UNDP Jobs - 60282- Re-advertisement - National Project Coordinator, U

Re-advertisement - National Project Coordinator, UNDP GoAL-WaSH Project

Location :

Monrovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial duration of 12 months

Languages Required :

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

Water Governance in Liberia is currently characterized by a multitude of responsibilities between and among different ministries and institutions with WASH activities thereby posing serious challenges to identifying a single institution to handle WASH activities across the country. The issue surrounding safe drinking water for the entire country has become much more complicated to handle without an ACT from the national legislature that will lay out clear roles and responsibilities for settling the water problem in the country. However, a framework for a more coherent institutional structure has been recently approved , which proposes the establishment of a National Water Resources and Sanitation Board (NWRSB) under the aegis of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MoLME). This board will have representation from key ministries involved in delivering WSS. The government of Liberia with the assistance of the UNDP has received funding from SIDA and wants to apply this funding to the reactivation of the National Secretariat to begin driving the process that will pave the way for the setting up of a WASH Commission or an independent institution that will be responsible for the water sector. The intent of this advertisement is to recruit a Project Coordinator that will help to drive this process, reactivate the Secretariat and ensure regular board activities for the purpose of setting up a roadmap for establishing a single institution that will be responsible for the water sector.

Roles and Responsibilities of the WSSC

The WSSC will also be in a position to drive further institutional development which should ideally culminate in the establishment of a dedicated Water Resources and Environment Ministry. It is envisaged that the WSSC will be staffed by “eminent experts in the fields of Water, Sanitation, Environment, Economy, Finance, Law, Sociology, and Public Health who will regulate all activities related to Tariffs, Licenses, PPPs, Service Standards, and Water Laws compliance, to be appointed by the President”. It is therefore at the centre of the proposed reforms for the governance and management of the sector. As yet it remains to be constituted.

The WSSC when activated will among other things be responsible to do the following under the guidance of the board:

Promote the rights and access to basic water supply and sanitation;
Set standards and norms for consumer service standards;
Regulate tariffs charged to consumers;
Issue Water Services Provider Licenses;
Promote public-private partnerships;
Promote National Water Laws and Policies;
Ensure the preparation and compliance of quality service (quantity and quality of water delivered to the consumers).

Duties and Responsibilities

This Government of Liberia GoAL-WaSH Programme is proposing to support the recruitment and appointment of a National Coordinator whose primary function will be the following:

Ensuring that the WSSC becomes functional and operational;
Interacting with government and donors to secure budgetary and other financial support for the WSSC;
Engaging in and promoting sector advocacy that will pave the way for budgetary support for the sustainability of the programme;
Undertake study on the economic impact of the WSS sector in Liberia and propose recommendations for policy decision-making;
Support sanitation-specific advocacy activities, especially for support by national government;
Develop sector promotional materials and assist branches of government in preparing WSS budget proposals. Advise on and assist with the recruitment of appropriate personnel for staffing the WSSC;
Establish a work programme for the WSSC, including a schedule of key deliverables;
In conjunction with other actors in the secto,r ensure that a rational system of reporting on the national state of WSS is in place;
Support advocacy and awareness-raising of the importance of safe water and sanitation in a water-rich but rapidly urbanizing country;
Review the scope and mandate of the WSSC;
Mentor the two staff of the WSSC to assume some of the responsibilities of the WSSC when established over the course of this project and ensure a smooth handover to the WSSC.
Engage in knowledge Exchange and sharing which contributes pro-actively to internal and external Knowledge development by identifying, presenting and publishing best practices and lessons learned;
Assist key GoL policy-makers to gain insight from comparative experience in WSS policies, including rural water and sanitation policies. Assist in the preparation of Liberia’s water sector review.
Be responsible for the adequate technical and financial implementation of the Goal WASH programme agreed in the Project Document and corresponding annual work plans.
Report regularly on technical and financial matters to the GoAL WASH global management team at the Stockholm International Water Institute, according to the internal rules of GoAL WASH program.

Competencies

Show demonstrated ability for leadership and mobilization of effective teamwork;
Able to operate at ta high level with government, donors, and supporingt agencies;
Familiararity with and capable of operating effectively in a post-conflict environment;
Show sound analytical and organizational skills;
Provide extensive knowledge of the institutional, financial and technical challenges in WSS sector and current knowledge for possible solutions;
Possess strong knowledge and experience in policy, planning and management issues related to the sector including WASH approaches and concepts;
Knowledge of good governance practices and approaches dealing with gender-sensitive, equitable, social inclusion and empowerment principles;
Ability to integrate contributions from different disciplines to formulate strategies and viable implementation sequences in WSS;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate works;
Excellent participatory process skills;
Computer literacy, particularly, with MS Office.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post graduate degree in the Social Sciences; a degree in relief or Community Development related discipline; a degree or tertiary qualification in a WASH related area will be an advantage.

Experience:

5 years minimum development or relief work with United Nations or international development agency or government;
Proven experience or skills in, Implementation of WASH projects, Liberia WASH Governance structure and institutional issues, Planning and programming, Successful sector advocacy, Project and staff Management;
Work with a variety of groups, including local NGOs and CBOs, and international NGOs and donors;
Demonstrable record of mentoring and handing over responsibility to national colleagues;
Specific knowledge and competence in the Liberia water sector would be an advantage;
Proven working knowledge of Microsoft suites;
Solid understanding of the work of UNDP would be an advantage;
Has extensive experience in the management and planning of the WASH sector;
Experience of capacity building, presentation and workshop facilitation.

Language:

English language skills at a professional level.

Interested Candidates should apply online through the website by clicking on the Apply now button. The system will prompt you to upload a CV on the next page. Please note that instead of a CV you're required to download the UNDP Personnel History Form (P11) from the following link http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc as well as attaching your credentials as one document.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

No fee

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicant's bank accounts.
The UN 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. Only applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted.