UNDP , Strategic Planning Advisor

The Government of South Africa (GOSA) and the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) conducted a joint evaluation exercise in 2008-09 to review the GOSA-UN collaboration and partnership and to come up with recommendations for transforming the relationship to a strategic level engagement, taking into account the country’s middle income status, its relatively well developed national capacity, and the knowledge and experience of the UN. The UNEG report recommended that the GOSA-UN relationship should be strategic taking into account the unique position of South Africa as an upper middle income country. It was generally felt that such a partnership should revolve around the provision of high-end technical and policy advisory services in areas where the UN System has a comparative advantage based on its long term experience and involvement in technical and development cooperation and in order to optimize the benefits that South Africa can derive from the expertise available within the UN System. Accordingly, the UN Country Team (UNCT) under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC) has embarked on a repositioning exercise to elevate its partnership with the country to a more strategic level through upstream engagement. It is in this context that the decision was made to secure the services of a Strategic Advisor who will generally support the RC’s work in strategic planning, the mobilization and effective utilization of relevant knowledge and experience, financial and human resources available within and outside the UN system to accelerate the UN repositioning process. In this context, the strategic advisor is expected to provide high level technical and policy advice to the RC and the UNCT to effectively Implement the UN coherence agenda in South Africa. In discharging his/her responsibilities, the Strategic Advisor will hold high level contacts with Director Generals, Chief Directors, heads/deputy heads of internal/external development agencies/institutions. He/she will act as a resource person and source of technical expertise and advice around various issues related to the UN in South Africa, including the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Delivering as One, and the UN’s strategic re-positioning in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical advice for the UN Repositioning process: Provide substantive and strategic advice & leadership on the UN repositioning process; Provide high-end technical and policy advisory services; Analyze both the internal and external UN development environment within the repositioning process; Identify and redefine organizational capacity needs to deliver on the repositioning process; Define processes, structures and mechanisms to ensure a successful response to the UNEG Report’s findings and recommendations; Lead the preparation of a two year roadmap for the UN repositioning process with clear timeline, milestones, and benchmarks; Monitoring and systematic reporting on the implementation of the repositioning roadmap. Facilitate the flow of information between the UN global system, the RC, and the UNCT in South Africa, ensuring that all relevant parties are kept informed of the repositioning process and related initiatives; Provide technical advice and expertise to reposition and better align UN Programme focus and scope within national planning processes and priorities. Ensure UN inputs in relation to policy processes related to the implementation of the Aid effectiveness Agenda: Advise the RC on options to support the South African Government with its assistance to other developing countries using the South-South modality or through triangular arrangements; Ensure UN inputs in relation to policy processes related to the implementation of the aid effectiveness agenda; Represent the RC in regional and national consultations on South-South Cooperation as required; Coordinate resource mobilization as a key strategy of the UNDAF; Lead the partnership building and strengthening of relationships with National Focal Points and other stakeholders working on South-South Cooperation in the Region. Technical advice & leadership on UNDAF planning process, implementation, monitoring and reporting: Provide technical and policy advice to the RC on UN wide programme related issues and the UNDAF process; more specifically, manage the preparatory work of the UN common programming processes with the UN Technical Task Team, such as the Country Analysis (CA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); Liaise with non-resident agencies involved in Common Country Assessment (CCA) and UNDAF and with regional readers groups, as well as with HQs and UN Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) regional technical focal points; Act as a focal point for non- resident UN agencies/entities; Work closely with UNDOCO and UN M&E Group on key indicators to monitor UNDAF and report on the outcomes. Oversee the overall management of the RCO and support the RC in the implementation of the provisions established by the Management and Accountability Framework for the RC system: Advise/update the RC and the UNCT on internal and external dynamics which could have a bearing on the work of the UN in South Africa; Advise and oversee the preparation of agenda items for the regular and special UNCT meetings and reporting thereof; Oversee the preparation and reporting of the UNCT annual work plan and other key activities emanating from the Residen Coordinator's Office (RCO); Preparation of concept notes and briefing materials for the RC and/or his team on topical issues to be used for high level consultations with stakeholders; Oversee that all relevant information on the work of the RCO are systematically compiled and updated for easy access through, for example, a website; Provide Quality Support and Assurance services; Represent the RC/UNCT in important/high level meetings as and when required. Builds Partnerships for Development Results: Builds and supports Partnerships at technical level with key government departments, IFIs, bilateral, NGOs, relevant UN Agencies and other partners on System Wide Coherence (SWC) and all related work of the RCO; Identify and analyze potential stakeholders to contribute to the repositioning process; Mobilizing resources to support the UN transformation process and joint program

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards; Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Development and Operational Effectiveness: Ability to lead strategic planning supporting crucial decision making at the highest levels of government; Ability to lead the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic policies and sound development programmes in a gender sensitive manner; Ability to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations; Demonstrates strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to strategic development planning, aid management, coordination and effectiveness; Familiarity with the UN system and the role of key stakeholders in the area of national development plans, local-level planning, aid management, coordination and effectiveness. Knowledge Management and Learning: Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal example; Experience in capacity development and transformational leadership; Experience and knowledge of developing or middle income contries in similar contexts. Leadership: Strong Advisory/leadership experience and decision-making skills; Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision; Drives for change; does not accept the status quo and has the ability to propose innovative solutions; Knowledge and expertise in UN programming processes, including UNDAF and Country Programme Action Plans/Country Programme Documents; Proven ability to lead and drive for results with a strong knowledge of results-based management and budgeting. Managing Relationships: Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational skills; Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff; Excellent negotiating and networking skills; Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills. Managing Complexity: Ability to manage and coordinate activities at many different levels; Substantive knowledge and understanding of development cooperation with the ability to support inter-disciplinary issues; Demonstrated substantive leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives; A sound global network of institutional and individual contacts Communication Skills: Excellent drafting skills; Speaks clearly and effectively and is well articulated ; Capacity to communicate complex matters in a clear, simple and concise manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters or equivalent advanced university degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Economics or Political Science. Experience: At least 10 years professional work experience in relevant area with at least three years of management experience. Prior work experience with the United Nations system. Good knowledge of UN as a whole, and the role of the UN Resident Coordinator system; Experience with UNDAF planning, reviewing or evaluating; Experience with Delivering as One is an asset; Familiarity with the aid context and development processes in South Africa would be an advantage. Language: Fluency in both spoken and written English

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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.

Strategic Planning Advisor