UNDP Jobs - 82086- Community Development Specialist

Community Development Specialist

Location :

Kyiv, UKRAINE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Nov-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months with possible extension

Languages Required :

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

The need for energy efficiency improvements across the Ukrainian economy is significant. Ukraine’s economy is two or three times as energy intensive as many neighboring countries, including Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. One of the many sectors which needs to become more energy efficient is the housing and communal sector. This sector, directly impacting on the quality of Ukrainians living conditions, is four times less energy efficient than in the average Western European country and consumes almost 45 percent of the country’s energy. Inefficient central heating systems lead to significant gas wastage. 70% of the housing stock, consisting of apartments, situated in multi-apartment buildings, housing approximately 34 million people, is highly energy inefficient. Opportunities to address this issue have recently emerged with the passing of a new law that implements a EU directive on the efficiency of buildings in July 2017, and the set-up of an Energy Efficiency Fund in December 2017. The Fund will provide financing to implement thermal modernization projects, establishing effective heating and cooling systems and equipment, as well as replacing existing systems and equipment with more efficient ones. Financing of energy efficiency projects will take the form of partial refunds of the projects costs to individuals and legal entities, or loans.The EU is willing to support the Energy Efficiency Fund, through a multi-donor financing mechanism managed by the IFC. The EU financial contribution to this facility is EUR 50 million. In this context, UNDP and IFC are called upon by the EU to contribute, through technical assistance, to the improvement of the Ukrainian housing stock energy efficiency. UNDP is intervening during a period of 24 months to fully prepare HOAs throughout the country for projects’ financing and implementation. Further, over a period of 36 months, IFC will work with and support the UNDP prepared HOAs in their energy efficiency projects’ financing and implementation. UNDP’s proposed Project specific objectives are to stimulate and support the creation of Home Owners Associations (HOAs) at local level, and to prepare them to obtain financing for their home improvement projects.The Project will help to established is at least 2,000 new HOAs and support in total at least 4,000 HOAs (both newly created and pre-existing) throughout the country’s 24 Oblasts. The Project will help to raise energy efficiency awareness of no less than 1,000,000 people overall.In this context, United Nations Development Programme is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of Community Development Specialist (CDS).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Community Development Specialist (CDS), under overall guidance of UNDP Oblast SDG Portfolio Manager and direct supervision of the Project Team Leader will be responsible for achieving the outputs and, hence, objectives of the project, and ensuring co-operation and support from the project partners, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The CDS will work in close collaboration with the operations, programme and other project staff as required to exchange information and support project delivery.
Summary of key functions:

Supervise and monitor the work of Community Development Associates (CDAs) in 24 regions covered by the Project;
Provide professional mentorship, training and support to CDAs in implementation of the Project’s activities, including the activities aimed at creation and building capacities of Home Owners Associations (HOAs) and Functional Groups (i.e. groups of active co-owners of multi-apartment building willing to establish HOAs) in line with the framework of the Project;
Provide advisory support to the development of necessary training materials and providing CDAs by guidelines, manuals, Trainings of Trainers (TOT) and other necessary support for implementation of capacity building for HOAs and local authorities;
Coordinate implementation of the Project’s activities aimed to increase people’s awareness of energy efficiency and to stimulate creation of HOAs;
Ensure partnership and cooperation between HOAs and levels of government for the implementation of HOAs` projects and to have local needs, priorities and initiatives integrated into higher level of energy efficiency situation across the economy in the region;
Establish networking of the HOUSES project’s partners at local level;
Provide technical advisory support in internalization/replication of the successful practices by the local authorities;
Ensure timely implementation of project’s activities, including reporting on progress the areas of responsibility and advise for effective project policies and procedures;
Ensure full compliance of project activities with all financial and technical rules, regulations and procedures relevant to the project implementation (both UNDP and national);
Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation procedures are instituted in all project activities;
Ensure compliance with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures;
Ensure compliance of Project’s business processes with UNDP Ukraine Standard Operating Procedures;
Ensure that profiles of local/regional partners and information related with activities of the unit are maintained and updated on website;
Perform other tasks on supervisor’s request.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Full and appropriate implementation of the “Home-Owners of Ukraine for Sustainable Energy Efficiency Solutions” project;
Partnerships with project stakeholders are maintained;
Materials on project experience/ best practices and lessons learned are prepared;
Project overall results, experiences, and lessons learned disseminated at the national and regional levels;
Project reporting, quality monitoring and closure activities completed.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

Project is on track to meet its objectives and indicators as defined in the Project Results Framework (PRF) of the project document;
Project annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
Project funds delivery reached 100% in accordance with Annual Spending Limit (ASL) requests;
Project is dully accomplished and closed in accordance with UNDP rules and requirements without any significant delays or problems.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Leadership;
People Management;
Communication;
Delivery;
Innovation;
Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Development and Operational Effectiveness;
Management and Leadership;
Conflict Management;
Result orientation;
Teamwork;
Self-management and emotional intelligence;
Results-Based Project Development and Management. Assesses programme financial performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into programme work. Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing. Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things. Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches;
Client Orientation. Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion. Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches. Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things. Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches;
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals. Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

OTHER:

Good interpersonal communication skills: including acceptance of responsibility to ensure that organizational objectives, policies and requirements are met; ability to manage external teams of consultants, ability to handle politically sensitive issues and contacts within government authorities and within UNDP; sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
Excellent knowledge of the Ukrainian government institutions and other actors involved in policy formulation and implementation, including HOAs, prominent experts;
Strong understanding of the principles of the private-public partnership, especially in the housing sector;
Proven writing and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum qualifications and experience:

Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Municipal or Public Administration, Social Sciences, Economics, Environment, Law, International Relations, Sustainable Development, or other relevant area;
At least 3 years of proven experience in managing/coordinating teams, community mobilization or building and coordinating partnership networks or other relevant field;
Proven experience of work for governmental and/or international organization;
Experience of work in the area of housing, facility management, energy efficiency, communal services supply would be an asset;
Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance or development organizations would be an asset;
Experience of working in international and multi-cultural environment would be an asset;
Knowledge of UNDP project management procedures and experience with ATLAS and UNDP project management is an asset;
Experience with PRINCE2 or equivalent project management methodology is an asset;
Excellent usage of computers and office software packages;
Proven writing and communication skills;
Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

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 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. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link. Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 29 November 2018
UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.