UNDP Jobs - 58592- Programme Advisor

Programme Advisor

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

11-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 years (depending on availablity of funds and satisfactory performance)

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 a key partner in the Resilience debate in Zimbabwe, UNDP has in partnership with a number of donors taken the lead in designing the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF). The overall objective of the fund will be to contribute to increased capacities of communities to protect development gains and achieve improved well-being outcomes in the face of shocks and stresses enabling them to contribute to economic growth of Zimbabwe. This will be achieved through a combination of 3 sets of results which will focus on a) creating a body of evidence for increased application of evidence in policy making and application for resilience; b) setting up a multi donor trust for Resilience Building in Zimbabwe to allow for partners to come together around the Resilience Framework and principles to improve the absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities of at-risk communities; and c) setting up a risk financing mechanism which will provide appropriate, predictable, coordinated and timely response to risk and shocks from a resilience perspective.

Operating on the principles of joint programming the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund will aim to provide flexible, coordinated and predictable funding of approximately 50 million USD to support the achievement of increased national resilience to shocks – aligning to nationally owned and determined priorities. By improving coordination among all stakeholders, the Fund can also provide a forum for policy dialogue, and programmatic coordination and harmonization as well as building up a body of evidence for improved joint targeting and programme design.

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Country Director, Programme Advisor is responsible for the delivery of the expected results of the Fund. The Programme Advisor of the ZRBF will be responsible for setting up the management unit and ensuring the effective and transparent management of the Fund consistent with the guidance from the Steering Committee.

The Programme Advisor of ZRBF will set up and manage transparent and accountable systems and business processes that ensure UNDP’s accountability as Administrative Agent of and technical adviser to the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund.

The Programme Advisor of ZRBF will support Government of Zimbabwe and UNDP in the formulation of appropriate requests for proposals, as well as the setting up and management of a resilience monitoring and evaluation framework.

The Programme Advisor of ZRBF will provide strategic guidance to the Project Management Unit and ensure coordination with relevant UNDP and other UN programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Effective Fund Administration focusing on achievement of following results:

Develop Terms of Reference for the Fund and its management structure;
Develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with grant recipients and Standard Administrative Agreements (SAAs) with contributing Partners for approval of the Steering Committee of the ZRBF;
Ensure the tracking and management of funds approved by the ZRBF Steering Committees and their proper administration;
Monitor and track project approvals, budget records, disbursements and statements of expenditure submitted by the Grant Recipients on an ongoing basis;
Ensure consistency between project activities and the ToRs of the ZRBF;
Ensure timely donor reporting adhering to the reporting requirements described in the ToRs of the ZRBF;
Ensure timely collection of contributions in accordance with the payment schedules of the different contributing partners;
Develop, in close coordination with donors and Government of Zimbabwe, the main programmatic and legal documents (Terms of Reference, Memorandum of Agreement and others) for the establishment of the ZRBF;
Lead a small team supporting portfolio management, finance and Resilience M&E.

Strategic planning, formulation, management and policy analysis focusing on achievement of following results:

Advise the ZRBF Steering Committee on programme policy, planning, monitoring and fund administration issues;
Ensure effective management of the Secretariat for the Steering Committee;
Oversee the development and set up of a system for continued analysis and testing of causal relations for resilience building;
Lead the formulation and continuous refinement of the operational policies and procedures of the crisis modifier component of the ZRBF;
Oversee the set-up, implementation and maintenance of the overarching resilience M&E framework for ZRBF;
Serve as the primary focal point and resource person for the crisis modifier in relation to OCHA and the wider humanitarian community in Zimbabwe;
Organize Steering Committee meetings in accordance with agreed ToRs;
Organize and participate in dissemination and validation workshops;
Advise the RC and the UNDP CD on policy issues related to the ZRBF;
Provide substantive support to the ZRBF Management Unit Staff.

Optimal Programme Performance focusing on achievement of following results:

Maintain regular contact with Grant Recipients and provide support and guidance on implementation and the preparation of results-based progress reports, in line with the developed Theory of Change;
Guide the continued analysis of causal relation for resilience building in Zimbabwe;
Oversee the organization and systems for optimal progress and impact reporting for the multi-donor fund;
Ensure the quality of analysis, models and products developed by the ZRBF-MU;
Oversee the preparation of consolidated analytical results-based progress reports based on submissions from Grant Recipients within the timetable specified in the Memorandum of Understandings;
In collaboration with the Steering Committee prepare strategic materials, briefs and/or position papers on emerging results and outcomes of the ZRBF;
Provide periodic summary reports to the Steering Committees on the overall progress of the ZRBF;
Ensure the strategic direction of the Financial Management of the ZRBF.

Effective and Strategic Coordination, Representation and Networking focusing on achievement of following results:

Ensure Contributing Partners and stakeholders are kept informed of the activities of the ZRBF;
Negotiate Grant agreements with Grant Recipients in accordance with the TORs of the ZRBF;
Mobilize and interact with UNDP HQ and Regional Centres and relevant UN entities to appropriately respond to any needs occurring within ZRBF;
Serve as the main contact for internal communications and reporting on the ZRBF with outside parties;
Ensure appropriate representation of the ZRBF at meetings with other UN bodies, donors and Government of Zimbabwe;
Create networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
Actively Promote regional exchange of Resilience Building in Southern Africa.

Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Advisory Services:

Identify and articulate lessons learnt on the operations of the ZRBF and contribute to the formulation of guidelines, procedures and policies that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation;
Actively seek and promote innovative methodologies and lead the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing;
Advocate through internal and external networks the demonstrable value of the multi donor trust fund system to facilitate the achievement of Resilience Building goals;
Maintain strategic understanding of current key trends in Resilience Building and measuring and lessons learned from countries in the region;
Oversee the development of a national data management and M&E system for Resilience, including the developed of tools and procedures to ensure that relevant information is collected, analyzed and disseminated with integrity.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow.

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

People management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
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 to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's University Degree in Development, Public Administration, Business Administration or other relevant Social Sciences.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience of increasing responsibility in international development and with international organizations along with relevant field experience in transitional environments;
Proven project and operational experience in development as well as humanitarian settings;
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary technical team in challenging contexts;
Knowledge of supervising setting up M&E systems for results based reporting an advantage;
Experience with Humanitarian response mechanisms required;
Demonstrated experience in donor and private sector liaison;
Previous UN or UNDP work experience will be an added advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills.