UNDP Jobs - 35266- Strategic Planning Specialist

Strategic Planning Specialist - Re-advertised (Resident Coordinator's Office)

Location :

Islamabad, PAKISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2013

Application Deadline :

10-Feb-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

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

Organizational Context

The position of Strategic Planning Specialist (SPS) in Pakistan supports crisis and post-crisis development planning for the One UN system, provides quality assurance and sustained guidance on the new One UN Programme (2013 -17), and advises the UNRC/UNCT on substantive developments and key issues affecting the UN’s work in-country.

Pakistan has been experiencing a number of transitions, resulting from post-disaster recovery issues, conflict dynamics and over-arching political difficulties. This raises the need for a single and integrated strategy that shifts the perspective from the symptoms of the crisis to its underlying causes and defines short-term to medium-term objectives, predicated upon evidence-based needs assessments and regular revalidation of needs and capacities. In the light of the game-changing18th Constitutional Amendment which devolved power to the provinces, these strategic linkages have become all the more crucial for UN’s work in Pakistan.

Enhancing the prospects of successful transition requires a correspondingly strengthened coordination support capacity for the role of the Resident Coordinator (UNRC), especially for the strategic analysis and results-based planning needed to integrate the UN’s operational response to transition challenges. This capacity needs to be embedded in an overall resident coordination process amongst donor, local community and international partners, towards a joint and coherent approach to the priorities and actions required to foster a successful transition from humanitarian to recovery and development. Here too, being a Delivering as One (DaO) pilot country places added responsibilities and creates unique opportunities for the UN in Pakistan to provide leadership to this process. Additionally, the present One Programme (UNDAF) comes to an end in 2012, and the preparation of the new One Programme (2013-17) places added demands on the Resident Coordinator’s system in the context of ongoing uncertainty and change.

Funded through DOCO, the Strategic Planning Specialist was initially appointed (in November 2010) to the office of Resident Coordinator to follow-up on the PCNA findings and to provide technical support to the UN Country Team (UNCT) on post-conflict and crisis planning, conflict sensitive prioritization and programming. However, the realities of piloting the Delivering as One (DaO) in a country as complex and crisis-ridden as Pakistan, led to an adaptation of the Strategic Planning Specialist’s (SPS) role, orienting it also towards the new One Programme planning and development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Strategic Planning Specialist (SPS) is the focal point in RCO for the key aspects of the new generation One Programme or OP II, including supporting the preparation of the OPII document, the Operational Plan and supporting materials. The SPS also provides quality assurance inputs to the substantive work of the RCO in relation to the ongoing One Programme (OP I) and all related reports, reviews and evaluation etc.

Provide advice and support to the assessment, analytical and documentation processes related to the One UN Programme (I and II)

To function as the UNRCO Focal Person for the OP II roll-out, under the supervision of the Head/RCO.
To provide quality assurance support to the UNRC/UNCT on key substantive areas of the One UN Programme.
To contribute and facilitate analytical and compilation work to help articulate UNCT work and priorities.
To support and facilitate the various coordination mechanisms including support to the Strategic Priority Areas
(OP II) and Joint Programmes (OP I)
To assist consultations with partner organizations of the UN system, providing technical support for policy and programme development and related strategic initiatives.
To represent the Head of RCO at relevant national/provincial/regional and UN meetings as required.
Where appropriate, the Strategic Planning Specialist to interact with the humanitarian, political and/or peace operations actors of the UN, and contribute to the post-conflict/crisis recovery approaches/strategies.

Provide input and guidance to the design and implementation of UN strategic planning processes and outcomes, with special reference to the One Programme II (2013-17).

To follow-up on the work - already completed and ongoing, in relation to the preparation of the One Programme II document and related Operational Plan.
To work closely with the Programme Management Team (PMT) and other inter-agency management/thematic arrangements.
To support and guide the establishment of the OneView Portal, including supervising the team preparing data for mapping UN programmes in Pakistan and providing planning/prioritization indicators.
To provide preparatory and follow-up action in support of the UNRC engagements with donors, government and other partner institutions.
To advise on linkages with other key initiatives – e.g. the preparation of the national budget, PRSPs and/or donor strategies.

To provide policy advice and technical support to the UNRC and UNCT on UN System collaborative programming and monitoring processes for an effective and informed transition response.

Engage with the PCNA follow-up and the MDTF in Pakistan, and advice on actions necessary.
Provide substantive reports, as required and requested, on the development–humanitarian nexus, as well as other areas of relevance to Pakistan’s multiple transitions.
Monitor relevant developments in the Security Council, and within the Peace and security departments of the United Nations HQ.
Support the UNCT in the development of a common work plan ensuring timeliness, coherence and quality of results and the promotion and development of proposals for UN System capacity building initiatives in order to achieve shared results.

To provide substantive advice and guidance, as required by the Resident Coordinator and the Head of RCO, on areas not covered above in support of the UN’s role and responsibility in Pakistan.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of DaO and the One UN Programme
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly, without demonstrating favoritism to any individual or group

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in the UN system 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
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Strategic vision and strong technical and analytical capabilities. Good political judgment. Previous experience with DaO pilots and/or self-starters is an advantage, as is having worked on UNDAF preparation
Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
Ability to negotiate at decision-making level
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships
In-depth understanding of Pakistan’s national context is necessary. Experience working in the South Asian region is a pre-requisite

Management and Leadership:

Demonstrates strong analytical skills across a range of disciplines related to post-crisis development
Excellent organizational and management skills
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 humoured even under pressure
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s or doctoral degree in development, social science, law or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

At least 7 years of work experience in an advisory capacity in development and/or transition operations in crisis or post-crisis countries, with specific experience in South Asia or a related context
Proven experience in post-crisis transition analysis and coordination, as well as providing policy advice and undertaking capacity development of local staff
Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities for development, especially in relation to UN Reform
Previous experience in UNDAF development and/or DaO piloting, especially in working with UNCTs is desirable.
Experience in managing multi-cultural and multi-sectoral teams
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Experience in M & E and HRBA will be invaluable

Language Requirements:

Excellence in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.