UNDP Jobs - 52054- Partnerships Specialist

Partnerships Specialist - (Open to Russian Nationals Only)

Location :

Moscow, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year initially

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Following the closure of the UNDP Russia Country Office at the end of 2010, UNDP and Russia entered a new stage of their partnership, which has seen Russia assuming a role of a full-fledged donor to UNDP. Since 2010, Russia has contributed over $4 million to UNDP core resources and close to $15 million to UNDP non-core resources (through funding for UNDP projects around the world). This growing partnership reflects Russia’s commitment to support the multilateral development agenda in its priority Europe and CIS region and beyond, in line with Russia’s Concept of the State Policy in the area of International Development Assistance (2014). It also follows UNDP’s strategy of expanding its partnerships and funding base, enshrined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017

Building on this, after several years of negotiations, the strategic partnership of UNDP with Russia is about to be formalized with the signature of a Partnership Framework Agreement (PFA) expected in January 2015. The PFA foresees program-based cooperation in the CIS countries and beyond with the focus on poverty reduction, rural development, energy and environment and disaster risk reduction, as well as establishing a JPO programme to boost Russia’s participation in international development efforts and the work of the UN.

In addition, the PFA foresees the establishment of a systematic funding mechanism – a “Russia – UNDP Trust Fund for Development” that would allow funding UNDP projects in the ECIS region and beyond, based on a predictable annual funding envelope, following a set of mutually agreed priorities and using a transparent governance mechanism.

In this context, UNDP has taken a decision to enhance the support being provided to the growing partnership with Russia, by establishing a Partnership Specialist as part of the Partnerships Team of the Istanbul Regional Hub for Europe and the CIS, out-posted in Moscow, Russia, to ensure effective interaction and liaison with the donor.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for: providing a key input into coordinating all facets of UNDP’s strategic partnership with Russia; for leading the support of the implementation of the PFA; for the negotiations on and, when operational, the support to the functioning of the Russia – UNDP Trust Fund (in the role of the Trust Fund Manager). The Specialist will ensure that the evolving partnership with Russia is aligned to the UNDP’s corporate goals and priorities. He/she would promote, market and position UNDP and advocate the principles of the organization to partners in the Russian Federation. The Partnerships Specialist will report to the Team Leader (Regional Partnerships Specialist), Partnerships Team, Regional Hub in Istanbul. The Specialist will work in close collaboration with UNDP RBEC staff and will maintain a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.

Summary of key functions

Support to formalization and strengthening of the strategic partnership with Russia through ongoing support to high-level engagement, partnership portfolio development and core/non-core resource mobilization;
Support to strengthened mechanisms and capacity of Russia’s international development assistance through information sharing, capacity building and multilateral policy dialogue;
Support to facilitation of Russia's participation in regional South-South / East-East knowledge partnerships and cross-regional cooperation;
Management of the Trust Fund operations (when the Trust Fund becomes operational and to be adjusted in accordance with the text of the Trust Fund Agreement and Terms of Reference to be agreed with the donor).

Support to formalization and strengthening of the strategic partnership with Russia through ongoing support to high-level engagement, partnership portfolio development and core/non-core resource mobilization;

Support high-level engagement of UNDP officials with Russian counterparts, including visits of Administrator, Regional Director, etc. to Moscow;
Act as the main liaison point in Moscow for the Russian government counterparts on all issues related to the implementation of the PFA, the creation of the Trust Fund and other funding mechanisms, the contributions to core, etc;
Provide ongoing support to UNDP Country Offices, as well as regional teams in the Istanbul Hub and other UNDP units, in formulation, revision, negotiation and submission of project proposals for Russian funding;
Monitor the pipeline of projects submitted for Russian funding, and advise on necessary action from the concerned UNDP units;
Prepare the required briefings, regular updates and other documents to ensure constant information flow about the partnership with Russia to UNDP HQ, the Regional Hub in Istanbul and concerned Country Offices;
Support reporting to donor on results of already approved UNDP projects, in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Offices.

Support to strengthened mechanisms and capacity of Russia’s international development assistance through information sharing, capacity building and multilateral policy dialogue;

Take the lead in organizing regular information briefings on Official Development Assistance hosted by Rossotrudnichestvo and targeting key ministries and other stakeholders in Russia;
Conceptualize and lead the organization of at least one annual high-profile event in Russia focusing on international development issues, in cooperation with relevant Russian stakeholders, relevant UNDP units and other partners;
Act as a focal point for capacity building activities targeting Russian ODA actors, within the Istanbul Hub’s Partnerships Team’s broader regional capacity building for emerging donors efforts;
Liaise with key Russian and CIS think tanks and universities involved in the issues of ODA and multilateral development cooperation, including organization of joint events, research and advocacy efforts in Russia and regionally.

Support to facilitation of Russia's participation in regional South-South / East-East knowledge partnerships and cross-regional cooperation;

Support ongoing expert cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other key multilateral formats, with the focus on creating sustainable East-East cooperation initiatives involving Russian and other regional stakeholders;
Support ongoing efforts to facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise between the CIS countries, in a number of thematic areas, including related to the trade and integration agenda in the Eurasian space;
Explore opportunities for and support to extending cooperation on the Eurasian Integration Agenda, in particularly with the Eurasian Economic Commission and with the Eurasian Development Bank;
Develop a systematic network of relevant Russian and CIS experts and communities of practice; contribute to development of expertise management tools (e.g. rosters) as part of the Russian ODA; and support formalization of knowledge sharing and East-East cooperation initiatives in a form of a regional project.

Management of the Trust Fund operations (when the Trust Fund becomes operational and to be adjusted in accordance with the text of the Trust Fund Agreement and Terms of Reference to be agreed with the donor);

Act as the focal point within UNDP for all questions relating to the activities of the trust fund, including for internal communications and reporting on the trust fund with outside parties, including the Government of the Russian Federation and programme country Governments, media, and other stakeholders, as needed;
Initiate and follow-up on all fund raising activities of the trust fund in coordination, whenever necessary, with the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA);
Follow up with the donor to ensure that contributions are received on a timely basis, in accordance with the payment schedule in the contribution agreement;
Evaluate proposals and support allocation trust fund resources to specific projects, making sure that project documents or Annual Work Plans (AWPs) are consistent with the TORs of the trust fund and comply with the POPP Programmes and Projects;
Ensure that financial management of trust fund resources is in comply with UNDP POPP financial management and execution modalities;
Ensure that all reporting requirements as stated in the trust fund Contribution Agreement are compiled;
Monitor projects to ensure that the activities funded by the trust fund comply with the TOR of the trust fund. Review project documents, annual reports, NIM/DIM/NGO audit reports, evaluation reports, etc.;
Follow up with the TF Steering Committee members and other representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation on a regular basis to ensure that they are kept informed and donor queries are promptly resolved.

Impact of Results

Results of the work of the Partnership Specialist will have an impact on the progress of UNDP’s strategic partnership with Russia as donor, and on the availability of Russia’sfunding for UNDP’s work in ECIS region and beyond.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Demonstrating ethics and integrity;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, Environment, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience

At least 5 years of relevant experience in the area of working with Russia as development partner and donor at the national level, with international experience and exposure desirable;
Knowledge and understanding of the programmatic and policy aspects of Russia’s role as donor;
Proven track record of engaging / managing relationships with senior government officials, civil society, academia and other partners in Russia on topics related to development assistance;
Experience of working for and with UNDP and other UN agencies is a strong asset.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Russian.

Note:

Please note that this is both internal and external announcement, however external candidates will be considered only if possible internal candidates are not found suitable for the post. Qualified women and members of minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP is a non-smoking work environment.