UNDP Jobs - 59913- Programme Officer & Resource Person

Programme Officer & Resource Person – Decentralisation Community (Open to Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (extendable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head, Democratic Governance Unit, the Programme Officer and Resource Person would be responsible for implementation, management and development of portfolio of project and partnership related to the thematic area of Democratic Governance. The Programme Officer & Resource Person analyses political, social and economic trends and provides support in formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio. He/she also provides inputs for policy advice services.

The Programme Officer & Resource Person supervises and leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. He/she works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

UNDP Democratic Governance Programme supports a key outcome of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for India 2013-1017; Governance systems are more inclusive, accountable, decentralized and programme implementation more effective realization of rights of marginalized groups, especially women and children.

S/he will also be responsible for providing analytical support in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within the Democratic Governance unit of UNDP in one or more thematic areas as assigned by Assistant Country Director (Democratic Governance).

UNDP’s objective in this area is to help ensure that government programmes deliver services to the most marginalized groups more effectively and efficiently.

Solution Exchange is a unique initiative of the United Nations in India, which builds communities of development practitioners working in a common area of interest and passion. In these communities, people working in development learn about each other’s successes or otherwise in an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, thereby saving time and resources by not reinventing the development wheel. The four communities running now comprise of a wide variety of practitioners, such as NGOs’ staff and activists, staff of multilateral and bilateral agencies, Government officials, scientists, donors, and the private sector. Discussions are informed from these multiple perspectives and result in improved effectiveness of development interventions in field as well as policy.

Solution Exchange Communities: Website: www.solutionexchange-un.net.in

Active:

Climate Change;
Decentralization;
Disaster Management;
Poverty: Microfinance.

Methods for knowledge sharing include email based discussions on specific queries, documents, and issues. Occasional face to face meetings are also done, as are collaborative projects by members called “Action Groups”.

UNDP is looking for a highly motivated and competent individual, committed to working on the above issues as a Programme Officer & Resource Person. S/he will work under the supervision of the Assistant Country Director, Democratic Governance Unit, UNDP. S/he will be responsible for managing and motivating the Decentralisation Community comprised of development practitioners focusing on issues related to governance decentralisation in India, drawn from government, NGOs, CBOs, academic and research institutions, UN, other multilateral and bilateral agencies, and the private sector.

The Decentralisation Community of Solution Exchange has been in operation for nearly ten years now and focuses on the following issues:

Renewing public interest and political buy -in for empowered local bodies;
Effective devolution for administrative and fiscal decentralization and resource mobilisation;
Ensuring clarity of accountability relationships-defining functional boundaries of line agencies vis-à-vis local authorities;
Building capacity for decentralized planning, data collection and providing information for effective devolution;
Local body elections and jurisprudence.

Anchored in the Democratic Governance Unit of UNDP, the community also provides programmatic and substantive inputs to various projects in the unit.

UNDP is looking for a highly motivated and competent individual, committed to working on the above issues as a Resource Person. S/he will work under the supervision of the Assistant Country Director, Democratic Governance Unit, UNDP. S/he will be responsible for managing and motivating the Decentralisation Community comprised of development practitioners focusing on issues related to governance decentralisation in India, drawn from government, NGOs, CBOs, academic and research institutions, UN, other multilateral and bilateral agencies, and the private sector. S/he will also be responsible for providing analytical support in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within the Democratic Governance unit of UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Officer & Resource Person is expected to carry out the following tasks:

Analyses political, social and economic trends and provides support in formulation management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio the field of democratic governance;
Provision of inputs to higher level for top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
Preparation of substantive inputs to UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and other documents;
Explore and create new partnership with donors, CSOs, Private Sector, and research institutions;
Development of partnership with UN Agencies, IFI’s government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor’s priorities;
Anchors membership growth and diversification of the Decentralisation “Community of Practice”. Makes efforts to include grassroots practitioners in knowledge sharing;
Manages workshops to strengthen Community identity; represents Solution Exchange in Community events;
Facilitates knowledge sharing among members.Enables and encourages practitioners to raise problems and share experiences.Moderates messages;
Facilitates electronic discussions;
Ensures the quality of material posted on the Decentralisation Community mail groups and websites (Consolidated Replies, e-discussion summaries, Updates, Newsletters etc.);
Supervises the Research Associate’s work; consults with relevant Facilitating Agency staff;
Finalizes and issues material;
Promotes collaboration amongst members.Facilitates Action Groups’ (collaborative efforts amongst members) development, progress and results’ dissemination.Manages collaborations with other India based networks on Decentralisation issues;
Works with UN Agencies’ staff on Decentralisation related programming issues;
Supports the development of new Solution Exchange activities, and methodologies;
Participates in Solution Exchange collective activities and collaborative initiatives; promotes team-building.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes 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 and discrimination.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge on development issues and thorough knowledge of the key concerns and challenges facing development practitioners in the area of decentralisation and governance;
Highly effective at networking and at facilitating professional collaboration;
Excellent drafting and analytical skills; able to communicate clearly through e-mail;
Computer literate and willing to learn new applications;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
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 lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Strong IT skills;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
High interpersonal skills, and ability to remain calm, in control and good humored under pressure;
Ability to prioritise assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Knowledge and Skills:

Implementation of programme strategies;
Management of the CO programme in assigned fields of Democratic Governance;
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy;
Thorough knowledge of the key concerns and challenges facing development practitioners in the area of decentralisation and governance;
Highly effective at networking and at facilitating professional collaboration;
Motivated, energetic, thorough, and responsive to the needs and interests of peers;
Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
Able to communicate clearly through e-mail.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Rural Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Rights, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or Governance related field.

Experience:

7-9 years of relevant post Master’s experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in the field of decentralized governance and public administration is preferable (minimum of 3 years relevant experience);
Experience in effective use of information technology tools is important;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Working knowledge of Hindi and/or any other Indian language is desirable.

Remuneration package starts at Rs. 136,331/- per month (taxable) and follows a progressive scale depending on the candidate’s relevant experience as specified in UNDP’s service contract guidelines. UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selection is on merit.