Background

Liberia has gone through political instability, a devastating civil war, and economic stagnation for over two decades. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2003. With the help of a robust UN mission the country has enjoyed relative stability. Important achievements include disarmament and demobilization of armed groups, re-establishment of basic government functions and services, provision of basic public safety and security and holding of two consecutive elections. However, the 2011 acrimonious general and presidential elections indicate that peace remains fragile and that the underlying grievances of the civil war remain unsolved.

The UNDP Country Programme Document point to the following factors contributing to this fragility:

• Persistent development deficits, including deeply divided and polarized ethnic communities;
• Weak institutions and a traumatized society.

The lack of shared identify in Liberia further complicate Liberia’s recovery, as its historical narrative evolves strongly around the privileges enjoyed by the returnees from north in contrast to the feeling of exclusion among the other ethnic communities. In 2012, Liberia ranked close to the bottom on the Human Development Index (2012) and about 84% of its population is poor, living under the $1.25 a day poverty line or 64 % on less $1.00 a day. The level of skills is very low, as evidenced by education indicator. Liberia’s natural endowments of oil, gas, minerals and timber can play a key role in implementing post-war development plans, if managed well. Such diverse resources can be used to reduce poverty, create employment and help the construction of a new inclusive Liberia where benefits are shared by all her citizens. Revenues generated from extractive industries are an important potential source for financing the Vision 2030 agenda, but these not managed effective could serve as conflict and fragility triggers. One of the key contributory factors in the continued fragility is the continued challenge associated with the management natural endowment.

Liberia is presented with a chance to govern its extractive industry and put in place laws, policies, regulatory frameworks and systems that would enable it to transfer its mineral wealth to the wealth of its citizens. With proper management, resource revenues could play a key role in peace building and financing the transition of Liberia to middle income status by 2030, as stipulated in its Liberia Rising – Vision 2030. Yet, if the revenues of the resource exports are not shared fairly and equitably, Liberia will find it difficult to graduate from fragility to prosperity. In order to realize the role of natural resources in the post-conflict reconstruction of Liberia, there is a need to put in place adequate laws, policies, regulatory frameworks and systems that govern the extractive sector sustainably. This is why effective management of the natural resources (Extractives) is an imperative for economic development and sustained peace and stability. Prior to the civil war, the mineral sector contributed more than 65% of Liberia’s’ export earnings and approximately 25% of GDP. The country relied heavily on the extractive industry’s export earnings and was the world’s fifth largest iron ore producer.

The revitalization of the extractive industry was a result of two factors. First, Liberia’s mineral reserves have long been acknowledged, but remained unexplored during its civil wars. Second, the government actively sought to re-develop its dormant mining sector through private sector partnerships. A strategy to build strong linkages between Liberia’s extractive industry and the rest of the economy can contribute to the development of its small-scale private sector, creating jobs and improving the welfare of its people. Consistent with UNDP Global Programme on extractive, and with initial Technical Assistance and funding from BCPR (now BPPS), UNDP Liberia has developed a 3 years project titled: Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development (EISD). The project has 6 main outputs, all intended to strengthen capacities, promote participation and voice, enhance natural resource governance through capacities for contracts negotiation, coordination and monitoring, and improve transparency and accountability and oversight.

At the end of the three years 2014-2016, it is hoped that the following outputs will have been achieved:

• Liberia’s legal framework, policies and institutional capacities to govern its mineral and oil sector are strengthened;
• The voice and participation of civil society, women’s organizations and communities in dialogues and decisions related to extractive industries is strengthened and institutionalized;
• Transparency in the management of revenues from minerals and oil is improved;
• Linkages between SMEs and multinational companies in the extractive sector strengthened, increasing employment opportunities, particularly for youth;
• Capacity of miners in artisanal, small-scale and low-value mining and capacity of regulatory institutions is strengthened; and
• The impact of Liberia’s extractive industry on human development is documented, lessons drawn and disseminated to the wider public, which will include commissioning a report on Liberia’s extractive sector to draw lessons, and disseminating the findings to the public.

The project builds on existing UNDP Liberia and HQ support to natural resources management with focus on strengthening capacities for coordination, and monitoring of concessions and contract, and agreements in the extractive sector, the formalization of artisanal and small scale miners and management of revenues, improving citizens engagement in the concessions process, promoting beneficial ownership disclosures, improving value chain linkages and local content. UNDP’s framework for supporting Sustainable and Equitable Management of the Extractive Sector for Human Development has four distinct, yet overlapping, constituent parts. This framework for structuring UNDP’s policy and programme support includes: Participatory legislation, policies and planning; people centered exploration and extraction; prudent revenue collection and management; and investment in human, physical and financial capital. UNDP’s response has global, regional and country level components. In this regard, UNDP has launched a Global and a Regional Initiative in Africa to support country-level efforts to govern the extractive sector. This Global Initiative provides the framework for developing a country level projects in Liberia. Synergies between this global effort and country-level demand will be utilized in implementing Liberia’s programme.

