UNDP Jobs - 38637- Mine Action Advisor (Re-advertised)

Mine Action Advisor (Re-advertised)

Location :

Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year with possibility of 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

Cambodia remains one of the countries in the world most affected by landmines and UXOs. The 2010-2019 National Mine Action Strategy (NMAS) aims to significantly address Cambodia’s remaining mine and ERW problem. As part of its request for a ten year extension of its Article 5 deadline under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty (APMBT), the RGC has estimated that some 646 square kilometers of land remain suspected or contaminated by landmines.

The RGC has requested continued donor assistance for this purpose, including support for the implementation of UNDP’s Clearing for Results Phase II project (2011-2015). The project falls under UNDP’s 2011-2015 Country Programme Action Plan whereby Clearing for Results is expected to contribute to the strengthening of national structures and mechanisms to develop a more diversified, sustainable and equitable economy by ensuring that demining resources are effectively allocated promoting the release of land for productive use.

Clearing for Results Phase II (2011-2015) is a multi-donor project implemented by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance (CMAA) with technical and financial support from UNDP and other donors. It builds on the successful implementation of the first phase of the project (Clearing for Results, 2006-2010) during which considerable gains were achieved in building CMAA’s capacities in the areas of quality assurance, strategic and policy formulation as well as the socio-economic management of mine clearance. The CMAA however recognized that given the task ahead, more support is required to ensure that land is being cleared from the landmine threat in an effective and cost-efficient manner. To that extent, the CMAA is formulating a capacity development plan to equip the organization and its staff with the skills, tools and processes to deliver on CMAA’s mandate and to achieve the goals of the NMAS.

The project is articulated around three key deliverables as follow:

Empower the CMAA to formulate policies and strategies that ensure resources are effectively allocated onto national priorities and maximize the land available for local development;
Equip the CMAA with the technical and functional capacities required to manage the sector within an evolving environment;
Support mine clearance activities that promote cost-effectiveness, accountability and transparency;
Demining contracts are to be allocated by the CMAA by using competitive procurement mechanisms.

A CMAA Project Team will manage the project with advisory and capacity development support from a UNDP Advisory Team.

UNDP Cambodia is seeking an International Adviser to lead the UNDP Advisory Team at CMAA and to provide advice, assistance and capacity development support to the CMAA in implementing the project.

The Adviser will lead the UNDP advisory team and be responsible for the overall UNDP support to the CMAA in the implementation of the project. The Adviser will work under direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director Programme and the day to day facilitation and coordination of the UNDP Assistant Country Director for the Poverty Reduction Cluster S/he will work in close partnership with the CMAA /CFR II Project Director and Project Manager and staff, and report on UNDP’s assistance to the project board on a quarterly basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Be responsible for the overall delivery of UNDP’s advisory and capacity development support to the CMAA for the implementation of the project;
Conduct resource mobilization efforts;
Provide capacity development support in policy and technical areas line with project expected outcome, output and key results and CMAA capacity development plan;
Provide technical support and advice to the Government-Donor Technical Working Group on Mine Action and
Advisory support and advice to the Country Office on Mine Action

Be responsible for the overall delivery of UNDP’s advisory and capacity development support to the CMAA for the implementation of the project

Coordinate and manage UNDPs overall advisory and capacity development support for the implementation of the project by the CMAA. This shall encompass support to the CMAA in planning, budgeting, managing, monitoring and reporting on all project activities as endorsed by the Project Board in Annual Work plans;
Support the CMAA in the procurement and management of demining contracts including defining the scope of work, formulating Statement of Work (SoW), advising on procurement processes and contracting modalities, jointly monitoring the implementation of the contracts so as to ensure UNDP’s core principles such as best value for money, transparency, fairness and accountability are being applied;
Oversee the work of UNDP staff and other sub-contractors and ensure that strong partnerships are established between project staff and their Government counterparts, contributing to national capacity development.
Assist the CMAA in monitoring risks and issues affecting project implementation as well as recording lesson learned;
Coordinate the delivery of support services from the UNDP Country Office as per the workplan;
Provide advisory support to the CMAA in reporting to the project board on a quarterly basis;
Ensure that gender mainstreaming is prioritized in the implementation of all project activities, and overall strategic and operational planning of the mine action sector.

Conduct Resource Mobilization efforts

Together with the CMAA, manage relationships and agreements with cost-sharing partners and organize resource mobilization efforts for the project;
Report in a timely manner to the UNDP, Government and cost-sharing donors on the status of resource mobilized and assist the CMAA in reporting on progress and achievements, against agreed Results, Output and Outcome indicators;
Provide advisory support to CMAA in mobilizing resources for the sector as a whole by creating opportunities to meet donors, report on achievements and raise awareness on the needs of the sector to implement the NMAS and the Article 5 Extension Request.

