UNDP Jobs - 61184- Programme Specialist

Programme Specialist

Location :

Baghdad, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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

UNDP Iraq is in the process of finalizing its second Country Programme Document 2016-2020 (CPD). The CPD is based on the priorities and challenges identified in the 2009 Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2015-2019, signed on 2nd of April 2014. It is also fully aligned with the Government of Iraq’s National Development Plan (NDP) for 2014–2018 and the UNDP Strategic Plan. This new programme, together with an expanded in-country presence in Iraq, with 4 programmatic offices established within the country, and introduction of new policy directives for a higher performing UNDP, has resulted in the need to establish a Management Support Unit (MSU) for the UNDP Iraq Country Office in order to streamline coordination and implementation across the country. In addition to this, the UNDP Iraq programme scope has expanded in the last year to incorporate the immediate and growing priorities of stabilization in specific geographic localities that have been the focus of conflict. These needs will also need to be balanced against the maintenance of the existing develop gains and initiatives of UNDP Iraq Country Office.

The MSU will support (i) application of corporate policies and compliance issues; (ii) strategic planning and partnerships that include enhancing the efficiency and impact of UNDP Iraq’s programme delivery by ensuring the coherence of the CPD including a RBM focus, harmonizing partnership processes and procedures across the two programme pillars (and sub-units) to ensure efficient programme implementation and operations support and internal programme oversight and assurance role vis-à-vis UNDP accountability for results and appropriate use of resources; (iii) coordination of monitoring and evaluation functions; and (iv) promotion of knowledge management and communications support.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Programme Specialist will be responsible for coordinating a number of key initiatives to make UNDP Iraq more accountable in terms of performance and management for results.

The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme team, External Relations unit, Operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation. The Programme Specialist maintains a special focus on knowledge management for the effective and efficient provision of advisory support services to programme pillars in consultation with senior management.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of the CO Management Support Unit, ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, AWP and other documents;
Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation;
Operationalization of UNDAF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming;
Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.;
CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.

Ensures effective management of the CO Management Support Unit team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies;
Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Programme Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval;
Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme;
Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports;
Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager.

Ensure effective management of the CO partnership building, resource mobilization and management through pillars focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Support to the implementation of CO Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy;
Support coordination of special donor events with a focus to generate buy in, fostering of partnerships and mobilization of additional resources;
Contribution to and updating of outreach/publicity/advocacy material geared towards partners and donors in partnership with the communications team;
Participate substantively in peer reviews of s concept notes and project documents;
Support financial and substantive evaluation of the projects, operational and financial agreements and contribute to development of innovative solutions in partnership with relevant operations and programme pillar;
Manages the day-to-day coordination between MSU/External Relations/PU/Project Portfolio of UNDP Iraq, coordinates any requests for information/inputs to strategic UNCT/SRSG/SG reports or documents;
Provides technical support to External Relations unit with regards to donor coordination mechanisms/processes and supports implementation of UNDP Iraq communications strategy and plan.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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, 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.

Prince2 training and certification, RMG.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English.

Application procedure:

Instruction for submission of applications: Please fill out a P-11 form posted on http://www.iq.undp.org/content/iraq/en/home/operations/jobs.html and apply online job. Please note that no other type of application form, including CVs, will be considered for such positions, other than the one found at the link specified above.