UNDP Jobs - 64386- UN Coordination Officer Cook Islands (Open Cook Is

UN Coordination Officer Cook Islands (Open Cook Islands Nationals Only)

Location :

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

28-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

16-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial 1 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

The overall aim of the UNDAF 2013-2017 is to partner with the Government and people of the Cook Islands to respond to current and emerging development challenges. In doing so, the emphasis is on promoting and fostering, capacity development, the strategic use of resources to maximize impact and the engagement and coordination with the UN led programmes in the Cook Islands and the region. The United Nations in the Pacific recognizes that it cannot effectively support countries in isolation of others so central to its work is to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and development partners in the design and delivery of its support.

It is clear that the success of development support often requires careful and in many cases day-to-day or face-to-face collaboration with governments and other stakeholders. Recognizing this, the Government of the Cook Islands and the United Nations in the Pacific have agreed to establish a UN Coordination Officer in the Cook Islands. The Officer will play a key role in supporting the implementation of partnership arrangements between the United Nations in the Pacific and the Government, as well as effective coordination with UN agencies, funds and programmes in line with the Cook Islands United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Under the direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator based in Samoa, the Coordination Officer is responsible for providing inputs to the analysis and assessments of political, social and economic trends as well as assisting in coordination and management support to programme formulation, monitoring and evaluation and joint programming initiatives in the context of the Cook Islands UNDAF Results Matrix.

The incumbent, who will be based in Rarotonga (Cook Islands), is expected to work closely and proactively with the UN Resident Coordinator, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and the representatives of other UN agencies, mainly based in Samoa and Fiji, to explore opportunities for common services and deliver quality services in programmes, administration, and finance. He/she is expected to promote a collaborative, client-oriented, results-focused approach consistent with UN rules and regulations in service of the country programme and regional programmes operating in the country to support the Cook Islands’ National Sustainable Development Plan and to strengthen linkages with the Pacific Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Facilitate communication and relationship between the UN Agencies and stakeholders in the Cook Islands on national development priorities and on preparedness and response to natural disasters and other emergencies:

Coordinate, collate and analyze inputs from UN agencies to assist in policy dialogue and the incorporation of these policies into national plans and other planning and development frameworks and strategies;
Support UN agencies in the incorporation of SDGs-based, gender-sensitive and pro-poor policies into national plans and strategies, UN system initiatives and development frameworks relevant to the UNDAF; assist in the monitoring and analysis of progress towards SDGs achievements and SDGs evidence-based planning and policy-making, response to natural disasters and emergencies in the country;
Support the assessment of capacity and identification of technical assistance and capacity development (CD) needs and provision of advice on the suitability of CD programmes and projects to meet country needs; assist UN systems initiatives and corporate requirements to address capacity needs of country;
Implement UNDAF Country Programme partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, preparation of reports;
Facilitate joint/harmonized support to policies and institutions that address country challenges and needs; provides secretariat function to joint UNDAF meetings in partnership with government’s Coordinating Agencies, and other Implementing partners.

Assist the UN agencies with the administration and management of programme activities in partnership with the government and other implementing partners:

Regular reports on the development dialogue and political/economic development in the countries as well as reports on achievement of programmes and project results and the effective utilization of financial and human project resources;
Facilitation of monitoring and evaluation of the programme impact, monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, and timely readjustments in portfolio; improved coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies, including introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, targets and milestones;
Provide support to programme implementation by facilitating payments, issuance of local contracts, follow up on liquidation of advance payments and preparation of quarterly and yearly project expenditure reports;
Review and prepare material for common system activities relating to common services and premises, cost recovery, privileges and immunities, entitlement and salary surveys, security etc. and participates on behalf of UN agencies in other related meetings and working groups;
Facilitate UN missions by ensuring proper protocol, setting up meetings and manage other logistical arrangements as necessary;
Support and assist in project implementation, establishing collaborative relationships with implementing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project inputs, and oversight of budgets;
Enhanced harmonization of inputs from UN agencies for the design and formulation of programmes and translation of priorities of relevant UN agencies into local interventions. This includes compilation of relevant information and data and participating in key meetings with government and donors;
Assist UN agencies with Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) processes.

Support in identification and establishment of strategic partnerships within and beyond the UN system, including UN Joint Programmes and programming and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy relating to UN programmes:

Strategic liaison between UN agencies and the host government on national development priorities and programme implementation matters; assist the Resident Coordinator and the Government with coordination and management of strategic partnerships amongst UN agencies, IFIs, government institutions, donors private sector and civic societies to address country needs;
Identification of new opportunities for UN-wide development interventions and design of joint programmes with other organizations of the UN system and actively contribution to resource mobilization;
Maintain contact with development partners to ensure continued support for Government’s implementation of national priorities;
Coordinate and harmonize analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile and database, establishment of contacts with donor counterparts;
Support to UN Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Group and the RCO for activities related to coordination and joint monitoring of the UNDAF and joint programmes or programming;
Coordinate and harmonize media/press statements and other advocacy materials for UN agencies; preparation of substantive briefs to ensure local (media) coverage and provide local access to UN information as and when required.

Provide technical inputs to the Resident Coordinator and the UN agencies for their quality policy advisory services to Government and facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing, support to capacity development of the government counterparts and assist the Resident Coordinator in effective reporting and coordination of all UN business by all UN entities in the country, including security and safety of UN Staff:

Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues, synthesize lessons learnt and best practices in programme and knowledge-sharing within the UN system in the Pacific directly linked to country programme policy goals;
Assist in development of policies and institutions that address country needs in collaboration with Government and other strategic partners;
Support organization of trainings for implementing partners and their staff on programme management; support of capacity assessments and capacity building strategies;
Proactively support development of communities of practice, promote and contribute to South-South, North-South and triangular knowledge sharing and participate in both internal and external national, regional or global meetings as required by the Resident Coordinator or UN agencies;
Support work of UN Department for Safety and Security staff and the Resident Coordinator in her/his role as designated UN official for security.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values;.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Development, Environmental Science or related field.

Experience:

At least 4 years of relevant experience (or 2 years if the incumbent holds a Master Degree or equivalent) at the national or international level in providing coordination and/or development advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, powerpoint) and database packages, experience in handling of social media and web based management systems;
Experience in developing and strengthening partnerships within the Government and NGO community will be an added advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of the Cook Islands Maori is desirable.

Note:

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.