Jobs - 8420- Programme Manager “Supporting Integrated and Compr

Programme Manager “Supporting Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Africa”

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

200 Series

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Feb-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

L-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year (renewable)

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

NOTE: This is a UNOPS Vacancy Announcement, which can be found at the following link:

http://www.unops.org/_layouts/scripts/GetVAFile.aspx?id=3123

UNDP is launching a US$ 92.1 million Climate Change Adaptation Programme for the African continent, titled “Supporting Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Africa” (hereafter called the Programme). Under this Programme supported by the Government of Japan, UNDP will assist 21 countries across the African continent in incorporating climate change risks and opportunities into national development processes to secure development gains under a changing climate.

The Programme aims to achieve the following key outcomes:

Countries have introduced dynamic, long-term planning mechanism to cope with the inherent uncertainties of climate change
Countries have built leadership and developed institutional frameworks to manage climate change risks and opportunities in an integrated manner at the local and national levels
Countries are implementing climate-resilient policies and measures in priority sectors
Financing options to meet national adaptation costs have been expanded at the local, national, subregional and regional levels
Knowledge on adjusting national development processes to fully incorporate climate change risks and opportunities is being generated and shared across all levels
The Inter-Regional Technical Support Component ($8.96 million) will assist in the early analysis, design
and implementation of national projects. The Component has the following key outputs:

Access to the best available data and information on climate variability and impacts is facilitated to support dynamic, long-term national planning and decision-making mechanism
Support is provided to institutional and leadership development in a manner responsible to the unique circumstances and needs of each country
Best practices, experiences and technologies are identified and exchanges among countries on implementing climate-resilient policies in priority sectors
Innovative financing options are identified and key partnership are facilitated at the national, subregional and regional levels
Region-wide knowledge and learning mechanism are established to raise awareness, engage stakeholders, inform decision-makers, and promote exchange and cooperation between countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Manager will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to the entire programme, including ensuring coordination amongst the various components and partners, as well as the implementation of the Inter-Regional Technical Support Component. The manager will be responsible for the overall delivery and quality of the Component through the following key responsibilities:

Establish and manage the staff of the Inter-Regional Technical Support team to provide high quality substantive support to national teams during the formulation and implementation of national-level activities.
Provide overall leadership, coordination, and strategic direction to the entire Programme.
Maintain communication and close contact with national country teams, governments and other partners, and UNDP country offices, providing guidance, support and technical resources as needed.
Develop and leverage partnerships with relevant agencies, donors, regional organizations, IGOs, NGOs, in-house groups, and other key institutions to maximize Programme effectiveness and impact.
Assist participating countries to identify sources of finance to maintain the changes introduced through their national projects and implement the national strategies developed.
Provide substantive reporting on the progress and results of the Programme and the Inter-Regional Technical Support Component to the Programme/Project Boards(*).

Organizational Context:

The Programme Manager will report to the Co-chairs of the Programme/Project Boards (i.e. Regional Directors of Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) and Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS), Director of Environment and Energy, Bureau for Development Policy (BDP/EEG)).
The Programme Manager will manage and supervise all other project staff of the Inter-Regional Technical Support Component.
Functions / Key Results Expected

Within the framework of the Project Document and under the overall guidance of the Programme/Project
Boards, the Programme Manager is responsible for the overall strategic direction, planning, and
implementation of the Programme. S/he will:

1. Strategic Programme Guidance and Coherance

Provide overall leadership, coordination, and strategic direction to the entire Programme
Maintain communication and close contact with national country teams, governments and other partners, and UNDP country offices, providing guidance, support and technical resources as needed.
Develop and leverage partnerships with relevant agencies, donors, regional organizations, IGOs, NGOs, in-house groups, and other key institutions to maximize Programme effectiveness and impact.
Assist participating countries to identify sources of finance to maintain the changes introduced through their national projects and implement the national strategies developed.
Monitor the progress of both programme and national-level activities and results.
Provide substantive reporting on the progress and results of both the entire Programme and the Inter-Regional
Technical Support Component to the Programme/Project Boards (*).
Key result: The Programme as a whole is widely recognized for its technical and strategic leadership,
high quality results, and exceptional performance, in developing country capacity to integrate climate
risks into national planning.

