UNDP Jobs - 56896- Sahel Programme Manager & Coordinator

Sahel Programme Manager & Coordinator

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

As the lead UN agency for development, UNDP has been working with national and international partners in all of the Sahel countries, addressing national development priorities and the priorities of the UN Country Teams and donors. In line with evolving thinking about optimal approaches for aid in the Sahel, UNDP has increasingly been trying to use capacity development approaches that foster resilience in government and society – resilience to crises in the economy, the environment, food, politics and security. UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places capacity development and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Countries in the Sahel today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs.

To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of supporting the implementation of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel to most effectively help address the deep-rooted, complex and multifaceted crisis affecting the region. To do so UNDP developed a portfolio of regional projects and activities (the Sahel programme) addressing a wide range of challenges with a focus on peace consolidation, governance, human security and resilience mainly but not exclusively in core Sahel countries. The programme builds in particular on a strategic partnership between UNDP/RBA and the government of Japan in the region.

The overarching goal of the programme is to boost progress in stabilization, good governance and resilience in the Sahel region. Through pursuing this goal, the project aims to shape and catalyse a new phase of sustained international, regional and domestic support in the Sahel. Beyond specific thematic areas, the programme also provides strong focus on managing border areas in the Sahel by promoting the involvement of local communities and their enhanced human security. In addition UNDP’s added value lies in its capacity to articulate interventions under the three pillars of the UN Sahel Strategy, namely governance, security and resilience, promoting effective coordination and leadership through the chairmanship of the regional working group on Governance.

The regional approach promoted by UNDP builds on its recent experience in the region and to seek greater impact beyond country specific interventions and their strong articulation and overall coherence. It provides the parameters within which UNDP Country Offices in the Sahel countries covered by the programme may use the funding made available to build on priority initiatives for stability, good governance and resilience within each country. The programme is to be implemented using the programme delivery and management structures of UNDP’s Country Offices, its Regional Centre, and Sub Regional Platform for West & Central Africa and its Regional Bureau for Africa.

The Project Manager to be hired under the Sahel programme is responsible for the planning, management, implementation oversight, wrap up and delivery of results according to the principles of results based management (RBM). The post reports to the WCA Sub Regional Platform Coordinator who provides overall guidance and supervision in collaboration with RBA HQ and relevant entities within the Regional Service Centre for Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy advice and strategic technical guidance and leadership

Provide advice and technical guidance on project implementation and delivery.
Assess program impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results.
Advise UNDP senior management and senior national government officials on the direction, strategies and technical issues of the programme.

Building strategic partnerships

Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful programme and project delivery.
Coordinate and collaborate with clients, partners and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results.

Implementation of Support to Country Offices

Ensure that actions regarding the needs of the projects are taken in a timely manner.
Provide direction and guidance to project team(s)/responsible parties.
Liaise with the project board / project assurance to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project and Organizes meetings of the Project Assurance and the Project Board.
Monitors the timely response of the several Country Offices and follow up when delays are detected.
Responsible for horizontal sharing of good practices between the COs to increase the efficient implementation of the project.
Advises the Country Offices on the application of the rules and regulations for the implementation of the project.
Advises the Country Offices on procurement issues ensuring transparency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Actively supports knowledge building, sharing and applying in the project.

Programme management

Responsible for the full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and policies on financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations.
Responsible for donor reporting and any other reporting.
Ensures that all monthly, quarterly reports from the entire COs are consolidated.
Responsible for financial management of project.
Submits monthly financial reports to the board.

Building knowledge and capacity

Introduce innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application.
Access UNDP’s worldwide and regional knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, distill best practices and ensure its dissemination for organizational and stakeholders learning and sharing.
Liaise with other departments within UNDP (BCPR, BDP, BERA, BOM) as needed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Good knowledge of the West Africa region, including the political, economic and social dimensions, and their relation to the main engines of instability and conflict.
Sound knowledge and exposure to a wide range of post-conflict, peacebuilding, good governance, human rights and development-related issues as well as Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice.
Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to small arms conventions, recovery and development issues, peace and security and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.
Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for effective advocacy and influence on policy makers.
Ability to analyze is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
Solid knowledge and experience in programme management and financial resources management.

Leadership and Self-Management

Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.
Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.
Very strong leadership capacities to guide a multi-cultural team in difficult circumstances.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Masters degree in public administration, political or social sciences, international studies, management and development related field.

Experience:

A least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management, peace and security, conflict and crisis prevention and management, recovery and development, peace building and development and other related areas at the programmatic and operational levels in a governmental, multilateral, bilateral or Civil Society Organizational-setting and within a multicultural environment at national or international level.
Ability to use computers and office software packages and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in French and English.
Other working language in the region is an asset.