UNDP Jobs - 95811- Chief Technical Advisor

Chief Technical Advisor

Location :

Prishtina, Kosovo, UNSCR 1244 (1999)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

05-Jan-2021

Application Deadline :

15-Dec-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

05 January 2021 – 04 January 2022 (with a possibility for extension until November 2022)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

05 January 2021 – 04 January 2022 (with a possibility for extension until November 2022)

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

While the conflict in Kosovo ended twenty years ago, ethnically diverse communities and political actors are still dealing with its legacy. Efforts for reconciliation and peacebuilding are ongoing although the progress is slow. The gap between communities has not reduced, rather, a high degree of uncertainty about the shared future and trust in institutions remains a challenge. Political, administrative and social divisions continue to be present along ethnic lines in Kosovo compounded by the impact of recent political developments related to the Prishtina – Belgrade dialogue, amongst others.

In a 2019 opinion poll (“Trend Analysis: Attitides of the Serbian Community in Kosovo”) 50% of respondents believe that the effects of current political processes are the greatest threat to their security and the security of their families. The security situation in Kosovo can be described as generally stable although there are elements of a protracted crisis and unresolved disputes. Kosovo has a solid legal framework related to human rights, minorities, and religious communities, although the implementation remains a challenge, and any gains in this respect remain fragile which points to the need to fully address post conflict issues as means of improving the reconciliation process. In this respect, a continuous source of dispute is religious cultural heritage; at the core of this dispute is the issue of identity which remains highly politicized, reducing it to a tool that produces conflicting narratives which hinder chances for reconciliation and trust-building.

While interpersonal exchanges between communities do take place as part of day-to-day life, examples of social cohesion at a deeper level are limited. In post-conflict societies or where there is frozen conflict any positive developments at the grassroots level rarely translates into systematic change, compounded by political stalemate, both internally and externally.

In Kosovo, cultural heritage has proved a successful entry point on re-building trust and improving inter-community acceptance as it addresses the need for respect of cultural identity and heritage of all. While some progress can be noted in this respect, the politicization of the cultural heritage has not helped the inter-community relations, rather, it has been used to polarize communities constructing discourses aimed at the exclusion of “the others”.

From the social cohesion lense, the COVID-19 pandemic, which began as a health crisis, is already having far-reaching socio-economic implications by intensifying existing socio-economic inequalities and vulnerabilities. Its impact on social cohesion, especially in fragile political situations or post-conflict settings, should not be underestimated. Acts of random vandalism may take political connotation which erodes hard earned trust towards institutions and deepen the mistrust towards the “other” community (ies). At the intersection of socio-economic crisis, peace and security, particularly in situations of frozen conflict, there is a need to minimize these risks by countering the sensitive inter-community relations through practical interventions which demonstrate good-will from all members of the society including institutional actors.

EU/FPI and UNDP are continuing their cooperation in support of advancement of intercommunity dialogue and social cohesion, with cultural heritage as an entry point. Building on previous results, the objective of this project is to contribute to improved inter-community trust through cultural heritage protection, ultimately leading to social cohesion. To this end, the project comprises of three, interlinked, specific Objectives:

1. Rehabilitate select cultural and religious sites through a participatory and consultative process with local communities, municipalities, and religious institutions;

2. Promote intangible cultural heritage as a source of economic empowerment and inter-ethnic dialogue with a focus on women and young people;

3. Increase institutional capacities for cultural heritage protection and build trust towards communities.
The project will use principles of community engagement and the leave no one behind concept particularly when working on intangible heritage, when conducting regular consultation and information sharing with beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders.

