UNDP Jobs - 59320- Consultant - Development of Crisis Response Packag

Consultant - Development of Crisis Response Packages, Crisis Response Unit

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Possibly 5 months

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’s Strategic Plan (2014-2017) recognizes the importance of preparedness, response, early recovery and effective management of risk as fundamental for resilience building and development. The objective of the Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to respond in the most timely and effective manner to crises, triggered by natural disasters or armed conflicts alike.

CRU is responsible for UNDP’s corporate crisis response strategy and capability. It develops and drives UNDP’s vision and priorities for crisis response, coordinates and facilitates UNDP’s crisis response with a whole-of-UNDP approach, provides oversight for all UNDP crisis response actions, supports early warning, guides corporate preparedness for crisis response, and manages UNDP’s crisis response tools.

UNDP’s new corporate Crisis Response Strategy aims to make the Organization faster, more predictable and effective, and uses a “whole-of-UNDP” approach. As part of this Strategy UNDP is developing a series of ‘Crisis Response Packages’ that will allow the delivery of quick, effective and predictable interventions on the ground. CRU is responsible coordinating the development and roll out of these packages in cooperation with UNDP Central Bureaus: Bureau for Programme and Policy Support (BPPS), the Bureau of Management (BOM), the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) as well as with the Regional Bureaus and Regional Hubs.

As a member of CRU’s Rapid Response and Preparedness Team and in close collaboration with other CRU teams and the Regional/Central Bureaus of UNDP, in particular BPPS, s/he is responsible for supporting the following:

Contribute to development and roll out of UNDP’s Crisis Response Packages;
Support CRU’s capacity development exercises on Crisis Response for Country Offices, Regional Hubs and Central Bureaus.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Policy and Capacity Development) the Consultant will:

Contribute to development and roll out of UNDP’s Crisis Response Packages:

Collaborate with central bureaus, Regional Bureaus and Regional Hubs as well as Country Offices on the development of crisis response packages including finalisation of programming tools, agreement on and preparation of required operational tools and processes, identification and development of capacities and preparation of communication and advocacy products;
Support the roll out of finalised packages, including dissemination of tools, providing advice to Country Offices, participating in capacity development initiatives and monitoring and updating the Crisis Response Package web based portal;
Work with central Bureaus, Regional Bureaus, Regional Hubs and Country Offices to identify potential areas for new Crisis Response Packages;
Support the development of partnerships with UN and non-UN actors (e.g. NGOs, Private Sector, Foundations, etc.,) to deliver critical interventions associated with the crisis response packages building on the existing stand-by partnership agreements.

Support CRU’s capacity development exercises on Crisis Response for Country Offices, Regional Hubs and Central Bureaus:

Participate in identifying priority needs for capacity development and planning global, regional and country level workshops in consultation with other CRU Teams, central Bureaus and other relevant stakeholders;
Support the design and development of workshop methodology, agenda and required documentation;
Coordinate with key resource people at all country, regional and global levels to ensure strong representation, active participation, and preparation of relevant materials and documentation;
Act as a resource person at capacity development initiatives;
Coordinate workshop follow up and integrate key lessons learnt and resources into crisis response systems.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values:

Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Functional Competencies:

Organizational Awareness:

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally-agreed development goals;

Working in Teams:

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in relevant areas;
Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Creating synergies through self-control tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Functional competencies:

Knowledge of crisis response and early recovery policies and inter-agency mechanisms;
Ability to implement methods and tools for crisis situations;
Excellent drafting and formulation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) International Relations and/or Regional Studies, Project Management, Human Resources or Information Technology.

Experience :

3 years of professional experience providing advisory support and technical advice in the area of crisis response and recovery.
Experience in planning, reporting and coordination;
Exposure or relevant experience to develop and/or manage knowledge management systems and capacity development exercises;
Field experience in humanitarian operations is an asset;
Proven ability to work in a highly pressurized environment, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards;
proven record of drafting official reports or papers/studies in the selected area;
Computer proficient and well versed in the use of the HR databases Internet, Excel and Word;
Ability to work in a multicultural setting.

Language:

Proficiency in English is a must;
Proficiency in one or several other working UN language(s) would be an added advantage.