UNDP | Head of Local Aid Coordination Secretariat

الوصف الوظيفي

Head of Local Aid Coordination Secretariat - Ramallah

Application Type :     External Vacancy

Job ID/Title :     954 - Head of Local Aid Coordination Secretariat (LACS)
Post Level : SB5/5
Application Deadline :     31-Aug-17
Duty Station :     Ramallah
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Starting Date :01-Oct-17
Duration of Initial Contract :     One year, renewable based on fund availability and performance

BACKGROUND

LACS supports the work of the local aid coordination structure in Palestine that was set up in 2005, following a decision made at the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in London. The local aid coordination structure in Palestine provides coherent technical assistance and financial support based on the PA national priorities and in line with the OECD-DAC Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness of 2005.

Guided by LACS Co-Chairs (the Prime Minister’s Office -PMO, Norway, UNSCO and World Bank), LACS ensures that the various local aid coordination structure and fora work together. LACS facilitates and provides technical support to the aid coordination structure, and related Working Groups (WGs). It promotes transparency and synergy by serving as an information hub. For these purposes, it maintains the web portals for aid structure and LACS issues Daily Updates and a bi-weekly Newsletter.

The Secretariat currently has three Aid Coordination Officers. LACS and its six staff are sponsored/funded by Norway, World Bank, UNSCO, and the Netherlands. UNDP is contracted by NRO to provide administrative services to LACS.

Late 2015, LACS Co-Chairs undertook a study to review the local aid coordination system in Palestine. It was agreed to gradually introduce several reforms from the beginning of September 2017, and continue until March 2018. In relation to LACS, it was decided that LACS will continue to provide necessary services to ensure that the local aid coordination system functions well. This includes, but is not limited to, calling and hosting meetings of the Working Groups, Donor Advisory Group/Heads of Corporation (DAG HoCs) and Open Development Forum upon request of the groups’ chair and deputy chairs; sharing information with all stakeholders as needed; writing and distributing minutes of meetings; assisting the chairs of WGs in production of work plans and reports.

In relation to the DARP– the Palestinian Government system for tracking donor aid to Palestine, LACS may assist the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MOFP) in data collection and in sharing information and reports from the DARP with donors and international agencies for the purposes of improving development coordination and planning, if requested by MOFP.

The Head of LACS will manage the work of the LACS office in facilitating the work of PA-donor coordination in Palestine. S/he will report to LACS Co-Chairs on the developments in the aid coordination and structure in Palestine as well as on the results of LACS work. S/he will report to UNDP on administrative and financial issues.

Impact of Results

LACS impact at the goal level is to promote the local aid coordination structure and to facilitate the implementation of the new Aid Coordination Structure by providing secretariat support and timely information to all LDF members hence strengthening Palestinian ownership of the aid coordination system, maintaining strong donor engagement and supporting the implementation of the National Policy Agenda priorities and its sector strategies in line with aid effectiveness principles.

The results at the level of outcomes are:

- Aligned and harmonized donors’ support to the PA National Policy Agenda priorities and sector strategies.
- National ownership of aid coordination by the Aid Management and Coordination Directorate at PMO/MoFP is strengthened.
- Efficient and effective aid coordination structure and meetings that promotes policy dialogue and information sharing
- LACS provided support to national partners to enhance national leadership of development assistance coordination.
- Development partners are more aware of how to mainstream ‘gender’ and integrate ‘human rights’ issues.
- Effective structure, management and administrative systems of LACS

UNDP/PAPP- is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Head of LACS, under the overall guidance and direct supervision of NRO on behalf of the four Co-Chairs of LACS. As this position is related to LACS in Palestine with an expected duration of one year renewable, the Service Contract extension will be conditioned to satisfactory performance evaluation as well as availability of funding under the project.

