UNDP Jobs - 57805- Coordination Specialist

Coordination Specialist

Location :

Eritrea, ERITREA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

one year

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

In January 2013, the United Nations System in Eritrea and the Government of the State of Eritrea (GoSE) signed a cooperation agreement - The Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF): 2013 - 2016.The SPCF focuses on five strategic areas of cooperation over a period of four years, namely: Basic Social Services, National Capacity Development; Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods; Environmental Sustainability; and Gender Equity and Advancement of Women in Eritrea. The SPCF has been developed as a rolling framework designed to accommodate other relevant emerging issues with the Government and provides a platform for broader engagement and cooperation with the Government in a wide range of priority areas.

Over the past two years of implementation of the SPCF, the role of the UNCT in Eritrea has increasingly become important as a strategic partner to Government as well as a key player in the coordinating of support to the country. An annual review of the programme carried out in 2013 showed progress achieved and also indicated areas requiring the attention of the UN and its implementing partners. This year, a midterm review of the SPCF will be undertaken to further inform of progress, bottlenecks and opportunities for strengthening programme implementation including emerging national development issues requiring the attention of government and its development partners. In line with the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) policy guidance, 2015 is a year to roll-out the next UN cooperation framework with the GoSE and the MTR will contribute to the knowledge base required to inform the next framework. In light of the opportunity presented by the roll out, the UNCT in Eritrea will reinforce its Delivering as One mechanism implementing all of the fifteen all 15 elements within the next two years.

Given the increasing and central role of the UN System in Eritrea, the Resident Coordination Office (RCO) requires increased capacity in order for the UNCT to successfully fulfil its mandate and meet the development requirements of the GOSE and her people. In this regard, the UNCT in Eritrea needs strengthened coordination support in order to support interagency mechanisms aimed at increasing the impact of programme coherence, advocacy , strategic planning, resource mobilization to mention a few.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Coordination Specialist reinforces capacity of the UN Country Team to use the Common Country Assessment process (CCA) in a flexible and effective manner, to prepare high quality, focused and strategic United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs), to respond to crisis and post-crisis contexts, to support the national strategies setting, to develop and implement the collaborative and joint programmes, to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Global Conferences, to establish electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national systems and processes, and for national counterparts to access the expertise of agencies without field representation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures the provision of strategic support and advisory services to the RC and UNCT focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Managing the UNCT forum and its secretariat as well as other UN led meetings chaired by the RC;
Providing strategic support and advice to the RC and UNCT in order to guide the actions of the UN and Government to advance the UN coherence agenda;
Coordinating and contributing to the analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and the review and formulation of strategic documents;
Leading the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the UNCT and RC Work Plan, including reporting and appraisal processes;
Advising the RC and UNCT on joint programming for the SPCF / common programme elaboration, implementation and monitoring.
Overseeing the elaboration and implementation of UNCT joint initiatives

Ensures effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNDAF/Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework and UN programmes coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

A thorough analysis of the socio economic and political situation in the country to inform policy and programme design and implementation;
Effective coordination of the process, design and implementation of the UNDAF/Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) and integration of gender, human rights, capacity development, and South/South cooperation as key elements of the development context including the elaboration of UN policies on sustainable development and the post 2015 agenda;
Effective facilitation of the development of strategies, policies and programmes in close consultation with UN Agencies aimed at reaching the MDGs /SDGs and other global priorities;
Effective mechanisms to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues to ensure the participation of various partners in the design and implementation of the UNDAF/Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework;
Effective facilitation and integration of DaO mechanisms in the design and implementation of the SPCF (Delivering as One Standard Operating Procedures, results groups, and related task forces).

Ensures the creation and maintenance of strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

Positioning the UN within the aid effectiveness agenda in line with the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action.
Advising and following up on strategic partnership opportunities with Government, Development Partners and other relevant actors;
Maximizing on partnership opportunities with relevant regional and HQ UN entities, including mobilizing resources for system wide initiatives;
Supporting the RC in establishing and maintaining profitable relations with regional bodies and other relevant actors involved in supporting the development agenda for Eritrea;
Maintaining working relationships with agency representatives, UN colleagues and other relevant partners, such as Government counterparts and NGOs, at all levels

Oversees strategic engagement with non-resident UN agencies focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Based on country assessments and needs, pinpoint areas and gaps where non-resident UN agencies (NRAs) could play a role;
Establish links to non-resident agencies in technical areas not covered by the UNCT and facilitate inputs from NRAs to joint planning and ensure that NRAs are informed and participating in UNCT initiatives.

Ensures effective formulation and implementation of the UNCT communication and strategy in close consultation with Development Partners Initiative (DPI) focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Efficient management of media and communication strategy of the UNCT, in close consultation with DPI & UNCG;
Focus on crafting proper branding and messaging ,demonstrating the concrete and measurable contributions of the UNCT in addressing the national development priorities and in achieving tangible results that translate into positive impact in people’s lives,
Ensure tracking of latest developments and issues on UN reform in the media, UN system and other partners that require attention and on which UN system should respond, improving the UNCT website including the development and production of UN communication materials;
Implementation of the outreach strategy for partners of the UN system;
Preparation of speakers notes, talking points, speeches for major advocacy events of the Resident Coordinator system, in close consultation with the UNCT and partners

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of a joint resource mobilization strategy for the SPCF implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on donor strategies and national development strategies, provision of advice to UN RC on ensuring synchronicity, alignment and complementarity between these strategies and UN activities;
Coordination of substantive preparations of the UNCT for consultative meetings, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners;
Effective coordination support of the Development Partners Forum at country level

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to coordination. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
Identification of national policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective SPCF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNCT;
Coordination support for effective Delivering as One mechanisms;
Provision of sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organization of trainings to UN staff on coordination issues.

Ensures the successful management of the UN Inter Agency Support Unit (UN Resident Coordinator’s Office) focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Oversee, manage and guide work of the UN Resident Coordination Office staff, the staff members working in interagency structures, in joint programming and other key structures or task teams which support the UN coherence agenda;
Overseeing official correspondences from the RC to high level officials;
Develop Terms of Reference and provide oversight and coordination support to consultants contracted by the Resident Coordinator system for UNCT Team activities;
Manage funds requests and allocation of Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO).Monitor and control the usage of these funds, and ensure the preparation of expenditure reports;
Provide facilitation and coordination support to incoming missions.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management;
Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team;
Encourages UN staff to share knowledge;
Develops deep understanding in SPCF/UNDAF, UN System reform and MDGs/SDGs.

Coordination Effectiveness:

Ability to lead the design and implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNDAF implementation;
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Establishes priorities for self and other members of the RC office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
In providing advice to the RC, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations;
Dem Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Knowledge about the UN and RC systems would be an advantage;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Previous experience with UNDAF/SPCF Roll-Out Processes;
Experience with working in a Delivering as One setting desirable.

Language:

Fluency in English.