UNDP Jobs - 38665- Programme Specialist

Programme Specialist

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2013

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

Under the guidance of the Assistant Country Director (Governance Unit) the Programme Officer (PO), Governance Unit, provides project assurance support to selected projects within the Governance Unit, ensuring the effective design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and advocacy of these projects. The PO works in close collaboration with the ACD Governance and the project managers/ chief technical advisors to ensure consistency with UNDAF/Country Programme priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The PO works in close collaboration with the operations team in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP Governance programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Engage in strategic learning, planning, advocacy, and resource mobilization activities for selected projects within the Governance Unit;
Undertake project assurance role within the Governance Unit, including oversight of monitoring and evaluation activities, project reporting and compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Where required, initiate project formulation within the framework of the Country Programme Action Plan and the Strategic Plan;
Oversee strategic direction of project implementation;
Take responsibility for any and all other duties, as required by the management of UNDP Timor-Leste.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Officer is expected to assume the following responsibilities:

Engage in strategic learning, planning, advocacy, and resource mobilization activities for selected projects within the Governance Unit;
Participating actively in the write-up of the Strategic Results Framework, Integrated Work Plan and Results-Oriented Annual Report, which will be submitted to Headquarters (HQ;
Liaising regularly with the Desk Officer based in HQ for information sharing;
Acting as the office focal point for at least one thematic area in governance;
Training programme assistants working in the governance unit;
Mobilizing resources from Timor-Leste development partners for current projects and projects in the pipeline.

Undertake project assurance role within the Governance Unit, including oversight of monitoring and evaluation activities, project reporting and compliance with UNDP rules and regulations as well audit follow-up. More specifically the PO is responsible for:

Follow-up with projects to ensure that appropriate planning and reporting mechanisms and tools are completed (Annual Work Plan – AWP & Quarterly/Annual Progress Reports);
Review purchase orders and requisitions to ensure these are in accordance with the AWP;
Liaise with project management to ensure project staff are kept informed of UNDP reforms;
Establishing a project steering committee (PSC) with all the concerned members for each of the project s/he managers;
Providing secretariat support to the PSC;
Support the implementation of the project;
Monitoring project progress against the overall objectives and AWP of the project;
Developing an advocacy strategy for each project in collaboration with the UNDP media officer;
Together with the media officer, write press releases and project fact sheets;
Managing assigned resources efficiently. In close collaboration with the project, ensure regular budget revision exercises are completed and contribute to meeting the annual programme resource expenditure targets. PO is also responsible for producing monthly financial analysis reports, providing information on the overall programme approval level, outstanding obligations as well as planned and actual expenditure status;
Follow-up on the recommendations of project and CO audit to ensure compliance.

Where required, initiate project formulation within the framework of the Country Programme Action Plan and the Strategic Plan. More specifically, the PO is responsible for:

Writing TORs for assessment/formulation/monitoring/evaluation missions;
Setting and monitoring quality outputs;
Incorporating results-based management indicators for projects formulated;
Presenting the finalized document to the Project Appraisal Committee meeting;
Facilitating project approval process and ensuring approved projects are results-based;
Making logistical arrangements for relevant short and long-term consultancies.

Oversee strategic direction of project implementation. This involves:

Review the implementation progress of the project/s in line with UNDAF, the Country Programme Action Plan and the project outcomes;
Liaise regularly with the Assistant Country Director, Governance and the project Manager/Chief Technical Advisor to discuss project progress and provide advice on challenges and further strategies;
Maintain working relationship with key Government counterparts to ensure their continuing engagement with and understanding of the project/s. Discuss further possible intervention with Project Manager/Chief technical Advisor.

Take responsibility for any and all other duties, as required by the management of UNDP Timor-Leste.

Impact of Results

The key results will allow UNDP to further contribute to good governance and stability in Timor Leste through the strengthening of democratic governance in the country. The post will enhance the overall effectiveness and quality of UNDP development interventions by providing the projects with timely and effective support in the implementation of their strategic objectives and initiatives.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on parliamentary issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary governance and development issues;
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, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Development and Operational Effectiveness;
Ability to conduct strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to work with minimal supervision;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation and evaluation of parliamentary development programmes and projects;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

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 good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads multi-cultural teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree or equivalent in Political or Social Science/Law, or other relevant subject; a qualification in, or/and experience of development studies/international relations desirable.

Experience:

Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in institutional development and governance;
Proven programming and project management experience at a senior level required;
Sound technical knowledge in the field of justice, parliamentary development, human rights, decentralization, public administrations as well as a general knowledge of cross-cutting democratic governance and capacity development issues;
Substantial work experience in a government context desirable;
Experience working in developing and post-conflict country environment highly desirable;
Excellent drafting and communication skills; good editorial capacity;
Experience in staff development preferably in a developing country environment a plus.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential.
A good command of written and spoken Portuguese or Tetum is preferred;
Successful completion of an intensive Tetum course within the first month of assignment is mandatory.

FC: 04000