UNDP Jobs - 49595- National Technical Specialist (RE-ADVERTISEMENT)

National Technical Specialist (RE-ADVERTISEMENT)

Location :

Hanoi, VIET NAM

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

03-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

16-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months with possibility of extension

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

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Assistant Country Director (ACD)/ Head of the Sustainable Development Unit, the National Technical Specialist (NTS) is responsible for providing technical provision in the area of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and Forestry, in order to fulfill the following functions:

1. Providing technical inputs and ensuring quality assurance for the implementation of the UNREDD Viet Nam Programme Phase II (the Programme);

2. Providing technical advice and inputs to the advocacy, partnership and development of the REDD/Forestry portfolio of UNDP Viiet Nam Programme.

The NTS works in close collaboration with the Programme Officer in charge of the Programme in UNDP Viet Nam, Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), and REDD Planning Technical Specialist of the Programme, technical advisors at UNDP’s Asia Pacific Regional Center in Bangkok (APRC), technical officers and advisors of FAO and UNEP, government officials, technical experts, development partners and civil society.

The NTS is part of the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) in UNDP Viet Nam. S/he will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Country Director (ACD)/ Head of the Sustainable Development Cluster.

The NTS and the Programme Officer in charge of the UNREDD Viet Nam Phase II Programme share joint responsibility to quality plan, implement, and report of the Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical inputs and quality assurance of the UNREDD Programme Phase II (70% of time):

Technical Inputs to the work-plans: Coordinate and consolidate technical inputs by UNDP staff/advisors for or lead (as appropriate) the preparation, review, and approval of the Programme work-plans (overall, annual and quarterly) which are prepared and submitted by Programme Management Unit - PMU, Provincial Programme Management Units-PPMUs, Co-Implementing Partners (CIPs).
Technical advice/contribution for the programme management and implementation: Provide advice to the Programme Officer, Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), and REDD Planning Technical Specialist to regular review and update the Programme Log-frame (Result-results framework), including analyze and group activities into viable packages for tendering/ procurement of services; Provide inputs to or lead the preparation and review of terms of references/ requests for proposals for such packages; support in identifying suitable expertise/ experts, specialists, organizations, services providers, in order to facilitate the procurement of necessary services;
Technical advice to PMU, PPMUs, and CIPs: Work closely with CTA and REDD Planning Technical Specialist to provide technical advice and guidance to the technical staff at PMU, PPMUs, and CIPs, including introduction of technical quality criteria and benchmarks, in order to achieve quality results.
Monitoring and technical quality assurance: Work with CTA and REDD Planning Technical Specialist or lead (as appropriate) to provide technical advices and guidance to the contracted technical consultants/services providers, and to set up necessary mechanism for technical quality assurance, review and approval of technical deliverables (technical reports, materials, outputs/products, publications, proceedings of workshops/consultation meetings, etc.) against the agreed quality criteria and benchmarks, in order to achieve quality results.
Preparation of Programme Reports: Coordinate and consolidate technical inputs by UNDP staff/advisors for or lead (as appropriate) the preparation of Programme technical and progress reports, including annual review reports and reports for the meetings of Programme Executive Board (PEB), Programme Executive Group (EG) and UNDP-Multi Partners Trust Fund (MPTF) as required, focusing on capturing results, lessons, and follow up actions
Technical knowledge generation and information: Work in team with the CTA, REDD Planning Technical Specialist, PMU and PPMU Technical staff, based on policy analysis and research results by the Programme, and experiences and practices elsewhere, provide inputs to or lead the production of policy briefs/policy discussion papers, and in documenting Programme lessons learnt, experiences, best practices, and human interest stories.

2. Contribution to the advocacy, partnership and development of the UNDP’s REDD and related portfolios. (30% of time):

Advocacy: Contribute to the analysis and preparation of substantive inputs to key strategic and related policy documents in REDD+ and climate change/ green growth, which direct and guide UN/DP support in Viet Nam;
Partnership: Create and maintain strategic partnerships with development partners, government agencies, CIPs, NGOs, civil society organizations, ethnic minority, and other relevant stakeholders;
Programme development: Analyze the context and identify areas of support and intervention, including research, in the areas of REDD+ and Forestry; Actively providing technical inputs to the development of the UNDP Viet Nam’s Sustainable Development Programme; including inputs to the formulation of new projects; Contribute to the M&E of the Programme impacts;
Actively participate in the UN Joint Programme Group on Climate Change and Environment.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 2: analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts
Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Creating Visibility for UN/Supporting UN Capacity to Advocate

Level 2: Developing promotional projects and organizational messages

Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility
Develops messages for use by UN staff when working with partners, internationally and nationally
Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages
Creates and cultivates networks of partners to promote UNDP’s image

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UN Goals

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level
Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise

Level 2: Developing innovative and creative approaches

Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes
Leverages multi disciplinary, institutional knowledge and experience of other countries and regions to promote UNDP’s development agenda
Participates in dialogue about conceptual innovation at the country and regional levels

Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
Building support and political acumen
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
Building and promoting effective teams
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UN & setting standards
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree (MSc. or Ph.D) in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related fields.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant working experience in forestry sector, at the national or internatioal level;
Proven records in conducting policy analysis, researches and publications in forestry, environmental or natural resouces management fields;
Intensive experience in providing technical advisory services to Governance or international organizations in Vietnam;
Excellent communication and organizational skills;
Good knowledge of gender equality and civil society participation are advantageous; and
Knowledge of UNDP programme practices is an asset;

Languague:

Good command of both verbal and written English and national languague of the duty station

Others:

Vietnamese national
Excellent skills in standard software (word processing, spreadsheets) are expected
Knowledge of technical software and/or experience with the use of relational databases is an asset