UNDP Jobs - 57800- Project Officer -Parliament

Project Officer -Parliament - (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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

UNDP is focused on working with the legislatures to strengthen their capacities to discharge their constitutional mandates of law-making, oversight and representation. UNDP is working to support both MPs themselves, as well as longer-term efforts to capacitate parliamentary secretariats. Recognizing the importance of rebuilding the social contract between the people and the institutions of the state, UNDP is also heavily focusing on support for parliamentary outreach and civil society engagement. More broadly, the Project is also providing technical advice and assistance in support of the broader constitutional review process which is being undertaken by supporting MPs to engage as appropriate. UNDP coordinates its support with other development partners in the field, including the National Democratic Institute, International Republican Institute, AWEPA, the Max Planck Institute and Inter-peace.

The National Federal Parliament and its members have a critical role to play in Somalia’s divided context today. If supported to effectively fill its place in the new political infrastructure of Somalia, the legislature will operate as a venue for the debate and discussion of issues of national importance. Potential sources of conflict can be aired, debated and addressed publicly and in a bi-/multi-partisan manner. In order to achieve these objectives, both Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Secretariat require urgent support. Apart of the National Federal Parliament (NFP) functioning parliaments exist in Garowe/Puntland and in Hargeisa/Somaliland and new assemblies are currently formed in the emerging states.

Under the Provisional Constitution, the NFP has also been tasked with leading the process of constitutional review and implementation, which is required in order to finalize a national Federal Constitution and set in place a framework for national elections. Parliament has set up a Constitutional Oversight Committee, and legislation was enacted in July 2013 to establish an Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC) intended to provide technical support to the Committee. In a Memorandum of Understanding dated 8 March 2015 the cooperation between the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, the Oversight Committee and the ICRIC the division of labor between these three institutions has been agreed.

UNDP through its two projects - the Parliamentary Support Project and the Constitutional Review Process Support Project – which are implemented by the same project team provides technical assistance to the parliaments and supports the ongoing constitutional review process.

The Project Officer will provide quality support to the project staff in Mogadishu and work closely with Parliament, key national stakeholders of the Constitutional Review Process. Government institutions and various experts to encourage timely and high-quality completion of Project’s work.

The Project Officer is expected to also work in close collaboration with the Governance Programme staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Contribute to the strategic development of policies and strategies for the establishment of the project;
Daily management of project’s field level activities;
Build partnerships with governmental and non-governmental counterparts at field level;
Provide input in the project’s strategic development;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Contribute to the strategic development of the policies and strategies for the establishment of the project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Guide partner agencies in developing sound strategies, outputs, timeframes and budgets for implementing project strategies;
Monitor the execution of the agreements (MCGAs) signed with partner organizations for the establishment of the project;
Contribute to the development of output indicators for the project, support the establishment of a data collection mechanism and participate in the data analysis;
Submit concise weekly and monthly progress reports and verify outputs in a timely manner;
Identify and strengthen key partnerships in the civil society groups, NGOs and government counterparts in order to maintain strong capacity for policy development and project delivery.

Daily management of project field level activities focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Prepare and monitor the execution of LoAs with relevant ministries and counterparts for activities in the project;
Monitor the execution of the agreements (MCGAs) signed with partner organizations;
Contribute to the development of output indicators for the project, support the establishment of a data collection mechanism and participate in the data analysis;
Coordinate the establishment and facilitation of a working group for the project in the respective region;
Manage the implementation of project activities in other regions as requested;
Submit accurate weekly and monthly progress reports in a timely manner.

Build partnerships with governmental and non-governmental counterparts at field level focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Coordinate and liaise with the national counterpart on issues related to the project activities;
Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, identifying and recommending possible synergies;
Identify partners through Expression of Interest, assesse their capacity and formulate the follow- up Request For Proposal (RFP) processes;
Assesse the capacity of partner organizations and institutions, develop capacity building plans and implement them through mentoring, trainings and workshops.

Provide input in the project's strategic development focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Draft Project work plans for approval including financial requirements;
Map out the project strategies and support their implementation in the region;
Identify lessons learned, good practices and recommend improvement on project strategy;
Develop the elaboration of the Puntland Model for the project.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge management by focusing on achievement of the following results:

Guide the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects and tracking use of financial resources;
Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative and reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues;
Organize training for Project Staff and partners on financial management;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in project and project finance;
Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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 of 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;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management

Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on related issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement information and communication technology, general administration.

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;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Communications and Networking:

Excellent oral and written communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflict interest of varied actors;
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national institutions, government and non-government.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree preferably in economics, business or public administration, political or social science, law, international studies, development studies or any other related field is a requirement;
First level university degree in relevant academic field with minimum 4 years relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university.

Experience:

Minimum of 2 year relevant experience with advance university degree or 4 years professional experience with a first level university degree in position, at the national or international level is required;
Experience in working with public institutions is an asset;
Knowledge of Parliament and previous experience in dealing with Parliament a strong asset;
Expertise in the specific area of the project;
Work experience within the UN or an NGO is an asset;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
Sound knowledge in administration and finance is an asset.

Language:

Excellent written and spoken English skills and Somali language is a requirement