UNDP Jobs - 63364- Re-advertisement - UN Coordination Specialist/RCHC

Re-advertisement - UN Coordination Specialist/RCHC Office Manager - (Open to Nepalese Nationals Only)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Apr-2016

Application Deadline :

10-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

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

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office, the UN Coordination Specialist/RCHC Office Manager reinforces capacity of the UN Country Team to use the Common Country Assessment process (CCA) in a flexible and effective manner, to prepare high quality, focused and strategic United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs), to respond to crisis and post-crisis contexts, to support the national strategies setting, to develop and implement the collaborative and joint programmes, to monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Conferences, to establish electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national systems and processes, and for national counterparts to access the expertise of agencies without field representation.

The UN Coordination Specialist/RCHC Office Manager, as delegated by the Head of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office, supervises and leads the staff of RCHC Office. The UN Coordination Specialist/RCHC Office Manager works in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDG and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of UNCT activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Effective management of RCHC Office;
Supporting the implementation of the Transition Support Strategy;
Effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF;
Support advocacy of UN activities;
Support Partnership Development, Resource Mobilization and Joint Programming;
Facilitation of knowledge building and management;
Supports the UN RC in his/her capacity as Designated Official (DO).

Effective management of RCHC Office as delegated by the Head of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Coordinate all activities emanating from the RCHCO, set priorities, supervise the development of the annual work plan and ensure follow up and feedback;
Ensure contractual issues and budgets are well managed;
Manage the fund requests and allocation process with the Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO), TSS and other donors. Monitor and control the usage of funds, review transactions, supervise preparation of expenditure reports and ensure timely reporting on its use;
Actively manage performance of staff in the RCHCO and support strong cooperation and synergies between different units and offices, between Kathmandu and the field, and between national and international staff;
Manage the Field Offices and in particular ensure a strong linkage between the Field Offices and Kathmandu based staff;
Supervise the preparation of the RC and UNCT Work Plan, RC Annual Report, contribute to the drafting of this document and ensure the participation and involvement of all agencies in the process. The same task is expected for all questionnaires, reports and important correspondence required from the RC/HC;
Ensure open and regular communication among the different RCHCO Units and between Field Coordination Offices and RCHCO.

Supporting the implementation of the Transition Support Strategy focusing on the following results:

Coordinate closely with Transition Specialist and Basic Operating Guidelines(BOGs) Officer to produce high quality field updates and other knowledge products;
Adjust, monitor and support implementation of the RCHCO Results Framework;
Ensure field visits to ensure successful implementation of the TSS;
Contribute to intra and interagency discussions to contribute to conflict prevention, early warning;
Oversee the work of the Information Management Unit;
Work closely with DPA, Transition Specialist and BOGs on the above issues where appropriate.

Ensures effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN programmes coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country for preparation of Country Analysis and UNDAF design;
Coordination on behalf of the UN RC/HC and UNDAF Result Groups;
Support the UNCT and UNDAF Steering Committee to ensure well prepared, well facilitated and followed-up meetings and other initiatives around UNDAF design and implementation;
Ensure accountability and reporting mechanisms on the UNCT results related to gender equality, women’s empowerment, inclusion and HRBA are promoted;
Support the UNCT in its commitment to Gender and Social Inclusion as well as Human Rights Based Approach;
Ensure continued preparation and implementation of interagency strategy and tools such as district profiles, indicator protocol sheets, 4Ws, gender scorecard, Human Rights Up Front etc. along with support to the various interagency groups as and when required;
Support UNCT on joint programming opportunities in the context of UNDAF implementation, and SDGs;
Advance the UN Reform agenda and system wide coherence;
Coordination of substantive preparations and support provided for UNCT retreat to review and follow up on the annual work plan and other UNCT meetings.

Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities in close consultation with Field Offices, DPA, UN Communication Group ,UNIC and the information / communication focal points of the UN system focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Supervise maintenance of the systematic information on RC system activities;
Support implementation of the outreach and communication strategy for partners of the UN system;
Preparation of speakers notes, talking points, speeches for major advocacy events of the Resident Coordinator system, in close consultation with the UNCT and partners.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society to bridge the humanitarian-development continuum including humanitarian contingency planning, emergency and early recovery responses, local disaster preparedness etc;
Support analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on donor strategies and national development strategies, provision of advice to UN RC on ensuring synchronicity, alignment and complementarity between these strategies and UN activities;
Coordination of the substantive preparations of the UNCT for CGs, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners;
Support coordination with UN Non Resident Agencies.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to coordination, resource mobilization, UN Reform, SDGs, Gender and Social Inclusion;
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organization of trainings to UN staff on coordination issues.

Supports the UN RC in his/her capacity as Designated Official (DO) in close cooperation with the Field Security Officer focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UNSECOORD requirements on security;
Participation in the work of the UN Security Management Team.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management):
Achieving results through programme design and innovative resourcing strategies

Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach;
Sets performance standards, monitors progress and intervenes at an early stage to ensure results are in accordance with agreed-upon quality and timeframes and reports on it;
Makes use of a variety of resources based on UN/UNCT priorities to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches;
Oversees and documents the process of strategy formulation for programmes at country level.

Building Strategic Partnerships:
Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UN/UNCT’s strategic agenda;
Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UN/UNCT’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UN/UNCT’s mandate;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Promotes UN Reform agenda and UN Coherence.

Innovation and Knowledge Sharing:
Developing new approaches and promoting Organizational Learning

Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Looks at experience critically, drawing lessons, and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image.

Resource Mobilization:
Building and maintaining donor relations; implementing resource mobilization strategy

Develops detailed knowledge and understanding of key donors, their priorities and areas of interest and adapts content and approach of resource mobilization activities to their requirements;
Builds and maintains relationships with donors demonstrating professionalism in providing advice and information on UN activities and sensitivity to donor concerns.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
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 One UN:
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Advance UN Reform Agenda and UN Coherence;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation:
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

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;
Proven strategic vision and strong analytical capabilities;
Excellent organizational and management skills with the capacity to lead teams;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Promoting human rights based approach, gender equality and inclusion;
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:

Completion of Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

At least 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;
Proven experience in humanitarian and transition coordination;
Knowledge about the UN, UNDAF, HRBA and RC systems would be an advantage;
Sound understanding of international instruments, gender and inclusion issues;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency of written and spoken English and Nepali languages.