I. Position Information
Job Code Title: National Professional Project Officer (NPPO) Institutional Development and Local Governance Department: Joint Programme Local Governance Duty station Hargeisa, Somaliland Reports to: Head of Sub Office Hargeisa and Project Manager Local Governance
Current Grade: Service Contract Approved Grade: SC5/II
II. Organizational Context
UNDP Somalia is composed of three main clusters: Rule of Law and Security (ROLS), Governance (Governance) and Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods (RSL).
For the Local Governance component of the Governance program, UNDP is participating in the UN Joint Program for Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery. The UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) was established in April 2008, and is a joint effort by UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, ILO and UNCDF. JPLG is a 5 year programme providing support to Somali central and local government institutions. The overall objective of the JPLG for the 5 year period is that local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations in all three zones of Somalia. The specific objectives are that communities have access to basic services through local government, and that district councils are accountable and transparent. The JPLG is aligned to the strategic frameworks of Somalia Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) 2011-2015, and the United Nations Transition Plan (UNTP) 2008 -2010 and the new United Nations Somalia Assistance Strategy (UNSAS) 2011 -2015. UNDP’s local governance programme is further shaped by the UNDP country programme document (2011-2015), also responding to UNSAS and RDP. It is also aligned with the Transitional Federal Charter (2004), the Somaliland Constitution (2001) and the Transitional Constitution of the Puntland State of Somalia (2009) as all specify decentralisation as the core political, functional, fiscal and administrative principle of governance, and promote local governance as a key instrument for reconciliation and peace building and improvement of social services. Decentralization of service delivery through the establishment of inclusive and participatory local governance systems is a clear priority in the all of the above mentioned documents.
The JPLG participating UN agencies provide extensive support to a series of central government institutions and local authorities in the three zones, and are currently providing support to strengthening of local government institutions and service delivery in 10 target district in Somaliland and Puntland, and to service delivery through civil society and the private sector in some selected districts in Benadir/Mogadishu. JPLG works at three inter-related levels, i.e. policy development, capacity development, and implementation of services through local government institutions and public-private partnerships. Key achievements of JPLG have been capacity development in good governance, legal and policy development, commencement of service delivery in target districts, local level public expenditure management processes, establishment of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework as well as work on relevant policy analysis and development. Target districts have developed District Development Frameworks (DDFs) based on extensive community consultations and are actively using these DDFs as a fund mobilization tool and are implementing services identified in the DDFs with support from JPLG. Extensive capacity development in community consultation, development planning, budget forecasting, work plan and budgeting, as well procurement has enabled service delivery through the target districts; enhanced the collaboration between the central and local government as well as the communities, and enhanced horizontal collaboration and peer learning between the districts. Also, extensive focus on selection of women in district councils in Puntland has led to the first time ever that women groups selected women councilors. These efforts are critical to the strengthening of peace and reconciliation in Somalia UNDP has played a key role in the establishment of the JPLG and is a central actor in the collaboration with central and local government authorities in all three zones. UNDP furthermore plays a key role in policy and legal framework for decentralization, capacity development for national and local governments’ authorities, district development planning and budgeting; and implementation of basic services through district councils. Within this context, UNDP will hire a National Professional Project Officer. Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Head of Sub Office in UNDP, and in close coordination with other UNDP staff in JPLG and other project experts within the other UN agencies, the NPPO will be responsible for assisting in the management of project inputs and delivery of project outputs.
The Project Officer works on a daily basis with colleagues in the UNDP CO and at the project level, necessitating that the incumbent be able to develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization and in government and other partner institutions, and be able to work with them in a responsive client orientated manner to solve problems.
III. Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of Key Functions: • Ensuring compliance with the strategic direction of project operations • Support to financial management and administration at district level for activities under JPLG • Support to Human Resources Management and reviews at district level • Ensuring efficient procurement and logistical services in all partners organisations and in UNDP
• Efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and representation
. Ensures compliance with the strategic direction of project operations focusing on achievement of the following results: • Ensures compliance of operations with UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of project operational strategies and monitoring achievement of results. • Provides advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting project operations, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services in general, and in particular provides extensive input to review and amendment of guidelines and documents pertaining to local authorities with focus on planning, financial management and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. • Contributes to the design of longer term strategies and approaches to local governance • Contributes to enhancing the synergies and links between UNDP activities on local governance and other approaches to local development by other agencies. • Establishes collaborative arrangements with project potential partners and appropriate operational partnership arrangements. • Provides constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, quick readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations and risk assessment. • Provides input to knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the project including training of national project officer and administration/finance officer. • Ensures proper project-filing system of documents. • Ensures timely follow up of routine actions and deadlines.
Support to financial management and administration at district level for activities under JPLG: • In collaboration with other UNDP staff, assists in managing the delivery of inputs and outputs in line with the project’s approved work plan in the context of JPLG activities in target districts. • In coordination with other UNDP staff and partner UN agencies, provide capacity support and guidance to partners in general and to target districts in particular in implementation of the JPLG workplan. • In collaboration with key stakeholders, advises on a strategy for institutional development for district councils, and implements this strategy in coordination with the above mentioned stakeholders.
Support to human resource management and reviews and capacity support mechanisms at district levels: • In collaboration with the Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Interior, other government agencies and UNDP programmes, provides support and leadership in the area of human resource review and management. • Reviews and strengthens local government human resource management systems, and administrative and financial reporting systems. • In collaboration with JPLG partner agencies and government institutions, provides support to development and implementation of capacity development strategies in partner institutions in general and at district level in particular. • In collaboration with other JPLG staff, provides support to the planning and implementation of service delivery by district councils, including capacity support development.
• In collaboration with other UNDP staff, maintains regular contact with key partners and the project manager for information sharing and problem solving. This includes undertaking regular monitoring visits to project sites, regular follow up with partner institutions, and ensuring that project implementation is in line with UNDP policies and procedures; • Carries out any other relevant duties as requested by the Project Manager.Ensuring efficient procurement and logistical services in all partners organisations and in UNDP: • Provides support and oversight to all procurement and logistical activities involving the use of UNDP and JPLG funds. • In close coordination with ILO, helps ensure that partner institutions have the capacity needed to carry out responsibilities related to procurement and logistical services as indicted in agreements and project documents. • Carries out regular capacity assessment of implementation of procurement and logistical activities in target institutions, recommend improvements and follow up to ensure implementation.
- Ensuring efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and representation: • Enhances the synergies and links between UNDP/JPLG activities on local governance and other approaches to local development by other agencies. • Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning. • Supports information sharing to ensure that all partners are familiar with technical and logistical issues. • Supports capacity-building of national counterparts. • Ensures appropriate representation of UNDP in commitment to UN rules, regulations and values. • Provides support to monitoring and evaluation activities in general and at district level in particular. Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the CO.
IV. Impact of Results
This position will ensure: 1. Increased capacity of MOI and MOLSA to support and monitor the performance of districts 2. Increased capacity of target district governments to fulfill their mandates, including participatory planning and budgeting to ensure efficiency and effectiveness deliver of services to constituencies, greater accountability and transparency
V. Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards. • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge management and Learning • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example. • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues. • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.
Development and Operational Effectiveness • Builds strong relationships with clients (primarily Government), focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback. • Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies. • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills. • IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.
Management and Leadership • Demonstrates strong analytical and management skills. • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills. • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
• Masters Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Human Geography, Social Economics, or related discipline. • A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience in the areas of finance, administration and project/operations of management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree with 5 years of experience.
Experience: • Minimum of 3 years post master relevant work experience in the area of finance, administration and project/operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting. Or a first level university degree with 5 years of experience. • Experience in governance issues is required. Experience with local governance is desirable. • Understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics of Somalia is desirable. • Strong IT skills. Experience in usage of ATLAS is desirable
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English and Somali (written and spoken) is required.
VII. Submission of application
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visiting http://jobs.undp.org/. The closing date for receipt of applications is 27th June 2011.
Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it together with Curriculum Vitae on the online application.
The P11 Form can be obtained from the link below: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
Women are strongly encouraged to apply
UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
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