Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel:

1. UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.
2. Any travels related to official performance of duties will be covered by UNDP.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Pacific region is facing considerable economic and social development challenges due to the increasing impact of climate change and geo-hazards. At the same time, development in these countries is potentially increasing this vulnerability to climate change and disasters. The Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), endorsed in 2016 by Pacific leaders, demonstrates a clear recognition that managing climate change and disaster related risk must be undertaken in the context of economic development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Governance for Resilience Project works with Pacific governments to ensure that countries adapt their decision making and governance systems towards more resilient development. The projects theory of change rests on a core assumption that Pacific Island people will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and disasters if countries manage all development through a risk informed approach. This is consistent with the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific which calls for the ‘mainstreaming’ of climate and disaster risk treating risk management as fundamental to all development decisions.

The Gov4Res Project three outcomes areas to work with countries across the region to address these risks by development: 1) government planning and financing systems enable gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; 2) country oversight and accountability systems require gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; and 3) regional organisations, policies and practices are actively supporting gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development.

UNDP is partnering with a range of partners to deliver this project across the Pacific including Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Governance for Resilience Project Manager based in UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, the Public Financial Management Specialist will be responsible for providing strategic advice and leading delivery of the projects in country public financial management activities; and supporting development and operationalization of a grants based mechanism to fund resilient community infrastructure in Pacific Island Countries.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will report to UNDP Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific Project Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on Public Finance Management (PFM) related issues to the project team and lead project initiatives on PFM
• Provide technical advisory support to government partners (at national, sub-national and local levels) to incorporate climate change and disaster risk considerations into planning and budgeting
• Support to design and roll out incentive-based financing mechanisms to support development of resilient community infrastructure in the Pacific. Undertake mapping of government and partner mechanisms used to finance community infrastructure to inform national financing mechanisms
• Work with the project team to identify community projects which the Gov4Res project can support to risk inform and implement. Establish relationships and support
• Initiate communities of practice and peer-to-peer learning opportunities for government and development partners, in collaboration with the Pacific CROP agencies
• Ensure mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) throughout all project interventions
• Perform any other tasks assigned.
• In partnership with the project team, provide strategic advice to government and lead the project initiatives and activities on Public Financial Management (ongoing)
• Support mainstreaming of CCDRM into planning and budgeting by coordinating expertise within the project team, liaising with government and acquiring external technical support as required (ongoing)
• Foster communities of practice and peer-to-peer learning (ongoing)
• Under the guidance of the Project Management provide training and capacity building for project staff and partners (ongoing). 

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience