UNDP Jobs - 61280- Assistant Resident Representative

Assistant Resident Representative - Strategic Planning, Policy and Programme Management

Location :

Male', MALDIVES

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months with possibility of extension

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

The Assistant Resident Representative- Strategic Planning, Policy and Programme Management (ARR) covers a broad range of programmatic issues ranging from participation in CCA and UNDAF processes, joint programmes and UNDP projects and programmes within the UNDAF Results Matrix. Under the overall guidance of the RC/RR the ARR leads strategic planning, programme formulation and monitors programme effectiveness and delivery. The ARR-Planning advices the RC/RR on course correction and creative responses to emerging complex challenges. The ARR will also be responsible for leading the formulation and implementation of the communications, innovation and advocacy strategies The ARR will also represent UNDP in the UN Country Team Meetings and in international foray as requested by RC/RR.

The ARR is responsible for supervision and guidance to UNDP programme staff and ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination. The ARR advocates for UNDP and liaises with other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensure the strategic direction of UNDP’s Policy programme
Management of the CO programme, Programme Finance Management and supervision of the Programme team
Leads the communication, innovation and advocacy strategies of the country office.
Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization
Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

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;
Provide strategic guidance for programming, planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring the programmes work plan through effective application of RBM tools, including contributing to office evaluation and audit plans and all other requirements related to programme management;
Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation and/or revision of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Country Programme Document (CPD)/Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP), project documents and AWPs, including M&E frameworks;
Management of the programme budgets and track the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.

Lead and Manage the CO programme and supervise the Programme 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 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;
Financial management: the ARR has senior manager rights in Atlas and ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations; the ARR ensures cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with the ARR- O;.
Lead the monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme;
Lead the Country Office audit exercise and providing oversight.

Manage the Country Office Programme Coordination , Partnership Building and Country Office Programme Finance;

Lead the corporate reporting to the Headquarters including Result oriented Annual Reorting (ROAR) , Integrated Work Plans (IWP) and other strategic corporate reporting;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
Lead and manage the programme Support Unit in systematized CO reporting and matrixes on allocated budgets of programme and projects;
Effective management of programmable resources made available to UNDP Maldives for its programmes (both core and non-core resources) and their allocations are as per priorities identified in UNDAF/CPD/CPAP & CO priorities;
Manage and develop the strategic partnership with UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multi-bilateral donors, private sector, civil society, academia etc;
Strategic oversight of budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the programme, management of financial resources in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing;
Advocates for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, international financial institutions and the UN;
Represents UNDP in the UNCT and in international fora as requested by the RC/RR.

Lead and manage the UNDP’s advocacy and communication

Disseminate research findings on key development issues through policy papers, case studies, reports (including the National MDG Report and the National Human Development Report);
Provide input to prepare op-eds authored by the RC/RR, and other advocacy and communication products;
Manage and lead the innovation related programme and projects;
In collaboration with other CO units and the communications and advocacy associate, convene national policy dialogues around emerging and/or longstanding development challenges, to create awareness and promote change and policy reforms;
Lead policy advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals, Post 2015 Developmental Agenda, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
Lead the communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc) and oversee the communications strategy for the CO in consultation with the RR/Regional Communications Advisor and programme unit heads to position UNDP as a trusted development partner and as a thought leader in the development arena;
Lead the production and launch of national reports, including the National Human Development Reports and the National SDG Reports.

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;
Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;
Coordination development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
Establish advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;
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

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.

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

Strong written and spoken skill of Dhivehi and English.