Description of Responsibilities:

- Oversee the provision of adequate LACS support to the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the various local aid coordination structure and fora, including the efficient and effective preparation and organization of meetings, productions of work plans and reports of the WGs and any follow up that may be required,
- Ensure members of the aid coordination structure and other relevant parties are kept up to date with local development issues through briefings, regular updates, newsletters, papers, evaluations and analysis as required.
- Ensure LACS promptly responds to requests from members of the local aid coordination structure for information related to aid coordination and development; ensure LACS adequately supports the systematization of information relevant to aid coordination, including overseeing the efficient operation of the LACS information depository and Web Portal.
- Inform, update and bring to the attention of the LACS Co-Chairs evolving issues pertinent to aid assistance which may require policy decisions and suggesting possible solutions to the Co-Chairs.
- If requested, work closely with PMO, the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) and donors in identifying required actions to make the DARP (the PA online aid management system) simple, reliable, harmonized and efficient, in line with aid effectiveness principles.
- Assist the LACS Co-Chairs in promoting the application of the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Palestinian National Policy Agenda and encouraging donors to align and harmonize their support to the PA effectively,
- Closely cooperate with the Aid Management and Coordination Directorate at the PMO/MoFP,
- Promote mainstreaming of gender and the integration of human rights issues in the aid coordination structure
- If requested, identify capacity-building needs in the aid coordination structure; suggest and implement training, workshops and other capacity-building initiatives in consultation with the LACS Co-Chairs, in particular those that will increase national capacities and ownership.
- Lead and manage the overall work of the LACS office, including the line management of staff and resources, in consultation with NRO on behalf of the LACS Co-Chairs,
- Develop and submit the Secretariat work plans, budgets and progress reports to LACS Co-Chairs for approval,
- Liaise and cooperate with the UNDP that is contracted to provide administrative services to LACS,
- Carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the LACS Co-Chairs.

Competencies :

- Vision and analysis: Is able to quickly summarize and analyse large volumes of information under tight deadlines; identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly articulates links between the LACS mandate and those of key stakeholders; anticipates, helps plan for and conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities and plans.
- Judgment/decision-making/problem-solving/initiative: Demonstrates sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems; is able to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives and propose innovative solutions to problems; recognizes opportunities when they arise and brings them to the attention of decision-makers when appropriate.
- Communication: Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of reports, studies and other communications to a level of quality that is adequate for publication. The candidate will be able to communicate proactively with key stakeholders, correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately. The candidate will demonstrate openness in sharing information appropriately and keeping people informed.
- Critical thinking/analytical skills: Grasps new concepts, approaches and systems; is able to distill larger conceptual issues from a range of small, often disparate pieces of information and proposes conceptual strategic frameworks to overcome problems; examines and interprets a wide variety of data and makes recommendations to decision-makers; anticipates problems, opportunities and needs.
- Planning and organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
- Client orientation: Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with LACS Co-Chairs by gaining their trust and respect; keeps LACS Co-Chairs informed of progress and setbacks with appropriate consideration for confidentiality; meets timelines for delivery of product or services to clients.
- Accountability: Take ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.
- Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
- Managing performance: Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member at the LACS; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; supports creativity and initiative; appraises performance fairly.
- Commitment to continuous learning and innovation: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field in particular with regard to aid effectiveness and harmonization.
- Technological awareness: Able to use computer applications as tools for program management and decision-making.
- Self-management: Able to work with minimum supervision and to take initiative within the limitations of the organizational mandate.
- Stress management: Able to work under stress.
- Representation/presentation skills: Able to carry out a representative function in a variety of fora, including with high-level interlocutors; presents in a confident and enthusiastic manner when addressing people in a large or small group; delivers information in a clear, concise and logical manner that gains acknowledgement of audience and is able to understand the communication level required.
- Detail and quality orientation: High level of attention to detail; quality conscious.

Qualifications :

Advanced degree in public administration, management, political science, law, social sciences, cultural studies, economics or development studies from an accredited university is required.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the international level in a large public, international or non-governmental organization in the field of aid coordination, policy formulation and project management of development and/or emergency programmes is required.

A minimum of five years of management experience is required.

A minimum of three years of work experience in aid effectiveness and harmonization issues in a developing country setting, preferably in the region; strong knowledge of various models of aid coordination systems is required.

Experience in working on humanitarian and development issues in the West Bank and Gaza, including with the PA, donors and NGO networks is desirable.

Experience in financial management is desirable.

Experience in website design and management is desirable.

Experience in capacity-building initiatives is desirable.

Excellent command of English and Arabic and strong skills and experience in editing are required.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.