UNCDF Jobs - 54065- Technical Specialist (Food Security) UNCDF

Technical Specialist (Food Security) UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

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

Background - The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and inequality first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s). To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the UNCDF/LDFP (Local Development Finance Practice) works with Least Developed Country governments to: mobilize additional capital for local development including from the domestic public and private sectors (for example by promoting fiscal decentralization, increasing own revenue of local authorities and stimulating investment finance by domestic banks); design appropriate allocation mechanisms for this capital (intergovernmental fiscal transfers, public-private partnerships, structured project finance, municipal debt instruments); support local investments that provide a demonstration effect and lead to upscaling and mainstreaming of these mechanisms (including supporting UNCDF’s pipeline of investible projects); secure these investments within an accountable institutional environment that sustains and promotes local development. (legal, political, administrative, social).

UNCDF operates several global programs that work across Sub-Saharan Africa and the poorest countries in Asia to support local development finance initiatives. A new global program for food security, F4F (Finance for Food) is being developed by UNCDF to support the local food system and reinforce the financial mechanisms for public and private investments at local level. This approach aims to enhance the four pillars of food security (availability, stability, accessibility and utilization of food) by targeting relevant stakeholders involved in the LFS, bringing together, engaging and leveraging the capacities of the LGs, private businesses and civil society. The program ensures that the Local Food System is improved through targeted investments. The aim is to set up an investment mechanism to channel available funds at global and national level to finance the Local Food System, through systems of intergovernmental fiscal transfer to the local level for public investment or through investments in revenue generating private and public/private projects. Current Programs on Food Security: The Finance for Food (F4F) program is conceived to provide solutions for local Food and Nutrition Security in Africa and Asia through encouraging increased public, public-private and community investments to fill missing links in the Local Food Systems (LFS). The programmatic goal is to ensure more effective food security interventions coordinated and facilitated through Local Governments in LDCs. The Local Food System is the analytical framework for intervention; development pathways have been identified, by which the four pillars of food security may be strengthened by targeting relevant investments, bringing together, engaging and leveraging the capacities of the LGs, private businesses and civil society. This approach builds upon several UNCDF projects developed and implemented over at least 10 years in African Least Developed Countries in partnership with the Belgium Fund For Food Security (BFFS) and IFAD. Different financial tools are used or piloted to invest in the local food systems: The Local Development Fund (through intergovernmental fiscal transfers) to support public sector finance and Local Finance Initiative (through project and SME finance) to support private funding, including from domestic banks. Advisory services and capacity building support are also provided toward enhanced fund flow, financial management and food security governance at the local level. The programme will initially bring together the ongoing initiatives in Benin, Burundi, Mali, Mozambique and Niger.

Post-Specific Context - Under the guidance and supervision of the Local Development Finance Practice Director, and in coordination with the Senior Regional Advisor (primus inter pares) and other FIPA and LD colleagues, the Food Security Specialist will provide technical leadership and managerial support to Local Development Finance programmes on Food Security in specific countries while ensuring cross practice collaboration with inclusive finance.

The incumbent provides technical support and advice to the LDFP Director and to UNCDF Senior Management on UNCDF corporate initiatives and activities and it provides leadership in applying business development strategies, tools and intelligence, to build and maintain technical partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and enhance resource mobilization for the Local Food System project.

The Food Security Specialist is accountable for project management, quality control and supervision for the Local Food System project – contributing to the achievement of corporate and project objectives and the sound articulation of country-level opportunities within UNCDF corporate strategy while ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

The FS Specialist will liaise with government counterparts, local government officials, IFIs, UN agencies, CSOs, private sector and other stakeholders contributing to knowledge management in the areas of food security, local development, local development finance, municipal finance and associated thematic areas including in relation to Financing For Development, the implementation of the SDGs and the development strategies of Least Developed Countries.

