the peace process;
Strong analytical skills and proven ability to write high quality reports;
Experience and understanding of development and its intersection with peace;
Strong record of project/programme appraisal and management skills;
Proven ability to review and edit the work of others;
Proven ability to liaise with senior Government officials, donor representatives, civil society leaders; and
Demonstrated skills and knowledge of peacebuilding;
Strong managerial skills, ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others;
Strong understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks;
Experience and understanding of the UN system; and
Ability to take on complex tasks and assignments and monitor against milestones and deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree or equivalent in international development, social sciences, public administration or other relevant field.

Experience:

5 years of experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring & evaluation of development projects;
Experience of working with donors;
1 year of managerial experience is required;
Proven experience working with Government, civil society, international organizations and donors;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
Knowledge in peacebuilding an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English and Arabic languages.