UNDP Jobs - 51614- UN Coordination Specialist

UN Coordination Specialist

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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

South Sudan gained independence in July 2011, as a result of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement with Sudan which marked the end of decades of civil war. The United Nations provides multi-faceted support to help the Republic of South Sudan address its peacebuilding challenges. United Nations support includes a multi-dimensional peacekeeping mission (UNMISS), as well as development and humanitarian support from more than 20 UN agencies.

The Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Representative (DSRSG/RC/HC/RR) is tasked with coordinating the work of the UN agencies and ensuring effective and efficient collaboration with UNMISS, under the guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. In his efforts, he is assisted by a team of strategic planners, specialists and analysts, as well as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As part of the team, the Coordination Specialist will provide direct support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR.

Under the direct supervision of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, the UN Coordination Specialist reinforces the capacity of his team to prepare high quality, focused and strategic assistance frameworks for UN agencies and UNMISS; to respond to crisis and post-crisis contexts with peacekeeping, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development assistance; to support the national priorities and plans; to develop and implement integrated and joint programmes; to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and contribute to the Post-2015 Agenda; to liaise with UN member state representatives; and enable national counterparts to utilize the expertise of UN agencies.

The UN Coordination Specialist works in close collaboration with UN agencies, their programme and operations teams, UNMISS, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure successful and transparent coordination of UN activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures effective direct support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and his team in Partnerships, Planning and Programming:

Develop and maintain productive partnerships with mission components, UNCT members, national authorities, bilateral and multilateral donors, regional organisations, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders;
Support the preparation and implementation of Mission and UN common planning and programming processes, including the Mission Concept, UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHP), the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF), as well as country and issue-specific strategies and plans;
Provide substantive and practical support, such as serving as secretariat, to relevant committees, task forces, clusters, inter-agency coordination groups, steering committees and working groups;
Monitor and evaluate actions implemented through these frameworks, prepare position papers, and record policy related decisions;
Organize and provide substantive and practical support to conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops, as necessary;
Serve as a focal point between the Mission, UNCT and Headquarters, and support Technical Assessment Missions, Strategic Assessment Missions and Strategic Reviews, as well as missions to Member State capitals to ensure continued political and financial support to the United Nations.

Supports the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR directly in Analysis, Advice and Reporting:

Identify issues and develop strategies for a common UN approach through policy, advocacy and/or programming efforts, with particular focus on protection of civilians, early recovery and durable solutions for displaced persons, as well as facilitating the conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance;
Support the development of strategies, policies and other measures designed to achieve common objectives between the Mission, UNCT and other partners;
In conjunction with partners, identify and pursue opportunities for specific activities related to protection of civilians, durable solutions for displaced persons, and humanitarian assistance;
Design and implement a resource mobilization strategy in line with Mission and UNCT priorities;
Prepare summary and analytical documents, including situation reports, background notes, options papers, code cables and input for reports of the Secretary-General, in coordination with relevant Mission components and the UNCT;
Consolidate periodic reports of Mission and UN common planning and programming processes and budgets and identify constraints to implementation of UN wide strategies;
Where appropriate, serve as the focal point for coordinating and reporting on Mission or UN-system wide administrative inquiries and processes.

Ensures facilitation of information management and Communication in the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR team focusing on achievement of the following results:

Maintain an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information on mission-specific planning and UNCT programmes as well as system wide policies, guidance and best practice;
Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the politics of international assistance and the mechanisms of financing for peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance and keep abreast of all developments impacting on member states’ positions on resource allocation to UN programming in the Republic of South Sudan;
Facilitate the flow of information between stakeholders, including between the Mission/ UNCT and Headquarters;
Promote coherence in communication strategies among UN agencies and the Mission.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management

Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team;
Develops deep understanding in assistance frameworks, UN System reform, UN peacekeeping and MDGs.

Coordination Effectiveness

Ability to lead the design and implementation of joint UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for implementation the implementation of joint UN assistance frameworks;
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies, UNMISS and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Establishes priorities for self and other members of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
In providing advice to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Relations, Economics or Social Sciences.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services;
Knowledge about the UN System, including peacekeeping operations, would be an advantage;
Full proficiency in the usage of office software packages, including spreadsheet, presentation and database applications, as well as experience in handling of web based systems.

Language:

Fluency in English.