Background

The United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF) 2012-2016 has identified governance as one of the areas where the UN will work with Government to strengthen national capacity for conflict prevention, mediation and consensus building.

Output 4.1.2 of the Country Programme (CP) is Capacity of National Institutions strengthened for collaborative Dialogue to support the establishment and operationalization of the National Peace Architecture (NPA) under the Social Cohesion Project. The NPA will provide a platform for collaborative dialogue, peacebuilding and conflict prevention in the country. The initiative is being implemented through aTripartite arrangement comprising the Office of the President and Cabinet, Civil Society Task Force and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

UNDP seeks to recruit a highly committed and dedicated Project Officer to be based at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Lilongwe.  S/he will provide necessary support to the Tripartite team in coordinating implementation of NPA related activities  S/he will assist in providing technical, programmatic and management support to ensure effective and efficient implementation of annual planned activities leading to the achievement of program results.  S/he will also take part in other Social Cohesion Project activities being implemented by other partners.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manages the operational functions of the Project including organizing and coordinating events, workshops, training sessions and meetings in liaison with the stakeholders.
  • Supports OPC (Implementing Partner) in ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources for implementation of project activities.
  • Initiates the development and preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the implementation of the programme in close cooperation with responsible implementing partners, UNDP and other development partners.
  • Assists in negotiating contribution agreements with donors and ensure compliance of all reporting requirements.
  • Reviews and ensures timely submission of quarterly funding advances, quarterly and annual progress and financial reports and other information as needed to Program Analyst (Social Cohesion) in UNDP in accordance with project timelines.
  • Ensure that complete inventory of equipment  are maintained for the project in accordance with UNDP policies
  • Completes required financial forms and other accounting documents for submission to Program Analyst in UNDP
  • Provides technical support to OPC and other responsible partners on work planning, budgeting, audits and preparation of progress and financial reports.
  • Participates in regular monitoring visits with programme counterparts to assess the progress of programme implementation.
  • Promotes new ideas on establishing relationships and leveraging activities of other development partners in the achievement of the project objectives.
  • Provides substantive inputs to preparation of Annual Work Plans, budgets, procurement plans and associated project documents
  • Participates in programme monitoring and evaluation, including project meetings, mid term and other analytical reviews.
  • Identifies new areas for support and interventions for efficient implementation and delivery of public services.

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Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by learning and applying the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Up-holds the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Applies knowledge management in UNDP and on the job and on-line learning and active participation and interaction with colleagues
  • 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 organize and coordinate results-oriented strategic interventions.
  • Good technical skills including grasp of methodological and operational dimensions and the ability to link corporate and country level issues.
  • Ability to provide technical support to human rights efforts. 
  • Results oriented.
  • Flexible and self-starter

Management and Leadership

  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Ability to respond flexibly to counterpart needs and generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities and new challenges
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s  Degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations or other development studies
  • Minimum 2 year work experience in management/ implementation of projects
  • Knowledge and a good appreciation of peace and conflict management
  • Excellent information technology skills, including word-processing, database applications, presentation software and Internet
  • Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
  • A desire to work with, and again the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds
  • A strong commitment to development, and an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments
  • Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter