UNDP Jobs - 62749- Programme Specialist-Disaster Resilience, Country

Programme Specialist-Disaster Resilience, Country Office-UNDP Bangladesh (Only Bangladeshi nationals are eligible to apply)

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

21-Jan-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially 01 (One) year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Renewable upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds

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

UNDP supports Bangladesh to become a nation resilient to shocks and stresses related to disaster and climate change, which is one of the three pillars of Bangladesh’s Seventh Five Year Plan (7FYP). The 7FYP will be implemented in a new development context shaped by the country’s Middle Income Country status and adoption of new global drivers i.e. SDGs, Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement on climate change. UNDP’s Country Programme Document for 2016-2020 is under formulation which will be aligned to this new context.

UNDP has been a long standing partner of the government of Bangladesh in managing disaster risk. In next five years, UNDP will further strengthen its work and manage a shift from disaster risk management to building resilience. Within this objective, UNDP will focus on (i) risk reduction through concentrated effort on risk governance and risk informed development and (ii) resilient post disaster response and recovery. In next five years, UNDP will also further strengthen its partnership with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and other stakeholders i.e. private sector, academia and civil society organizations.

UNDP’s work includes high quality policy advice, resource mobilization, capacity building, programme management, knowledge management and innovation, consistent with UNDP’s mandate.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Country Director and direct supervision of the Assistant Country Director, Climate Change, Environment and Resilience Portfolio, the Programme Analyst is responsible for development and management of UNDP programme on disaster risk management. The Programme Analyst analyzes disaster trends, disaster preparedness and response, political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advisory services. Disaster risks need to be effectively managed as an integral part of development.

The Programme Analyst supervises and leads programme support staff and implements UNDP’s programmes. S/he works in close collaboration with the operations team and programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensuring successful implementation of UNDP programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of programme strategies
Management of the Country Office (CO) programme
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

1. Ensures Policy analysis, influence, advice and implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to Common Country Assessment (CCA), UN Development Assistance Framework, Country Programme document (CPD), Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and other documents.
Identification of areas for support and interventions in the thematic/sectoral areas within the assigned areas of responsibility and the project portfolio. Clarifying UNDP positions and strategies and assuring alignment between UNDP position and its projects, constant garnering of implications of analysis for UNDP’s programmes.
CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
Be accountable for results, avoid duplications and reduce transaction costs by proper planning and coordination.

2. Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas ( in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst performs functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects.
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of DEX/NEX projects.
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio. Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects.
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, International Financial Institutions, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral development partners, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analysis and research of information on development partners, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Support ACD to report effectively and timely to donors on achievement of results, use of funds constraints and recommendations to be followed up

4. Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

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
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
In-depth knowledge on national and global trends and policies on DRM and resilience.
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies 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
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership :

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Builds strong relationships with government, stakeholders and development partners.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
Creating synergies through self-control
Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Disaster Management, Social Science, Civil, Environmental & Water Engineering, Geography, Environment & Earth Science, or related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant experience in disaster risk management (DRR and post disaster Recovery) at the national or international levels—and these include:

Providing management and policy advisory services;
Hands-on experience in designing, monitoring and evaluation of development programme;
Establishing and management of inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
Understanding and knowledge about local, national and global good practices and policy trends;
Proven resource mobilisation skills;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in the English and Bangla languages.