UNDP Jobs - 28330- Manager (Livelihood)

MANAGER (LIVELIHOOD)
Location :	Yangon, MYANMAR
Application Deadline :	09-Mar-12
Type of Contract :	FTA International
Post Level :	P-4
Languages Required :	English
Duration of Initial Contract :	One year
Background
UNDP has been implementing the Human Development Initiative (HDI) programme in Myanmar since 1994, which aims at meeting the needs of the target communities - the rural poor - by improving access to and quality of, basic social assets and services and by increasing incomes of the poor in a sustainable manner. The current phase of the programme, HDI IV, which started in 2003, includes the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) and the Community Development for Remote Townships project (CDRT), the bulk of assistance under the HDI being delivered through these two community development projects, which mainly focus on poverty reduction and livelihoods improvement of the poor and most vulnerable communities. At present these two projects under the HDI cover 1,267 Village Tracts and 4,316 villages in 51 townships across the country. The HDI IV is to be concluded by December 2012, and UNDP Myanmar is presently formulating a new program to start from 2013 onwards. This new programme will build on the successful elements of the HDI taking into account the many rich lessons learned so far to respond to a rapidly changing environment. Under it UNDP is proposing a programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Rural Development for Poverty Alleviation, one of the key elements of which will be the provision of livelihoods. The programme will aim at reducing poverty incidence and enhancing the capacity of poor and vulnerable communities to improve their livelihoods options and situation. In addition to direct livelihood provision, this will be achieved through supporting the related areas of rural development, which will include promoting employment and income through increasing productivity in agriculture and allied sectors, promoting market development, and the development of small and medium enterprise, (particularly women entrepreneurs). The programme will also work on enhancing linkages with the private sector, financial institutions and technical services, to support improved and sustainable livelihoods options.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions: Effective coordination, planning and implementation of livelihoods activities in the current (2012) programme and conceptualization, and programme development for the new programme (2013 -2015). Expected Results: Provide overall leadership to the livelihoods component of HDI/new programme. Provide assistance to UNDP Country Office in the development of strategies for overall sustainable livelihoods development. Effectively contribute in the preparation of UNDP’s new programme, especially on livelihoods component including the formulation of the livelihoods based projects documents under the new programme. Undertake research (desk and field) to identify livelihood innovations, organize piloting of new innovative ideas and document and disseminate the best practices on sustainable livelihoods. Lead Yangon-based and field -based Livelihoods Teams in the planning (work plan and budget), implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all the activities related to sustainable livelihoods development, especially for promoting employment and income through increasing agricultural productivity, market access and small and medium enterprise development. Assess opportunities for policy support to community based approaches on sustainable livelihoods. Diversify the livelihood options for the target communities particularly by introducing activities which add value to the traditional crops/products and technologies. Explore the need and organize necessary market and value chain research and enhance linkages with the private sector, financial institutions and technical services. Undertake networking with UNDP partners, INGOs, UN Agencies, Donors, Private Sector, Financial Institutions and relevant government departments and engage the relevant stakeholders/partners in the livelihoods projects formulation and implementation. Provide technical backstopping on sustainable livelihoods programmes to the Country office and Teams at Area and Township levels. Identify the implementing partners, their capacity development and training needs, particularly related to Sustainable Livelihood Project implementation and management. Represent UNDP in Sustainable Livelihoods fora and contribute technical interactions and discussions on the same, In addition, the Livelihoods Manager will be required to lead planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of cyclone Giri response project and USAID funded “Shae Thot: The Way Forward” project in close consultation with the Project manager(s). Management, monitoring and evaluation of UNDP-supported livelihoods projects. Expected Results: Contribute to the formulation of the Livelihoods programme, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Assist in effective monitoring and evaluation of the livelihoods programme, measuring results and impact, and timely readjustments as required. Coordinate the tasks and achievements of the UNDP monitoring teams deployed in Townships and provide feedback of their findings/recommendations. Prepare necessary and required reports on activities, outputs and outcomes as called for. Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships and supporting resource mobilization: Expected Results: Provide assistance and support implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes. Contribute effectively to the resource mobilization efforts of the CO especially on livelihoods component. Support inter-agency cooperation, and build strong partnership with UN Agencies, bilateral and multi-lateral Donors, Private sector, civil society, etc. Knowledge-sharing and capacity development: Expected Results: Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the Livelihoods programme and strategies for these to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management efforts. Identification of the needs for training for national staff and counterparts on planning and implementation of the Sustainable Livelihoods programme, and organizing the training accordingly. Establishment of advocacy networks at national level, linked to international networks, and organizing relevant high - impact advocacy campaigns with key partners. Solid contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; Promoting a culture of continuous learning and sharing of new knowledge gained by staff. Impact of Results: Ensure effective coordination, planning and implementation of livelihoods activities. Contribute to and ensure the effective management and monitoring of UNDP-supported livelihoods projects. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization in cooperation with the Management support and Business Development Team. Ensure provision of top quality technical and advisory services, and facilitation of knowledge management and knowledge dissemination
Competencies
Corporate Competencies: Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards Promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promote knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply newly acquired skills Provide top quality policy advisory services on related issues Possess in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues. Development and Operational Effectiveness Lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. Lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources. Formulate and manage budgets, manage transactions, reporting and cost-recovery. Negotiate with donors and internal units; ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats of fund-raising. Plan and organize work programme. Excellent organizational and presentation skills. Ability to work with minimum supervision. Strong IT skills, knowledge of Atlas. Management and Leadership: Build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback. Lead teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Master's Degree in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Management or related field. Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience in the area of Livelihoods development including agriculture, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture, and microfinance based programmes; five years of practical 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 organizations and national governments; experience of working at the community level; experience of working in Myanmar would be an advantage. Language: Fluency in English and the ability to speak any local languages is an asset.
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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.