UNCDF Jobs - 51928- National Expert in Public Works (Open to Mozambica

National Expert in Public Works (Open to Mozambican Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Gaza, MOZAMBIQUE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

05-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months

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

Objective and purpose

UNCDF’s Food Security and Nutrion Programme (FSNP) interventions in Gaza Province, Mozambique are a key component of the Belgian Fund for Food Security (BFFS) partnership framework and focus on the design and management of a Local Development Fund (LDF), which will finance the development of food security related infrastructure at district level. These interventions will be closely coordinated with the activities of the other partners in the BFFS Framework, notably WFP and FAO, to ensure a coherent and integrated approach to supporting the public expenditure management cycle at local level.

Background

Building on previous and successful collaboration between the Government of Mozambique and UNDP/UNCDF in the area of decentralization and local development, the BFFS partnership framework aims to accelerate progress and enhance local government capacity to improve food security in Gaza Province, Mozambique. The main objective is to strengthen decentralized service delivery and thereby improve social and economic development, through the introduction of transparent funding mechanisms which improves the accountability of local authorities to their citizens.

Specifically, the FSNP will support the Government of Mozambique to:

Reinforce local public expenditure management in the selected districts of the programme to contribute to increased sustainable food and nutritional security;
Strengthen national policies, reinforced by the experiences of integrating sustainable food and nutritional security into local public expenditure management.

The advertised position will be part of a programme team at provincial and national levels designed to support the government in implementing the FSN programme and in the realisation of it objectives. Within this team the position will support the provincial programme coordinator, support the Provincial government and coordinate closely with other development partners in addition to those within the BFFS programme. UNDP will be a particularly important partner in this respect.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support capacity building in the provincial and district governments aimed at securing quality in the public works undertaken on the basis of the LDF;
Support the development of M&E systems to monitor and evaluate project implementation including the budgeting and technical quality of investments;
Support to the design and dissemination of the LDF Manual of Operation as part of the establishment and management of the Local Development Fund;
Ensuring efficient support to the effective and efficient procurement of services and resources for the LDF investments general support to tasks related to programming, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and representation.

Develop Capacity Building and M&E systems to monitor and quality control Provincial and District implementation of public works under the LDF (40%):

Participate and provide inputs to Provincial and District programme planning, budgeting and implementation of FSN capital investments;
Monitor the implementation of work plans through collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data using periodic assessment and reporting templates as developed for the MoO;
Prepare analytical reports using relevant information available from projects to advise the project management on the implementation of the work plans; also provide inputs into the Work Plan reports;
Advise the Government (national, provincial and district) and FSN Programme partners on the progress of the work plans and contribute to analysis on causes behind the differences between planned and actual achievements;
Support AWPs with quarterly and annual targets based on process and results indicators and support the provision of quarterly and annual reports on progress made;
In consultation with stakeholders, provide advice on resource allocation (LDF and non-LDF) to meet FSN objectives, including the use of FSN criteria and indicators in identifying possible investments;
Develop and institute in collaboration with UNDP and close consultation with partner agencies and for approval by the Project Management Team, the Project’s M&E system with a specific aim of securing the quality and sustainability of LDF capital investments;
Advise in coordination with programme management on ways that M&E systems in partner agencies can strengthen the construction, quality and maintenance of public works where necessary;
Provide quality control reports on the individual public works investments made under the LDF for the FSNP;
Develop tools for evaluation and impact assessment of the FSNP and its LDF investments;
Support in ensuring that the operationalization of public works under the FSNP is gender-responsive.

Support to the set-up, operation and management of the Local Development Fund (40%):

In collaboration with government ministries and UN partners, provide support and leadership in the area of fiscal decentralization for sustainable financing of public service and infrastructure delivery at local level;
Support activities to strengthen the institutional capacity of Provincial and District Government to manage the process of procurement and oversee and supervise the construction of public infrastructure projects including quality control mechanisms;
Support the establishment and operation of the Local Development Fund in close collaboration and dialogue with all relevant stakeholders;
Support the management of the Local Development Fund ensuring that disbursements comply with established government rules, regulations, and guidelines;
Oversee the use of the Local Development Fund, monitor risks and support risk mitigation actions identified by UNCDF;
Facilitate regular audits of Local Development Funds;
Support the UNCDF Local Public Financial Management Expert in communicating regularly to relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the LDF;
Support the government in the preparation of financial and narrative reports on the use of the Local Development Fund;
Ensures a transfer of skills, knowledge and know-how to relevant national actors involved in the management of the Local Development Fund with a specific focus on the provincial and district administrations;
Review and support the strengthening of local government financing, administrative and financial reporting systems;
Undertake other relevant duties as requested by the UNCDF Programme Specialist and UNCDF regional office.

Ensure effective and efficient procurement and logistical services within the project (10%):

Provide support and oversight to all procurement and logistical activities involving the use of UNCDF-managed funds within the framework of the BFFS partnership;
Undertake capacity assessments of implementation of procurement and logistical activities in target institutions, recommend improvements and follow up to ensure implementation.

Support to tasks related to advocacy, programming and representation (10%):

Enhance the synergies and links between UNCDF/UNDP/BFFS Partners’ activities in fiscal decentralization and other approaches to local development and local public financial management;
Promote the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the FSNP for organizational sharing and learning;
Supports information sharing to ensure that all partners are familiar with technical and logistical issues;
Ensure appropriate cognizance by UNCDF in pursuit of its commitment to UN rules, regulations and values;
Provide support to monitoring and evaluation activities in general and at district level in particular.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and UNCDF and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNCDF and UNDP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Builds strong relationships with clients (primarily Government), focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Management and Leadership:

Demonstrates strong analytical and management skills;
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelors Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Business Administration, Development Planning , Project Management or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years relevant work experience in the areas of public finance, public administration and project management in a governmental, multi-lateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting;
Experience of local government and/or public financial management in Mozambique would be an advantage;
An understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics in Mozambique is desirable;
Strong IT skills.

Language:

Fluent Portuguese and a good command of written and spoken English.