UNDP Jobs - 52594- Special Assistant (Office of the Country Director)

Special Assistant (Office of the Country Director) - Country Office

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

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

UNDP Afghanistan works to achieve transformation change that will lead to freedom from poverty and insecurity for every afghan, young or old, man or woman.

UNDP assists in the achievement of Afghanistan’s own priorities outlined in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and National Priority Programmes, as well as international development frameworks such as the Millennium Development Goals, the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, and other global agreements in which Afghanistan participates.

In partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, UNDP contributes to institutional development efforts and strengthens the capacity of national partners through projects and interventions in the areas of democratic governance, rule of law and security, women empowerment and gender, sustainable management of natural resources and climate change adaptation, resilience to natural and man-made chocks and disasters.

UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Afghanistan represents UNDP’s largest programme globally; UNDP is supporting the Government of Afghanistan to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Executive Board approved new Country Programme Document for the period 2015 - 2019. UNDP has been present in Afghanistan since the 1950s, providing development assistance to the country and helping build the capacity of many national institutions. Since the Bonn Agreement was signed in December 2001, UNDP has delivered more than US$1.3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan. The size of UNDP assistance has increased per annum to USD 750 million.

The UNDP Afghanistan programme is responding to the changing needs of a nation still in transition from conflict to peace. The CPD focuses on (i) Equitable Economic Development; (ii) Social Equity and Investment in Human Capital; (iii) Justice and Rule Of Law; and (iv) Accountable Governance.

In this very complex operating environment, it is critical that the Country Director is well informed, prepared and thoroughly briefed on current and on-going issues of strategic, operational and development importance. Consequently, the role of the of the Special Assistant to the Country Director in Afghanistan carries a significant level of responsibility, to ensure accurate, credible and timely information flow, reporting and forward planning.

The Special Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Country Director (CD) and in close coordination and collaboration with the Deputy Country Directors in providing efficient and effective executive support to the senior management team of the CO. S/he plans and coordinates the work of the office of the Country Director, ensuring effective internal communication flows, prompt follow-up and implementation of activities that directly impact the Country Director’s work in managing UNDP’s programme of cooperation in Afghanistan. The Special Assistant also manages cross-organisational coordination and integration, internal communication and external representation, ensuring programme coherence, and developing strong coordination and partnerships with all relevant partners, internal and external.

The Special Assistant serves as the key liaison between the Country Director and Unit Heads, UNDP staff across the Country Office as well as in UNDP HQ, UN system and donor organisations and Government institutions in coordinating issues, ensuring effective information flows, organizing and integrating activities between various actors, and follow up on commitments made.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provide timely analytical information, coherent policy advice, clarity of intention and purpose that need to be managed sensitively and brokered within an evolving socio-political context. The Incumbent will be responsible for managing the substantive and normative agenda;
In close collaboration with UNCT, programme and operations teams of other agencies, UNDGO staff and Government officials, technical advisors and the experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensure successful coverage, integration and coordination of UNDP activities within UNCT framework;
Provide strategic inputs to facilitate UNDP representation with other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral organisations and civil society.

Provide timely analytical information, coherent policy advice, clarity of intention and purpose that need to be managed sensitively and brokered within an evolving socio-political context. The Incumbent will be responsible for managing the substantive and normative agenda, focusing on achievement of the following:

Support the Country Director through high level meetings and prepare high quality and actionable minutes in a timely manner;
Analyze, compile and prepare papers/notes for relevant policy and operational discussions related to UNDP programmes;
Critically analyze briefs for the Country Director and ensure that they are substantively accurate and reflective of the Country Office's position so as to ensure that timely and coherent follow-up action is taken;
Ensure effective support to operational and programme units in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN programmes coordination focusing results, outcomes, and inputs;
Draft speeches, forewords and other published statements for the Country Director, review and finalize talking points based on inputs from UNDP units, UN Agencies, Integrated Offices etc.

In close collaboration with UNCT, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDGO staff and Government officials, technical advisors and the experts, multi-lateral and bi¬ lateral donors and civil society, ensure successful coverage, integration and coordination of UNDP activities within UNCT framework, focusing on achievement of the following:

Coordinate the preparation of strategic outputs to corporate units/ divisions in collaboration with concerned Bureaux/Divisions/UN Agencies in presenting a consolidated substantive/policy approach when issues are cross-cutting in liaisons with Unit Heads, staff of senior government officials, UN agencies and international community;
Serve as a focal point, coordinate logistics and prepare substantive documentation for high level headquarters missions and special events in coordination with senior management staff and/or concerned units/projects, RBA Staff, UN agencies etc.
Draft and prepare correspondence, documents, reports and speaking notes some of which are confidential and ensure appropriate reporting and follow- up of the CO's meetings;
Contribute to coordination and review of preparatory inputs of UNDP's substantive contribution to the UNCT for CGs, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners.

Provide strategic inputs to facilitate UNDP representation with other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and donors and civil society, focusing on achievement of the following:

Conduct design, planning and organization of external expertise in assisting in the development and capacity development for UNDP Programmes, as and then required;
Actively engage with Programme Staff to acquire information on substantive project development and implementation, as and when required;
Organize and coordinate thematic group meetings in support of UNDP Programmes, as and when required;
In close coordination with Deputy Country Directors (Programme and Operations) and other units of Programmes and Operations, make sure that the information on the programme delivery, including financial rules and procedures is updated on a regular basis;
Organize regular meetings of all programme staff, project managers and programme management team, including preparation of agenda, documentation and minutes carry out follow up matters arising from the meetings;
Support coordination mechanisms as required.

Contributes to knowledge management and capacity building, focusing on achievement of the following:

Organizes training activities on strategic topics for the staff and partners as required;
Documents lessons learned and sharing these through knowledge networks.
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the CO.
Actively contributes to building capacities of staff and leveraging of tools to support operational effectiveness in the country office.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates and safeguards ethics and integrity;
Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Takes initiative;
Acts as a team player and facilitates team work;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team;
Creates synergies through self control;
Manages conflict;
Learns and shares knowledge and encourages learning from others;
Takes informed and transparent decisions.

Functional Competencies:

Building partnerships: Identifies and builds partnerships;
Promotes organisational change and development: Assists individuals to cope with change;
Promotes organisational learning and knowledge sharing: Develops tools and mechanisms;
Innovates and markets new approaches: Develops new approaches
Promotes accountability and results-based management: Provides inputs to the development of standards and policies;
Job knowledge: Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the subject-matter;
Strong planning and organisation skills, ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize complex work tasks;
Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure completing complex multi-stakeholder assignments;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to effectively communicate with people from different backgrounds.
Strong drafting and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in social sciences, business or public administration, international relations, political science or development studies.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in management and coordination, preferably in an international organisation and/or the UN system;
Good computer skills.

Language Requirement:

Strong written and spoken English.

Note:

Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document;
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted;
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af.
Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment;
Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.