UNDP Jobs - 63764- Chief Technical Advisor

Chief Technical Advisor – Mine Action

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-5

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

Consistent with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) strategy for assistance of mine action in Yemen, one of the primary goals of the UN is to ensure the most efficient response to the mixed threat environment of landmines, and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) (including cluster munitions). According to the UN Policy on Mine Action and Effective Coordination, the primary responsibility for addressing the problems faced by the populations as a result of ERW and landmine contamination remains with the affected state. To promote national ownership, responsibility, leadership and effective coordination, the UNDP is mandated by the General Assembly to assist the national authorities in their efforts to review and strengthen existing coordination mechanisms and develop a national mine action programme.

Yemen is facing an unprecedented political, humanitarian and development crisis. Yemen’s transition that started in 2011 with the support of the international community tragically unraveled after the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference in January 2104 and spiraled into a full blown war by March 2015 with little prospect of an immediate peaceful political solution. The complexity of the conflict between warring factions and shifting alliances has exacerbated social tensions and hostilities around the country. The political instability is fueled by conflict and widespread insecurity, large---scale displacement, internal and international population movements, civil strife, endemic poverty and a breakdown of social and public services.

In response to the changed context and needs, UNDP has elaborated a 24-month (2016-2017) Yemen Resilience Programme aiming at strengthened resilience through achieving the following strategic outcomes:

Increased people’s self-reliance and revitalized local economy;
Capacities are restored for delivery of priority public services;
Trust is rebuilt towards mutual interest solutions.

Outputs related to strategic Outcome 2 specifically address challenges related to service delivery. Where there is a collapse of state institution, non-existent or very limited/disrupted public services, lack of capacity for participatory planning and oversight, the objective is to increase people to priority public services including security and justice as ‘public goods’. This is achieved though strengthening of core/central institutions, participatory planning, oversight and delivery at the local level, and building capacity of NGOs/CSOs to deliver additional social services. Among priority services, mine action is critical, including mapping, clearing, mine risk education, and strategies for physical and socio-economic rehabilitation of mine and UXO survivors.

The project is the continuation of Phase 4 of the Support to Eliminate the Impact of Mines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) in Yemen which is due for completion by end of 2017. It aims at improving the ability of the national authorities, in particular the Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC), to effectively and efficiently implement mine action in country according to impact priorities, and, effectively increase the credibility of organizations in order to improve resource mobilization.
Immediate activities include to continue the activation of a mine/UXO contamination threat map and information management, to support teams on the ground with equipment, running costs and training (where possible) and monitoring and concretely support risk education and victim assistance elements of the national programme in conjunction with other UN agencies and active NGOs. UNDP’s support to reduce the impact of explosive remnants of war and mines will reduce further loss of life and prepare the enabling environment for economic recovery.

The project is being reinforced to reflect the shift of all UNDP programme implementation to Direct Execution modality (DEX) and to Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) and to reflect the fact that the National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) and YEMAC now need to strengthen its institutional capacity for respectively: (1) enforcement of legal mandates, policy making and quality assurance and control; (2) collection, integration, and analysis of strategic mine-action information, and its dissemination to all mine action actors and other stakeholders involved in the emergency, recovery and development efforts.

A key component in the achievement of the above goals is improved knowledge of new threats such as Cluster Munitions, improved SOP’s, implementation of SOP’s and Quality of works YEMAC units charged with the tasks of clearance operations across the whole of Yemen.