RTAs, CTAs and GTI Managers (Global Technical Initiatives) will work together, with one RTA designated as the primus inter pares who will facilitate inter alia UNCDF coordination in its regional integration, partnership outreach and business development, UN representation, technical collaboration, and on-site prioritization (as needed) of the work of local support staff. While RTA/GTI staff will continue to report to their respective Practices (and operations support staff to MSU), work processes and incentives (including through performance assessment) will be put in place to drive active engagement, dialogue, and prioritization for country engagement so as to gain coherence, optimize resource use, and facilitate greater flow of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provides technical leadership and policy advice in food security, local development finance and local economic development – in particular in relation to infrastructure & service provision, fiscal decentralization, local economic development and the strengthening of local food systems in Least Developed Countries;
Provides leadership in applying business development strategies, tools and intelligence, to build and maintain technical partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and enhance resource mobilization for the Local Food System project;
Provides project management, quality control and supervision for the Local Food System project – contributing to the achievement of corporate and project objectives;
Contributes to knowledge management in the areas of food security, local development, local development finance, municipal finance and associated thematic areas including in relation to Financing For Development, the implementation of the SDGs and the development strategies of Least Developed Countries;
Provides technical support and advice to the LDFP Director and to UNCDF Senior Management on UNCDF corporate initiatives and activities. This includes leadership in the active acquisition and sharing of business-sensitive knowledge in local development and local public finance.

Provides technical leadership and policy advice in the area of food security

in particular in relation to infrastructure & service provision, local economic development and the strengthening of local government and municipal capacity in Least Developed Countries; This is about constructively engaging with central and local government and key stakeholders. The functions include:

Maintain close working relationships and high levels of trust and support with government stakeholders in LDCs based on UNCDF’s mandate and a client-based approach – led by country demand. On this basis develop and implement strategies for the rollout of the Local Food System project in accordance with the project document. These strategies to be based on an adaptation of the LDFP approach to country level development challenges, to be aligned to National Development Plans, the Istanbul Plan of Action for LDCs and other relevant national and international policies;
Develop and maintain a system for financing of a pipeline of investible projects in local food systems that leverage domestic resources for productive and infrastructure investments in LDCs (in collaboration with the UNCDF LFI team);
Develop and maintain close working relationships with the LDFP Regional Technical Advisors and country teams and ensure a client-based approach in which the Local Food System project is introduced on demand and in accordance with local priorities;
Support to the development of national policies in the areas of food security and local food systems, drawing on the latest research and ideas, lessons of policy pilots and substantive dialogue with key practitioners and major international institutions;
Apply UNCDF’s local development finance diagnostic tools, instruments and approaches to constructively inform and contribute to these strategies and policies, in a way that leverages UNCDF support to promote the interventions and finance of others.

Provides leadership in applying business development strategies, tools and intelligence, to build and maintain technical partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and mobilization resources for the Local Food System project. This is about proactively leading resource mobilization for the project. The functions include:

Develop and negotiate funding proposals for the Local Food System project both at global level and for the countries implementing the project. Build partnerships to ensure replication, scaling up and to achieve greater impact;
Increase cost-sharing opportunities for UNCDF programmes/projects;
Maintain effective technical relationships with strategic partners, including LDC and selected non-LDC governments at local and national levels, European Union Institutions, development partners, research and academic institutions, civil society and the private sector;
Dialogue and outreach to key internal and external constituencies and partners, to increase visibility and awareness of UNCDF’s comparative advantages and strategic niches in food security within specific LDCs and selected non-LDCs.

Provides technical project oversigt, quality control and supervision for the Local Food System Project – contributing to the achievement of corporate and project objectives. This is about accountability for the performance, results and impact of the UNCDF Local Development Finance activities. The functions include:

Manage the Local Food System project that engages national governments in examining the potential of local development and builds on the platform and reputation of UNCDF’s support to fiscal decentralization and local economic development in LDCs over a 20-year period;
Working with the country team and Regional Technical Advisor responsible for each LDC, design and support the implementation of Local Food System interventions. This includes technical support to the existing portfolio of BFFS funded food security projects and their incorporation within the Local Food System project;
Design and implement a strategy for introducing pipelines of investible opportunities in local food system infrastructure and SMEs that applies the Local Finance Initiative financing tools and that bundle together separate projects with common measurable food security impacts. Liaise with the Local Finance Initiative project on the financing of these pipelines, preferably through domestic resource mobilization;
Structure the financing to contribute as additional resources mobilized for food security in the framework of the existing country projects;
Exercise oversight and accountability for the contributions to, and measurement of, LDFP business plan output and outcome indicators for the Local Food System project;
Exercise oversight and accountability for smooth running of project management, evaluations and reviews, procurement and HR, budgets, financial approvals, fiduciary controls and other programmatic and operational aspects of the project.
Exercise direct financial approval rights, HR supervision and other ATLAS functions as appropriate;
Apply UNCDF’s Results Based Management approach to the Local Food System project.

