UN COORDINATION SPECIALIST

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator (RC), the Coordination Specialist manages the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO); supports the RC and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in enhancing system-wide coherence and aid effectiveness by providing strategic and operational guidance on UN Reform; and strengthens the capacity of the UNCT to coordinate and implement the United Nations Development Assistance Framework II (UNDAF). She/he ensures that appropriate follow up is initiated to Global Conferences and Commitments. Guided by the UN Reform, desire for sound programmatic activities and the principle of alignment between UN agencies’ policies, strategies and implementation structures, UNDAF II (2009-2012) was formulated by the UN system in Nigeria. Although UN agencies have their own policies, procedures and skills governing operational and programmatic activities at the country level, the UNCT intends to work together to provide a well coordinated, focused and coherent response to the country’s main development challenges. While appreciating that no single agency has the range of funds, skills, knowledge, and experience to tackle the multi-dimensional causes of poverty, a collaborative UNCT can provide advice and assistance on a wide range of issues. It can also ensure that the support provided by each agency is complementary, rather than duplicative, to produce synergistic results. In Nigeria, these principles of “Collective Work” and “Collective Responsibility”, if well managed, should translate into a consolidation process towards the “One UN” Reform. Enhancing the prospects for such collaborative processes under the UN reform and while ensuring a successful implementation of UNDAF require a correspondingly strengthened coordination support capacity for the role of RC. The UN Coordination Specialist supervises and leads the staff of the UN Coordination Unit. The UN Coordination Specialist works in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDGO staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of UNCT activities

Duties and Responsibilities

As the designated representative of the Secretary General, the RC draws the relevant skills and assets of all members of the UNCT, working in a participatory, inclusive and collegial manner to better serve Nigeria in its attainment of the national development objectives. Under the direct supervision of the RC, and in close collaboration with the members of the UNCT, the main duties and responsibilities of the Coordination Specialist would be to: Ensure effective support to the UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including the Country Common Assessment (CCA) and UNDAF and UN programmes coordination focusing on the achievement of the following results: Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country including managing support of the UNCT for establishing Dev-Info in coordination with relevant national counterparts; Coordination on behalf of the UN RC of the CCA Thematic Group activities and draft CCA preparation; Provision of secretarial support to the UNDAF Working Groups ensuring full participation UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions and coordination of the draft UNDAF preparation; Establishment of effective mechanisms for monitoring UNDAF implementation based on the UNDAF Results Matrix and the UNDAF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in consultation with UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions. Monitoring of the activities of the UN Theme Groups; Identification of strengths and weaknesses in UN Agencies programmes in the context of UNDAF, UN System reform and MDGs. Provision of advice on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of joint UN programmes, common services and other UN functions; Development of strategies, policies and programmes in close consultation with UN Agencies aimed at reaching the MDGs and establishment of the system for monitoring the progress towards the MDGs and Global Conferences. Ensures preparation and implementation of the RC Work Plan focusing on the achievement of the following results: Coordination of the RC Work Plan, reports and proposals for funding preparation; Coordination of substantive preparations and support provided for UNCT retreat to review the annual workplan and other UNCT meetings; Monitor and report on RCO expenditure and generate budgets; Monitoring of the Support to the Resident Coordinator (SRC) fund and other funds dedicated to UNCT activities; Approval of expenditures reports; Provides inputs and support to the RC Annual Report. Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities in close consultation with UN Information Centres (UNIC) and the information/communication focal points of the UN system focusing on the achievement of the following results: Maintenance of the systematic information on RC system activities; Implementation of the outreach strategy for partners of the UN system; Management of media and communication strategies of the UNCT, in close consultation with UNIC; Preparation of speaking notes, talking points, speeches for major advocacy events of the Resident Coordinator system, in close consultation with the UNCT and partners. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy for UNDAF implementation focusing on achievement of the following results: Development of partnerships with IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society; Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on donor strategies and national development strategies, provision of advice to UN RC on ensuring synchronicity, alignment and complementarity between these strategies and UN activities; Coordination of the substantive preparations of the UNCT for CGs, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: Provides daily supervision and leadership by Heading the RC’s Office; 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 UNDAF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNCT; Establishment of electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national institutions and processes and for national partners to access the expertise of agencies without field representation; Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; Organization of trainings to UN staff on coordination issues. Supports the UN RC in his/her capacity as Designated Official (DO) in close cooperation with the Field Security Officer focusing on achievement of the following results: Full compliance with the UN Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) requirements on security. Participation in the work of the UN Security Management Team.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda (For UN Coordination) - 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) - 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) - 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’s strategic 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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 - 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 Management, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field. Experience: 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Conversant with the logical framework approach and other strategic planning and reporting approaches. Knowledge about the UN reform, policies and procedure would be an advantage. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems; Progressive working experience in the UN Resident Coordinator system at national or international level is a strong advantage. Language Requirements: Fluency in English and the working language of the duty station.

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.