Advise and provide capacity development support in policy and technical areas in line with project expected outcome, output and key results and CMAA capacity development plan

Provide overall policy and strategic advice to CMAA management to enhance the effectiveness of mine action in Cambodia. This will include advice on the integration of mine action planning and prioritization with other development programmes and agenda (MDG, decentralization); resource mobilization; monitoring and evaluation framework for the NMAS, and subsequent revisions; advise on Quality Management; provide overall policy and strategic advice in adhering to existing treaty obligations (APMBT, CCW) and throughout the process of signing and ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions;
Coordinate all capacity development efforts to the CMAA and ensure that specific capacity development activities are being carried forward in line with CMAA’s forthcoming capacity development plan and other capacity development initiatives. This will include assistance in identifying and supplying training providers in key technical and functional areas, maintain mechanisms to manage staff performance, assistance in conducting change management initiatives, and provision of other key inputs to enhance CMAA’s overall capacity to implement the NMAS and to deliver on its mandate;
Oversee the development of CMAA capacity in procurement and finance management to allow the CMAA to progressively take over responsibilities in line with progress realized in these areas. He/ she will also advise on reforms HR system, performance management and implementation of salary allowance schemes.

Provide technical support and advice to the Government-Donor technical working group on Mine Action

Advise the Mine Action Technical Working Group on prominent Mine Action issues, including funding channels and funding levels for the sector, monitoring of relevant mine action indicators and throughout the process of signing, implementing and monitoring the Partnership Principles;
Provide support to the Government Chair of the Technical Working Group and develop the capacities of the TWG Secretariat to efficiently prepare and lead the TWG meetings on behalf of Government;
Assist in coordination of donor financial and technical support to the Mine Action sector.

Advisory Support to the UN Country Team on mine action

Provide advice to the management of the UNDP Cambodia Country Office on mine action related issues;
Act as the focal point for the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), and participate as appropriate in UNDP-CPR knowledge network;
Provide substantive and security related input and guidance to the UNCT on issues related to Mine and Explosive Remnants of War.

Impact of Results

Through the achievements of the above mentioned result, the Adviser is expected to further consolidate and build CMAA’s capacity to contribute to the achievement of the National Mine Action Strategy, Article 5 Extension request and the Government's Millennium Development Goal on Mine Action by supporting efficient and transparent national management of the sector, and appropriate resource mobilization. The project should also strengthen the positioning of UNDP as a key partner and broker in the Mine Action sector, leading to strong partnerships with Government (CMAA) and like-minded donors. The design and relevance of the project should allow for significant levels of resource mobilization in line with Government and UNDP's objectives.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Promoting Ethics and Integrity / Creating Organizational Precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, Creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy / Advancing Policy Oriented Agenda: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.

Building Strategic Partnerships: Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments;
Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved; and
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing new Approaches: Developing new approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Generates for regional and innovative ideas and effective solutions to problems;
Looks at experience critically, drawing lessons, and building them into the design of new approaches
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking; and
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization (For UNDP field duty station only): Implementing resource mobilization strategies

Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities;
Identifies country needs and develops proposals to be presented to donors and governments; and
Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Promoting Organizational learning and Knowledge Sharing: Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; and
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective global advocacy messages/strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages;
Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Overall results-based management of the project, in line with UNDP's Results Management Guide

Coordinate planning, budgeting and management of all project activities, including operations of the mine clearance fund and technical assistance to the Cambodian Mine Action Authority and to the Technical Working Group on Mine Action;
Oversee the work of project staff/sub-contractors and ensure that strong partnerships are established between project staff and their Government counterparts, contributing to national capacity development;
Monitor risks, lesson learned and issues affecting project implementation;
Facilitate support services from the UNDP Country Office;
Report to the project board on a quarterly basis.

Formulate and implement the resource mobilization strategy in relation to the Mine Action

Manage relationships and agreements with cost-sharing partners and organize resource mobilization efforts for the mine clearance fund;
Report in a timely manner to RUNDP, Government and cost-sharing donors on progress and achievements, against agreed outcome and output targets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in development studies, management, social science or related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years of working experience in the management of humanitarian/ development projects of similar size and scope with specific experience in providing policy and strategic advice, provision of capacity development to a government institution;
Experience in the management of UNDP NIM projects would be a strong asset;
Prior experience with capacity development projects in Cambodia or South East Asia is highly desirable;
Previous experience in organization and staff development and adaptation to changes are highly desirable;
Prior experience in mine action sector and in procurement of services through competitive bidding would be an asset;
Knowledge of the legal frameworks around anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and other ERW would be an asset and
Knowledge of UN/UNDP rules and regulations, in particular RMG would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, working knowledge of Khmer is an asset.

FC: 04000