UNDP Jobs - 51814- Programme Specialist, Crisis Response and Early Re

Programme Specialist, Crisis Response and Early Recovery Interface 2

Location :

Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The recently approved Strategic Plan for UNDP (2014-2017) recognizes the importance of preparedness, response, early recovery and the management of the risk cycle as fundamental for development. The objective of the Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to respond in the most timely and effective manner to crisis.

The overall goal of the CRU Crisis Interface Team based in Geneva is to support the strategic engagement of UNDP with Geneva-based crisis response and humanitarian agencies and partners. It supports the fulfilment of UNDP’s responsibilities with respect to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), in particular the IASC Global Cluster on Early Recovery.

In 2005, in the context of the Humanitarian Reform, UNDP was given the lead for ‘Early Recovery’ (ER). Based on recommendations endorsed by the IASC Principals, the IASC Global Cluster on Early Recovery - composed of UN and non-UN members from both humanitarian and developmental communities- was transformed in 2013 into a global early recovery coordination platform. As the designated cluster lead for ER, UNDP assumes ‘managerial accountability’ for ensuring preparedness and response that are both adequate and predictable.

Under the direct supervision of the Crisis Interface Team Leader, CRU and in close collaboration with other CRU teams, BPPS teams and regional bureaus, the Crisis Response Programme Specialist is responsible for the following:

Ensure liaison and partnership with humanitarian and crisis actors (UN and non-UN);
Support the Global Cluster on Early Recovery, in particular for field operations;
Function as first responder for early recovery in crisis situation;
Contribute to and/or represent UNDP in humanitarian and crisis response interagency processes;
Contribute to building UNDP’s organizational capacity for immediate crisis response focusing on achievement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure liaison and partnership with humanitarian and crisis actors (UN and non-UN).

Continuous liaison and coordination with Geneva-based crisis response and humanitarian agencies and partners, including OCHA and cluster leads.
Continuous liaison and coordination with CRU teams, BPPS and other bureaus to ensure a coherent UNDP positioning in crisis response and early recovery, in particular between early recovery programming and early recovery coordination.

Support the Global Cluster on Early Recovery, in particular for field operations.

Support the coordinator of the GCER in his/her coordination functions as required.
Maintain continuously updated information on the roll-out of ER coordination in country as part of the cluster architecture.
Ensure information flow between COs, regional hubs, regional bureaus and BPPS on the roll-out of ER coordination in country.
Support the roll-out of ER coordination in country, including identification of needs, advice on the most appropriate arrangements, identification of required capacity, support in terms of deployment, etc.

Function as first responder for early recovery in crisis situation

In specific crisis situations, be deployed immediately to provide the following support on the ground:
Provide support to HCs/RCs, Country Offices, Early Recovery Advisors and Cluster Coordinators with the integration of ER approaches into humanitarian response in crisis countries;
Be deployed as transitory Early Recovery Advisor or Cluster Coordinator, as a member of the Inter- Agency Rapid Response Mechanism (IARRM);
Be deployed as member of UNDP SURGE planning team as required;
Advise COs, UNCTs and HCTs on the early recovery coordination architecture in line with UNDP IASC mandate, working closely with other CRU Teams and BPPS;
Advise and guide the development of strategic response plans, early recovery plans, etc.;
Ensure that critical issues such as gender, accountability to affected populations, environment and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed in assessments and plans;
Provide support to the integration of early recovery in assessment coordination/processes (including Humanitarian Needs Overview, Multi-sector Immediate Rapid Needs Assessments, integrated needs assessments, Post Disaster / post Conflict Needs Assessments);
Conduct country support missions or provide desk support to humanitarian country teams and COs for the development of interagency needs assessments and analysis.

Contribute to and/or represent UNDP in humanitarian and crisis response interagency processes

Support CRU management in ensuring global communication and advocacy for UNDP’s role in crisis settings, crisis response and early recovery;
Support CRU and UNDP Senior managers on crisis response issues in their representation role in important humanitarian and crisis related mechanisms;
Coordinate closely with the NY Crisis Interface Team and BPPS to ensure coherence in terms of UNDP positioning and participation in humanitarian and crisis-related mechanisms;
Contribute and/or represent UNDP in technical groups developing or reviewing Humanitarian Programme Cycle guidance and tools as part of the Transformative Agenda;
Represent UNDP and the Global Cluster on Early Recovery (GCER) in relevant IASC Task Teams, Reference Groups, or Technical Groups;
Inform and advise Regional Bureaus, BPPS and COs on interagency processes, discussions and decisions and their implications for UNDP.

Contribute to building UNDP’s organizational capacity for immediate crisis response focusing on achievement

Provide guidance and operational support to Regional Bureaus, Regional Hubs and COs to implement system-wide crisis response and humanitarian tools and policies, in particular those related to inter-agency context;
Working in close coordination with CRU Rapid Response Team (RRT), contribute to RRT-led capacity building initiatives to strengthen UNDP’s institutional capacity in immediate crisis response, both at HQ and CO levels, from an early recovery coordination perspective. This includes:
Contribute to the organization of crisis response training workshops, SURGE training workshops and other training events for crisis response;
Cooperate with BPPS technical advisors for the preparation of training materials for the capacity building workshops;
Serve as a trainer or resource person for the crisis response capacity building events.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation

Creates independently.

Leadership

Creates excitement for work through demonstrated excellence.

People Management

Motivates excellence and engagement.

Communication

Builds trust and creates lasting partnerships.

Delivery

Makes new ideas work.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Advocacy

Ability to advocate a point of view and influence others

Crisis Assessment

Ability to use methods and tools to determine impact of various elements for crisis and post crisis situations.

Early Recovery Coordination Support

Ability to support and implement interagency coordination mechanisms, processes, resources in response to disaster/crisis.

Crisis Policy and Tools

Ability to develop and implement interagency methods and tools for crisis situations.

Secondary

Strategic Planning

Ability to make decisions that align with interagency humanitarian strategy, vision, and mission.

Gender mainstreaming and analysis

Knowledge of gender mainstreaming systems and processes and the ability to mainstream gender to strategic and/or practical situations, including the application of gender analysis to policies, programmes and projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international development, conomics, business administration, social sciences or related disciplines.

Experience:

7 years of professional work experience in the area of development, crisis response, crisis prevention and recovery in different development contexts;
Experience working in promoting development and early recovery approaches in humanitarian contexts is required as well as relevant field experience;
Experience in providing advice and mainstreaming cross-cutting issues in the area of needs assessments is also required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both written and oral;
Working knowledge of another UN language highly desirable.