UNDP Jobs - 6050- Programme Specialist

Programme Specialist

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

20-Aug-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ALD-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (with possible extension)

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

UNDP is supporting the efforts of the Afghan Government in the complex process of state-building, development and national security following many years of destruction caused by the civil war. In line with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), UNDP in close collaboration with the Afghan Government has identified principal areas of cooperation to focus on (a) State Building and Support to the Government; (b) Democratization and Civil Society Empowerment; and (c) Promotion of Sustainable Livelihood for the Poor (POSL).

UNDP support to the Promotion of Sustainable Livelihoods (POSL) in Afghanistan:
UNDP interventions in promoting sustainable livelihoods in the country is spearheaded by its POSL Unit which works to enhance economic growth and the quality of life of the Afghan people through mainstreaming gender and civic engagement, broadening economic opportunities, promoting sustainable livelihoods opportunities, addressing security sector reforms, promoting environment management and disaster risk reduction. The portfolio directly supports two of the 3 main pillars of the ANDS, namely economic and rural development and security (the third pillar being governance, rule of law and human rights).

UNDP’s main interventions in this area are achieved through the following thematic areas:

Comprehensive Rural Development;
Urban Development;
Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction;
Private Sector Development;
Security for Development;
Support to Human Development and MDG-based National Development Policies.
For further details on POSL project portfolio, please see www.undp.org.af

Note: UNDP Afghanistan reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Programme), and the direct supervision of the Assistant Country Director (ACD) POSL Unit, the Programme Specialist –will advise the ACD in the effective management of the unit, guide the strategic programming direction of the unit, ensure strong oversight functions of the programme, provide technical support to the projects on demand basis and effectively build the capacity of the staff in the unit.
The specific areas of responsibility (in direct support of the ACD) are:

Summary of Key Functions:

Policy and Strategy Setting:

Guide UNDP Afghanistan’s intellectual contributions with respect to sustainable livelihood agenda in the country. In this context, identify the strategic areas of UNDP programmatic engagement;
Guide and provide technical oversight in the formulation of targeted programmes in the areas of sustainable livelihood;
Mainstream the approach of sustainable development in UNDP country programme with specific focus on conflict-sensitive, human rights based, socially inclusive and gendered approaches;
Provide substantive contribution to thematic and policy discussions including in donor dialogues, sectoral group meetings and UN strategic planning exercises (such as the preparation of UNDAP and CPAP);
Contribute to UNDP country office strategic and management exercises and prepare required briefs to senior management.

Unit management of PoSL:

Apply leadership skills to support the ACD in results based management of the unit;
Strengthen unit business systems and processes to ensure effective provision of programme assurance functions by the programme officers. In this context, ensure that high quality outputs that responds to the UNDP Country Programme objectives;
Provide guidance in the management and workplanning of projects in the unit. Assist in supporting the project managers and/or the government institutions in project implementation;
Undertake regular field visits to UNDP programme areas to monitor results and identify implementation issues;
Enhance team work and communication amongst unit staff, relevant projects and other sections of the UNDP Country Office;
Effectively support the OIC of the unit in overall responsibilities of the Assistant Country Director during his absence.

Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization:

Ensure effective consultation with representatives of government, UN Agencies, donor community, civil society to identify and strengthen programmatic complementarities and synergies;
Interact, participate and present successful initiatives at various program-related forums with government, donors, NGOs, UN Agencies and civil society;
Establish strong work relationship with donors and mobilize resources to achieve outcomes linked to the thematic areas of the unit.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Services:

Provide extensive capacity development input to unit officers in terms of both substance and programming;
Assess staff training needs and arrange appropriate learning plans for staff development.
Ensure effective application of RBM tools in the unit;
Identify, synthesize and communicate best practices and lessons learnt which are linked to the country programme goals;
Prepare relevant knowledge products and ensure that they are shared through UNDP newsletter, reports and knowledge networks.

Other duties as requested by the Senior Management Team.

Impact of Results:

Upholding UNDP’s standard and profile to both the donor community and the national counterparts. This would be ensured through submission of high quality products from the overall programs under the PoSL portfolio. Her/ His technical support to the program officer, especially coaching of the National Senior Program Officer would result in building national capacity within the program. While maintaining the current partnerships, new partnerships would be built with donors to create new spaces for the current and prospect programs.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and adherence to the UN 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:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge on development and sustainable livelihood issues;
Advocates and provides high-caliber policy advice;

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, ensure results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, as well as mobilize resources;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, and economics.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience (including international experience) in managing development-related projects with 5 years of direct work experience in country specific setting on areas of development and sustainable livelihood;
Proven intellectual and practical capacity to understand and interpret national development issues, particularly in post conflict/crisis country setting;
Familiarity and experience with UNDP country office programming including various implementation modalities (NIM, DIM) including joint UN programming;
Knowledge and experience with UNDP RBM tools and in particular, ability to coach unit staff on it’s application to ensuring effective project assurance;
Evidence of ability to manage for results; multitask and prioritize for results; should also detail-oriented, organized, and deadline oriented;
Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills;

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English;
Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto a strong asset.