Objective of the Assignment
Provision of technical and substantive inputs which ensure timely, effective and efficient implementation of the project and achievement of planned results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager/Deputy Programme Coordinator, the TA is responsibility for technical and substantive inputs, in close cooperation and coordination with the project team, for achieving project results (outputs) as defined in the approved project document and annual work-plan. The TA’s duties and responsibilities are outlined as per the following functional areas:

1. Subject-matter expertise delivery and knowledge management:

Provide subject matter expertise in the domain of human rights, social cohesion, inter-ethnic dialogue, conflict prevention, and confidence building;
Advise the team on issues that would benefit from high-level advocacy efforts, on project implementation and delivery, including alerts on potential project risks;
Support the project team to ensure the overall direction and integrity of the project, streamlining social, gender, and human rights considerations;
Support the Portfolio Manager/Deputy Programme Coordinator to ensure that the project is strategically placed within the UNKT and externally, vis a vis other interventions on social cohesion and/or community trust building;
Collect and analyse lessons learned throughout the project implementation as well as from other interventions in Kosovo and beyond, distil them into recommendations, follow-up actions, and knowledge tools and products for a more effective and efficient project implementation;
Facilitate transfer of knowledge to partners and beneficiaries through regular meetings, dedicated communication, or other forms of developing capacities in the field of confidence/trust building, social cohesion, and inter-ethnic dialogue.

2. Partnership coordination and horizon scanning:

Analyze emerging social, political, and economic trends, including the effects of the pandemic, and factors which would affect the project and identify measures to ensure smooth implementation;
In cooperation and coordination with the team establish and maintain excellent working relations and effective dialogue with institutional and organizational partners (e.g. local and central institutions, religious leaders and communities, international organizations and donors, civil society, youth and women groups, media, etc);
Contribute to maximizing efficient and effective use of resources, streamline processes, reduce potential overlap and leverage synergies;
Formulate ideas and concepts for scaling-up of successful approaches, collect and share best practices;
Provide oversight for the quality of the team’s work, support wide dissemination, and ensure visibility of achievements of the project, and support awareness raising on the topics tackled by project including on cross-cutting areas (gender, human rights, etc.);

3. Results-based management, reporting, monitoring

Provide technical inputs into the Progress/Annual Narrative and other reports as required by UNDP, the Project Board, or institutional beneficiaries and partners;
Provide technical and expert inputs and support on shaping and organising Board meetings; Provide technical and substantive advise to the project team with the aim to improve the quality of results-based management, including planning, monitoring and reporting on annual work plan;
Provide technical expertise into the identification and monitoring of project risks and issues;
Deliver technical expertise into the monitoring and evaluation framework in line with the overall M&E framework.
Support the Portfolio Manager/Deputy Programme Coordinator to design and coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date;
Provide direct support to esure closure of the project is done according to the established procedures;
Prepare the final narrative and financial report which should incorporate data/information from the independent evaluation;
Strong oversight for the completion of the documentary for Ulpiana, the archaeological part, and ensure its dissemination

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Subject-matter expertise delivery and knowledge management
Partnership coordination and horizon scanning
Results-based management, reporting, monitoring
Quarterly progress reports and a Final Report

Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments
Remuneration - Lump Sum Amount:

The Contract is based on lump sum remuneration and shall be processed on monthly basis. Payment is to be released upon acceptance of the progress reports and IC Time Sheet.

Required Presentation of Offer:

The following documents must be submitted:

Duly completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
Personal CV and P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Offeror and at least three (3) professional references;
A methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs on monthly basis.
Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability and integrity;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, ethnicity, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Demonstrates substantial experience in gender equality. Actively promotes gender equality in all activities;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work effectively within a team and develop good relationships with counterparts and stakeholders;
Ability to synthesise research and draw conclusion on the related subjects;
Ability to pay attention to details;
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
Good organisational skills;
Commitment to accomplish work;
Responds positively to critical feedback;
Results and task oriented.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in social sciences, human rights, international development or other related qualification.

Experience:

At least 5 years of demonstrated relevant work experience in the role of programme/portfolio management and advisory role.
Experience with peacebuilding and community based work. Previous work experience in the Western Balkans, preferably Kosovo in particular, is considered an asset.
Extensive knowledge of results-based management.

Language requirements:

Fluent in English. Excellent analytical and report writing skills in clear and fluent English.

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button;
Input your information in the appropriate sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; you can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume;
System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment).
Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.