Antecedentes

The key objective of this project “Support to Monitoring PRS and MDG in Bangladesh” is to enhance and support the alignment of both national and sub-national development priorities in Bangladesh with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As such, the project consists of two primary components: National level policies, advocacy and monitoring; and Localizing MDGs.
 
To produce and sustain the results demanded by localizing MDGs at the sub-national level, establishing effective local level institutional arrangements is needed. Empowering poor people and marginalized communities, improving local governance, introducing participatory monitoring, and enabling dynamic, equitable private sector growth are all required to meet the MDGs. These results must be produced by effort from below supported by enabling policies and partnerships. 
 
Because local development is multi-faceted and multi-sectoral, it is often difficult to understand how various institutional reforms, investment, and capacity development efforts at the local level relate to each other and cumulatively contribute to producing desired social and economic impacts in line with the localized MDGs. Therefore, a conceptual framework for a more integrated approach to local development is required which suggests how the governments and its partners can support a local development strategy and demonstrates synergies among strengthening of community empowerment, governance/decentralization, service provision and economic development at the local level.
 
The MDG Localization Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and will work closely with the implementing partner and the sub-national project team in aligning MDG at the sub-national development efforts.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Be responsible for planning, management, coordination and monitoring of implementation and delivery of planned results within the MDG Localisation theme
  • Functions as resource person and coordinates the MDG Localisation as sub-national level
  • Provides  policy and planning  advise to stakeholders at local level on MDG based planning while coordinate with the key stakeholders and partners at national level on inclusion of the local MDG plans into the national plans
  • Assist the project management on managing the implementation of the infrastructure projects at local level
  • Provide intellectual and substantive inputs in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and, in collaboration with the project manager, formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options for Bangladesh.
Coordination of the preparation of local development plans and strategies focused on MDGs which clearly delineate the resource requirements for implementation
  • Promote sound planning and development linked to the MDGs at the sub-national level
  • Provide high-level policy advice to key stakeholders, partners and other constituencies in the area of local development (including local governance and decentralization and local economic development) at both sub-national and country levels
  • Assist the Project Team to design and incorporate appropriate MDG localization strategies tailored to sub-national contexts
With the project team in the field, support in the identifying, vetting, and assessing pilot projects to be submitted by local governments that should be a diverse mix of strong projects that support MDG Localisation outcomes
  • Provide intellectual input in identifying a list of credible implementable projects at local level , vet the submitted projects and advise the central committee of UNDP and GED/Planning Commission for selection of pilot projects and do the final vetting of the submitted technical design and financial costs of the projects.
  • Prepare the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and the monitoring plan for the implementation of the pilot projects
  • Liase with the central project management team and the field staff on the monitoring of the projects being implemented.
Corporate support: Provide the Project Management the support on corporate outcomes focusing on following results 
  • Provide intellectual and substantive inputs  in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and, in collaboration with the project manager, formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options for Bangladesh.
  • Develop framework of local development intervention on annual basis
  • Be responsible for planning, management, coordination and monitoring of implementation and delivery of planned results within the concerned theme.
  • Identify results expected for the particular theme based on the overall expected results of the project and be responsible for the results attained.  
Knowledge Management 
  • Conduct analysis, prepare assessment reports as well as position papers or policy briefs on MDG localization in Bangladesh.
  • Liaise with capacity development specialist for related intervention at the local level.
  • Form a core group of resource persons covering the areas of local development.
  • Organize national, or as may be required, regional, consultative meetings or workshops on localizing MDGs.
  • Form network of experts and institutions that are prominent in the area of MDG support and mobilize expertise and support to guide the work of the project.
  • Lead the process of knowledge creation and dissemination in the subject area and participate actively in regional and global networks of UNDP.
  • Prepare monitoring system to measure performance as well as impact of training on national needs assessments and MDG-based planning and management.

Impact of Results 

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the MDGs and success in implementation of operational strategies. 

Competencias

Technical:

  •  Experience working on MDGs with local governments;
  •  Experience working with local development issues especially on preparation of local development plans
  •  Experience managing or conducting research, particularly related to MDGs and local development;

Functional:

  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Proven ability to manage projects;
  • Strong IT skills, including ability to work regularly with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. 
  • Proven cross-cultural communication.  The candidate(s) should be able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment;
  • Experience of working in Bangladesh is preferred;
  • Ability to travel regularly to the project areas in Bangladesh.

Managerial/Behavioral:

  • Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;
  • Builds trust in interactions with others
  • Ability to work with high level officials as well as local communities;
  • Takes initiative and calculated risks;
  • Approaches challenges creatively and effectively, and resolves conflicts;
  • Takes decisions;
  • Demonstrates integrity, exhibits high ethical standards;
  • Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback;
  • Committed to team work, working with other stakeholders ;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure 
    Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities, and resolve problems;
  • Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;

Corporate

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
  • Shows strong corporate commitment; Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:
 
  • Masters from an accredited educational institution in Public Policy, Public Administration, Development Studies/Planning, Development Management or related field
Experience: 
  • At least 5 years experience, with good working knowledge of international development issues, with emphasis on local development and achievement of the MDGs.
  • Experience of dealing with policy makers and senior technical specialists is an advantage.
Language Requirements: 
  • Fluency in English.