UNDP Jobs - 75762- Area Office Coordinator

Area Office Coordinator

Location :

Taungyi , Shan, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial One Year

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

Job Code Title: Area Office Coordinator
Department    : UNDP Myanmar
Reports to      : Team Leader, Strategic Results, Partnerships and Deputy Country Director
Grade Level   : NOB
Location(s)    : Taunggyi, Shan

Organizational Context

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 new UNDP Myanmar Country Programme (2018-2022) has a stronger emphasis on sub-national programming at the state, region and township levels to ensure stronger institutions at all levels of government as well as broader civic engagement as part of the effort to support Myanmar’s democratic transition, build and sustain peace and promote more inclusive and sustainable development. It also incorporates a new CO structure, which includes an expanded presence at sub-national level, and three Project Offices in Kachin, Chin, Shan.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director (CD) and under the direct supervision of the Strategic Results, Partnerships and Innovation Team Leader, with a matrix reporting relationship to the Deputy Country Director (DCD), the Head of the Project Office (PO) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the PO, and all UNDP programme and project activities within its designated geographic area of responsibility.

The Head of the PO has formal delegated authority from the CD (in writing) to represent the UNDP country programme at the state, region and local levels and to perform all relevant management functions. The Head of the PO manages and supervises all PO staff and project staff working in the geographic area of responsibility of the PO, ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination. S/he ensures a client-oriented approach and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations in conformity with the UNDP Internal Control Framework and good management practice. S/he advises the country office senior management on the political/development context, government relations, general programme management and operational issues, and any responses to emerging complex challenges in the PO geographic area of responsibility.

The incumbent will work closely with internal and external counterparts, including state/region government, national institutions, development partners, civil society, and the private sector etc to successfully deliver the UNDP country programme at the state, region and local levels in the PO geographic area of responsibility.

UNDP Myanmar is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO AFFECTED NATIONAL PERSONNEL OF UNDP MYANMAR.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures strategic programme planning, coordination and implementation in the geographic area of responsibility of the Field Office, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analyses the socio-economic, political and development situation and trends in the PO geographic area of responsibility and identifies opportunities and entry points for UNDP programming and partnerships, providing monthly reports to senior management and the Integrated Management Team;
Provides guidance and manages the overall PO programme development and implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring;
Ensures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects including planning processes and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP country office and consistency with UNDAF/ CPD priorities;
Ensures identification, development and promotion of joint programming working with other UN entities and/or other partnerships and planning opportunities. May support management of small, activities within the geographic area of responsibility;
Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities;
Supports capacity building of national counterparts;
Monitors project implementation, contributing to monitoring of results. Ensures effective application of RBM tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks;
Coordinates and follows through on decentralized local evaluations;
Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations;
Promotes and documents through regular reporting identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

Responsible for effective Office management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Ensures smooth day-to-day management of the Field Office, builds an effective PO team, promotes team work and an environment that is conducive to delivering results;
Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the Field Office by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations;
Continually find ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations of the Field Office;
Approves contracts and ATLAS transactions under written delegated authority from the Country Director. Has Atlas manager rights as delegated; Responsible for the management of the Field Office staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary;
Ensures timely and regular reporting;
In collaboration with the Programme Support Team Leader, ensures that the security needs of office and projects are met. Under the supervision of the DCD and in collaboration with the Security Advisor ensures enforcement of security procedures and MOSS/MORSS requirements in the Field Office;
Mitigates possible risks and impacts associated with the Field Office operations (e.g. logistical, security etc) by proactively designing reduction measures in collaboration with the Security Advisor;
Builds capacity of the PO staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing relevant training/learning programmes.

Responsible for Representation and Coordination in the area focusing on achievement of the following results:

Represents UNDP with government counterparts at the state/region/local levels;
Represents UNDP with UNCT, donors, and other partners at the state/region/local levels;
Provides strong coordination support to UN Agencies, national authorities and other organizations through the establishment and management of local consultation/coordination mechanisms. Keeps project and CO teams updated through regular reporting;
Ensures proper coordination and inputs to Interagency initiatives within the geographic area of responsibility by actively engaging and leading coordination;
Maintains collaboration and coordination with the other Heads of UNDP Field Offices to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practice.

Promotes communication flow in the field office focusing on achievement of the following results:

Maximizes communication between the various units and projects in the PO and ensures that stakeholders (development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies and Government agencies) have one consistent UNDP counterpart
Ensures internal communication and coordination at PO level and effective and proactive communication between relevant CO units (both programme and operations units) and the PO;
Monitors the perception of UNDP at the local level and suggests media activities that position UNDP more strategically and effectively as a partner for sustainable development at state/region/local levels;
Enhances local visibility for UNDP in development effectiveness, particularly with donors and/or development partners;
Ensures that PO local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with the Communication Team in the country office.

Fosters partnership building focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contributes to the development of the CO Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy, including planning tools to implement the strategy;
Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the PO level through innovative approaches to partnership development;
Encourages ways of increasing the Field Office funding base such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local government counterparts (e.g. government cost-sharing) and following-up with donors on local funding opportunities;
Provides logistical and other support for CO donor visits in the PO area of geographic responsibility.

Competencies

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

Strategic Planning
Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission Level

Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Quality Assurance

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Collaboration and Partnership

Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Innovation

Ability to manage organisational resources and deployment in pursuit of innovative approaches and initiatives
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify opportunities and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions that generate resources
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.
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 or Bachelor degree in Development Studies, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Law or a related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years with Master’s degree or 4 years with Bachelor degree of progressively responsible experience in development in government, or an international/bilateral development organization
1-2 years of proven management experience in an organization of similar size and complexity
Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset
Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national staff
Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Myanmar
Knowledge of local languages would be an asset.