UNDP Jobs - 63680- Youth Officer, Parliament and Constitution Project

Youth Officer, Parliament and Constitution Project, (Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (with possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of extension)

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

Organozatopmal context

Somalia is undergoing a historic process of change, moving towards peace from decades of violent conflict. The Provisional Constitution of the Somali Republic was agreed and endorsed on 1 August 2012. The 275 Members of the House of the People were subsequently selected by a group of 135 clan elders through August and September 2012 and resulted in a parliament widely recognized as representative and credible;

The National Federal Parliament and its members have a critical role to play in Somalia’s divided context today. If supported to effectively fill its place in the new political infrastructure of Somalia, the legislature will operate as a venue for the debate and discussion of issues of national importance. Potential sources of conflict can be aired, debated and addressed publicly and in a bi-/multi-partisan manner. In order to achieve these objectives, both Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Secretariat require urgent support. Apart of the National Federal Parliament (NFP) functioning parliaments exist in Garowe/Puntland and in Hargeisa/Somaliland and new assemblies are currently formed in the emerging states;

Under the Provisional Constitution, the NFP has also been tasked with leading the process of constitutional review and implementation, which is required in order to finalize a national Federal Constitution and set in place a framework for national elections. Parliament has set up a Constitutional Oversight Committee, and legislation was enacted in July 2013 to establish an Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC) intended to provide technical support to the Committee. In a Memorandum of Understanding dated 8 March 2015 the cooperation between the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, the Oversight Committee and the ICRIC the division of labor between these three institutions has been agreed;

UNDP through its two projects - the Parliamentary Support Project and the Constitutional Review Process Support Project – which are implemented by the same project team provides technical assistance to the parliaments and supports the ongoing constitutional review process;

The Youth Officer will provide technical advice on National Youth Parliament and relevant Youth Policies and Programmes to support projects’ staff in all locations. Particularly, the Youth Officer is expected to provide support to project management and partners and act as a facilitator or trainer to the counterparts and provide them technical advice and mentoring. He/she will also be responsible for the organization of the National Youth Conference and for supporting the National federal parliament with the creation of the National Youth Parliament;

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and direct supervision of the Project Management Specialist, the incumbent works in close collaboration with the Governance Programme staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agency staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Ensure the effective and efficient management of Youth activities of the project;
Ensure the development of relevant capacity building materials and activities;
Ensure linkages of the Project with other UNDP projects and with internal and external youth-related initiatives;
Support to Knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensure the effective and efficient management of Youth activities of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

In collaboration with the National Federal Parliament, support in the planning and implementation of the National Youth Conferences;
In collaboration with the National federal Parliament, support the development and creation of the National Youth Parliament and the activities of this Parliament;
Provide technical advice and mentoring to the Youth Caucus of the Parliaments of Somalia;
In close consultation with the CTA, Programme Management Specialist and Support Team, ensure effective application of RBM tools, elaboration of coherent work plans, regular donor progress and impact reports on Youth activities of the project;
Actively work towards Improving/establishing communication and coordination mechanisms and procedures amongst the various stakeholders, in particular with the main counterparts across Parliaments in Somalia;
Ensure the promotion and application of the UNDP drivers of development effectiveness (promotes national ownership and the development of national capacities);
Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, HIV/AIDS, peace building, human rights and keep the CTA and Programme Management Specialist abreast of emerging Youth issues and policies.

Ensure the development of relevant capacity building materials and activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide capacity building to national counterparts on Youth Parliament through workshops and mentoring, assess gaps and implement corrective measures;
In collaboration with the national counterparts, assist in the preparation, formulation and design of Youth Parliament activities both at National level as well as Regional Parliaments, CSO’s and Youth organizations;
Elaborate a National Youth Parliament strategy within the framework of NFP Strategic Plan, and other Youth Policies and Programmes;
Assist national counterparts in implementing their Youth Parliament activities.

Ensure linkages of the Project with other UNDP projects and with internal and external youth-related initiatives focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Act as focal point for youth within the Parliament and Constitution Support Projects and ensure adequate liaison with other UNDP projects youth-related initiatives within the Country Office, including the support for the implementation of regional programmes and initiatives;
Actively participate in UNDP and UN-wide strategy meetings, giving support and technical advice to CTA and Programme Management Specialist on youth issues;
Provide adequate information for Youth Parliament Activities to the Project that need to be raised by UNDP in Resident Coordinator’s Office initiatives, through the Youth Focal Points group, and guarantees project’s activities are coordinated with the UN Youth Strategy in Somalia;
In close collaboration with the UNDP Gender Unit and other relevant actors such as UN Women, contribute to the development and implementation of activities of the project that contribute to the empowerment of young Somali women;
Closely monitor Partner activities, feeding challenges and best practices back to the Project management.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the programme team and CO, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning;
Supports capacity-building of national counterparts; and
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the programme/CO.

Impact of results

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the specific areas of cooperation under the UNDP country programme; In particular, the key results will have a direct impact on the effectiveness of the design, implementation and outcome of key project activities results under the specific Programme portfolio.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Client Orientation.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management:

Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on related issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Communications and Networking:

Excellent oral and written communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflict interest of varied actors;
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national institutions, government and non-government.

Required Skills and Experience

Education.

Master’s Degree in political sciences, public administration, international development or in a related field;
First level university degree in relevant academic fields and 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience;

Minimum of 2 years relevant experience with master's degree or;
A bachelor's degree with 4 years’ experience at the national or international level may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Technical Expertise in Youth Policies and Programmes, Social Cohesion, and/or other directly related fields;
Proven track record of successfully assuming responsibilities of similar size and complexity;
Proven track record in Youth Parliament Activities;
Experience in inter-agency coordination of development or humanitarian assistance, and working with the United Nations, is desirable
Sound knowledge and experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of in power-point and other presentation tools.

Language:

Fluent in English.