UNDP Jobs - 54126- Technical Specialist (UN Transition)

Technical Specialist (UN Transition)

Location :

Kinshasa, CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English French

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

UN (United Nations) transitions are high on the agenda as a number of peacekeeping and special political missions are currently planning for or undergoing drawdown, reconfiguration and withdrawal processes that greatly affect the presence and work of the wider UN. It is critical that these processes are planned and managed in a joint and coherent manner by UN actors on the ground with Headquarters support to avoid precipitous and ill-designed transitions that jeopardize previous peacebuilding gains.

In response to increased requests from UN field presences for transition related support, UNDP (United Nations Development Program), DPKO/DFS (Department of Peacekeeping Operations/Division of Field Service) and DPA (Division of Political Affairs) are implementing the joint project “UN Transitions in Mission Settings”. The project seeks to ensure that UN transition processes at headquarters and in the field is more efficient with reduced transaction costs and more effective through better support to host countries, thereby supporting the sustainability of peacebuilding achievements.

UNDP, DPKO/DFS and DPA have adopted a four-pronged approach to achieve this objective:

Provide direct transition planning support to field presences engaged in a transition process;
Conduct trainings and facilitate lessons learning across UN presences undergoing or planning for transitions including through regional trainings to increase planning skills and other capacities related to transitions;
Lead guidance development based on lessons learned in collaboration with various partners across the UN family; an
Engage in dialogue with Member States, bothhost nations as well as donors and peacekeeping contributors, on the challenges and experiences encountered in UN transitions.

The engagement of UNDP in particular and the UNCT in general in the transition planning process is critical for the continued UN support in key peacebuilding areas. The experience from previous transitions, however have shown that additional planning capacity in the UNDP Country Office is needed. The deployment of a Transition Specialist to support the UNDP Country Office and the UN Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity is a critical part of achieving the first objective of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Providing guidance and support to the Country Office and the Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity in the transition planning process for the UN system;
Designing of the UNDP Transition Plan;
Reporting on implementation and propose revision of the UNDP Guidance.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Country Director and in close collaboration with the other CO entities as well as in close collaboration and coordination with the Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity, and UNDP, DPKO/DFS and DPA Headquarters, the incumbent's objective will be to improve integrated transition planning on the ground. To this end, his/her main duties and responsibilities include:

Providing guidance and support to the Country Office and the Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity in the transition planning process for the UN system:

To support and facilitate strategic and pro-active engagement by the Country Office in the transition planning process;
To provide guidance to the Country Office on the transition process;
To represent UNDP in the Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity and actively support and engage in the joint UN transition planning process;
To participate in the development of joint UN transition planning products;
To provide advice to the Mission, and members of the UNCT on entity specific transition planning products;
To facilitate and support joint UN lessons learned activities associated with the transition process;
To contribute to knowledge sharing (notably through training) amongst UN staff on issues relating to the UN Reform Agenda and post-crisis transition;
To draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to the transition planning process;
To facilitate, at the request of the Country Director, consultations with the Government and donors on transition related issues;
In close collaboration with the Mission and other relevant stakeholders ensure appropriate linkages are made to other ongoing initiatives – e.g. the New Deal, the preparation of the national budget, I-PRSPs or donor strategies;
At the request of the Country Director, represent UNDP in various national and UN meetings.

Designing of the UNDP Transition Plan:

To lead the development of the UNDP Transition Plan in the Country Office in coordination with other UNCT members and in alignment with UN strategic planning priorities and as outlined in the UNDP Guidance on transitions in UN mission settings. This will include but not be limited to:

A context analysis;
A preliminary organizational analysis;
Outline of the transition process including: mission/government structures, internal coordination structures, timelines, plans and assessments;
The UNDP post transition portfolio, based on needs and risk assessment and comparative advantage analysis;
Suggested offices (re-) configuration (including regional presence);
Support requirements: admin/logistics/human resources (for transition process and for post transition portfolio);
Outline of fundraising strategy;
Outline of communication strategy;
Outline of partnerships strategy;
Outline of HQ role and requirements (prepared in collaboration with HQ);
A transition action plan (in the form of a matrix): actions, roles, UNDP structures, benchmarks, and timelines;
A Risk register;
Reporting on implementation and propose revision of the UNDP Guidance;
In close liaison with UNDP, DPKO/DFS and DPA HQ prepare and submit quarterly reports as well as a consolidated annual report on the implementation of the UNDP Guidance and the progress of the transition planning process;
Based on the lessons from the implementation of the UNDP guidance proposes revisions to the guidance. The proposed revisions should be submitted biannually.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on strengthening the capacity of the UNDP Country Office and the UN Joint Analytical and Planning Capacity or its equivalent in support of the integrated UN transition planning process.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility & teamwork

Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities in mission settings;
Ability to operate effectively in a changing and complex environment, and to produce results under stress.

Partnering & Networking

Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN.

Results-Orientation

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Knowledge of results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.

Innovation & Judgment

Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches deal with challenging situations;
Ability to negotiate at decision-making level;
Ability to have good political judgment.

Communication

Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Job Knowledge & Expertise

Strategic vision and strong planning and analytical capabilities;
Demonstrates good expertise in transition coordination and resources mobilization;
Excellent organizational and management skills;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in development economics, political science, international development and/or management and coordination.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development, political and/or transitional operations. At least four years work experience in the field, ideally in a post-conflict setting is desirable;
Strategic vision and strong planning and analytical capabilities. Good political judgment;
Proven experience in transition coordination and resource mobilization;
Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities in mission settings. Previous experience in development of ISFs or similar strategic frameworks will be considered as plus.

Language Requirements:

Excellent knowledge of French and English, including writing and oral skills.