2. Management of the Inter-regional Technical Support Component

Establish and manage the staff of the Inter-Regional Technical Support team to provide high quality substantive support to national teams during the formulation and implementation of national-level activities
Prepare a detailed work plan for the Inter-Regional Technical Support Component, prepare and keep track of deliverables, timelines and budgets, and oversee the administrative and operational activities.
Establish effective mechanisms for delivering support from the Inter-regional Technical Support Component to the national country projects, governments, and UNDP country offices
Develop a network of additional technical expertise and assistance to extend the capacity of the interregional technical support team to deliver high quality support to national country programmes across all substantive areas
Put in place and apply appropriate quality assurance mechanisms and assist national country partners in doing the same
Prepare terms of reference, and oversee the recruitment and selection of subcontractors and consultants.
Key result: The Inter-Regional Technical Support Component is successfully implemented, delivering in
an effective, efficient and timely manner, within budget, and with exceptional technical quality, the
support needed by partner countries, their projects, and the supporting UNDP country offices.

3. Alignment and Advocacy

Ensure effective linkage and coordination with other related climate change programmes, projects and activities within the region in order to maximize synergy and minimize any overlap or duplication
Ensure effective co-ordination, coherence and alignment with other UNDP and other UN agency programmes and strategies
Where appropriate establish linkages with key regional initiatives such as the annual African Ministers of Finance Conference, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, NEPAD, etc
Implement and leverage partnerships with relevant agencies, donors, IGOs, NGOs, in-house groups, and other key institutions to maximize Programme impacts.
Pro-actively liaise with donors and UN Partner agencies to identify and pursue new opportunities for the Programme.
Ensure a high profile is maintained for the Programme through active dissemination of knowledge generated, information, and results.
Key result: The Programme is successfully linked to other key initiatives being undertaken in Africa,
contributes to the “state of the art” in climate change adaptation knowledge, and is widely recognized for
its results.

(*) The “Programme” Board provides overall leadership and direction to the overall Programme. The “Project” Board
provides overall leadership and direction to the Inter-Regional Technical Support Component.

Competencies

Competencies Required:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Leadership:
Demonstrated strong managerial/leadership experience and decision-making skills with proven track record of mature judgments;
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to provide credible leadership;
Recognized leader in climate change adaptation;
Judgment/Decision-Making:

Independent and mature judgment and discretion, uses diplomacy and tact to achieve results.
Managing Relationships:

Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational management skills;
Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff; provides constructive coaching and feedback;
Excellent negotiating and networking skills with strong partnerships in academia and technical organizations;
Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills;

Functional:

Strong substantive knowledge of climate change adaptation and ability to link knowledge to UN/UNDP global policies, treaties, processes and frameworks;
Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products, represent the organization and present global policies, norms and tools;
Substantive knowledge and understanding of development cooperation and UNDP’s role within it;
Strong ability to apply various practice/thematic area related development theories to the specific context, including translating principles into effective policy and programme interventions in the field;
Capacity to interact with senior officials and credibly influence senior decision makers in UNDP programme countries and other international development organizations;
Ability to accept accountability for management of large volume of financial resources.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Demonstrated substantive leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
Ability to develop and promote knowledge products;
Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal example;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree in environment, energy, economics, or a closely related field.

Experience

A minimum of 15 years relevant work experience in international development, preferably with significant experience in Africa.
Experience, knowledge, and professional credibility in climate change adaptation
Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including ability to oversee international staff and organise the work of a large, high-profile project.
Extensive experience in working and collaborating with governments on policy issues.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines.
Excellent knowledge of English, including writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Fluency in French is an asset.
Knowledge of UNDP administration and financial procedures is an advantage.
Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), to www.unops.org, via email to afosnoc.vacancies@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.