The project will face major challenges, logistical, strategic and relational, as a result of the current fluid political environment and state fragmentation.
UNDP is the main development partner for NMAC and YEMAC in all these activities, a role which carries both substantial risks and potential rewards due to its criticality and the expected confidence building consequences of the project activities.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Country Director, and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director Programme, the CTA will be required to manage the implementation and delivery of a $10-$15 million budget interacting with Government and de facto authorities at the senior level including Ministerial. Due to the criticality of the mine action activities in enabling and supporting humanitarian assistance, the extent and complexity of the present contamination, the potential for devastating consequences in terms of loss of limbs and lives of delayed or unsafe mine action operations, a very high level of technical and advisory expertise is required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

The Chief Technical Advisor (Mine Action) will be responsible for providing high level and continuous policy, advocacy, strategic and technical advice to the National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) in relation to UNDP’s support to mine action, and in particular to advise on the development and maintenance of a credible mine action concept of operations and mine action plan, prepared under the guidance of the Chairman, NMAC, and in cooperation with UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant partners. Furthermore s/he will provide strategic advice on relevant and necessary policies to enable the fulfilment of Yemen commitments under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction and develop approaches to bring forward the national mine action strategy.

The CTA is thus expected to interact with national and local authorities at the senior level including, as necessary, Ministerial and on a daily basis with YEMAC. S/he will also need to assess the political and technical environment and provide appropriate advice to the Deputy Country Director (Programme), the Country Director and the Resident Representative in respect of UNDP’s positioning and advocacy efforts in the mine action area.

The CTA represents UNDP in international and national forums on Mine Action at a senior level with Government, Mine Action authorities, local authorities, as well as other stakeholders including donors.
S/he oversees the work of YEMAC teams where they are deployed, making sure that this support is coordinated and integrated with the components of UNDP’s Yemen Resilience Programme in line with UNDP’s global strategy 2014-2017.

The CTA will also be responsible for assisting in the preparation of work plans in conjunction with all national counterparts, to coordinate reporting against these work plans and tracking the project's critical path, providing substantive support to the organization of all Project Activities, including intensive management of YEMAC operations and coordination with national and international NGOs within the broader framework of the mine action programme, liaising with all counterparts, preparing and contributing to an ongoing program formulation exercise, intensive human resources development implementation, monitoring Project activities and reporting to UNDP’s management on progress and results achieved by the Project activities.

The CTA will be responsible for managing a team of 6 in the capital and in field locations, including international professional staff, and consultants as necessary, as well as network with relevant stakeholders both in the humanitarian and development community. S/he will also be expected to provide high quality, timely and accurate reporting to the UNDP Deputy Country Director (Programme), the Country Director, the Resident Representative, donors and others as required.

Specific duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Country Director, and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director Programme, the incumbent will be responsible for:

Advice to the NMAC, YEMAC, other senior Government officials, the UNDP Deputy Country Director (Programme), Country Director and Resident Coordinator;
Provide policy, advocacy and strategic advice to the NMAC, other senior Government officials, UNDP senior management and Resident Representative;
Maintain extensive liaison with top decision makers including the Prime Minister Office, the Chairman of the NMAC, and relevant staff within the Ministry of Defense;
Provide the UNDP Deputy Country Director (Programme), Country Director and the Resident Coordinator of UN systems with technical advice and regular update on the progress of mine action operations throughout the country;
In the context of the fragile and fluid political situation in Yemen, continuously analyze technical and operational preparedness of the YEMAC to assess and advise to mitigate the risks which can weaken public confidence in YEMAC, NMAC and in UNDP as a credible technical partner;
Ensure the Project does not compromise the neutrality or integrity of the UNDP and the UN System.

Project management to deliver high quality and timely support to safe and effective mine action operations:

Directly supervise national and international UNDP staff and consultants and contractors in a multicultural project team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well managed project office;
Ensure the overall direction and integrity of the project by liaising with UNDP, donors and other stakeholders and the Project Board;
Ensure day-to-day operational management of the project in particular the planning and management of project activities;
Ensure high quality financial and operational oversight of the delivery of a $10 to $15 million project.Deliver regular progress reports to the UNDP Deputy Country Director (Programme) within the framework of the Yemen resilience Programme (2016-2017);
Prepare regular briefings to donors, the Project Board, UNDP senior management and other stakeholders including the Annual review report to the Project Board;
Monitor and update the risks and issues logs according to Project Board decisions as well as events in the visibility & communication plan, and decide on contingency actions as events may require;
Prepare annual work plans, time lines for specific activities and budgets;
Develop the organizational chart of the project and identify required skills and functions;
Ensure recruitment of all national and international personnel (draft ToRs, identify candidates) and supervise performance;
Ensure good coordination and collaboration with suppliers, senior beneficiaries and other implementing partners;
Ensure that all Atlas accessible reporting items are met and reported against in coordination with the UNDP Programme Officer;
Provide all assistance and information for Project Evaluators;
Undertake any activity as required by the Project and the UNDP CO.

Representation, coordination and resource mobilization:

Support NMAC and the UNDP in the functions of donor coordination, coordination of related donor funded projects in the area of mine action, including training;
Act as point of contact for UN agencies, non¬governmental organizations and other organizations seeking information on the mine/ERW situation. This includes the regular distribution of accurate and up to date maps of suspected hazardous areas (SHA), provision of MRE and Victim assistance updates and statistics to other UN agencies, NGOs, international organizations, etc.;
Represent UNDP, nationally and internationally, in a series of meetings with NMAC, YEMAC, as well as other stakeholders including the international donors;
Communicate key messages effectively, clearly and persuasively to key partners;
Negotiate through complex issues to help support the provision of safe and effective mine action operations.
Liaise and foster strategic cooperation with other partners;
Provide support to public communications to encourage wide support to the mine action national programme;
Support the UNDP in mobilizing additional funding to the national mine action programme.

Specific Tasks in support of NMAC and YEMAC:

Advise NMAC and YEMAC in the development of priorities and work programmes. NMAC and UNDP should be advised on the operational options when funding levels are uncertain or fluctuate;
Advise NMAC and YEMAC on co-ordination mechanisms and maintenance of relationships with local administrations and organizations (national and international) charged with mine action and ERW related issues;
Work closely with the YEMAC Operations Staff to ensure most effective use of operational resources within safe operating constraints;
Assist in the establishment and implementation of an internal Quality Management System that encompasses both the interpersonal and information perspectives to allow better co-ordination and information management inside the institution, and with the stakeholders;
Oversee the implementation of Quality Management System and effective deployment of the YEMAC Quality Assurance Teams countrywide;
Develop and maintain procedures that encompass both, the safety and best practices for Field Teams in new and existing threats;
Work with YEMAC to offer guidance as required on all internal investigations of accidents/incidents;
Document the work done in the form of process and procedures.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Maintains and establishes network of contacts with national counterparts and development partners for information sharing and responding to capacity development request;
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
Technical expertise;
Demonstrates good knowledge of Mine Action strategies, and good understanding on Mine Action and Development issues;
Understanding and experience with government-led multi-stakeholders mine action programmes;
Thorough knowledge of planning processes, especially joint planning and the use of decision-making tools and GIS, technical and international humanitarian safety standards and procedures;
Relevant international experience and cross-cultural communication skills;
Proven interpersonal skills;
Attitude and ability to motivate people;
Flexibility and resourcefulness;
Computer skills (common software programmes).

Client Orientation -Establishing effective client relationships:

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in relevant social science, administration or relevant discipline.

Experience:

10 years of experience in implementing mine action operations in different organisational contexts of which at least 5 years of direct experience of development of national mine action institutions;
Understanding the principle of national ownership and integrity in development cooperation;
Strategic vision: high level understanding of complex bureaucratic organizations and challenges they present for effective mine action;
Professional knowledge of demining and explosives ordnance equipment;
Relevant international experience and cross-cultural communication skills;
Proven communication and interpersonal skills;
Attitude and ability to motivate people;
Flexibility and resourcefulness;
Computer skills (common software programmes).

Language:

High standard of spoken and written English; and
Fluent spoken Arabic is an advantage.