UNDP | Programme Specialist

Programme Specialist - East Jerusalem

Job ID/Title :     887 - Programme Specialist
Category : Infrastucture and Engineering
Application Deadline :02-Jun-16
Duty Station :     East Jerusalem    
Duration of Initial Contract :     One Year Extendable

Background:
In line with the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) and National Development Plan 2014-2016, Infrastructure development and the delivery of social and public services in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) are considered key elements contributing to the achievement of equitable, quality, inclusive and sustainable development.
 
Infrastructure plays a fundamental role (a) to cater for people needs of adequate basic social and public services and (b) critically to cope with their natural growth demands and (c) effectively to stimulate and catalyze national economic development. Increased access to social and public Infrastructure also emanates from clearly established national priorities and the respective strategic plans to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinians under the prolonged Israeli occupation and improve their living conditions in dignity, equity and quality, by reducing vulnerability, improving systems and national effectiveness and performance as well as mitigating environmental impacts and challenges. Towards addressing the national needs, UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) is historically engaged in supporting the national endeavors for formulating and implementation of a wide set of social, public and economic Infrastructure activities throughout the oPt.
In this respect, UNDP/PAPP- is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Programme Specialist, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Infrastructure and Engineering Team Leader.within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned
 
The Programme Specialist supervises and leads unit and projects’ staff, and national consultants including UNDP technical advisors and experts. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP mandate and mission in the State of Palestine. The Programme Specialist is the lead programme staff member for promotion of effective partnerships and resources mobilization efforts. Thus, s/he must have an excellent capacity to engage a diverse stakeholder base and to effectively network for solid partnership building (public-private, civil society, South-South, etc.).
Description of Responsibilities:

-Ensure Implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
 

-Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the   country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents.
-Identification of strategic areas for support and interventions within the social, public and economic Infrastructure thematic area.
-Operationalization of UNDAF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
-Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.?

-Ensures Effective management and supervision of.the programme within Infrastructure portflolio focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the  following results:

-Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievements of results.
-Design and formulation of CO programme within the Infrastructure Development, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the Executing Agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
-Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the  programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval presentation of the projects to LPAC.
-Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects.
-Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
-Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

-Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

-Advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, other Development Agenda for, Human Development and equitable economic growth
-Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the National Goals.
-Management of events related to the above.
 
-Creation of strategic partnerships and support to the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

-Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes.
-Creation, development and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc., advocating for South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
-Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
-Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization

-Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and counterparts, facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

-Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
-Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
-Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners.
-Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
-Analysis of the development policies and their impact on Infrastructure development, social development, growth, equity, etc.
-Support to the management of the office in facilitation of policy dialogue with the Government, private sector, civil society and donors
-Provision of capacity building support on policy issues to office staff

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching UNDAF/ CPD goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies :

Functional Competencies:    
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

-Creates effective advocacy strategies
-Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information


-Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
-Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
-Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
-Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

-Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
-Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
-Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Level 2: Developing new approaches

-Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
-Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
-Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
-Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 2:  Implementing resource mobilization strategies

-Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
-Identifies and compiles lessons learned
-Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

-Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
-Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms


Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

-Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
-Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
-emonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
-Demonstrates comprehensive 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
Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

-Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
-Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level
-Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

-Anticipates client needs
-Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
-Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
-Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Core Competencies:

-Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
-Building support and political acumen
-Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
-Building and promoting effective teams
-Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
-Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
-Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
-Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing are the responsibility of each staff member.
-Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Prince2 training and certification, RMG
Qualifications :


Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

-5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the poverty, development economics and project management areas. Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
-Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels. Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required
-Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential

Language Requirements:


Fluency in English and national language of the duty station.

Note: Internal vacancies are open only to those who hold FTA and PA UNDP Contract 

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