PROJECT OFFICER- PULSE LAB, Kampala, Uganda

PROJECT OFFICER- PULSE LAB (OPEN TO UGANDAN NATIONALS ONLY)

Location : Kampala, UGANDA

Application Deadline : 19-Aug-13

Additional Category Millennium Development Goals

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Level : SB-4

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Oct-2013

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year (full time)

Background

Global Pulse is an innovation initiative in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, harnessing today's new world of digital data and real-time analytics to gain a better understanding of changes in human well-being. Global Pulse hopes to contribute a future in which access to better information sooner makes it possible to keep international development on track, protect the world's most vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to global shocks.

Global Pulse is being implemented as a global network of Pulse Labs, bringing together expertise from UN agencies, governments, academia, and the private sector to research, develop, test and share tools and approaches for harnessing real-time data for more effective and efficient policy action.

Global Pulse is establishing a Pulse Lab in Kampala in 2013. Pulse Lab Kampala will function as an open innovation space where policy experts together with UN development practitioners and other partners can experiment with new types of data and emerging technologies and evaluate their potential to enhance both public policy decision-making and community resilience. Following the development of useful approaches, Pulse Lab Kampala will support institutional adoption of these innovations into policy and practice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide substantive backstopping to the Resident Coordinator in stakeholder consultations, including convening donor meetings and high-level dialogue with Government;
• Identify fora for dialogue between Government and partners to discuss and build common understanding on emerging challenges that pertain to the goals and objectives of Global Pulse;
• At the direction of the Resident Coordinator, represent Global Pulse to working groups and multilateral development partners;
• Provide liaison and feedback to Global Pulse on UN Country Team deliberations, UN Inter-Agency Task Forces and Working Groups;
• Act as Secretariat for Pulse Lab Kampala governance mechanisms (Steering, Technical and Advisory committees), including identifying strategic agenda topics, preparation of agendas, minutes, documents and presentations, etc.;
• Advise and provide support to the Resident Coordinator in defining the role, priorities and strategies of Global Pulse within the various UN and government coordination mechanisms, including theme groups and inter-agency task forces;
• Provide guidance and advice on key socio-political issues of relevance to the objectives of Global Pulse in Uganda;
• Support and facilitate the inclusion of Global Pulse in joint UN activities and initiatives in Uganda, including commemorations, special events and launches of UN publications;
• Draft various documents, i.e., reports, talking points and briefing notes for senior officials meetings with donors, the media, UN-wide reports, etc;
• Advise and provide support to consolidate inter-agency support for Global Pulse through the dissemination of relevant documentation to UN Agencies, and as agreed by the Resident Coordinator and the Country Team;
• Support the Lab Manager in partnership building and strategic interaction with national partners, donor aid agencies, civil society and the private sector, adhering to UN principles and values;
• Support fundraising activities, including assisting with the drafting of donor proposals and periodic reports;
• Promote Pulse Lab Kampala through events and information sharing with donor countries and potential funding partners;
• Advise Management on communication needs and opportunities both within and outside the UN;
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants;
• Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture;
• Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals
• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions;
• Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action;
• Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge;
• Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development;
• Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to create and build networks, partnerships and alliances;
• Good understanding of UN strategic priorities, especially from field-based perspective;
• Solid knowledge and understanding in at least one of these areas (ie. common country programming, UN business operations, humanitarian assistance and coordination, Delivering as One and/or human rights)
• Very good understanding of multilateral coordination issues, tools and challenges, especially in programmatic areas;
• Good understanding of the UN common system, especially at the regional and country levels;
• Anticipates and understands internal and external issues and opportunities that may impact on the organization
• Demonstrated ability to promote organizational agenda and develop strategies to enable Management to deal with challenges effectively;
• Ability to contribute effectively in team-based setting, especially in the area of knowledge-sharing and learning; leverage the different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better outcomes;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in areas of focus;
• Ability to speak and write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences
• Strong writing skills;
• Proven ability to advise and develop strategic and operational solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in, international relations, economics, law, public or business administration or other related area. A first-level university degree in combination with five years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in development or humanitarian work, international relations, public sector, or related area.
• Two years of work experience with the UN or international development agency, and experience in partnerships and fundraising, are desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of a language widely spoken in Uganda would be an asset.

UN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women 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.

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