UNDP Jobs - 60466- Chief Technical Adviser (Local Development)

Chief Technical Adviser (Local Development)

Location :

Bissau, GUINEA-BISSAU

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year wilth possibility of extension.

Languages Required :

English French Portuguese

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

Guinea-Bissau has been a vicious cycle on political instability since its independence and persistent poverty which stem from a series of intertwined causes, including antiquate, excessively politicized and centralized public administration, that lead to inefficient public goods and services; and stagnant public and private economic sector that result in unemployment and inequitable access to economic opportunities. This has led to a weakening of state institutions and a growing estrangement between citizens and their state, hence a failing social contract, at all levels of governance. To build the interest of the population in the affairs of the state, a first step is to restore its confidence through investments in local governance for local economic development.

UNDP support to local development has been focused on strengthening regional governments around the governor and the promotion of local initiatives that build local capacity in programming and promoting local economies and was undertaken jointly with UNCDF through the Regional and Local Development Support (PADRL) Project. Under this project, Committees for Sector Development (CSD) and Committee for Regional Development (CRD) were put in place in Gabu to manage the development process, including execution of basic services by local authorities.

A new joint UNDP-UNCDF programme has been developed and aims to create the conditions for decentralization in Guinea Bissau building on lessons learned from the PADRL project. The new programme is guided by the strategic objectives of the UNDAF and CPD and focus on deliverables under the Country Poverty Reduction Strategy (DENARP 2) and Government Vison and Strategic Plan 2015-2025, “Terra Ranka” and the MDGs.

The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Representative- Programme and will be based at the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning- Secretary of State of Planning, while working in close liaison with the Secretary of State of Territorial Administration and the Ministry of Public Administration. The incumbent will provide expert and strategic advice to develop the capacities of selected local, regional and national authorities in participatory and inclusive planning processes, upstream policy making and in technical, institutional and financial management to enhance quality service delivery, and support to local economic development. The CTA will also explore synergies and complementarities and actively use the expertise of other development partners, national authorities, civil society organizations and private sector to ensure greater impact of UNDP-UNCDF interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions includes but will not necessarily limited to the following:

Provides top-notch expertise, advice and strategic guidance on local development promotion and coordination, more specifically on project activities implementation;
Facilitate knowledge management for the capacity building of key stakeholders in local development;
Facilitate South-South and triangular cooperation to identify and promote innovative approaches and interventions in local development;
Institutionalize and maintain donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization.

Provides top-notch expertise, advice and strategic guidance on local development promotion and coordination, more specifically on project activities implementation:

Develop methodologies, guidelines and tools for project activities implementation and monitoring for the achievement of expected results;
Propose mechanisms, methodologies and system for an efficient coordination of decentralization and local development, inclusive to all key stakeholders and development partners. This includes the establishment and functioning of a Decentralization Working group;
Provide policy advice and guidance to the State Secretariat of Planning in the area of decentralization, local governance reform and strengthening local development;
Initiate and develop a Local Development Fund (LDF) pertinent to the Post conflict Management context and Local Economic Recovery including manual of operation of this LDF;
Provide technical assistance to Regional Planning Units (CSD/CRD) in participatory preparation, monitoring and evaluation of budgeted local development and action plans that are gender sensitive and integrate climate change impacts dimensions;
Provide technical assistance to support the transition to a Local Government system and capacity development on public expenditure management at central and local government level;
Provide technical assistance to local authorities in developing strategies, mechanisms, systems and tools for local revenues collection and management;
Provides technical assistance to CSD/CRD in identifying local economic potentialities and strategies for their promotion (marketing) for investment;
Identify specialized technical assistance needs and develop ToRs for the recruitment of experts to fill the needs;
Oversee the work of experts / consultants and provide guidance and support on the technical quality and relevance of their work.

Facilitate knowledge management for the capacity building of key stakeholders in local development:

Encourage and support knowledge products development and sharing among keys stakeholders;
Promote identification, synthesis and sharing of best practices and lessons learned from project activities for organizational sharing and learning;
Support capacity-building of project staff and national counterparts and promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture;
Promote meetings, workshops and other events to facilitating co-ordination of project activities.

Facilitate South-South and triangular cooperation to identify and promote innovative approaches and interventions in local development:

Identify good practices in local development within south countries and that can be translated to Guinea-Bissau reality;
Facilitate exchanges of expertise, experience and learning with Portuguese speaking and ECOWAS countries.

Institutionalize and maintain donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization of which the objectives will focus on the following:

Establishment of the framework of scanning donors’ new aid environment to determine areas of priorities local development;
Development and implementation of partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization;
Establishment and coordination of partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector, CSOs and other stakeholders;
Develop and support the implementation of a communication strategy for the visibility project activities and results;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

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:

In-depth understanding of some or all of the following areas: local governance reform, decentralization, local development planning, community participation processes, public expenditure management, local economic development, natural resource management, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment;
Understanding of government policy processes, particularly in developing countries;
Excellent negotiation and representational skills, at senior level (including international organizations);
Solid knowledge of project/programme management including financial and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement processes, information and communication technology, general administration;
Familiarity with UNDP management systems and processes is considered an asset;
Ability to foster networks and partnerships, and good working knowledge of information and computer technology;
Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
Demonstrates strong intellectual and operational capacity in providing and coordinating advisory services to stakeholders;
Proven familiarity with gender analysis and concepts;
Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to work with government officials, and national counterparts to adopt appropriate strategies for alliance building and effective advocacy;
Ability to build effective partnerships and mobilize resources;
Ability to manage, motivate, support and mentor staff, and to create and promote a supportive work environment, including applying gender sensitive approaches;
Works consistently with diplomacy, impartiality and discretion.

Management and Leadership:

Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Proven ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment;
Ability to lead effectively, employing mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants;
Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Communications and Networking:

Excellent oral and written communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors, including detractors;
Strong analytical and communication, writing and presentation skills;
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A post graduate degree in Public Administration, Economics, Law, Social Sciences or related discipline. Specialization in Decentralization and Local development constitutes an asset.

Experience :

At least 7 years of relevant experience in the area of design, management and implementation of local governance, and decentralization processes;
5 years of which, experience in the design and implementation of local development projects, particularly in African countries;
Experience providing policy advice and/or capacity building to central and local government institutions, preferably in African developing countries;
Experience in African countries, especially Lusophone countries is an asset;
Familiarity and experience with UNDP/ UNCDF approaches to local governance and local development.

Language:

Fluency in Portuguese and English;
Excellent knowledge of French is an asset.