UNDP Jobs - 53336- Regional Coordination Specialist

Regional Coordination Specialist

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

12-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

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

The Regional United Nations Development Group Team for Europe and Central Asia (ECA R-UNDG) is composed of 18 members, including the ECA R-UNDG Chair, from the following UN agencies, funds and programmes: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, OHCHR, UN-Women, UNAIDS, WHO, UNESCO, FAO, UNIDO, ILO, UNEP, UNHCR, UNECE, IAEA, and UNOPS. The ECA R-UNDG is chaired by UNDP Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS, on behalf of the Chair of UNDG, and supported by the ECA R-UNDG Secretariat that is located in New York, USA.

The work of the ECA R-UNDG is guided by the General Assembly’s 2012 quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR) of UN operational activities for development, and the global UNDG’s Strategic Priorities for 2013-2016. Its key objective is to support UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) in 18 Europe and Central Asia countries, as well as countries with limited UN presence, to strengthen UN positioning through advancing the UN coherence agenda and enhancing strategic programming, resource mobilization, and partnership-building. The ultimate result that the ECA R-UNDG strives to achieve is strengthened, relevant and high quality UN contribution to countries in achieving their Millennium Declaration Goals and MDG-aligned national priorities, and starting 2016 in attaining their nationalized Sustainable Development Goals.

Working under the overall leadership of the R-UNDG Chair and direct supervision by the Regional Coordination Specialist, the assigned Regional Coordination Analyst has responsibility to support the work of the ECA R-UNDG Team, as part of the ECA R-UNDG Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Progress towards regional UNDG planned results achievement;
Support UNDG Regional Chair, the Regional UNDG and UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators in UN collaboration and reform;
Strengthened strategic partnerships in support of UNDG Strategic Priorities and ECA R-UNDG workplan implementation;
Knowledge building and management facilitated.

Progress towards regional UNDG planned results, including:

Participate in the drafting of the Regional UNDG workplans and annual /biannual budget. Oversight and monitoring of the implementation timelines in the agreed workplan and follow up to ensure adherence, alerting on possible challenges and risks that jeopardize compliance, and make recommendations to preclude delays, tracking the use of financial resources if required;
Perform the required analysis, provide technical inputs and review information from the ECA R-UNDG and other coordination groups for the development of updates and reports on progress achieved;
Identify possible strategic areas of cooperation between agencies; provide strategic advice and inputs to and facilitate the implementation of inter-agency initiatives, as articulated in the workplan, as well as activities outside of the workplan, as initiated/ agreed upon by the ECA R-UNDG;
Ensure the implementation, database maintenance, follow-up and report back from the annual RC/UNCT performance appraisal exercise;
Manage consultancy contracting, through the monitoring of budget formulation and revisions.

Support UNDG Regional Chair, the Regional UNDG and UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators in UN collaboration and reform, including:

Ensure effective internal/external communication on the newly developed policies and priorities and corporate analysis of regional/sub-regional trends between global (UNDG/DOCO, agencies’ HQs, UN entities), regional (R-UNDG Chair/Team, regional coordination groups) and country (RCs/UNCTs) levels;
Review UNDG documents and policy papers on the regular bacis; analyse, consolidate and aggregate data to facilitate policy development and information sharing; draft joint messages or feedback from RC/UNCT or R-UNDG Team if required;
Prepare policy briefs on regional issues;
Ensure the latest UN Reform directives and initiatives are implemented, monitored and reported, including regional oversight functions, quality service and advice (QSA), joint programming, resource mobilization strategies, strengthened country level coordination support, post crisis, and other UN Reform mandates;
Monitor RCs/UNCTs workplanning and reporting for quality assurance and timeliness in adhering to corporate processes, in collaboration with the RC Offices;
Organize and facilitate training events to increase awareness of staff on the emerging UN reform priorities in collaboration with relevant counterparts;
Advise field and other stakeholders on UNDG related issues, including HACT, UNDAF, joint programmes, QCPR implementation, the MDGs, the Post 2015 Agenda, DaO Standard Operating Procedures, etc.

Strengthened strategic partnerships in support of UNDG Strategic Priorities and ECA R-UNDG workplan implementation, including by:

Facilitate the organization of and follow-up to regular briefings/ updates to the respective Member States, organization of regional inter-agency events, conferences and consultations by coordinating activities, undertaking research and drafting technical briefs. Maintain effective cooperation with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and ensure close coordination with the Regional Coordination Mechanism;
In collaboration with the Peer Support Group, contribute to the work of the ECA R-UNDG Team and RCs/UNCTs on common country programming processes, including the development of the roadmaps, country analyses, UNDAFs/One Programmes, along with implementation and M&E in the region;
Formulate and manage media and communication strategies and promote advocacy initiatives of the ECA R-UNDG Chair and Team; provide inputs to designing communications briefs and targeted material. Contribute to the updates to be provided to RCs and UNCTs.
Establish advocacy networks at regional level and link those to international networks. Contribute to the development of policies and strategic documents that will address the CO problems and needs in ECA region in collaboration with the UNDG;
Provide technical support to UNDG interagency groups, task teams, programme steering committees, etc. (e.g. as articulated in the R-UNDG annual work plan, to achieve R-UNDG results, especially related to enhanced coherent regional support to UNCTs).
Lead special projects: initiate, plan and manage special assignments/projects on R-UNDG initiatives and priorities;
Advise COs and other stakeholders on UNDG related issues, including HACT, UNDAF, Joint Programming, QCPR implementation, the MDGs, the Post 2015 Agenda, etc, if and when required.

Knowledge building and management facilitated, including:

Develop monthly publications for the ECA regional newsletter to keep RCs/UNCTs/RCOs, regional staff, and R-UNDG informed about recent developments and good practices. Facilitate experience sharing among RC Offices by consolidating and disseminating lessons learnt and supporting technical knowledge;
Compile best practices to strengthen UN coordination;
Facilitate information sharing with UN partners and other stakeholders on the work of the R-UNDG based on established policy documents and best practices. Establish electronic and other mechanisms for UN regional and country level stakeholders to access relevant UNS resources on UN coordination, ECA R-UNDG initiatives and priorities;
Provide up-to-date materials and information for the ECA R-UNDG page in the UNDG website, as well as for regular update of UNDG databases; contribute to designing and filling in the corporate and regional surveys, and other related activities;
Analyze and meet training needs to sensitize staff of emerging UN reform priorities, to strengthen inter-agency coordination and spirit towards the principles of harmonization and simplification; serve as a resource person in R-UNDG organized/facilitated trainings, upon request;
Operationalize and lead the organization of the yearly Coordination Officers Workshop and capacity building, including the development of the agenda with inputs from the Coordination Officers.

Competencies

UN System

Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Relationship Management / Partnerships

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

Brief and Speech Writing

Ability to prepare quality briefs and/or speeches.

Research (General)

Knowledge of various programme information for research to provide recommendation and guidance to management.

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Quality Assurance

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Data Measurement

Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level, preferably in programme/ project management or coordination in the public of private sector;
Experience and knowledge of UN Reform issues including the QCPR, UNDG, country office operations, UNDAF, joint programming, Delivering as One/ Standard Operating Procedures and other knowledge and skills relevant to the implementation of the UN Reform at country level;
Exceptional organizational and inter-personal skills are a priority.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Proficiency in Russian is an asset.