Background

a. Purpose

The purpose of this position is to ensure the day to day implementation of the SEESAC portfolio under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist Citizen Security and SGBV and the overall supervision of the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster/Team Leader of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

b. Objective

The objective of this position is to ensure results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of project activities to the required standard of quality and within the specified constrains of time and cost.

c. Background Information

The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC)[1] is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council. As such, it is an integral part of UNDP’s work in the Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) region and has, since 2002, worked primarily to strengthen the capacities of national and regional stakeholders to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and thus contribute to enhanced stability, security and development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe[2]. SEESAC also has a distinguished record working closely with national Ministries to mainstream gender equality and this aspect will remain central to the programme.

Going forward, SEESAC will maintain its long-standing work in South-Eastern Europe the small arms and light weapons and gender equality in security sector reform fields, under the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), reporting regularly to the Regional Steering Committee. The programme will continue and, where possible, scale up the innovative work it has pioneered in fostering confidence between rule of law providers within southeast Europe, as well as in the fields of innovation, security and technology. In addition, SEESAC will increasingly focus on sharing the capacity it has developed over the years through line ministries and UNDP offices in order to address community and other security needs - arms control, mine action, border management, community policing and export control – beyond the sub-region, and provide guidance on introducing gender equality into the security sector. 

The purpose of this position is to ensure day-to-day coordination of the SEESAC office, and to provide support to the Istanbul Regional Hub in management of the implementation and administration of the SEESAC portfolio. The position is also designed to ensure management of the support staff in the Belgrade-based SEESAC team. It will ensure that SEESAC remains a high-quality, service-orientated, capacity-developing regional element of UNDP and that it delivers on its wide-ranging Regional Implementation Plan in a timely, cost-efficient manner.

[1]SEESAC functions under the mandate given to it by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

[2] The countries and territories covered by SEESAC and its mandate include:  Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (all references in the context of UNSCR 1244), Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Measurable outputs of the work assignment

Overall responsibilities: 

The Senior Programme Coordinator will function under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Citizen Security and SGBV and the overall supervision of the Cluster/Team Leader of the Governance and Peacebuilding Team at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

Summary of key functions:

1. Provide day-to-day management and coordination of the SEESAC office;
2. Support the management of the implementation and administration of the SEESAC portfolio;
3. Provide support to the Programme Specialist in overseeing all aspects of project management;
4. Provide support to the Programme Specialist in carrying out strategic planning for the future direction of SEESAC;
5. Provide relevant and high-quality advisory services to a broad range of clients in issues related to SEESACs specialization, including the introduction of gender perspectives to security sectors reforms and building the gender responsiveness of legal and judicial institutions;
6. Support resource mobilization efforts;
7. Lead knowledge management for SEESAC and represent the project in government and non-governmental forums;
8. Oversee and manage the work of SEESAC support staff.

In particular:

• Day to day oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Implementation of activities in accordance with UNDP operational procedures, POPP, financial rules and regulations and UNDP’s Internal Control Framework ensuring the integrity of financial management of the project;
• Day to day management of implementation of all contractual processes for project implementation such as procurement of expertise, goods and works including preparation of ToRs, specifications and other inputs;
• Supervision of SEESAC support staff, ensuring they have clear goals, performance benchmarks and work in a positive, inclusive and motivating environment.  Ensuring that SEESAC support staff adhere to the need to liaise closely and proactively with the relevant UNDP Country Office staff, as well as other UNDP units;
• Preparation of work plans, budgets, financial allocations, delegated authorities, payments in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Coordinate the drafting of donor reports and produce quarterly reports; oversee the overall communication and outreach efforts in accordance with the SEESAC Communication action plan;
• Monitoring and measuring the impact of SEESAC activities;
• Follow up on audit recommendations;
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts;
• Developing and maintaining effective relations with government line ministries and regional/international organizations in line with the thematic focus of SEESAC, under the guidance of the Istanbul Regional Hub;
• Representing SEESAC in a variety of governmental and non-governmental forums as requested by the Programme Specialist;
• Support the functioning of the RSSRP working closely with national governments, UNDP HQ and Country Offices;
• Assuming responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework;
• Participating in relevant management and other activities of the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster/Team of the Istanbul Regional Hub and representing SEESAC capacities and results in the overall work of the Cluster;
• Performing any other duties that may be required to ensure efficient and effective project implementation.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

• Efficient, cost effective and timely implementation of project activities within the SEESAC portfolio;
• Relevant and high-quality advisory services provided;
• Detailed annual and quarterly work plans prepared;
• Final, annual and quarterly reports produced;
• Capacity development activities successfully carried out;
• Contacts with the national counterparts and international partners maintained;
• Project data and updates for Project files produced, budget revisions (when needed) drafted;
• Funds availability monitored and the effectiveness in payment process ensured;
• New projects developed;
• Any other duties that may be required efficiently implemented.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Proven track record of thematic knowledge and practical experience in the areas of SEESACs operation, including the gender dimension of security sector reforms and gender-responsive service provision;
• Firm understanding of the political, social and economic issues in SEE as they relate to regional security and stability;
• Ability to work with and influence stakeholders in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, and the private sector;
• Prior experience managing international projects in security-related fields;
• Client-orientation;
• Commitment to meeting tight deadlines, and handling multiple concurrent tasks;
• Proven experience working with governments and stakeholders in SEE at the highest level.

Proactive Leadership

• Ability to conceive strategies and plans that respond to needs and deliver objective and tangible results;
• Capacity to anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
• Sound judgment and ability to identify key issues based on empiric data and/or other relevant information;
• Receptive to new ideas, input and potentially differing opinions; unafraid of making decisions in a timely and firm manner; integrity;
• Commitment to programmes or services by taking interest in new ideas and new and creative ways of service delivery and improvement of performance.

Managing Performance

• Ability to develop clear goals that support strategic objectives;
• Capacity to manage complex relations;
• Ability to allocate resources (staff, financial) sufficient to implement activities/tasks and deliver results;
• Ability to clearly define roles, responsibilities and reporting lines, and to enforce accountability;
• Ability to foresees risks and to develop mitigation strategies;
• Commitment to results based management and rigorous monitoring and evaluation against specific benchmarks.

Client Orientation

• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with beneficiaries and partners;
• Pro-active approach in identifying beneficiaries’ and partners’ needs, and identifying appropriate solutions.

Communication

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations  clearly and persuasively,  both orally and in writing, to different audiences;
• Ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
• Ability to organize and motivate team, deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills.

Teamwork

• Ability to engage senior officials, and establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team, building trust and respect, while managing decisively, deliberately, transparently and fairly;
• Ability to interact professionally with partners, stakeholders, donors, and beneficiaries in a widely varied cultural, political, religious and economic setting.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in political science, law, international relations or a security-related field. 

Work Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience on or directly related the design, implementation, management and monitoring of security-related projects in SEE;
• Thorough understanding of the political, economic and social climate in the countries of SEE;
• Experience with gender mainstreaming in the security sector necessary;
• Prior experience in managing staff;
• Experience with SALW control, gender in SSR programmes, disaster risk reduction highly desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Knowledge of one or more languages spoken in the region is a strong asset.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the button "Apply now".
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit the tab "submit application" at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11).
• System will only allow one attachment. All docs (P11, academic qualifications/diploma) should be included as one attachment.
• Without the completed and signed P11, your application may not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at this link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/P11_SC_SSA.doc.

Note:

Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide, prior to the interview a proof of required academic credentials (for external applicants).

Special consideration: 

As this position is under Service Contract modality, only applicants with Serbian nationality or valid working permit in Serbia will be considered for the vacancy.