UNDP Jobs - 57615- Project Officer - Emerging States (Open to Somali

Project Officer - Emerging States (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Kismayo/Baidoa

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of extension)

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

In 2012, after a long and troubled transition, a new political dispensation was found in Somalia, with the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, the selection of a new parliament, the election of president and formation of a new government. The challenges faced by the Federal and State Governments are enormous.

The challenges can be summarized as follows:

The long civil war and looting have destroyed physical infrastructure, equipment and the institutional memory of most government agencies and ministries;
There is a lack of clarity on the mandate and functions across Federal and State Government institutions and between the federal and subnational levels of government;
Core work-processes in government have suffered in quality and consistency, and service delivery is in many areas virtually absent;
Staff capacity is low across the whole spectrum of government institutions with limited mechanisms to identify and redress these capacity gaps.

The Federal and State Governments face significant capacity challenges - at the individual, organisational and institutional level - in implementing their mandate and require institutional support to roll out the New Deal process and implement the different reforms.

On State Level, the Puntland Government is fairly well established. However, the process to establish new State Level governments in ‘south-central Somalia’ has started during 2014. This highly sensitive process is about merging different regions into a state level government administration. It requires an inclusive (political) debate and technical guidance.

The Support to Emerging Federal States (StEFS) Project is one of the Projects developed in response to the New Deal. Aligned to the priorities and principles spelled out in the Somali Compact, the StEFS Project aims to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Emerging Federal States in achieving the Peace-building and State-building Goal (PSG) 1, Inclusive Politics Strategic Objective, to “achieve a stable and peaceful federal Somalia through inclusive political processes.”

Specifically, StEFS supports Priority 1 of PSG 1: Advance inclusive political dialogue to clarify and settle relations between the federal government and existing and emerging administrations and initiate processes of social reconciliation to restore trust between communities.

The StEFS Project is designed in response to the current political dynamic in which two Interim State Administrations – the Interim Juba Administration (IJA) and Interim South West Administration (ISWA) – have recently been established with FGS and international stakeholder support, while state formation processes are underway for an emerging state comprising two central regions of Galgadud and Mudug. At least one additional state will likely follow. StEFS builds on the positive gains, experience, expertise and added value of UNSOM and UNDP in advancing these processes while further delivering key capacity support needed for these new governance structures to function effectively within a nascent federal system.

The Project prescribes a coherent approach to address the needs of Emerging Federal States in addition to those federal level institutions that enable and facilitate the formation and development of these new state structures. It ensures that UNSOM and UNDP support, working in close coordination with other development actors, responds to the needs of Somali government structures, particularly those ‘core public sector capacities’ references in the Compact, but also tangentially aligned with cross-cutting issues of Bringing Tangible Results to People (by helping establish governance structures that will in all likelihood deliver increased services in their geographic zones), Gender, Human Rights (StEFS will proactively promote the participation of women throughout the Project and embed Human Rights principles in training on conflict mitigation and management) and External Relations (support to emerging federal states will also improve their capacity to engage with the federal government and with the international community)

The present position, Project officer, will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Team Leader ( Emerging States) in Mogadishu. The Project officer will work in close collaboration with the Emergency States and Governance Programme and project staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Of specific importance is to ensure excellent networking and cooperation arrangements with the national partners and the Programme Specialist is expected to represent the programme in official settings, including coordination meetings..

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions (at area level):

Ensure objectives of the project guiding documents and annual work plans are reached at area level;
Effective and efficient management of financial resources at the area level;
Efficient procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level;
Support resource mobilisation and donor reporting and coordination;
Effective knowledge building and management are ensured at the area level;
Specific support to project activities is provided at the area level.

