Location : Lilongwe, MALAWI
Application Deadline : 28-May-12
Type of Contract : FTA International
Post Level : P-4
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Aug-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : One Year with possibility of renewal
Background
The objective of ‘Delivering as One’ in Malawi is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN as a means of achieving greater development results. The UN will achieve this aim by working better together, and by being more focused, coherent and strategic in its interventions. To this end, a UN strategic framework has been agreed in 2009 as instrument to achieve the ambitious but achievable goal.
The UN strategic framework consists of two interrelated and interdependent pillars of the UN work in Malawi, the UNDAF Action Plan and the Transformation Plan. The UNDAF Action Plan (2012-2016) is a planning document with annualized expected results and associated budget and will help the UN Country Team better implement and monitor the UNDAF. The Transformation Plan articulates all UNCT transformative results in one holistic plan covering a time period of two years (2012-2013).
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator, the Strategic Planning Specialist reinforces capacity of the UN Country Team by providing strategic and operational guidance to advance the Delivering as One agenda in Malawi. The Strategic Planning Specialist works in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDOCO staff, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful and transparent coordination and implementation of UNCT activities.
The Strategic Planning Specialist leads and supervises the RCO team including a Coordination Analyst, a Humanitarian Officer, a Coordination Officer (UNV-intern), a Coordination Analyst (Young Professional Programme) and a UN Cares Coordinator.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key responsibilities include:
• Provide support to the RC and UNCT on ‘Delivering as One’ initiative, aimed at enhancing system-wide coherence, aid effectiveness and efficiency;
• Policy development and planning;
• Joint resource mobilization/financial reporting;
• Management of the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO).
Specifically the Strategic Planning Specialist will:
• Support the implementation and overall management of the Transformation Plan;
• Assist Programme Management Team (PMT), Operations Management Team (OMT) as well as other thematic groups and functional groups (e.g. Gender, Human Rights, HACT, M&E, Capacity Development/Aid Effectiveness etc), in the planning, implementation and reporting of their annual work-plans and ensuring timely report (periodical, annual or ad-hoc when and where required);
• Act as the UN focal point to foster dialogue among all UN agencies, inter-agency thematic or functional teams, and develop concrete suggestions to further the objectives of the Transformation Plan;
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with Agency representatives, UN colleagues, Government, Development Partners, Civil Society and media
• Assist, where appropriate the UN Communications Group in the advancement of the country-level UN reform agenda by providing inputs to the preparation of briefs, presentations, monthly bulletins or the organization of UN staff town-hall meetings;
• Promote the expansion of simplification and harmonization strategies in supporting the Aid Effectiveness Agenda in the country, in order to reduce the burden on national partners and to maximize the effectiveness of an integrated UN operation;
• Provide support to the implementation of the Humanitarian Reform agenda, ensure preparedness and response plans are in place and advocate for funding through available means including the Humanitarian Fund;
• Liaise with non-resident agencies to represent their views, interests, and ensure exchange of information, as well as with HQs and UNDG Regional Director Team;
• Manage the implementation of the UN common programming processes including CCA, UNDAF, UNDAF Action Plan;
• Provide guidance and support to the analysis and subsequent strategies undertaken by the UN system, in support of the Government’s development processes;
• Support the RC and UNCT, in close collaboration with PMT, in identifying, developing and implementing Joints Programmes;
• Identify and recommend actions for enhancing interagency coordination to RC and initiate their implementation as requested by the RC;
• Represent RCO in inter-agency meetings, ensuring feedback is adequately reported and reflected in the work of the UNCT/RCO;
• Coordinate and supervise RCO staff providing secretariat support to the UNCT to implement and monitor the UNCT workplan and Transformation Plan;
• Plan and organize meetings chaired by the RC. Coordinate and prepare agendas, follow up matrix, alert the RC to pending issues. Ensure appropriate follow-ups;
• Support the design and implementation of harmonized approaches to data collection and analysis toward reporting on MDGs by 2015;
• Assist the RC and UNCT in engaging bilateral and multilateral donors, including for partnership development, resource mobilization, and direct the initiation and development of related preparatory and follow-up actions;
• Assist the RC to maintain an up-to-date overview of UN Strategic Framework’s funding status, including (1) financial overview of the One UN Fund with updated information on the gap (as results of individual Agencies or joint resource mobilization efforts); (2) status of resource mobilization for the Transformation Fund;
• Assist the RC and in collaboration with UNDP (acting as the Administrative Agent of the One UN Fund) as appropriate, to conceptualize, consolidate and disseminate the mandatory financial reports as required in the One UN Fund TORs;
• Assist the RC to conceptualize, consolidate and prepare donor financial reports of the UN Transformation Fund;
• Oversee the day to day operations of the RCO. Provide leadership, coordination and effective oversight to established coordination structures within UN system in Malawi including UNCT, PMT, OMT and others;
• Establish and implement adequate internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial transactions, systems and reports and consistently apply rules and regulations;
• Coordinate activities emanating from RCO, set priorities, supervise and ensure follow-up and feedback;
• Manage and coordinate the development of the RC Annual Plan and report, ensuring an inclusive process to capture the key deliverables of the UNCT work;
• Strengthen the RCO information and reporting systems, ensuring efficient flows of information between the RC, UNCT (including non-resident agencies) as well as the UN global system (HQs, RDT).
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
• Extensive knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities;
• Previous experience in UN reform, joint programme development would be an asset;
• Strategic vision and strong analytical capabilities. Good political judgment;
• Substantial experience in aid effectiveness, capacity development, coordination;
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of new business processes.
Planning and Organization
• Excellent planning, organizational and management skills;
• Ability to plan own work and coordinate the work of others;
• Capacity to deliver tasks on time and to meat goals, including highly pressured, insecure environments;
• Manages conflicting priorities and /or with limited supervision;
• Develop innovative approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues.
Coordination Effectiveness
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills;
• Ability to coordinate the implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNDAF AP implementation;
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems when providing advice to the RC and UNCT,
Management and Leadership
• Focuses on impact and result for the client;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Establishes priorities for self and other members of the RC office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.
Knowledge and Learning Management
• Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team;
• Encourages UN staff to share knowledge;
• Develops deep understanding in UNDAF, UN System reform and MDGs .
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Master’s degree in international relations, Business Administration, social sciences, or related fields.
Experience:
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in development, humanitarian, including work experience in the field is required;
• Extensive experience in providing high-level political, policy and strategic advice essential; including a proven track record of success and progressive responsibility in such a role;
• Knowledge about the UN and RC system policies, priorities would be an advantage;
• Strong communication and advocacy skills and a proven ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with different stakeholders;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages. Experience in handling of web based management systems desirable.
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.
Click Here to Apply
Closing Date: Monday, 28 May 2012
