UNDP Jobs - 1505- Policy Advisor for Quality Assurance/Control and R

Policy Advisor for Quality Assurance/Control and Regionalization

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

200 Series

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2007

Application Deadline :

14-Jun-07 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

L-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English Spanish

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

In close collaboration with the Deputy Executive Directors of the UNDG Executive Committee agencies, DGO is assisting the UN Development Group with the design and implementation of policies and approaches responding General Assembly Resolution 59/250 on the TCPR (paragraph 36) and Report of the Secretary General’s High Level Panel regarding UNDG compliance on regional alignment and co-location.

The Policy Advisor’s main responsibilities will be: (i) responsible for setting up and maintaining an effective DGO quality assurance system aimed at generating/collecting/documenting ‘good practices’, ‘lessons learned’, and effective feedback on policy initiatives in all aspects of UNDG’s work and support; (ii) to advise the UNDG ExCom Deputy Executive Directors on key policy issues related to the decentralization of quality support and assurance mechanisms and oversight through UNDG Regional Directors Teams (RDTs) in 6 regional hubs; (iii) provide effective support to UNDG regional quality support and assurance mechanisms set up to assist country-led programming processes and products; (iv) build capacity and accountability mechanisms of Regional Directors Teams to become accountable for regionally-managed UN Reform initiatives related to country level support and oversight; (v) provide strategic advice on resource mobilization for enhanced regional response to UN Reform initiatives, as mandated in the TCPR and Report of the Secretary-General’s High Level Panel.

The Policy Advisor will work directly under the Associate Director for Policy and Global Quality Standards Cluster, DGO, and will have primary responsibility of setting up and maintaining an effective UNDG quality assurance and control system. The incumbent will also be responsible for convening and facilitating the meetings of the UNDG Deputy Executive Directors working group on regionalization. The Policy Advisor will provide specific guidance to six RDTs on policy implementation, monitoring and reporting, which fall under his/her responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee the development and maintenance of a UNDG quality assurance/ monitoring and evaluation mechanism, capable of capturing lessons learned, good practices and feedback

The development of a well-functioning internal DGO quality assurance and quality control mechanism, capable of capturing lessons learned, good practices and providing feedback on UN performance to relevant coordination mechanisms in the UNDG.
Documentation of lessons learned/good practices, for use by different audiences and for variety of different purposes.
Manage and provide guidance to the UNDG quality assurance system at both global and regional levels and ensure its well functioning.
Facilitate the work of UNDG mechanisms dealing with quality support and assurance, and M&E.
Ensure effective liaison between UNDG and the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG).
Provide Policy Analysis and Strategic Guidance to UNDG ExCom Deputy Executive Directors and Regional Directors’ Teams on issues related to regionalization
Develop and maintain a regionalization map of UNDG Agency regional alignment and co-location, in accordance with the SG’s High Level Panel on System-wide Coherence recommendations and TCPR mandates, while ensuring regional and country level participation and endorsement;
Provide strategic and analytic guidance towards the development of UNDG policy on decentralization, through the support to the formulation of regional director teams, which are accountable for support and oversight of UN Country teams;
Develop and document pilot models for regional support and oversight, including transparent processes for UN Reform issues such as RC/UNCT assessment and joint offices;
Provide strategic inputs and monitoring of a common DED regionalization communication strategy, whereby UNDG working mechanisms are linked and information shared, particularly with the UNDG Programme and Management Groups;
Utilise lessons learned in on-going regionalization efforts and build on lessons and models through dialogue with partners to showcase regional models which enhance UNCT performance;
Ensure that UNDG non-ExCom and non-resident agency regional concerns are duly integrated into ExCom dialogue and decision making;
Develop RDT reporting mechanisms and global meetings to capture and disseminate changing regionalization policy.
Serve as a DGO Regional Cluster Head for 1 of six UN Regional Directors’ Teams, seeking strategic opportunities to promote UN Regional Directors, RC and UN Country Team Involvement and buy-in of the Implementation of the Secretary-General’s new UN Reform policies on regionalization
Provide strategic and analytical support and guidance to 1 of six UNDG Regional Directors’ Teams (RDTs) in their approach to enhanced regional support and oversight of aligned country coverage;
Ensure capacity enhancement and accountability for RDT(s) and their regional team(s) to fulfill regional obligations towards UN Reform initiatives, providing leadership and oversight of the design, delivery, and facilitation required to support and guide Resident Coordinators/UNCTs in their region;
Ensure that UN Reform initiatives under the auspices of RDTs (e.g. joint office and RC/UNCT assessments) are fully understood and implemented.

Support to the Associate Director in planning and management of the Policy and Global Quality Standards Cluster
Active engagement and substantive input into the drafting of integrated workplans and other consolidated cluster activities.

Design and lead the cluster regionalization and QSA strategy, including overseeing allocation and disbursement of regionalization budget resources.
Support the Associate Director with the management and supervision of cluster staff.
Act as OIC in the absence of the Associate Director, as requested.

Managerial Functions

Is accountable for the integrity, transparency and equity of UNDP resources including:

People Management assisting with recruitment, performance and career management of 1-2 professional staff and 1-2 GS staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence; learning management including establishing cluster learning plans and ensure staff supervised meet both UNDP and individual development needs
Resource Management by providing strategic and data inputs into the DGO budget preparatory exercises managing sub-allocations issued for specific activities
Content Management by ensuring (1) prescriptive content within functional area is continually updated and made available; (2) best practices and learning tools are continuously identified, documented and made available.
Matrix Management by ensuring products/results consultations and handovers are prepared and executed. Effective and efficient communication between a multitude of partnerships with DEDs, RDTs, UNCTS and the various UNDG working groups and task forces.

Competencies

Managerial

Leads teams effectively, manages and motivates teams well, inspiring confidence in others; manages matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration
Builds strong relationships with partners, cultivating constructive liaisons in inter-agency for a
Manages projects effectively, consistently ensuring timeliness and quality
Strong oral and written communication abilities, especially the capacity to listen and be responsive to the opinions of others. Speaks confidently and exercises diplomacy in dealing with all partners, demonstrating tact, determination and sensitivity
Displays cultural and regional sensitivities demonstrating the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives
Supervises and oversees staff deliverables with keenly honed inter-personal and managerial tact, transparency, and flexibility

Technical/Functional

Exensive knowledge and experiences with quality assurance processes and quality control mechanisms in international organizations, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of business process.
Knowledge and understanding of UNDG regionalization issues, implementation constraints and opportunities, with an emphasis on regional coordination, oversight, and support.
Excellent interpersonal, negotiating and facilitation skills.
Thoroughly familiar with development trends and international development cooperation, including on matters related to the new aid architecture and the funding of development activities.
Familiar with the workings of the UN and in particular UNDG policies, mechanisms and procedures.
Substantive experience with the development and implementation of inter-agency UN reform policy and processes at regional/country levels including coordination, and operational and programmatic integration.

Required Skills and Experience

Graduate degree in social sciences, development economics, international affairs, public administration, organizational development/management, or equivalent.
A minimum of 10 years progressively responsible experience at the international level with quality assurance and quality control, mechanisms, and with at least five years of relevant field experience.
Fluency in English and working knowledge of Spanish is required.