Ensure objectives of the project guiding documents and annual work plans are reached at area level focusing on the following tasks:

Ensure objectives as stipulated in AWP are met, relationships are strategically managed with sensitivity;
Remain abreast of the Capacity Development trends and applied concepts, advising on the possible new opportunities for intervention and associated risks;
Ensure in close consultation with Capacity Development Team, the effective application of RBM tools, elaboration of coherent work plans, regular donor progress and impact reports;
Monitor the project work plans, project effectiveness and achievement of results and provide inputs to the Strategic Results Framework and Results Oriented Annual Report;
Ensure the highest possible quality of delivery and ensure value for money;
Ensure efficiency of project team staff and contribute to the overall project management by delegating tasks at the sub-level ensuring efficient and effective delivery of activities;
Participate in all internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the project;
Improve/establish communication and coordination mechanisms and procedures amongst the various stakeholders;
Support the enhancement and update of a web-based database to serve as monitoring and reporting tool;
Manage and monitor identified project risks and update the status of these risks;
Ensure the promotion and application of the UNDP drivers of development effectiveness (promotes national ownership and the development of national capacities);
Foster policies and partnerships and promote gender equality for enhanced programmatic results, and other development standards as per UNDP’s corporate multi-year strategy;
Ensure that all programming is founded on Rights Based approach and that project resources are used in a balanced way and are “conflict sensitive”, ensures adherence to the Do-No-Harm principle and any joint UN operating principles in Somalia relevant to the programme area;
Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, HIV/AIDS, peace building, human rights and ICT, into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programme/projects; and
Keep the Project and Programme Manager abreast of emerging project issues.

Effective and efficient management of financial resources at the area level focusing the following tasks:

In close consultation with Team Leader and other relevant units in the UNDP, contribute to the elaboration of budgets for all activities in the programme portfolio and the continuous monitoring of project work plans;
Ensure integrity of financial and administrative operations in the project through oversight of financial and budgetary aspects of the projects;
Ensure strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations and the implementation of clear accountability mechanisms throughout the project portfolio;
Participate in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement and recruitment.

Efficient procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level focusing on the following tasks:

Advocate for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, and the UN;
Liaise with all UNDP counterparts, government authorities, UNSAS and other stakeholders regularly. Ensure project compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies;
Ensure project compliance with corporate rules and regulations in the field and management of procurement processes and logistical services;
Ensure monitoring and evaluation of the projects, including regular field visits and support to the organization of Project Board and Outcome Board meetings and reports on project progress and constraints; and
Coordinate and cooperate with initiatives of other sections of the UNDP country office.

Support Resource Mobilisation and Donor Coordination and reporting

Support the CTA and other senior management staff in resource mobilisation through timely reporting on progress;
Keep track of donor data base and information ready for sharing with donors;
Ensure timely disbursal of committed funds and report progress;
Support in preparation of donor funded projects as may be required by the team leader.

Effective knowledge building and knowledge sharing at the area level focusing on the following tasks:

Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Project for organizational sharing and learning;
Actively participate in the knowledge networks and take advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available at the zonal, national, regional and global levels;
Support capacity-building of national counterparts;
Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Country Office.

Specific support to project activities is provided at the area level focusing on the following tasks:

Remain abreast of conceptual basis and technical advancements for programming, more specifically in the conceptual areas of capacity development in fragile states;
Actively participate in the strategy meetings, giving expert level technical guidance where and when required;
Advise in the identification of the target communities for activities;
Support the international and national consultants (where applicable) with technical and logistical guidance;
Oversee agreements with implementing partners and counterparts to ensure objectives are met;
Support the development of agreements for the government and NGO counterparts in forms of LoAs / MCGAs / Responsible Party Agreements and;
Monitor activities of partners closely, feeding challenges back to Project management.

Impact of Results

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the specific areas of cooperation under the UNDP country programme. In particular, the key results will have a direct impact on the effectiveness on the design, implementation and outcome of key project activities results under the specific Programme portfolio.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
Strong IT skills and knowledge of Atlas;
Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
Excellent knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree preferably in peace, conflict and security, economics, business or public administration, political or social science, law, international studies, development studies or any other related field;
A first level university degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

2 years relevant experience combined with an advanced university degree, or 4 years relevant experience with a first level university degree at the national or international level;
Proven track record of successfully assuming responsibilities of similar size and complexity;
Technical expertise in community security, social cohesion, peace and/or conflict and/or other directly related fields;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
Experience in inter-agency coordination of development or humanitarian assistance, and working with the United Nations, is desirable.

Languages:

Strong written and spoken English skills and Somali language is required.