UN Coordination Specialist (Re-Advertisement)

The role of the United Nations in Zimbabwe has become increasingly important, as both the Government of Zimbabwe and its Development Partners consider the United Nations Country Team to be a key strategic partner and as playing a vital role in coordinating and channelling support to the country. The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) is supporting the UNCT in these processes. Therefore, in order for the UNCT to successfully fulfil its mandate, increased capacity is needed. A strong, flexible and versatile support office with strategic policy, advisory, planning and advocacy skills is required. Accordingly, this Unit is working under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator and providing a platform between the various functions of the RC. Under the guidance of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and direct supervision of the Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Coordination Specialist supports UNDAF and other Joint UN Programming efforts with a focus on monitoring and evaluation. The Coordination Specialist will provide coordination and advisory services for the elaboration, implementation and M&E of the ZUNDAF and ensuing efforts to operationalise it jointly. The Specialist will also provide substantial support for the elaboration of the UNCT AWP, RCAR and Appraisal processes, while ensuring follow up on the RCO budget for alignment with UNCT AWP objectives. The Specialist will therefore will closely with the ZUNDAF coordination bodies, supporting lnter-agency M&E efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides coordination and advisory services for the elaboration, implementation and M&E of the ZUNDAF and ensuing efforts to operationalise it jointly, ensuring compliance with RBM principles. Supports inter-agency M&E efforts for joint programming efforts, including country analysis documents, studies, evaluations, reviews and progress reports, compiling, consolidating and analysing results. Supports and coordinates the elaboration of common internal tools for programme implementation, such as the UN Joint Implementation Matrix. Supports UN Thematic Groups in elaborating AWP and M&E systems based SMART indicators and other agreed M&E principles for the ZUNDAF, Joint Implementation Matrix and other common UN efforts. Provides support for the harmonisation of UN M&E cycles and processes with those of the Government. Liaises with UN entities to ensure linkages between all UN programmes. Provides support to the UN Country Team, the ZUNDAF Task Force, and the Programme Management Team in ensuring effective ZUNDAF implementation and on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities. Provides substantial support for the elaboration common UNCT work plans. Supports the elaboration and implementation of the UN Country Team Annual Work Plan. Supports the preparation of the Resident Coordinator Annual Report and follows up on Performance Appraisal processes. Follows up on the RCO budget for alignment with UNCT AWP objectives. Ensure inter-agency contributions for the realisation of the UNCT work plan. Demonstrates the added value of UN collaboration through increased common programming, supporting the UNCT forge effective partnerships. Coordinates efforts to adopt a common language through mainstreaming of the UN’s programming principles (HRBA, Gender, Environment, RBM, and Capacity Development). Collects and disseminates global practice in the field of M&E while supporting implementation of these principles locally. Provides advice on policy and approaches to UN agencies for joint programming. Indentifies national policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective ZUNDAF implementation and provides advice. Supports resource mobilisation efforts for the implementation of common UN programmes Determines resource gaps, compiling financial data and supporting common approaches for resources mobilisation. Identifies potential donors and partners based on UN programme objectives and partner intervention areas. Elaborates joint UN resource mobilisation strategies and proposed approaches to develop partnerships with donors, government and civil society. Supports efforts to mobilise thematic funds and other potential UN funds. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: Identification of sources of information related to coordination. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals. Identification of national policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective ZUNDAF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNCT. Supports capacity development efforts and provides support / training to UN staff on M&E. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda (For UN Coordination) Level 2: analysis and creation of messages and strategies Creates effective advocacy strategies Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses Results-Based Programme Development and Management (For UN Coordination) Level 2: Achieving results through programme design and innovative resourcing strategies Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach Sets performance standards, monitors progress and intervenes at an early stage to ensure results are in accordance with agreed-upon quality and timeframes and reports on it Makes use of a variety of resources based on UN/UNCT priorities to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches Oversees and documents the process of strategy formulation for programmes at country level Building Strategic Partnerships (For UN Coordination) Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UN/UNCT’s strategic agenda Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UN/UNCT’sstrategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UN/UNCT’s mandate Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners Effectively attentive to programmatic synergies in inter-agency meetings Innovation and Marketing New Approaches (For UN Coordination) Level 2: Developing new approaches Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals Generates for regional and innovative ideas and effective solutions to problems Looks at experience critically, drawing lessons, and building them into the design of new approaches Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image Resource Mobilization (For UN Coordination) Level 2: Building and maintaining donor relations; implementing resource mobilization strategy Develops detailed knowledge and understanding of key donors, their priorities and areas of interest and adapts content and approach of resource mobilization activities to their requirements Builds and maintains relationships with donors demonstrating professionalism in providing advice and information on UN activities and sensitivity to donor concerns Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing (For UN Coordination) 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 (For UNDP and UN Coordination) 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 Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally Demonstrates 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 (For UN Coordination) 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 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 is the responsibility of each staff member. Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field. Experience: 5 years of relevant experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Knowledge about the UN and RC systems would be an advantage. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Language: Fluency in English, Shona and or Ndebele. N.B. UNDP Zimbabwe reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Zimbabwe at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements. QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

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.

UN Coordination Specialist (Re-Advertisement)