UNDP Jobs - 56045- Project Officer - (Open to Georgian Nationals only

Project Officer - (Open to Georgian Nationals only)

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months 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

The Government of Georgia has launched the local self-government (LSG) reform since 2006, with the enactment of the new organic law on local self-government. The law has given a new impetus to the reform, including adoption of a number of critical legislation and later creation of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI), with a special mandate to coordinate the regional and local development process in Georgia.

The reform of 2006 has consolidated previously existing 1000+ local self-government units into 69 municipalities. Currently, the decentralized governance system is carried out by 69 independent LSG entities – 64 Municipalities and 5 Self-Governing Cities. The legislation provides the LSG entities with organizational and financial autonomy vis-à-vis the central authorities in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government. However, the independent competencies of the local self-government units are considerably limited at present. Besides, LSGs have limited capacities pertaining to planning, budgeting, managing or delivering services to their constituency, and there is a very limited linkage and interaction between the citizens and local authorities.

Currently, 10 regions – Autonomous Republic of Adjara and 9 regions without the status of administrative-territorial entity – are established on the territory of Georgia proper. The mandates of the regions are ambiguous and their resources are very limited. The regional Governors lack competencies, finances and human resources to provide effective regional development planning and promote achievement of the regional development objectives. They do not have their own budgets and property. The institutional capacity of the Regional Governors’ administrations to lead the regional development planning process, is extremely limited.

In 2010, the State Strategy of Regional Development was approved. RDSS sets legal, institutional and financial frameworks for sustainable regional development in Georgia. It also envisages designing and implementation of the national concept for training local self-government civil servants, harmonization of the sectoral legislation with the Organic Law on Local Self-government, improvement of municipal services and other local governance related activities. However, overall, RDSS has a moderate scope and modest objectives.

The current Government, elected in October 2012, has announced ambitious plans with regard to enhancing decentralization and strengthening regional governance.

After a year of deliberations and discussion, the government’s new code on local self-governance was adopted by the parliament on 5 February 2014. Among other changes, the new code establishes 7 additional self-governing cities, transfers the water and melioration management power to municipalities and mandates the LSGs to allocate at least 1 percent of their salary fund to training purposes of municipal authorities. The same period saw progress in the field of regional development. During 2013, the Regional Development Strategies of 7 Georgian regions have been drafted in a participatory manner with support of UNDP and GIZ. All 7 Strategies were officially approved by the Government of Georgia in September 2013. MRDI has also developed a national Regional Development Programme (2014-2020), identifying a number of thematic priorities for regional development, in collaboration with the EU. This Programme was formally presented to the public and stakeholders on 15 December 2014. In addition, the government plans to introduce special policies and legislation to promote development of the mountainous regions in Georgia. The Project is required to provide MRDI with intensive technical and expert support to successfully accomplish this task.

Despite the progress achieved in the field of regional development and decentralization, significant challenges remain. There is a scope for improving both the programming and systematization content of the regional development documents as well as the strategic planning processes. A strong system for resourcing the Regional Development Strategies needs to be established. Furthermore, the level of decentralization of competencies and resources is still very low and a systematized long-term vision of the local self-government reform is yet to be developed.

Overall, MRDI is enthusiastic to advance decentralization and introduce effective regional development tools. Thus, it is crucially important to strengthen its policy formulation, advocacy and implementation capacities to ensure proper achievement of the reform goals and objectives.

To address the prevailing regional and local development challenges, UNDP in collaboration with ADA and SDC and in partnership with MRDI implements the project “fostering regional and local development in Georgia” (RLD) since 2012. The project activities are centered around the three interrelated priorities covering national, regional and local levels:

Strengthening of policy formulation and implementation capacities of MRDI and other national stakeholders. MRDI is supported to implement its commitments and assisted to upscale its relevant policy coordination function. The legislature, especially the parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government is supported to make it an active participants of the reform process. The policy dialogue among different governmental and non-governmental stakeholders is facilitated promoting improvement of the local governance and regional development related policies;
Strengthening role and capacities of regional and local authorities for intensifying their efforts for development. For this purpose, selected regional administrations and LSGs are being supported in strategic development planning and in implementing selected actions from their respective regional/municipal development plans. Specific emphasis is to be placed on reflecting the municipal development plans in programme budgets;
Introducing an effective, nation-wide training system for regional administrations and local authorities to strengthen their planning, budgeting, management and service delivery capacities. The training system pursing a long-term impact effectively addresses the training needs at regional and local levels. An innovative mechanism coordinating demand and supply flows is to be set up. As a result, the regional governors’ administrations and LSGs will benefit from a wide range of quality trainings, as well as practical assistance to be used in the regional and local development processes.

The project is scheduled through July 2017, with a budget of over USD 6 Million.

The project team comprises project manager, 2 long-term local experts, an administrative assistant and a driver/logistician.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, he/she shall be responsible to oversee the following tasks and responsibilities:

Support Project Manager, the RD expert/coordinator and the TA to oversee effective implementation of the project activities under Output 1 (National systems in support of regional and local governance reform and development strengthened) and Output 2 (Effective regional and local systems in place to steer sustainable regional and local development) as per the Project Document;
Monitor implementation of the regional action plans for 2015-2017 by local self-governments, including extensive traveling to regions, meeting stakeholders and participating in discussions;
Support the PM to facilitate preparation of regional action plans and municipal project prioritization documents by regional and municipal working groups during 2015-2017;
Assist the PM with initiation, management and follow up with small grants’ scheme operation including liaising with all interested parties at national and local level, CSOs and other stakeholders; Monitor, document and report on the implementation of the small grants projects;
Support project in activities related for harmonization of legislation with Law on Self-Governance and Code;
Monitor and provide assistance, in cooperation with long-term legal expert on project, law, policy formulation and institutional capacity-building required for mountain area development;
Support the PM in monitoring, reporting and facilitation improvements in local budgeting process. Ensure effective coordination of the LSG workshops, seminars, trainings and other relevant events for the implementation of the project activities;
Prepare RFQs/RFPs, ToRs and other relevant documents for contracting the companies and recruiting experts/consultants for the implementation of the relevant project activities;
Monitor the impact of the project activities and report to the Project Manager on regular basis;
Support the Project Manager in preparing regular reports as envisaged by the Project Document;
Support the Project Manager in developing the annual work plan of the project in related activities;
Perform other relevant duties as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Good analytical, counseling, organizational, communication and writing skills; Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals and results-focused reports in English.

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 mobilize resources;
Strong IT skills.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Policy or related field.

Experience:

At least 3 year of relevant experience at the national or international organization in coordinating programmes or actions;
Demonstrated understanding of local self-governance, local and regional development planning, public financial management and institutional capacity development issues.

Computer requirements:

Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point etc.).

Language requirements:

Fluency in Georgian and English.