UNDP Jobs - 51276- Programme Specialist - Youth Economic Empowerment

Programme Specialist - Youth Economic Empowerment Project II

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

21-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One 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

As Yemen enters a critical phase of its transition, youth unemployment remains one of the leading root causes behind the aspirations of the 2011 Revolution and social stagnation. Its urgency has been demonstrated during the National Dialogue Conference and the MDG Acceleration Framework, which are two important roadmaps for Yemen to pursue.

The Youth Economic Empowerment project (YEEP) aims to support the Government and the people of Yemen during this current unprecedented transition. Building on lessons learnt during the pilot phase (YEEP I 2012-2013), YEEP II will be upscaled and reach nine governorates encompassing Aden, Abyan, Sada'ah, Sana'a, Taiz, Ibb, Hodeida, Hajjah, and Hadramout. The project pioneers the 3*6 approach to sustainable employment in conflict-affected countries as championed in Burundi, which places an emphasis on inclusiveness and ownership, with a particular effort deployed to support women entrepreneurship. Strategic partnerships will be further strengthened to support the institutionalization of the 3x6 approach, and deepen the scaling up of the piloted innovative tools to achieve catalytic impact while at the same time actively engaging the Government, the private sector, micro-finance institutions and donors to work together with a common goal, building the resilience of Yemeni youth for economic revitalization and paving the path for inclusive and sustainable development.

The Youth Economic Action Plan (YEAP), adopted by the Cabinet in 2013, will address some of the major constraints preventing the expansion of the labour market and the alignment of policies at the inter-ministerial level. This upstream intervention ensure linkages with field activities, and 2015 will mark the establishment of a functional national Secretariat leading strategic thinking to enhance sustainable employment opportunities for the Yemeni youth.

Under the direct supervision of the Inclusive Growth Team Leader in close coordination with Inclusive Growth Unit programme staff, and other Programme/Operations Units, the Programme Specialist will provide support to the implementation to programmes and projects under the Inclusive Growth Portfolio of UNDP Yemen. He/She will fulfilled management responsibilities more specifically linked to the Youth Economic Empowerment Project and support to the Implementation of the Youth Employment Action Plan. She/he will provide overall management support and technical direction to the projects in the strategic planning and operationalizing of YEEP II and YEAP. S/he will assist UNDP in the coordination and monitoring of project activities and oversee operations of the implementation partners. The Programme Specialist will ensure that capacity of the National Project Team is fully strengthened in the interest of sustainability and continuity.

The Programme Specialist will ensure that the projects respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities in areas such as youth unemployment, women entrepreneurship, value chains, market linkages, private sector development, policy dialogue and other emerging areas of intervention.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

Ensure, implementation of ongoing programmes, YEEP and YEAP, in a well coordinated and coherent manner;
Ensure strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the projects/programmes;
Provide leadership and strategic thinking to ensure proper implementation of project activities;
Provide technical and strategic support to the Government of Yemen for the implementation of the Youth Employment Action Plan;
Advise on, and develop with the project team, ToRs and MoUs;
Overall management, planning and implementation of the project’s activities;
Support the project team through relevant technical inputs, and strengthen their capacity for their respective tasks, including the adaptation of best practices;
Manage and administer the day-to-day operations to ensure the effective implementation of the project activities;
Provide technical management support for the timely implementation of project activities as per the annual work plan (AWP), maintaining flexibility to shift priorities in the context of changing circumstances, and in consultation with UNDP management;
Ensure that mechanisms for coordination of implementing partners and GoY are well established and functioning;
Liaise with the Project Board and its appointed Project Assurance to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project;
Facilitate and support the work of the key partners at the national and local levels in monitoring, policy issues, and knowledge sharing of field experiences;
Provide substantive advisory support on project issues as required, and perform other duties as deemed necessary.

Supervision, Monitoring and Reporting:

Follow up on the periodic meetings of the Project Board and the recommendation made to evaluate achievements, and to monitor project progress towards its outputs and outcomes including the use of gender sensitive indicators;
Supervise the work of the national project team and administrative project staff and implementation partners, provide technical inputs to the project team as required, and ensure high performance levels;
Monitor project progress against the work plan including financial management, and prepare annual work plans and progress reports quarterly and annually;
In coordination with the project team and concerned GoY personnel undertake regular field visits to project sites to monitor activities, interact with the target group and IPs, identify field implementation issues and make recommendations. Ensure that these are followed up by the concerned parties;
Track use of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations, effectively applying Results Based Management tools to ensure achievement of results;
Provide technical and policy advice to the head of the Inclusive Growth Unit and management.

Identification and development of new programmes

Identify, design and formulate new initiatives and projects and develop high-quality concept notes and project documents in the area of private sector development, social business, value-chains, employment, inclusive growth and poverty reduction;
Liaise closely with the donors and government counterparts for strategic discussions and resource mobilization in private sector development and economic growth.

Partnerships and resource mobilization

Support the efforts in resource mobilization to enable the achievement of programme outcomes.

Knowledge Management

Contribute to the development of knowledge management products;
Manage the dissemination and application of knowledge, best practices and programme results for advocacy, resource mobilization, learning and practice development;
Increased profile and international recognition of UNDP Yemen and its programming on employment, inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treat all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promote knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology and general administration;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side) and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change;
Ability to interact across a wide spectrum of people, as well as at the meeting table within managerial and government offices.

Management and Leadership

Build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Lead team effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Communication and networking;
Excellent oral communications skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interest of varied actors;
Excellent writing skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
Maturity an confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A master’s degree in development studies, economics, or other relevant fields.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in an international development setting, including using results-based management tools;
Relevant field experience, especially in crisis or post-conflict settings;
Experience in the MENA region;
Experience of working with youth in MSME support, private sector development, development policy;
UNDP experience is desirable;
Previous experience in Yemen is preferred.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.