UNDP Jobs - 13692- Programme Specialist (Recovery & Community Develop

Programme Specialist (Recovery & Community Development, Post-Crisis Unit)

Location :

Guiglo, COTE d'IVOIRE

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2010

Application Deadline :

09-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English French

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

Once considered as one of the most prosperous and most stable countries in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, since the 19^th September 2002, experienced an unprecedented crisis with serious consequences in the areas of socio-politics, the military and the economy, putting at risk its stability and social cohesion.

Efforts endeavored to guarantee peace restoration, involving all the national, sub-region and international actors resulted in the signature of several peace agreements by the former belligerents and the various resolutions voted by the United Nations Security Council which were translated notably by the deployment of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). The last agreement concluded was the Ouagadougou political Agreement (OPA) signed on March 4^th, 2007. The application of that agreement allowed the following: a general reduction of tensions - the appointment of a Prime Minister from Forces Nouvelles - an improvement in the movement of people and the flow of goods throughout the whole territory - the formulation, presentation and implementation of end-of-crisis programs - the progressive redeployment of the public administration in the CNO Zone (Center North West) and the relaunch of the process of disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion, and the dismantling of militias.

The presidential election, so often delayed since its legal due date in 2005, was not held on November 30^th, 2008 as officially planned because the activity relating to the issuance of identity cards and the revision of the electoral list formerly planned to last from six to eight months, is far from completion.

On the other hand, the implementation of the Ouagadougou political Agreement (OPA) has shed light on the need to give priority to build national and local capacities in order to improve good governance at all levels, to encourage the respect for human rights and to stimulate economic recovery for the real benefit of the poor and the most disadvantaged groups. With the purpose of supporting national end-of-crisis peace process, the UNDP has decided to increase its role alongside the government, notably through capacity building activities.

The required expertise aims at consolidating the Post-Crisis Unit (UPC) Team, and is called upon to strengthen it with the objective of meeting the additional loads related to the consolidation of the current programs, the management of new projects and the coordination of on ground activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general responsibility of the UNDP Country Director in Côte d'Ivoire, the direct supervision of the Senior Adviser and, in close collaboration with the Post-Crisis Unit team and other advisors of the UNDP programs, the CDS shall support the PCU in his/her daily activities, focusing on planning, the coordination and implementation of end-of-crisis programs in the field. Building local capacities in the areas including reconstruction, crisis prevention and rehabilitation is one of the main missions of his/her functions. The CDS shall supervise the work of the national coordinator at the sub-bureau level and perform the following functions:

Conduct consultations with the local authorities and implementation partners for the collection, analysis and presentation of data and information related to the current and future good governance and local economy recovery programs, and ensure the coordination of undergoing and programmed UNDP interventions with similar initiatives of other actors;
Participate into the identification of competent and reliable partners for projects’ execution. In this context, engage consultations with the leaders of non-governmental and community Organizations;
Reinforce the analytical and programmatic capacities of the UNDP/PCU in order to address the challenges of the situation of transition and contribute to the efforts of the development partners. In this context, via the sub-bureau under his/her responsibility she or he will be expected to assist and advise the local members of the Governance and Economic Recovery Working Group (GTGRE) by supporting the work of all UN Agencies, international and national NGOs. In the area of governance and recovery at local level;
Co-ordinate the implementation of the UNDP Programmes at local level and help the UNDP to contribute to the implementation of the DSRP for a smooth transition toward sustainable development at local level and assist the PCU in ensuring on the coherence and pertinence of the interventions supported by UNDP on the ground as well as ensuring synergy of those interventions with the other post-crisis programs undertaken by other partners;
Take the lead on developing strategic planning, and programmatic support at local level in developing capacities for early recovery particularly in the priority areas/sectors identified through inter agency joint needs assessments;
Support the coordination and capacity reinforcement of the UNDP operational structures as well as those of its public partners in the field of conflict prevention and social development, with active support of the specialized actors;
Participate into the different events and regular coordination meetings to which the UNDP is invited, within the fields of his/her competence.

Competencies

Experience in the fields of social development, reconstruction and development;
Experience in the field of post-conflict coordination and proven analytical capacity, especially for issues relating to conflict prevention and resolution, reconstruction and development;
Ensure liaison with the DDR team for the potential support to the DDM activities;
Familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding relief to recovery transition;
Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and/or development coordination especially at the field level and in working with Government officials, NGOs. and donors;
Experience in project design, implementation and evaluation/impact analysis;
Capacity for responsibly solving problems;
Good knowledge of West Africa and Côte d'Ivoire, including their political, economic and social dimensions;
Ability to work independently in high pressure and stressful environment;
Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to reconstruction and development, and a good knowledge of the United Nations System and the multi/bilateral cooperation;
Solid written and oral skills including the ability to write reports and efficiently communicate and formulate clear ideas;
Strong capacity to set priorities in the different tasks and produce results within the allotted time;
Good knowledge of current software and other computing notions and internet;
Ability to work in a multicultural team and to maintain good professional relations;
Computer literacy, including familiarity with spreadsheets, and power point presentation and good knowledge of computer aided management systems, such as Atlas, People Soft, etc. and other basic office automation tools: word processing and spreadsheets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Political or social Sciences, International relations, Development, Economics, Project Management, or other related areas or professional experience equivalent to the required level.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of continuous experience at a position of supervisor in the context of reconstruction, development and crisis prevention and management, good governance or any other similar experience. At least two years experience as an expert in a country other than his/her home country, preferably in the sub-region;

Relevant experience of collaboration with several financial donors involved in the same program or project, coupled with the need to provide specific analytical reports to each donor, would be an advantage;

Proven knowledge in community development methods and a participatory approach;

Proven ability to field work;

Proven experience of working with NGOs or other development organizations involved in human settlement;

Language requirements:

Good command of French, spoken and written, and a good knowledge of English (written and spoken) would be an advantage.