Background

The UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office (MCO) works closely with Pacific Island Countries to meet their development needs and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Its large climate change adaptation and environment programmes amounts to $40 million for the current programme cycle under the UNDAF and UNDP Sub-Regional Programme document, 2013-2017. The Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit (GPRU) aims to build up its portfolio to a mark of around $30 million for the same period thus bringing the overall total of programme resources to the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, including two regional programmes to USFD470 million. The MCO is ranked 5th highest amongst UNDP Country Offices worldwide in the delivery of GEF resources, which are managed by the MCO’s Environment and Climate Change Unit. On the other hand, the GPRU historically is responsible for programming of the UNDP’s core funds to resource its programmes, however, given the global reduction of core funds due to the on-going impact of the global economic and financial impact, the Unit needs to dramatically build up its capacity for resource mobilization for its programmes in governance and poverty reduction.

Under the UNDAF and SRPD, 2013-2017, the areas of focus for the 4 countries covered by the MCO are as follow.

• Cook Islands: Resilience and Ecological Sustainability; and Social Development
• Niue: Environment and Economic Development
• Samoa: Economic Sector; Social Polices; and Environment Sector
• Tokelau: Sustainability (Climate Change & Natural Disasters)

Under the overall supervision of the RR, and the day to day supervision by the Assistant Resident Representative/Head of the Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit, (ARR GPRU), the Gender Analyst will be primarily engaged in three key tasks falling under: project management; resource mobilization; and capacity development and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). In project management, the key substantive areas of focus will be: human rights, gender equality and youth development, with capacity development as a cross-cutting issue to be approached across all focus areas.

Project Management

The Gender Analyst will proactively develop and coordinate the implementation of MCO programmes covering human rights, gender equality and youth development. S/he will be responsible for MCO project formulation/designing and monitors the results of programme implementation covering human rights, gender equality and youth development. The Gender Analist will be responsible for the implementation of the Transformational Leadership for Development (TLDP) and Community Conversations Programme for Samoa in 2013 and liaising with all national and international, including UN agencies, and the international consultants in the rollout of this programme. S/he will also be responsible for the development of the Samoa youth development project document and related consultations with immediate effect.

The Gender Analyst covers a broad range of programmatic issues ranging from participation in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), UNDP Sub-Regional Programme Document processes, joint programmes and management of UNDP priorities and initiatives within the UNDAF Results Matrix and Action Plans related to the above areas of focus in the four countries. The Gender Analyst advises the RR and ARR GPRU on course correction and creative responses to emerging complex challenges relative to all projects and programmes.

The Gender Analyst is responsible for guidance to MCO programme staff and works in close collaboration with the Programme Management and the Operations Units in the MCO in the achievement of corporate goals and strategies such as the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy. S/he is expected to liaise closely with all Programme staff of other MCO internal units, United Nations agencies and UNDP Headquarters, UNDP Regional Offices in Asia and the Pacific. The Gender Analyst advocates for UNDP and liaises with other UN Agencies, UNDP Headquarters staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, civil society and the private sector to successfully implement the UNDP programmes.

Capacity Development and Monitoring & Evaluation

Capacity development remains a challenge in all areas of development assistance in the sub-region and therefore the Gender Analyst will provide advice to the RR and ARR GPRU as to the most plausible and practicable way to design UNDP projects and programmes that responds to a constantly shifting human resource and skill base in the 4 countries served by the MCO. Pacific Island people are highly mobile and are widely dispersed in overseas destinations particularly in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, West Cost of USA and American Samoa, where they work and remit money and goods back to their families domiciled in the islands. The statehood of three of the four countries covered by the MCO are associated with NZ (Cook Islands and Niue) and a Trust Territory of NZ (Tokelau). Samoa has been independent since 1962 and is set to graduate to Middle-Income Country status in January 2014. The design of UNDP projects and programmes need to take into account the challenges of such microstates which are faced with the pull of externally driven factors resulting in a plethora of issues affecting the basic lifestyles of Pacific Islanders, changes in social capital and governance systems and the environment, which UNDP projects and programmes need to be cognizant of the designed for sustainability and real results in people’s lives.

Resource Mobilization

The Gender Analyst is responsible for actively developing project proposals in the above-mentioned areas of focus to the various UNDP Trust Funds and other non-traditional external sources to build up the Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit’s pool of resources to support substantive and operational growth of the portfolio. This is one of the key responsibilities of the Gender Analyst aiming at a minimum of USD$1 million per annuum.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau within which context UNDP’s projects/programmes in human rights, gender equality and youth development will be developed to meet key needs and priorities;
• Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation where capacity developed is mainstreamed at the macro and micro-strata of the National Development Plans of each country;
• Operationalization of UNDAF/MCPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies;
   Identification of possibilities for joint programming.

Within the framework of UNDAF and Action Plans, ensures effective management of the MCO programme focusing on achievement of development results by:

• Effective application of Results Based Management (RBM) tools for programme and project management, monitors programme effectiveness and achievement of development results;
• Design and formulation of the MCO programme, translating UNDP strategic priorities into capacity development approaches that suit local conditions and coordination of programme implementation with the Implementing Partners;
• Effective programme planning, budgeting, implementation and on and off-site monitoring of programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• The Gender Analyst performs the function of approving manager level 2 in Atlas and ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application of rules and regulations;
• Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the MCO programme and evaluation system. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme;
• Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports;
• Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts to ensure timely delivery of programme resources;
• Promotes cross-unit team work.

Under the overall guidance and leadership of the RR and ARR GPRU, the Gender Analyst supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP:

• Supports overall resource mobilization of the MCO with a focus on human rights, gender equality and youth development and ensures that UNDP mobilizes the support needed for the Unit to function efficiently and effectively;
• Advocates for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, international financial institutions and the UN

The Gender Analyst provides top quality policy advisory services to governments and ensures knowledge building and management in programme areas focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the country programme for organizational sharing and learning in the areas of human rights, gender equality, youth development and capacity development;
• Supports capacity-building of national counterparts and UNDP/UN agency staff especially in the areas of human rights and gender equality in tandem with UNDP corporate polices and UN strategies;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the MCO.

The Gender Analyst provides effective support in UN coordination achieving the following results:

• Development and implementation of UN joint programmes in gender equality and youth development; and
• Pro-actively participates in One-UN initiatives as mandated by the RC/RR.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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;
• 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:

• Ability to lead the programme strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, monitoring on the implementation, and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
• Good ICT skills, knowledge of ATLAS would be an asset;
• Ability to implement new systems 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.

UNDP Certification programmes Prince2, RMG.

Required Skills and Experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Gender, Capacity Development, International Development, Education Systems, Economics, Good Governance, Business Management or any other related field would be required.

• 5 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting;
• 3 or more years of mid-level management responsibilities of similar size and complexity.

• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English; ability to speak and write in Samoan is an advantage.