UNDP Jobs - 62080- Programme Specialist (Recovery and Reconstruction

Programme Specialist (Recovery and Reconstruction Team Leader) - (Open to Syrian Nationals Only)

Location :

Damascus, SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

24-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

08-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

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 of the Deputy Country Director, the Recovery and Reconstruction Team Leader acts as a manager of and advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of CO programme related to focus area, manages a major programme portfolio in Recovery and Reconstruction area. The main role is to manage the country programme including continued monitoring of implementation. The Recovery and Reconstruction Team Leader leads the programme team in strategic planning and identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

RR Leader heads and supervises RR team and works in close collaboration with the Operations team, other programme teams, other UN agencies, 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 to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensuring the strategic direction of UNDP programme;
Management and supervision of the RR team;
Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;
Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme related to RR 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 RR 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;
Design and formulation of CO programme related to RR within the area of responsibility translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators / success criteria, cost recovery, target and milestones;
Managing and coordinating with the NPDs on the implementation process of projects under RR and Governance aiming at achieving the projects objectives based on the work plans. Monitoring progress, plans and conducts evaluations. Identifies best practices generated in the RR team for the office wide and external dissemination;
Leading and directing staff in the RR and be accountable for the implementation of the team s work plan by advising, guiding and providing on the job training/learning opportunities to ensure high level performance;
Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into ATLAS, finalization of contribution agreement, determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. RR leader 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.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with the Programme Support Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society;
Determination of 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.

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.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching UNDAF/ CPD goals. 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

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda;
Results-Based Programme Development and Management;
Building Strategic Partnerships;
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches;
Resource Mobilization;
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing;
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise;
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals;
Client Orientation.

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, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Architecture or related field;
Prince2 training and certification, RMG.

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:

Fluency in English and Arabic.