Location : Gaborone, BOTSWANA
Application Deadline : 05-Mar-12
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Level : SB-4
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Apr-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : One year renewable
Background
An experienced development professional is required to manage the implementation of the Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Component of the 2010-2014 Government of Botswana United Nations Project Operational Plan (GoB-UN POP), hereafter “the Project”. The Project, implemented under the National Execution modality, has three focus areas, as follows:
Local Economic Development: Executed by the Ministry of Local Government, this area of focus will support the Local Economic Development Project, an NDP 10 initiative the Ministry of Local Government will use to leverage local resources – natural capital, accumulated capital, knowledge and skills, creativity, enterprise, and institutions – to accelerate economic development, create jobs and reduce poverty (p324-325). The specific contributions the GoB-UN POP will make in this outcome area are capacity building in respect of policy and strategy frameworks for sustainable LED, development of district data capabilities, and strengthening implementation capacity.
Technical and institutional capacity to develop, implement and monitor inclusive development policies and strategies is strengthened in key Ministries: Activities under this area of focus are executed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Under this focus are, the GoB-UN POP will support through high level policy advisory services, short term technical support, research and analysis the review of the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction and related policies to provide inputs into new policy direction, the mainstreaming of poverty into National and District Development Plans, the development of an adequate system for measuring, monitoring and analysing poverty and measures to improve poor people’s access to productive resources/asserts such as land resources, housing and financial services.
Institutional and regulatory environment for inclusive trade and private sector development is strengthened: The Ministry of Trade and Industry executes activities under this area of focus. The support shall emphasize:
• strengthening the evidence base to support policy and Project developments and reforms that improve the business environment, with particular focus on SMMES and the informal sector;
• supporting sector specific measures to build and enhance alternative value chains, in order to diversify the economy; and action research to support the work of key providers of business development and support services.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Director, Food and Poverty Policy Coordination, in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), and in collaboration with a Chief Technical Advisor working on the Project, the National Project Manager shall support all undertake the following tasks:
Program Management and Implementation:
Ensure timely implementation of the EDPR work plan. This will require:
• Initiation of regular work plan reviews and consultations thereof with the Directors of the departments executing the Project.
• Timely institution of any agreed and necessary adjustments to the work plan as per formal work plan.
• Review recommendations.
• Coordination of logistics for work plan related events e.g. meetings and workshops, including recruitment of resource persons and procurement of ancillary services such as venues, transport and accommodation.
• Facilitate and support the preparation of technical assignments as per the EDRP work plan. This will entail the competent design of work packages for all activities, development of TOR for activities outsourced to parties external to the project, the procurement of attendant short term technical expertise and managing the execution of all such activities.
• Support the preparation of consolidated quarterly requests for advances to support the work of implementing partners.
• Facilitate the collection and analysis of information essential to the execution of the EDRP work plan.
• Undertake day-to-day supervision and performance management in respect of the EDRP Administrative and Financial Assistant and any other short term personnel
Project Coordination:
• Support the coordination of the implementation of all EDPR activities. In this regard, the National Project Manager shall ensure effective communication and synergy among implementing partners, liaise with and support technical counterparts, and facilitate and consolidate as necessary, inputs from technical experts.
• Ensure that the GoB and UN focal points of the EDPR component of the UNPOP and the Directors of the executing departments are kept fully up to date on Project developments i.e. progress achieved, challenges encountered, and responses thereof.
• Support effective coordination between EDPR activities and those undertaken under the other four components of the GoB-UN POP.
Information management and Project documentation:
• Develop and maintain a complete database for the EDPR component and ensure that it is fully up to date with respect to project related documentation and cataloguing of challenges, issues and lessons learned.
• Facilitate the publicity work on EDPR related activities
• Initiate and promote partnerships with Civil Society Organisations and the private sector in the delivery of Project outputs and advocacy.
Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:
• Design and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan aligned to the Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworkof GOP-UN POP, to ensure the timely implementation of activities, including the organisation of reporting meetings, and full compliance with Project reporting requirements, including.
• The production of quarterly progress and annual reports to be submitted to the EDPR Component
• Coordination Group
• The preparation of complete quarterly and annual financial reports on the project.
• Full accounting for the management of assets procured under and for EDPR activities
Reporting:
The National Project Manager will be part of the Secretariat stationed in the Food and Poverty Policy Coordination Section of MFDP, reporting through the Head of the section, to the EDPR Component Coordination Group. The Project Manager will also maintain a regular reporting and feedback solicitation process from the broader range of partners and stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations and the private sector
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
• Preparing information for advocacy
• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
• Contributes into results through primary research and analysis
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.
Building Strategic Partnerships:
• Maintaining a network of contacts
• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-dateon partnership related issues.
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
• Enhancing processes or products.
• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.
Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations):
• Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies
• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Develops a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
• Basic research and analysis
• 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.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
• Substantive knowledge of own discipline.
• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position.
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position andapplies them consistently in work tasks.
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning.
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:
• Preparing information for global advocacy
• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences.
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate
Client Orientation
• Establishing effective client relationships
• 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.
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly
Core Competencies:
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
Managing conflict:
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making
Required Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Botswana based professional with some management/administrative/supervision experience, preferably in a development organisation (Government, Multilateral or Bilateral Organisation, NGO, CBO). Experience in policy and Project work is necessary. The ideal candidate shall have the following qualifications
Education:
• Minimum Masters degree with specialisation in a development related field, e.g., Economics, Environment, Sociology, Public Administration etc.
Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in the area of development, including poverty reduction and sustainable development. Botswana specific experience will be an advantage, as would be experience in Project management systems
• Strong team working skills and willingness to travel
• Computer literacy and ability to use Word Processing and office technology and equipment.
Language:
• Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively in oral and written English.
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.
Closing Date: Monday, 05 March 2012