The Global Initiative on extractives aims at:

• Supporting countries to design, improve and implement their legal, regulatory and policy frameworks to effectively govern their extractive sectors;
• Facilitating formal and informal participatory decision-making processes to institutionalize representation of communities, women’s organizations and indigenous peoples and prevent conflicts in the governance of extractive industries;
• Strengthening systems to ensure transparent and accountable management of resource revenues;
• Assisting the private sector to align their core business operations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities with national and local development plans. Supporting them to engage in meaningful consultations with local and indigenous communities, and helping them to link up with local providers of goods and services;
• Helping countries to develop strategies to invest resource revenues in economic transformation, social development and environmental regeneration;
• Strengthening the capacity of artisanal and small-scale miners, and that of public institutions, which regulate and promote them;
• Generating and sharing knowledge. In particular case of Liberia, UNDP has provided support for Policy Advisor with local counterpart at the Ministry of Justice to provide top-quality policy advisory and technical services to the Ministry to ensure local capacity for contracts negotiations and effective coordination of the emerging Oil Sector in Liberia.

This was critical as the Ministry needed technical persons with expertise and hands on experience to support the Ministry of Justice as it develops and implements the requisite legal and policy tools to strengthen a functional and professional team at the Ministry to stair the sector forward. The CO has also supported the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy though the Diamonds for Development project, to undertake a comprehensive strategy for the development of the sector, and most recently supported the development of roadmap for the formalization of artisanal miners. The UNDP is working with the National Bureau of concessions to improve concessions monitoring, and with NIC, to develop a local content policy. Among others, the UNDP is working with the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) to set up a center of excellence in extractive governance, and promote disclosure of beneficial ownership. In terms of off shore natural resources, Liberia has a very modest oil industry which is yet underdeveloped, and oil refinery has been mothballed. Nonetheless, there is huge potential with current oil exploration, a situation that is attracting potential investors and public interest.

This support for a Senior Technical Advisor was seen as crucial to the strengthening of capacities for contracts analysis, negotiation and coordination in the oil sector in furtherance of enhancing the effective and accountable management of natural resources. This is against the background of the emerging complex and interconnected financial, legal, managerial, political and economic dimensions with heightened legislative debate and recent calls for the review of agreements. The government also thinks that the economic perspectives are best served by negotiations that are characterized by limited financial stress and that provide investments in exploration and sustained future productions. For this reason, adequate technical preparations are vital given the changing nature of the legal and regulatory framework for oil industry contracts, and that it is important government lawyers, contracts and commercial actors have appropriate capacity and up-to-date information with respect to the understanding of the current practice and development in the oil sector contracts negotiation.

Therefore a Technical Specialist/Project Manager at UNDP is needed to provide strategic advice to the government on the socio economic and political dimensions towards effective natural resource management with the view to harnessing the potential of Extractive Sector, including ownership of infrastructure and improving economic impact of negotiations, and consolidation of peace and stability through an citizens engagement and effective oversight. The project also expected to tap additional resources from the PBC with focus on natural resources management. To ensure that UNDP stays technically engaged in this very important area, mobilize and manage resources, and deliver the results, the UNDP Liberia country office seeks the seeks employment of Technical Specialist/EISD/Project Manager to provide both Technical Assistance ensuring UNDP visibility and relevance in this area, and manage the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director, and direct supervision of the Economic Advisor/Head Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU), the Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development Project (EISD) Project Manager will provide both Technical advice and effective management of the project. He/she supports the UNDP Liberia Country Office in the management, including formulation and technical oversight of the Extractive Industries project under the portfolio, in close collaboration and coordination with the teams of Governance, Sustainable Economic Transformation Pillars and Strategy Policy Support teams. He/she provides significant support resource mobilization and on project implementation to ensure accountability and efficiency in project funding and delivery. EISD Project Manager/Technical Specialist, provides technical advice internally to UNDP Liberia and works in close collaboration with the Economic Specialist, Team Leaders and their teams, and the Head of SPU to ensure coordination, effective implementation of the projects, monitoring and achievement of project results. Externally, the EISD Project Manager provides technical advice and works closely with UN Agencies, civil society, private sector and government counterparts, and other stakeholders to successfully support improved efficiency of UNDP in liaison with team leaders in the areas of Extractive Industries.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Provision of policy advice to relevant counterparts, and liaises with other UN Agencies, government officials, civil society, private sector and other relevant stakeholders in areas pertaining to EISD project under his/her responsibility;
• Management of the UNDP projects in the portfolio to maximize project effectiveness;
• Establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization in cooperation with Senior Management.
• Definition and implementation of the strategic direction of the EISD, developing sustainability strategies, and building capacities of counterparts;
• Promote/ Ensure UNDP’s visibility and assertiveness as a thought leader in the extractive in overall natural resources management;
• Provision of technical support for the design and roll out of a comprehensive Capacity Development programme for stakeholders in the extractive sector, with including capacity monitoring and negotiation of concessions contract;
• Support the mainstreaming and integration of activities and initiatives in the following thematic areas of Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment and HIV/AIDS.

Lead the provision of policy advice to relevant counterparts in Extractive Industries and liaises with other UN Agencies, government officials, civil society, private sector and other relevant stakeholders in areas pertaining to the portfolio, under his/her responsibility, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support the development of policies that will address country needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Conducting policy analyses and assessments, analyses and syntheses of best practices and lessons learnt which are directly linked to the EISD programmatic goals;
• Articulation and dissemination of these analyses for application in policy or programmatic changes;
• Ongoing participation and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the extractive industry for sustainable development, improved livelihoods and south-south cooperation;
• Information sharing among UNDP Liberia Senior Management and Team Leaders and teams, as well as, UNDP Regional and Global teams on topics related to the portfolio;
• Proffer policies and strategies that that will contribute to the harnessing of the potential of the extractive sector including ownership of infrastructure, economic impact of loss/gain from oil income;
• Provide technical and support capacity strengthening for drafting, negotiation and regulation of investment contracts, with an emphasis on activities related to natural resource projects;
• Ensure integration of social and environmental impact assessment aspects in natural resource management with focus on the extractives sector.

Management of the UNDP Liberia Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development portfolio to maximize project effectiveness, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of Annual Work Plan and Design and formulation of Extractive Industries project(s), translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions by government particularly in policy development;
• Coordination of project implementation with the executing agencies including representation of UNDP on Project Boards;
• Oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, quality assurance and monitoring of the projects in the portfolio, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Initiation of projects, development of project proposals with partners, presentation of the project to BPAC, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, coordination of project evaluations and reviews, and oversight of closure of projects;
• Follow-up on recommendations from audits, evaluations and donor reviews;
• All exceptions are timely reported;
• Conduct financial and substantive monitoring and oversee/ coordinate evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions. Participation in audit of projects;
• Regularly prepare monitoring reports on activities, outputs and outcomes;
• Regularly prepare donor reports.
• Production of key communication materials for senior management on Extractive Industries issues;
• Conduct project audit, update project issues and risk log, the IWP and contribute to the preparation of the UNDP’s corporate results oriented annual report;
• Ensure Project CDRs are signed by counterparts, and where applicable undertake timely budget revision and re-phasing;
• Prepare timely project quarterly and annual reports and donor reports as due;
• Approve e-requisitions for the Project.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with Senior Management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Representation of UNDP to various inter-agency and development partner fora in natural resources management field, with focus on the extractive industries;
• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the Extractive Industries and Anti-Corruption sector;
• Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve Extractive Industry and Anti-Corruption outcomes and active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
• Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Scan the environment and provide business intelligences and options for UNDP’s strategic positioning and visibility;
• Analysis and research of information on donors and identification of possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects;
• Support to the preparation and articulation of the CO resource mobilization strategy;
• Support pipeline management.

Ensures the strategic direction of the Extractive Industry projects in the portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, and other documents;
• Identification of new and emerging issues, national priorities and global trends in Extractive Industry and Anti-Corruption to ensure adequate support and advice to partners, as well as possible new interventions;
• Review current policies, legal and regulatory frameworks related to management of natural resource projects and investment contracts in Liberia;
• Prepare a report that includes recommended measures to increase efficiency and improve good governance systems for better transparency and accountability
• Operationalization of relevant areas of the UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with team leaders and the main partners and other UN Agencies;
• Identification and elaboration of possibilities for Joint Programming and Delivering as One;
• Adhering to CO business processes for accountability and transparency;
• Ensuring linkages between the CO programme and the UNDP Global and Regional Programmes on Extractive Industries
• Support the Development of a comprehensive training programme for contract analysis, negotiations, for Inter-ministerial concessions committee;
• Support the Ministries of Justice and Lands, mines and energy, and the NIC and NBC, to engage, create and coordinate partnerships with companies, bilateral and multilateral donors, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders for the pursuit of Government’s strategic direction for the oil sector;
• Ensure appropriate linkages are made by the key extractive stakeholders to draw upon other country experiences, lessons leant and knowledge sharing to strengthen implementation of their mandates with respect to the extractives industries.

Impact of Results:

• Impact on the overall success and achievemnt of results of the Extractive Industries for sustainable development project, is felt thus contributing to development change and the achievement of the CPD/UNDAF and the Agenda for Transformation.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Creates effective partner advocacy strategies;
• Performs analysis of corporate development challenges in and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Identifying and building partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

Developing new approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations):

Implementing resource mobilization strategies

• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation:

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity; and creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen Building staff competence;
• Creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Environment and Natural Resources Management, public administration, political science, international relations or other relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience working in programme/policy advisory role, hands-on experience in design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of development projects in Extractive Industries, establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
• Experience in building partnerships and working on Extractive Industries in Liberia and Post conflict context is highly desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based project management systems;
• Strong knowledge of UN/UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, as well as, project management practices.

Language:

• Fluent in English.