UNDP Jobs - 72264- Operations Officer

Operations Officer

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Jul-2017

Application Deadline :

28-May-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 Months

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

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade Sri Lanka has achieved a relatively high pace of growth, with significant advancement in human development indicators. Going forward, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has outlined a development vision that aims at enhancing prosperity and eliminating poverty. The GoSL recognizes that the attainment of the development vision will require major emphasis on unleashing the potential of the Sri Lankan economy through institutional, legal and regulatory reforms that ensure macroeconomic stability, enhance efficiency of the public sector and enable private investment and trade. This needs to be done in synergy with newly opened spaces to address issues of reconciliation and good governance.

In response to the requests from the GoSL, the Development Partners have initiated a number of assistance programs to accompany and support the efforts of various public sector stakeholders. In many instances, the assistance programs cover areas where policy dialogue is nascent; development strategies have not been fully articulated; and the participation of multiple ministries and government agencies is required. The multiplicity of participants and initiatives (especially on areas of new policy dialogue) has heightened the need to strengthen the coordination between the various GoSL stakeholders and the Development Partners in order to enhance the effectiveness of international assistance.

The Existing Development Partners Secretariat

A Development Partners (DPs) Secretariat was established in 2005 with the objectives of i) sharing information among DPs; ii) enhancing coordination and harmonization among development partners; iii) advancing aid effectiveness principles; iv) and enhancing collaboration among the DPs, the GoSL, civil society and other stakeholders.

These objectives have been pursued through various fora, including: a DP Forum, DP Committee, Bilateral Donor Group and DP Working Groups.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The Secretariat reports to and takes direction from Development Partners, namely Chairs of the DP Forum, Bilateral Donor Group and Working Groups.

In response to the need for enhanced coordination amongst DPs and between DPs and GoSL, especially in areas of new policy dialogue, an enhanced DP Secretariat function is proposed that will undertake the following activities under guidance from Development Partners:

1. Support the efficacy of existing DP Fora. This includes a) supporting the identification of objectives and an annual action matrix for the DP Forum, Bilateral Donor Group and DP Working Groups; b) Monitoring progress in line with objectives and work-plans and the measurement of results; c) facilitating strategic linkages between the various DP Fora and the Working Groups; d) Acting as the central focal point for information exchange amongst DPs; e) collecting and disseminating information on GoSL’s policies, strategies and development statements; f) leading the production and analysis of the foreign aid profile and/or sectoral areas of interest to the DPs;

2. Facilitate ongoing exchange of information amongst DPs on existing and planned programs, projects and technical assistance. This includes working with External Resources Department (ERD) to establish and maintain an online information management system that is accessible to all DPs, GoSL and Civil Society of all the activities undertaken by DPs by thematic area. In creating and maintaining this system, the Secretariat will mobilize the collaboration of DPs and consider efficient ways to meet GoSL and IATI standards;

3. Convene regular meetings of the DP Forum, Bilateral Donor Group and DP Working Groups. The Secretariat will propose agenda for meetings produce and circulate minutes and follow up on decisions taken;

4. Undertake enhanced DP coordination in key strategic policy areas. These areas will be identified and endorsed by the DP Forum and agreed with ERD, reflecting issues that a) are of high strategic priority to GOSL; b) involve complex reforms in policy, institutions or regulations; c) involve multiple DPs providing assistance to multiple agencies of the GoSL; and d) where a mechanism for sufficient coordination between the DPs and the GoSL has not already been established;

For each one of these priority areas the DP Secretariat will:

i) Take stock of DPs current and planned efforts;

ii) Collaborate with the GoSL in identifying key stakeholders;

iii) Convene, in collaboration with the GoSL strategic coordination meetings aimed at identifying GoSL’s strategic priorities and DPs support instruments;

iv) Monitor progress in line with strategic priorities and report progress and issues to DG ERD on a regular basis.

5. Coordinate the communication of the DPs work to the GoSL. This includes a) organization of quarterly briefing for ERD (plus relevant GoSL stakeholders), attended by key DP representatives; and b) record and follow up on key decisions;

6. Coordinate the engagement of Civil Society. This includes a) in consultation with DPs, identifying areas that would benefit from closer communication with or engagement of Civil Society and define actions to facilitate it; b) Prepare an action plan for ongoing communication of the broader DPs work to Civil Society, including events, printed and social media;

7. Organize an annual DP community of practice workshop: This includes identifying a theme for the workshop, organizing the agenda and speakers, inviting participants including DPs, GOSL, Civil Society and the private sector and promoting the sharing of learning from this event widely;

8. Undertake analysis to identify the key policy issues: This includes leveraging knowledge from ERD, DPs and relevant DP Working Groups, organizing studies, desktop reviews, and assessments on specific topics of interest to the DP community;

9. Data collection and management: This includes collecting existing data sets, reports, assessments and other available information and collating it in a user-friendly format that allows donors easy access to relevant information about development topics in Sri Lanka. In addition, commissioning or undertaking primary data collection, analysis, and desktop studies to fill data and evidence gaps.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Operations Officer is a 12 Months full-time position responsible for the following tasks:

1. Analysis: Conduct or commission desktop analyses of various policy issues under the guidance of the Head of Secretariat. In conducting or commissioning this work, the Analyst will leverage existing knowledge within the DPs and where relevant other stakeholders by conducting interviews with relevant DP staff and collecting existing relevant documentation;

2. Data collection and presentation: The analyst will have a key role in facilitating ongoing exchange of information among DPs and working with External Resources Department (ERD) to establish and maintain an online information management system that is accessible to all DPs, GoSL and Civil Society of all the activities undertaken by DPs by thematic area. In creating and maintaining this system, the Secretariat will mobilize the collaboration of DPs and consider efficient ways to meet GoSL and IATI standards. In addition, the analyst will take a lead role in the innovative presentation of data in multiple formats for different audiences under the guidance of the Head of Secretariat;

3. Operational support: The analyst will support the Head of Secretariat in the organization of meetings and events, reporting to members on minutes of meetings, and information sharing on meeting and events.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is 12 Months.

Competencies

COMPETENCIES

Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to produce briefing notes and innovative data products for multiple audiences on short notice;
Experience in organization of events;
Familiarity with the work of development partners in Sri Lanka.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Relevant university degree;
Excellent communication skills in English. Sinhala and/or Tamil language skills would also be desirable;
Proficient IT skills, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office suite of products and data management software and techniques;
At least 5 years of professional experience.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee:LKR

All Inclusive Daily Fee:LKR

Amount in words:(Rs.)

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by Head of Development Partners Secretariat.

Payment Milestones will be as follows: .

Monthly.