UNDP Jobs - 8710- BOMCA/CADAP Cheif Technical Advisor for Tajikistan

BOMCA/CADAP Cheif Technical Advisor for Tajikistan

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

15-Apr-2009

Application Deadline :

28-Feb-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ALD-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year with possible extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year with possible extension

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

Introduction

Following accession to independence, the five former Soviet Republics of Central Asia have faced the problem of new borders and the protection of these borders, notably with China, Afghanistan and Iran. Border protection was previously ensured by the Russian Federal Border Service and the new independent States have had to create and develop their own border management capacities only very recently.

Such capacities are particularly important in the region in order to ensure improved trade and transit within the region, and in order to address cross-border crime. The UNDP Regional Human Development Report for Central Asia (December 2005) indicates the major benefits for economic development that would accrue from an increase in cross-border trade, whilst issues of clandestine immigration, money laundering, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, terrorism, etc., require a commensurate strengthening of international assistance and cooperation.
Because of the above-mentioned general situation in Central Asia, and in order to support the development of a harmonized and coordinated border management capacity at regional level, thereby improving cross-border co-operation and facilitating the flows of persons and goods between the Central Asian countries, the European Union has launched the BOMCA Programme.

UNDP has been contracted by the EC to implement BOMCA, which is currently in its fifth phase of assistance.

BOMCA & Technical Assistance

The BOMCA approach to the introduction of Integrated Border Management (IBM) in Central Asia combines high-level advocacy of the methodology as well as the provision of relevant technical expertise. The need to establish strong relations in each country with political-level decision-makers and technical-level counterparts requires resident technical personnel based in each country.

Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs) act as advocates and technical focal points for IBM implementation in their host country, and report directly to the BOMCA Regional Programme Manager. On behalf of the Regional Programme Manager, the CTA based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, will coordinate the work of the CTAs and subcontracted partners providing technical assistance, in order to retain a regional approach and a methodological integrity to the introduction of IBM.

Technical Assistance in Tajikistan

The situation in Tajikistan is somewhat different, and a new approach is to be adopted. Unlike the other four CA countries, after independence, Tajikistan suffered a bitter five year civil war which ended ten years ago, leaving its economy and infrastructure in ruins.

It has a 1,330 kilometer border with Afghanistan for which it assumed full responsibility only as recently as June 2005. Cross border crime, particularly drug trafficking, is rife and the recent huge increase in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is likely to result in a similar surge in drugs trafficking across Tajikistan’s borders.. Its northern border with Kyrgyzstan is volatile with occasional clashes between security forces on both sides of the border and Islamic fundamentalist groups. A large percentage of the drugs passing through Tajikistan from Afghanistan enter Kyrgyzstan.
Donor assistance in Tajikistan is complicated and currently focused on the southern border with Afghanistan. The USA provides most material assistance (approaching US$ 70 million over the past five years). Russia maintains an 8,000 strong Motor Rifle Division in the country and a 250 man Advisory Team from the Russian Federal Border Force which advises on Border Security doctrine, and conducts training for Border Force officers and conscripts.
EU assistance has so far had limited impact and its sustainability as with that provided by other donors, is problematic. This situation is unlikely to change unless future assistance is provided within the context of institutional reform. Unless change is introduced, donors are unlikely to provide the sustained level of funding which Tajik law enforcement agencies require. Institutional reform would provide a means to combat the endemic corruption which has the potential to undermine all donor assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

IBM (Integrated Border Management) Advocacy, Representational Work, & Donor Coordination
Advocacy for change: representing the BOMCA and CADAP assistance programmes locally and regionally, Public Diplomacy and Public Speaking on behalf of BOMCA and CADAP
Professional and Technical Advice (the CTA will be supported by an experienced Senior National Advisor)

1. IBM Advocacy, Representational Work, Donor Coordination

Maintain close liaison and promote good working relations with other international donors, NGOs, EU Member State embassies and others and use all opportunities to conduct representational briefings, public speaking opportunities on BOMCA and CADAP activities
Establish and maintain close working relations with the EC Delegation Tajikistan;
Chair monthly meetings of the donors’ coordination meetings (the Border International Working Group - BIG) and supervise the secretariat function;
Chair sub-committees of the BIG as required (e.g. on use/supply of drug detecting dogs);
Contribute to planning of BOMCA and CADAP visibility strategy and carry out visibility activities as required, in the region and in the EU;
Supervise organization of twice-yearly Steering Committees for the BOMCA and CADAP Programmes, and ensure there is high-level participation from national beneficiary agencies;
Coordinate closely the BOMCA/CADAP country team’s activities with the ‘sister’ EC Border Management Programme for Afghanistan (BOMBAF), which is co-located with BOMCA/CADAP Tajikistan;
Contribute to the management of a positive relationship between the BOMCA/CADAP country team and UNDP Tajikistan.

2. Advocacy for change

Engage with other major donors, NGOs, EU Member State embassies in promoting at the highest political level: institutional reform; development of long term strategy and transparent plans for border management and security;

3. Professional and Technical Advice

Undertake assessments as requested, and provide advice to the BOMCA/CADAP Country Manager Tajikistan as required;
In conjunction with the BOMCA/CADAP Country Manager Tajikistan approve Government-submitted equipment lists for procurement, and designs for border infrastructure for renovation / construction;
Monitor and report upon execution of the work of short-term experts and organizations/Agencies subcontracted by BOMCA
Assist the Regional Programme Manager in drafting the future phases of BOMCA and CADAP programmes
Assist the Country Manager Tajikistan in execution of the annual workplan to ensure on time and high quality delivery of activities

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:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
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 and manage results-oriented strategic and thematic evaluations.
Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities.
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, creation of new approaches

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients/partners, focuses on impact and result for the client/partner and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in relevant fields

Experience

A minimum of 15 years of service at senior diplomatic level in his / her country’s diplomatic service or at senior officer rank in his / her country’s border management agencies (Police / Drugs Control/ Customs / Border Service).
Professional experience of working in Central Asia, CIS and/or Western Balkans; robustness and a hands-on approach to living and working in remote and under-developed locations;
Proven ability to work in multi-ethnic, multi-language teams;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc)

Language Requirements

Fluency in written and spoken English language, good working knowledge of spoken Russian language preferable.