UNDP Jobs - 58599- Programme Officer, (UN JPLG)

Programme Officer, (UN JPLG) - 2 Positions (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Mogadishu & Garowe, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

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

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG) is a five year joint programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF.

The Programme’s overall goal is “Local governance contributes to peace and equitable service delivery in Somalia”. The Programme has two specific objectives:

Communities have equitable access to basic services through local government;
Local governments are accountable and transparent.

JPLG commenced in April 2008 and has now entered in its second phase (2013-2017). It expanded programmatically and geographically with average annual work-plans budgets of USD 25-32M/year. JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Puntland and Somaliland, local governments, communities and non-state actors. The Programme Officer position is within the JPLG Programme Management Unit (PMU) offices structure in Hargeisa, Garowe and Mogadishu, which are responsible for the overall coordination and management of the Joint Programme in Somalia.

The Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Joint-Programme Manager. He/she will also work in close collaboration with programme and operations teams of the participating UN Agencies, Multi donor trust fund staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of JPLG activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Ensure Implementation, local coordination and representation of the JPLG in Somalia;
Ensure Monitoring and Reporting is conducted effectively and efficiently;
Ensure Administrative Supervision and Operations are running as planned;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures Implementation, local coordination and representation of the JPLG in Somalia:

In consultation with the JPLG local team members, provide technical guidance, inputs and support for the strategic direction, implementation and management of the Joint Programme in Puntland;
Stay abreast of governance and public administration reforms, planning and fiscal developments, sector policies and strategies; and advise JPLG (local team and the TWG) and local and central counterparts to harmonize systems and policies and avoid duplications and/or parallel systems;
Maintain relationships with government counterparts by holding regular briefings and sharing of relevant reports and documentation. Networks and leverages to promote JPLG mandates and ensure flow of information to donors, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders as directed by the PMU;
Represent JPLG (and when requested the JPLG Senior Programme Manager), promote the Joint Programmes objectives and activities and strengthen technical relationships with central and local authorities, UN programmes and other related projects, Donors, NGOs and civil society representatives, academics, research institutes and the media. Ensure linkages with other key strategic partnerships and programmes at local level;
Lead the local preparation/consultation for JPLG Annual Work-Plans and Budgets in close consultations with central and local governments, the JPLG local team and other relevant stakeholders;
Lead the local preparation of the bi-annual Review Workshops and annual Steering Committee meeting with central and local governments, the JPLG local team and other relevant stakeholders;
Coordinate capacity building activities in order to achieve coherence and harmonization of all programme activities and recommend adjustments to enhance the delivery of capacity development.

Ensure Monitoring and Reporting focusing on achievement of the following results:

Together with the JPLG local team, closely monitor, , the implementation of the JPLG AWPB and the District Annual Work-plans and provide technical assistance (incl. referral) to local counterparts to execute the AWP activities; Conduct information/coordination meetings with local governments and joint-monitoring field missions (JPLG target districts) with the JPLG local team and other partners;
Undertake regular monitoring visits and coordinate joint and donor missions to monitor field activities, especially training activities, investigate and recommend on bottlenecks as well as new areas of possible intervention based on the local dynamics, evolving context and needs;
Conduct bi-monthly JPLG local coordination meetings as well as regular information/coordination meetings with the Office of the Vice-President, the Ministries in charge of Interior, Planning, Finances, Women affairs, relevant Sector ministries and central institutions;
Provide regular feedback, prepare regular reports to TWG on JPLG programme implementation status, challenges, strategic contextual issues, changes impacting on JPLG programme, opportunities, threats, risks – recommending possible proactive and reactive response or corrective, necessary strategic reviews.
In coordination with the JPLG local M&E Analyst, track progress, results/impacts and challenges and risks in the overall execution of the JPLG AWPB, share lessons learnt, propose improvements and submit quarterly and annual progress reports to the PMU;
Identify gaps and challenges and support PMU to solve these problems and facilitate PMU to call on participating UN agencies to help solve identified problems, gaps and challenges.

Ensure administrative supervision and operations focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide day-to-day technical oversight and coordination of the JPLG local team (ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN Habitat and UNICEF), ensuring local team members deliver against the JPLG Annual work plans;
Promote coordination, collaborations, information sharing, knowledge management and team work (‘One UN’);
Ensure effective communication and cooperation between the JPLG local teams as well as responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the JPLG/PMU Office in Puntland;
Provide administrative and technical support for the preparation to/and during missions of PMU staffs, TWG and PMG members, Consultants, Service providers and JPLG donors.

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

Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Programme 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 programme.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of Joint Programme; more specifically it shall contribute to enhance local governance and decentralized service delivery, strengthen accountability, transparency and capacities.

The position shall also improve coordination between UN partner agencies and relationship with central and local authorities, communities and other stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate/safeguard ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Act as a team player and facilitate team work;
Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team, communicate effectively;
Create synergies through self-control;
Manage conflict;
Learn and share knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promote knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply 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;
Ability to draft high quality progress reports and background notes;
Excellent communication skills in Somali and English and solid experience to advocate conduct workshops and facilitate discussions with senior governmental officials, UN Agencies and donors;
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 in political sciences, public administration, international development or in a related field;
First level university degree in relevant academic fields and 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years relevant experience with master's degree or a bachelor's degree with 4 years’ experience at the national or international level may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
Experience in local governance, public administration, public service delivery, project/programme management with a development partner is a requirement;
Solid understanding of governance issues at policy and technical levels, particularly on local governance, decentralization, service delivery and/or capacity development is required;
Proven hands-on experience and strong understanding of community engagement, local planning processes, capacity development, local economic development, land management and public finance is required;
Proven experience in conducting data analysis, recommend policy and strategic developments is required;
Strong experience in coordination and coaching of teams, building consensus/synergies, defining and ensuring delivery of results is a requirement;
Knowledge of JPLG, UN Agencies and UN administrative rules and regulations is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.