Background
In November 2006, the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on System-Wide Coherence produced a set of far-reaching recommendations for UN reform aimed at improving the coherence and effectiveness of the UN System at country level. The report highlights that the UN System is not currently equipped to respond to the challenges set by the Millennium Development Goals due mainly to fragmentation, duplication, and lack of focus. In January 2007, Rwanda was selected as one of eight pilot countries where the ‘One UN’ models will be tried out. Around the same time, the UNCT in Rwanda started elaborating its second Common Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2008-2012, thus providing the necessary programmatic coherence for the implementation of the ‘One Programme’ model in Rwanda. UNDP has been designated:
The lead UN agency for UNDAF Result One related to Good Governance enhanced and sustained, and UNDAF Result 4 on Environment;
The Administrative Agent of the One UN Fund, and;
Chair of the UN Operations Management Team (UNOMT) responsible for leading the harmonization and simplification of policies and procedures among UN agencies.
In late 2009, UNDP Rwanda embarked on a Country Office (CO) repositioning exercise with a view to aligning the CO capacities with the new Country Programme priorities, and to meeting the expectations placed upon UNDP within the context of the One UN (Delivering as One “DaO”) and the Paris Declaration. The CO’s new Vision Statement is for UNDP Rwanda to provide “quality advisory services, and contributes to the development of national capacities in order to achieve Rwanda’s development goals”. To achieve this, the CO developed the following Mission Statement: “UNDP Rwanda, through the UN Delivering as One process, will contribute to providing effective and efficient support to the Government of Rwanda in achieving the Millennium Development Goals as well as in the areas of Governance and Environment”. Accordingly, a new CO structure has been established and new functions redesigned to focus on the delivery of upstream advisory services and cost-efficient development support services in Rwanda.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Economist, the Research Associate provides substantive and effective support to the research, planning and preparation of strategic key programmatic documents and position papers by managing data and facilitating decision-making process. The Research Associate promotes a result and consultative approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Research Associate works in close collaboration with the Advisory Unit members, and the programme staff, and collaborates with other staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs and Government officials, technical advisors and experts and promotes exchange of information.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
Collection and analysis of socio-economic data;
Support to management of the CO programme;
Administrative and technical support to the strategy and policy work;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
Supports strategic advisory work of UNDP and implementation of the Country Programme, and the implementation of UNDAF/COD, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Collection, analysis and presentation of the socio-economic data for the preparation of strategic programmes, policy and position papers for UNDP;
Substantively support the preparation and production of Rwanda NHDR, MGDR, LER and other strategic studies of the Advisory Unit;
Effective support to the Advisory Unit team members through research and other related work as required;
Effective support to respective UN theme groups under ‘Delivery as One’ through accurate research work and timely presentation of background documentations and analysis papers.
Provides effective support to design and management of the CO programmes focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Works closely with the CO Advisory and Programme teams and other collaborators in government agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, NGOs and UN Agencies, to support the design and development of instruments for the conduct of surveys for CO research documentation;
Analysis of programmatic trends and past performances and provision of inputs to support new programme initiatives;
Review, analysis and tracking of CO performance under various corporate scorecards, and timely preparation of monthly/quarterly Management Report for timely interventions and decision-making;
Substantive support to CO’s overall programme monitoring and evaluation efforts;
Preparation of other management information reports as required.
Provides administrative support to the Advisory Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Participation in technical meetings and preparation of reports and other documentation;
Response to communications directed to the Unit;
Provision of support to special events and capacity building activities;
Provision of ATLAS support to the Advisory team, MDGs Benchmarking and other activities through extraction and analysis of data and presentation of key information.
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programmes;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning:
Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to managing data, reporting, technical and administrative services in support of programme activities;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
Strong IT skills.
Leadership and Self-Management:
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary School Education with specialized training in an area related to the functional areas of the post. University Degree (at bachelor’s level) in Economics with emphasis in Statistics/Mathematics or related field would be highly desirable.
Experience:
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in data base construction and management, data collection and analysis, surveys and operational research. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
Fluency (both verbal and written) in English and French, and the national language of the duty station.
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.
How to Apply
Visit: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?job_id=24623