UNDP Jobs - 74879- Special Assistant to Country Director

Special Assistant to Country Director

Location :

Yangon (with relocation to Naypyidaw when conditions permit), MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Oct-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

364 days

Languages Required :

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

Myanmar has embarked on a major transition towards democracy, market style economy and peace. Myanmar has low middle-income status (LMIC) and is committed to lifting itself out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status within the next seven years. Following the implementation of the first ever UNDP Country Programme during 2013-2017 and as a key development partner of the government of Myanmar, UNDP will implement a new UNDP Country Programme for the period 2018-2022, striving to deliver on a large and relevant programme portfolio that is responsive to the main development challenges facing the country.

The Country Office Senior Management Team provides overall direction to the office and consists of the Resident Representative, the Country Director and the Deputy Country Director. The Special Assistant to the Country Director reports to the Country Director and provides day to day support to the Country Director and Deputy Country Director. S/he is responsible for the provision of dedicated analysis, communication, coordination, and quality assurance support to the Country Director, Deputy Country Director, and more generally, to the CO Senior Management Team. S/he collaborates with teams within the country office and throughout UNDP to support the representational, advocacy, partnership, and communications commitments of the Country Director and Deputy Country Director, and the Senior Management Team. S/he supports relevant country office specific, UNDP, and UNCT mechanisms for tracking and ensuring follow-up on senior management directives, commitments, and agreements with internal and external stakeholders.

The post will be initially based in Yangon, but with possible relocation to Naypyidaw when conditions permit. The Special Assistant will be expected to travel to Naypyidaw on a regular basis to support the work of the Country Director and the CO Senior Management Team.

ELIGIBLITY FOR THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO AFFECTED INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL FIXED-TERM STAFF OF UNDP MYANMAR

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports the management and coordination with strategic partnerships in support of the Senior management:

· Organizes regular senior management meetings within the UNDP country office, takes minutes and manages follow-up actions to ensure continuity;

· Facilitates implementation of the requests, directives and commitments of the Country Director and Deputy Country Director to coordination with relevant managers and teams within the country office;

· Maintains regular contact with the Office of the RR/RC, and keeps the Country Director and Deputy Country Director abreast of key developments within the UN system;

· Develops strong partnerships with other UNDP staff, contributing to information sharing initiatives within UNDP;

Works in close collaboration with the Executive Assistant of the RC/RR and Country Director.

2. Review, analysis, and preparation of documents for the Country Director and Deputy Country Director

· Supports preparation of ad hoc documents, reports and presentations;

· Prepares, drafts and/or reviews speeches, briefs, background papers in liaison with the Strategic Partnerships unit and Communication Officer as well as other units throughout UNDP Myanmar as needed;

· Contributes to the preparation of factsheets through gathering information and research for the programme and project areas;

· As requested reviews and analyzes relevant country office documents and submissions for the approval or clearance of the Country Director and/or Deputy Country Director to ensure alignment with corporate guidance and standards as well as to ensure quality and comprehensiveness of inputs;

· Performs research on topics as assigned, analyzes information and synthesizes into a clear summary to contribute to presentations, reports and speeches as requested.

3. Coordination of substantive preparation and follow-through on the engagements (including missions) of the Country Director and Deputy Country Director

· Coordinates substantive preparations, including supporting materials for all engagements and missions (both in-country and external) of the Country Director and Deputy Country Director;

· Attends meetings with the Deputy/Country Director and serves as note-taker as needed;

· Prepares all meeting reports and correspondence in a timely manner, including back-to-office reports for the Country Director; and

· Facilitates and tracks follow-up actions with relevant focal points within UNDP Myanmar, in line with commitments made by the Deputy/Country Director.

4. Management and Communication Support

· Coordinates preparation of submissions and background documentation for UNCT meetings and mechanisms whereby UNDP Myanmar is required to provide substantial inputs;

· Acts as Secretary for the country office’s senior management/programme-project meetings, responsible for recording decisions, coordinating development of the agenda, gathering and analyzing information to support decision-making, and communication of relevant decisions to staff;

· Supports the organization of regular staff meetings and special events;

· Supports effective internal communications with staff in collaboration with the Deputy Country Director;

· Communicates to the Deputy/Country Director on a range of issues relating to management, including emerging concerns of staff;

· Coordinates special projects and assignments on behalf of the Deputy/Country Director and the Senior Management Team.

Competencies

IV. Competencies and Selection Criteria	Description of Competency at Level Required

*Core*
Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work	Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow	Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction	Level 4: Models independent thinking and action
Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform	Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis
Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement	Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services
*Technical/Functional*
Building Strategic Partnerships Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments; takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit; demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Client Orientation Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective; keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services.	Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches; identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Brief and Speech Writing Ability to prepare quality briefs and/or speeches	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Mentoring and Capacity Building Ability to coach/mentor technical staff to enhance sustain capacity development	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in development studies, economics, law, political science,or a related area.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in development at the international level.

Understanding of UNDP, the UN and the Myanmar country context would be an asset.

Strong interpersonal and organisational skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Strong ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English