UNDP Jobs - 67606- Regional Social Mobilisation and Livelihood Expert

Regional Social Mobilisation and Livelihood Expert - NPPP II (NEX projects)

Location :

Biratnagar, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2016

Application Deadline :

06-Aug-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year with possibility of extension.

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 Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP) is a national programme which is being implemented by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and supported by 14 development partners under different financial arrangements. LGCDP’s Programme Document(PD) comprehensively describes LGCDP’s rationale and approach along with its vision, goals and purpose. The individual programme components and management arrangements are also fully described in the PD as is the Programme log frame and the results and reporting framework. Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Director (NPD) and the day-to-day supervision of the National Programme Manager (NPM), the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) is responsible for providing support for the implementation of agreed programme activities.

The overarching goal of the programme is to contribute towards poverty reduction through better local governance reform and community development. The goal of the Programme is aligned with national goal and will contribute either directly or indirectly to the achievement of the national poverty reduction goal by empowering citizens and responding to their priority needs, while at the same time strengthening decentralized local governance, and facilitating community development.

The Programme provides an overall framework for: (i) strengthening decentralization and devolution processes; (ii) improving local governance system to ensure effective delivery of basic services; and (iii) empowering citizens, especially women, children and disadvantaged groups (DAGs) and their institutions.

Because of the nature of the Program in terms of its size, scope and coverage, the government felt the need for the technical assistance (TA) at both the national and sub-national levels for the successful operation of the Programmme. Accordingly, the Policy and Programme Support Facility (PPSF) has been established to extend technical assistance to the Program as envisioned in the Program Document and Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA). Under PPSF, the technical assistance to LGCDP II is managed through central level Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) and Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) in each of the six cluster offices of LGCDP II where thematic specialists, LGCDP Local Officers are stationed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The RSM&L expert will assist MoFALD in the implementation of LGCDP II and, at the same time, strengthen the capacity of local bodies to ensure proper management and implementation of programme activities.

The expert will work under the overall supervision of the LGCDP II National Programme Manager (NPM) and under the day-to-day supervision of the RCU Coordinator. S/he will be ultimately accountable to the National Programme Director.

The expert will work closely with Social Mobilization and other concerned Specialists of PCU. S/he will be expected to collaborate with all of the other RCU Experts and initiate knowledge networking and contribute to a horizontal learning culture. The expert will work in close coordination with the Regional Governance and Capacity Development Expert at the RCU level.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

With respect to general programmatic responsibilities, the RSM&L Expert will be expected to:

Participate in regular RCU meetings;
Communicate with local bodies (LBs) and other concerned stakeholders on LGCDP II priorities, especially the social mobilization and livelihood improvement in the RCU’s area of operations;
Carry-out regular follow up & monitoring of LGCDP II social mobilization activities at the local level and assess progress against SIP/ASIP and AMEP target and indicators;
Assist PCU in implementing activities outlined in the ASIP, Output-I and tracking the quarterly progress;
Prepare social mobilization, LIP and community mediation related reports adequately backed with fact & figures, best cases and success stories and submit that to Social Mobilization & NGO Facility section of MoFALD through PCU;
Maintain regular contact with Social Mobilization Specialist at PCU for social mobilization and LIP matters and serve relevant data, fact, figures and issues as and when required;
Provide technical guidance to SM stakeholders for mainstreaming cross cutting issues (GESI, CFLG, EFLG) in every aspect of social mobilization;
Identify program related issues and challenges at the local level and serve possible practical policy feedback to MoFALD;
Organize & Facilitate field visits for MoFALD PCU officials, DPs and delegates;
Carry out any other tasks assigned by National Programme Manager and Regional Coordinator.

In terms of specific technical responsibilities, the RSM&L expert will be expected to:

Work closely at local level and provide regular technical back stopping support and guidance to LBs, LSP coordinator and social mobilizers;
Develop functional coordination with local level SM agencies for bringing harmonisation in social mobilization in the RCU’s area of operations;
Explore appropriate practical strategies at the local level to link the Community Awareness Center with other service providers, cooperatives, self-help group and financial institutions as appropriate;
Provide technical assistance to LBs, LSP and SM for periodic performance review and categorization of Ward Citizen Forum (WCFs), conducting graduation assessment of Community Awareness Center (CAC);
Assist LBs and District /Municipality Social Mobilization Committee ( D/MSMCC) for effective implementation, monitoring of social mobilization activites and also assist them for performance assessment of Local Service Providers (LSP) and social mobilizers;
Assist and support local bodies in the implementation of all LGCDP II activities related to Social Mobilisation and Community Mediation (Outputs 1 and 6);
Support and monitor LSPs in mainstreaming of monitoring and oversight role of the WCFs;
Coordinate community mediation programmes in the region and align these to promote a consistent approach;
Provide backstopping support and guidance to LGCDP focal persons at the local level with respect to their activities as outlined in the ASIP;
Monitor the implementation and results of activities related to SMCM issues and LED activities;
Identify other livelihood programmes in the region (e.g. PAF) and coordinate implementation to the CACs wherever possible;
Standardise livelihood menu options of livelihood initiatives from the CSCs in coordination with the PCU and develop a database of regional service providers;
Assist LBs to identify and implement LED at the Municipal level;
Provide technical assistance to LBs in the implementation of SMCM issues and LED activities.

In terms of capacity development, the RSM&L expert will be expected to:

Coordinate capacity development related work with national service providers and assist to identify appropriate resource persons, update SM related training courses; and delive & evaluate of training activities at the regional and local level;
Assist in identifying SMCM, livelihood and LED capacity gaps and capacity development priorities among local bodies and SM service providers in the RCU’s area of operations;
Assist in drawing up annual capacity development plan under social mobilization for the local bodies within the RCU’s area of operations;
Assist in the implementation of SMCM, livelihood and LED capacity development activities targeted at local bodies and SM service providers within the RCU’s area of operations;
Assist in the identification, planning and implementation of SMCM CD and livelihood and LED activities targeted at LGCDP focal persons;
Participate in capacity development activities concerning SMCM, livelihood and LED issues.

Competencies

Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
Builds strong relationships with all partner, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to critical feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Completion of Master's degree in Social Science, Rural Development, Business Administration and Economic or related field.

Work Experience:

At least 5 years’ experience of working on social mobilization, community mediation and livelihood issues in Nepal;
Demonstrated track record of delivering high quality reports on time;
Experience of working in a national government-managed programme would be an advantage.

Langugage:

Fluent command of spoken and written Nepali and English.