UNDP Jobs - 55980- National Officer – Liberia Decentralization Suppor

National Officer – Liberia Decentralization Support Program (LDSP) ( For Liberian Nationals Only)

Location :

Monrovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2017

Application Deadline :

30-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months (renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months (renewable)

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

Liberia is experiencing growing political stability and macro-economic progress, but still faces a steep climb up from the development setbacks created by almost uninterrupted conflict during the period 1989-2003 and a highly centralized system of governance which has hampered popular participation and local development initiatives, especially in the provision of public goods and services. The Government of Liberia (GOL) is committed to ensuring greater participation of the Liberian people in their own developmental processes for equitable distribution of the nation’s resources so as to promote shared governance and strengthen local development. There is widespread consensus that accelerating decentralization is central to consolidating peace and reconciliation, promoting good governance and alleviating poverty in Liberia.

Accordingly, in January 2012 the Government of Liberia launched the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance aimed at systematically providing guidance to the process of decentralizing power, authority, functions and responsibilities from the central government to local governments. This landmark policy demonstrates this administration’s commitment to take government closer to the people through a decentralized, gender-sensitive, participatory and accountable system of local governance. The policy provides that administrative institutions in the counties be revised, restructured and harmonized to implement a responsible and responsive system of local governance and public administration, and to ensure accountable, efficient and transparent management of local resources. Alongside the Policy is a Liberia Decentralization Implementation Plan (LDIP) which provides further prioritization for advancing decentralization.

In order to implement the National Decentralization Policy, the Government has designed a Liberia Decentralization Support Program (LDSP) for the period 2013 to 2017. The LDSP, a successor program to the Liberia Decentralization and Local Development (LDLD) program and the County Support Team (CST) Program was approved in April 2013. It presents the strategy, results framework and operational modalities for realizing decentralization of political, administrative, and fiscal governance in Liberia. The program is fully aligned with the Decentralization Policy and the Decentralization Plan (LDIP) and it is one of the priority areas in the Agenda for Transformation, Pillar 4 on Governance and Public Institutions.

To assist the Government of Liberia in managing the process, UNDP is recruiting a National Officer on Decentralization Reform and Local Government Capacity Development to be embedded within the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide technical and advisory support in advancing the priorities outlined above and overall guidance on the technical implementation and monitoring of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Officer – Liberia Decentralization Support Program (LDSP) will substantially contribute to the programmatic development and implementation of the Project.

His/her main duties will be as follows:

In consultation with the Chief Technical Advisor and the National Program Director, manage the implementation and monitoring of the LDSP;
Ensures timely and effective coordination of all decentralization project activities with other relevant departments of UNDP, relevant UN Agencies, donors, Government and concerned international and national organizations;
Ensures timely, effective and efficient programmatic, operational and administrative support to the project, including effective Management and supervision of the project staff, finance and administrative matters in accordance with relevant UNDP rules and procedures to ensure smooth implementation of the project;
Responsible and accountable for the appropriate, effective and efficient utilization and management of the resources allocated to the project and propose timely amendments as may be necessary;
Support the Country Office and Government in establishing synergies and partnerships with other actors (national and international) on decentralization and governance issues at the strategic, technical and operational levels;
Provide substantive recommendations on capacity building measures to support both the formal and traditional local government systems;
Engage in capacity and confidence-building with non-governmental governance actors, including consultative and participatory processes with national stakeholders, including women’s networks and other professionals;
Perform quality control function of project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project outputs through a client-satisfaction approach;
Assess the impact and effectiveness of the assistance through regular consultations with national and international counterparts and stakeholders, regular field visits, analysis and preparation of quarterly, annual and donor required reports;
Participate in the CO’s programme meetings, providing regular updates and feedback on progress of resource mobilization efforts; and perform any additional tasks as requested by the Supervisor.

Competencies

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:

Good knowledge of the Liberia governance system, including the political environment and configuration and inter-governmental relationships and challenges;
Ability to work and act under pressure;
Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion;
Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate and monitor own work plan and provide advice and guidance to others; in-depth understanding of division's strategic direction; resourcefulness, sound judgment and decision-making skills;
Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives;
Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs;
Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations; diplomacy and tact; ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials;
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Effective negotiating skills and ability to work with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree (MSc, or its equivalent) preferably in public administration, law, public policy, political science or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.

Experience:

At least 2- years’ work experience in governance and/or related field;
Detailed knowledge familiarity of governance processes in Liberia;
Experience in development work, partnerships building and resource mobilization;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for data analysis;
Prior experience within the United Nations, in particular UNDP, is desirable but not a requirement.

Language:

Strong written and spoken English skills;
Knowledge of additional UN languages is desirable.

Interested and qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.