Contribute to knowledge management in the areas of local economic development, food security and associated thematic areas including in Financing For Development, the implementation of the SDGs and the development strategies of Least Developed Countries. This is about contributing to the global debate on Local Development Finance and sharing knowledge from UNCDF activities in this regard. The functions include:

Technical leadership in identifying, documenting and incorporating lessons learned with the objective of contributing to scaling up, policy influence and mainstreaming of the models developed;
Inputs to global, regional and national level publications, seminars, and conferences to highlight UNCDF support to local development;
Production and contribution to papers and other documentation of evidence and results of UNCDF interventions;
Collaboration with key partners and local development practitioners, including UNDP practices, within the region for research and development of innovative strategies and approaches to build the reputation of UNCDF as a Centre of Excellence and sharpen delivery of local development projects in order to better achieve UNCDF Business Plan objectives and LDC’s SDG goals;
Development and contribution to knowledge-sharing networks on local development initiatives within the region and globally.

Provides technical support and advice to the LDFP Director and to UNCDF Senior Management on UNCDF corporate initiatives and activities. This includes leadership in the active acquisition and sharing of business-sensitive knowledge in local development and local public finance. This is about supporting the leadership of the Local Development Finance Practice and UNCDF senior management with technical and other contributions. The functions include:

Technical support to the development of substantive inputs into the LDFP Business Plan and its implementation;
Active participation in retreats, LDFP Practice meetings and teleconferences;
Advice to the LDFP Director and Regional Team Leader, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports;
Exploration of synergies with the Inclusive Finance Practice;
Advice to UNCDF Senior Management on technical issues and business development opportunities, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports;
Preparation of substantive inputs into the LDFP Business Plan and to the Results-Oriented Annual Report;
Support to the development of the annual LDFP Work Plan.

Impact of Results

The LDFP Local Food System project will have a major impact on the overall effectiveness and growth of UNCDF’s support to urban development finance in LDCs. This is measured through achieving LDFP Business Plan objectives. These include the policy impact, the leveraging of additional resources for local development and the positive impact of the projects themselves. The performance of the Project Manager will have a major impact on the reputation of UNCDF as partner to the LDCs and as a centre of excellence in Local Development Finance. Success in engaging key actors, in strategic partnerships and in joint programming of local development and public finance projects will contribute to the development goals of partner countries. Results will also have a significant impact on resource mobilization for UNCDF and its capacity UNCDF to expand coverage to other LDCs and provide advisory services to non-LDCs.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Contributes to UNCDF practice areas and builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Contributing to results through provision of information

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

Identifying and building 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

Developing 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.

Resource Mobilization

Implementing resource mobilization strategies

Ability to provide high quality policy advice services on related issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues; and,
Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

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.

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence,creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
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;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparentdecision making; calculated risk-taking;
Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Economics, Environmental or Natural Resources Management, Land/Agricultural Management, Business, Public Finance, Public Administration, or related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience in the field of international development working on food security, ecological, environmental, climate and local development related issues, preferably linked to Sub Saharan Africa;
Of which minimum of 7 years relevant and practical experience of working in sub-saharan Africa at central and local government levels;
Proven experience in the Performance Base Grant Management system for intergovernmental transfers or Proven experience of private sector financing of infrastructure projects;
Technical knowledge of local development planning and capital investment programming in urban or rural areas;
Experience with similar assignments in LDCs and developing countries;
Experience in developing project documents and start-up of new projects with UNCDF Programme and Project management standards;
Experience with new product development, testing, roll-out;
Proven resource mobilization experience and record of success in building partnerships, negotiating financing, reporting to and managing grants from development partners;
Strong programme and project management experience including budget and financial management, staff supervision, teambuilding;
Results based management experience including monitoring, evaluation and incorporating lessons learned;
Strong financial analysis and business project appraisal skills;
Familiarity with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluent in English;
Another UN official language, preferably French, is an asset.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded fromhttp://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx Completion of all the fields is required.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.