Technical Specialist - Aid Effectiveness

After the resounding referendum results of January 2011, the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) commemorated Independence on the 9th of July 2011 upon the expiry of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period. On the same day, the President of the Republic of South Sudan signed the new Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. On the 16th July 2011, the RSS became the 193rd member state of the United Nations and on 15th August 2011 the new nation was officially admitted to the African Union as its 54th member state. During this period as a new nation, the President of the Republic of South Sudan has made some decisive statements about the priorities of Africa’s newest nation and on delivering on the expectations of the people of South Sudan including reaffirmation of his commitment to deliver on the South Sudan Development Plan 2011-2013. In November 2010, the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) initiated preparations for a South Sudan Development Plan 2011-2013, a three year medium transitional strategy for achieving security, good governance, economic growth and poverty reduction. The interim poverty reduction strategy is to guide the government and development partner resource allocations and development priorities for 2011 and beyond. The final draft of the Plan was submitted to the Council of Ministers on 4th July 2011 and is approved as the guiding development framework for public and development partner resources under four main pillars: i) governance; ii) economic development; iii) social and human development; and iv) conflict prevention and security. The SSDP also includes a critical annex on a medium term capacity developments strategy in order to support its implementation and a revised Aid Strategy for South Sudan. Since the signing of the CPA, UNDP has provided support to the three levels of the Government of South Sudan to address some of the complex challenges in the areas of evidence based planning and budgeting, public financial management, aid coordination and socio economic statistics. This support has been channeled through four different but interrelated projects: Support to Economic Planning project (at central government level), Support to States project at state level; and the Local Government Recovery Programme and the Crisis Risk Mapping Analysis project (at county level); and has now been consolidated under one programme – Support to Development Planning and PFM (SDPPFM). Through the SDPPFM project, an Aid Effectiveness Advisor will be recruited to provide top-quality technical support and strategic guidance to the enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to strengthen aid effectiveness and implementation of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. The position will contribute to the achievement of the “improved coordination and management of external support” output under the new SDPPFM. This will build on UNDP’s past support in the establishment of the Government of Southern Sudan Aid Strategy, establishment of the Aid Coordination Directorate and the Aid Information Management System, and engagement with critical international agreements including the Paris Declaration and the Fragile States Principles, g7+, and the International Aid Transparency Initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Aid Effectiveness Adviser will be based at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Jubaworking with the Director of Aid Co-ordination. The Aid Management Adviser will support the Directorate of Aid Co-ordination to carry out its role in coordinating and monitoring donor support to the Government of South Sudan and ensuring that it is in line with the RSS Aid Strategy as outlined in the South Sudan Development Plan. Summary of Key Functions: Provide technical assistance to strengthen capacity on aid effectiveness Provide technical support for implementation of the Aid Strategy and improvement of the aid architecture Provide technical support for maintenance and use of the Aid Information Management Systems (AIMS) and M&E Technical assistance on to strengthen capacity on international engagement in aid effectiveness Facilitate capacity assessment and implementation of capacity development plan for aid effectiveness Provide technical support in implementation of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States and strengthening linkages with UNDP’s global network and partnership with OECD Provide technical support to MoFEP to create and maintain cohesion and coordination among all the technical support provided to the Ministry by various donors and Development Partners Technical support for implementation of Aid Strategy and improvement of the aid architecture Support the Directorate of Aid Co-ordination to hold and lead regular Inter Ministerial Project Appraisal Committee’s and Quarterly Donor Forums Support MoFEP’s participation and leadership in donor aid mechanisms and pooled funds including the Local Social Services Aid Instrument Provide technical support to MoFEP on ensuring that annual, mid-term, sectoral, plans are in line with the Aid Strategy and the international principles on aid effectiveness Provide strategic advice to MoFEP and development partners on adequately reflecting and eventually integrating ODA into budgetary frameworks as well as domestic budgets Technical support for maintenance and use of the AIMS and M&E Support the Ministry to maintain and effectively use the Aid Management Information System (AIMS) for aid reporting and accountability Provide technical assistance to MoFEP to identify opportunities for enhancing the coverage, scope and functionality of the AIMS and effective linkages with the budget and expenditure frameworks Support the Ministry to develop/implement a RSS-led monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for donor supported programmes Impact of Results: The key results of this post will impact on the efficacy of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to carry out its mandate of aid coordination and management

Competencies

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 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 other African countries or similar contexts Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and responds positively to constructive feedback Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree in Economics or a specialization closely related to aid management, coordination and development planning Experience: Advanced professional career in aid coordination and management development planning and international relations at a senior level is preferred. At least 7 years work experience with senior level government officials at the national or international level providing management and technical advisory services in aid coordination, national planning and policy within a central planning ministry. Knowledge of, and experience in a post-conflict environment would be an advantage. Language Requirements: Excellent knowledge of English and ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English

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Technical Specialist - Aid Effectiveness