UNDP Jobs - 14562- Project Officer PGSP (National)

Project Officer PGSP (National)

Location :

Jakarta, INDONESIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Feb-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-8

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

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

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Governance Reforms, Pro-Poor Policy Reforms, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment Management, with the overarching aim of reducing poverty in Indonesia. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in a variety of crosscutting initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and information and technology for development.

I. Organizational Context

UNDP and Government of Indonesia are developing a decentralisation project titled Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) to assist the government of Indonesia to address some of the key challenges associated with decentralisation.

In 1999, through path-breaking legislations, Indonesia commenced decentralisation. This initiative has led to new powers for regions and to the special autonomy agreements for Papua and Aceh. The change has also created confusion over overlapping roles and responsibilities between provinces and districts as well as concerns over the scale of proliferation of new provinces and districts. It has been observed that under the current legal framework the role of provincial government as both representative of national government and as a government of an autonomous region has been unclear or even weakened. On the other hand, making development work in sub-national regions of a vast and diverse arch pelagic country like Indonesia will need strong coordinating functions at regional level. Managing decentralisation cannot be done effectively only from and by the central government. The political and administrative ‘distance’ is simply too long and too difficult to manage. Capable provincial government is a logical, as well as, according to Indonesian Law No. 32/2004 on regional government, legal solution to these problems.

Through PGSP, UNDP aims to support the Government of Indonesia (GOI) in providing policy advice and technical cooperation on the roles and responsibilities of the province government reflected both in policy at national level and in practice in pioneer provinces. While changes to the national policy framework are essential for changes to be sustainable, there is also a need to strengthen government capacities at provincial level for them to better understand, fulfill and take charge of the mandated role as a facilitator of regional development to achieve the MDGs at sub-national level. This type of support is timely and strategic, and when lessons and recommendations are appropriately captured, the analytical work and the practical experiences can help inform the policy debate to clarify the legislative framework.

The project will be implemented under the framework of the UNDP Country Program Action Plan (CPAP) 2006 -2010 applying National Implementation Modality (NIM) whereby the National Planning Board (BAPPENAS) is designated as Implementing Partner. BAPPENAS, Ministry of Home Affairs and UNDP work together to provide supports for PGSP.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established in Jakarta for the implementation of the program (including technical assistance, development of project tools and policy development component) and provide timely quality support for area teams based at the province level. The PMU will consist of teams responsible for components including (1) policy research & advocacy; (2) planning and budgeting; and (3) innovations for development outcome. Provincial teams will be established in Gorontalo, NTT and Bangka-Belitung provinces.

Under the supervision of the PGSP Project Manager, the Project Officer assumes managerial responsibilities to strengthen coordination supports to implementing agency and Project Management Unit (PMU) PGSP. The Project Officer will supervise a number of project support staff. A qualified candidate is sought to fulfill the position of project officer, who will be based in PMU PGSP.

Duties and Responsibilities

II. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

The implementation of programme strategies and management of PGSP programme where s/he will perform substantive and programmatic function. S/he will provide technical assistance and support to coordinate all activities related to the work-plan of PGSP.
The creation of strategic partnership and provision of top quality advisory services to the Government and ensure that consultants, partners and sub-contractors engaged in the project are carrying out activities as agreed and in line with the rules and regulation of UNDP and implementing agency.
Facilitation of knowledge building and management. The Project Officer will focus on organizing project activities, such as seminars, discussion for a, research and/ or production of publications,

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

1. Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contribute to developing quarterly work-plans and expenditure plans based on the agreed annual work-plan;
Assist the Project Manager in developing terms of reference for planned activities in both the English and Indonesian language;
Update Project Management Unit (PMU) event calendar, procurement and recruitment plans in coordination with the Admin-Finance Assistant.

2. Participate in effective management of the of PGSP programme within the practice area specialization assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of PGSP work-plan achieving the following results:

Recruit and mobilize competent national and international experts that are needed by the beneficiaries of the project, following the agenda and activities of the project;
Ensure that all activities are organized and conducted in a timely and transparent manner;
Review project resource requirements and provide advice to the Project Manager on the need for budget adjustments and revisions;
Prepare and review all letters and communication materials (in both Indonesian and English) are correct and in good shape.
Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly work-plan, budget plans, procurement and recruitment plan;
Monitor and evaluate the quality of activities by implementing partners contracted by the project;
Assist the Project Manager in following the monitoring and evaluation requirements by UNDP and/or implementing agency.
Assist the Project Manager in monitoring the performance of the Admin-Finance Assistant.
Contribute to project progress reports (quarterly and annual/ financial and substantive) against set targets and indicators, with an analysis of evidence of progress towards planned outputs according to schedules, budgets, and inputs provided by the project;
Assist the Project Manager in meeting other reporting requirements, including following up with audit recommendations.

3. Supports creation of strategic partnerships and provision of top quality advisory services to the Government focusing on achievement of the following result:

Act as an information and reference point for Government, civil society and donor agencies active in decentralization issue and identify and establish relations with relevant national networks.

4. Provides top quality advisory services to the Government and ensure facilitation of knowledge management, networking and coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

Ensure that relevant project outputs, best practices and lessons learned are properly documented and communicated with UNDP and the implementing agency as well as other stakeholders;
Assist the Project Manager in organizing coordination meetings with project partners, donors, UNDP, etc. as required.

III. Impact of Results

The key result of the post is to strengthen UNDP’s decentralization support to Government of Indonesia, and enhance the quality and implementation of PGSP. Finally, the post will identify, support and sustain strong partnerships with partner organizations and government counterparts, as well as increase the visibility of UNDP as an impartial player in the Indonesian decentralization support.

Competencies

IV. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

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

Required Skills and Experience

V. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Preferably have a Master’s degree or comparable experiences in public administration, political science, urban/regional planning, community/social development, and other related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 4 (four) years of demonstrated experience in development work and/or in managing projects in the areas of governance, social development or other related fields;
Excellent command of both written and spoken English;
Excellent communication and presentation skills, particularly for coordinating and facilitating various development and governance partners;
Full of initiative and sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural UN environment;
High skill-level with computers, particularly in the areas of databases, information management technologies, and in handling of web based management systems;
Willingness to travel to project sites;
Understanding the nature and roles of NGOs and CSOs in human development context is a must.
Language Requirements: Excellent command of English and Bahasa Indonesia, both spoken and written.

ALL APPLICANT MUST COMPLETE P11 FORM AND SUBMIT AS PART OF THEIR APPLICATION . Click here to down load the form P11

Female candidates are encouraged to apply

UNDP Indonesia reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Indonesia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.