UNDP Jobs - 54019- Field Project Specialist

Field Project Specialist - (Open to Sri Lankan Nationals Only)

Location :

Ampara with frequent travel to Moneragala, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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 Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED) will serve as one of UNDP’s umbrella delivery programme for strengthening local governance capacities and improving socio-economic opportunities in identified vulnerable regions of the country in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.

The Project GLED will comprise of 4 main outputs

Vulnerable Groups enabled to engage in sustainable local economic development initiatives;
Local level governance institutions plan and manage service delivery with increased effectiveness and inclusiveness;
Policy makers and development partners have an increased knowledge on good practices and lessons learned on local economic development and local governance to policy decisions;
Vulnerable communities have increased skills and ability to participate in local governance activities.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Assistant Country Director, GESI and direct supervision of the GLED Programme Manager the Field Project Specialist is responsible for implementation of GLED project interventions in the Districts. She/He will directly supervise any project staff recruited for the District, and will work closely with the GLED Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) in Colombo. The Field Project Specialist will help build and maintain strong working relations with Government, civil society and private sector partners in the District.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Lead the planning process for the GLED components at the District level, including facilitating consultations with the Government Agent and relevant partners;
Assume responsibility for implementation of the GLED project at the district level and ensure the achievement of the GLED results framework at the district level through successful management of the project portfolio, in accordance with the strategies and work-plans approved by the PIU and in line with the programme and operations procedures of UNDP;
Supervise the work of GLED staff in the District, with a view to achieving results under GLED’s log frame;
Represent GLED at district level;
Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Function/ Expected Results:

Lead the planning process for the GLED component of GLED at the District level, including facilitating consultations with the Government Agent and relevant partners;
Familiarise self with the goals and objectives of the GLED Project and the District Development Plan, and work with colleagues from Colombo to map out the planning process for the Project in the District;
Organise and facilitate District level consultations with Government and other partners in order to finalise the proposed GLED project work plan for the District;
Support the PIU to recruit necessary project staff for the District;
Lead implementation of inception activities at District level. Provide liaison and coordination support for planning of initiatives in other districts as needed.

Function/ Expected Results:

Assume responsibility for implementation of the GLED Project and ensure the achievement of the GLED results framework at the district level through successful management of the project portfolio, in accordance with the strategies and work plans approved by the PIU and in line with the programme and operations procedures of UNDP;
Ensure proper implementation of the GLED district project portfolio based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the recovery and development needs as per the District Plans, response capacities, operational environment and interventions of other partners;
Ensure integrated, results-based planning, budgeting and utilization of management (administrative) and development (programme) resources of GLED to the portfolio of the district, in line with established policies and procedures;
Ensure effective application of RBM tools, monitors GLED district work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
Effective integration of social transformation, gender and conflict sensitive programming into interventions;
Ensure the integrity of financial systems and the consistent application of rules and regulations;
Lead the implementation and coordination of programme with different stakeholders including Government Agent, technical departments, I/NGOs, UN agencies and CBOs;
Provide technical and coordination support for data collection exercises, project related workshops, partner consultations and other project related activities;
Oversee monitoring and facilitation of the evaluation of the GLED Project and sub-projects being implemented at the field level, including the periodic monitoring of implementing partners;
Undertake regular field visits asses status of project implementation and take any necessary corrective measures;
Ensure reporting of the GLED project both qualitatively and quantitatively to PIU;
Ensure provision of technical assistance and capacity-building to institutions and beneficiaries supported directly or indirectly by the GLED Project;
Support and facilitates external evaluations, audits and donor assessments and missions.

Function/ Expected Results:

Supervise the work of GLED staff in the District, with a view to achieving results under GLED’s log frame;
Play a key role in recruitment of all staff in the district in conjunction with UNDP Country Office and PIU, and in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures;
Assume responsibility for supervision, mentoring and performance evaluations of all GELD staff in the district in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.

Represent GLED at district level:

Participate on behalf of the GLED Project in meetings and provide substantive inputs as and when required;
Use information shared through coordination forums to inform UNDP’s own planning processes;
Pursue opportunities for harmonized planning and implementation both within UNDP and with partner agencies through joint field visits, joint needs assessments and technical assessments.
Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Impact of Results:

The key results will support a consultative planning process for the GLED project in the District and effective implementation of project work plans, in close consultation and collaboration with Government and other development partners.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Substantial knowledge of Socio-Economic Development;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Ability to lead formulation of project work plans, oversee implementation and monitoring, and facilitate evaluation of development projects;
Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, RBM and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside UNDP;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, and possesses mentoring and conflict resolution skills;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Statistics, Economics, Political Science or Social Science with a minimum of five years’ experience; or
Bachelors Degree and relevant work experience will be considered in the absence of as Master’s Degree with a minimum of seven years’ experience at the national or international level.

Experience:

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Experience working in the District or similar regions in Sri Lanka;
Strong technical background in socio-economic development and livelihoods development;
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Government, other development partners and the private sector;
Demonstrated capacity to undertake management responsibilities.

Language Requirement:

Demonstrates strong oral and written English communication skills, along with Tamil and/or Sinhala;
Tri-lingual candidates would have an advantage.