Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator - UN Coordination Specialist

Background

Tanzania has since 2007 been piloting the UN Delivering as One reform initiative. The overall purpose of this reform is to unify and align in order to more efficiently and effectively deliver results in support of national priorities. Working as one, the UN can have a far greater impact on the development and humanitarian challenges that face the country, avoiding the fragmentation and duplication of efforts seen in the past. By combining the skills and resources of UN Agencies active across the country, the UN can complement the efforts of the Government, civil society, private sector and other development partners by providing policy advice and technical assistance to Tanzania.

The vision of ‘Delivering as One’ in Tanzania is therefore about being a more effective partner for Government; focusing on the UN’s comparative advantage; being strategic about the development areas where the UN prioritizes support; and continuing to support Government on humanitarian issues.

The current UN Development Assistance Plan 2016-2012 started in July 2016, following evaluation of previous program, assessment of the development context and consultation with Partners. UNDAP II represents both continuity and change. It reflects a continued commitment to strong ownership and leadership by national stakeholders, a continued emphasis on the shared values, norms and standards of the UN system and a continued determination to achieve results which will contribute towards a positive difference to the people of Tanzania. UNDAP II therefore maintains and builds upon many of the systems, structures and processes which have facilitated progress towards sustainable development in country over the past five years. Notwithstanding, UNDAP II also represents a more holistic, integrated approach to programming and a more explicitly multi-sectoral approach to interventions. Further, there is a heightened focus on the normative agenda, with greater emphasis on policy coherence and the use of data. Finally, there are real efforts to be more strategic in approach, tightening focus to core priorities, whilst remaining much more flexible to respond to changes in national priorities and needs, as and when they arise.

UNDAP II is formulated along 12 programmatic outcomes and two non-programmatic outcomes (covering Communicating as One and Operating as One) and implemented through the four Thematic Results Groups, led by Agency Representatives on a rotational basis.

Although Tanzanian is mainly a development context there are humanitarian challenges and emergencies caused by natural disasters to take into consideration in the planning and coordination of UN Interventions. The refugee response operation is included alongside the development activities in UNDAP II.

The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator support the UNCT in the implementation of UNDAP II and Delivering as One SOP through: communication and advocacy, policy and programming support, results based management, business operation and harmonization; and partnership and resource mobilization. The office currently consists of 3 international staff (one secondment from Sweden and one international UNV), 2 national officers (NOC and NOD), 2 national UNVs, and two assistants.

SARC Programme:

The Special Assistant to the Resident Coordinator (SARC) Programme is managed by the JPO Service Centre on behalf of the UN System.

The objective of the SARC Programme is to strengthen UN coordination and coherence in the field. SARCs are placed with the Resident Coordinator Office. They support a wide range of management and coordination functions of the UN Development System at country level, including among others: UNDAF and joint programming processes, annual reporting and M&E, joint UN communication strategies, and interagency coordination of SDG campaigning and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job Purpose:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), the UN Coordination Specialist supports efforts to strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team and provide support to the RCO in coordinating and planning a coherent UN response to national development/humanitarian priorities. She /he will collaborate with the UNCT members, RC Office staff, Programme and Operations Management Teams, UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.

The UN Coordination Specialist works in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UNDOCO staff and Government officials, technical advisors, experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of UNCT activities

Local reporting structure and partners:

While the UNRC is the formal supervisor the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) staff works as a team. The UN Coordination Specialist will be working closely the other colleagues in the RCO team.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of the One Country programming processes, and UN programmes coordination focusing on achievement of the following results (20%):
2. Assist in analysis and research on polices in the areas related to the key elements of the Delivering as One (DaO) reforms to support the RC and UN Country Team (UNCT).
3. Support coordination in identification, planning, implementation of inter-agency joint programs with a focus of achieving synergies, complementarities and coherence.
4. Provide advice on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of Joint Work Plans (JWP), Common Services and other UN functions.
5. Supports the application of Results Based Management in all UN interventions ensuring accountability and transparency focusing on the achievement of the following results (20%):
6. Support the effective implementation of UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) II mechanisms for planning, monitoring and reporting.
7. Support application of Results Based Managed in all aspects of UNDAP II including development of JWPs, management of results matrix, in consultation with UN Agencies, Government, Civil Society, Multilateral and Bilateral institutions.
8. Support the management and administration of the online Monitoring and Reporting system, Pamoja, in close collaboration with the system developers, UN results groups, and Programme Management Team.
9. Support development of UNDAP Annual Report and other results based reports throughout the UNDAP II period.
10. Support the planning and execution of UNDAP II mid-term review in 2018/19.
11. Ensures management of the Common Budgetary Framework and the Tanzania One UN Fund, focusing on achievement of the following results (20%)
12. Support promotion of the use of the One Fund through liaison with donors, communication colleagues and agencies.
13. Ensure timely administration of the One Fund including management of SAA, MoUs, allocations and reporting
14. Support identification, development and coordination of funding proposals.
15. Support tracking of resources mobilized and ensure an up-dated over-view of the funding situation.
16. Support the 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.
17. Ensures the implementation of UN Tanzania Business Operations Strategy, aiming at reducing operational cost and contributing to global innovations focusing on achievement of the following results (20%):
18. Ensure implementation and reporting on Business Operations Strategy for 2016-2021 in close collaboration with UN agencies, Operations Management Team and technical operational groups.
19. Advocate for business harmonization and enhanced efficiencies and effectiveness in UN business operations and identification of innovations and potential efficiencies in inter-agency programs.
20. Support the Operations Management team and sub groups in implementation of common services, dialogue with Government, and internal coordination.
21. Closely liaise and network with other UNCTs, UNDG regional offices and UN DOCO and HLCM to ensure UN Tanzania continues to be in the forefront of Business Harmonization and innovation. Assist in detailed policy analysis in the area of business harmonization, coordination of operations related working groups and reporting of progress to UN HQ
22. Provide support to the Tanzania One Procurement Team in efforts linked to enhance common procurement, reporting and planning.
23. Supports humanitarian coordination end emergency preparedness and response focusing on achievement of the following results (10%):
24. Ensure development and update of emergency preparedness planning and implementation of minimum preparedness actions.
25. Liaise with Government Counterparts to ensure well-established relationship and functional support to Government leadership in emergency preparedness and response.
26. Closely liaise with relevant OCHA entities to ensure sharing of information, inclusion in planning and reporting and request further assistance where required
27. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results (10%):
28. Synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt on coordination.
29. Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
30. Support internal knowledge management within the RCO

HOW TO APPLY:

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in a related field of expertise

Experience

• A minimum of five years of paid working experience in a relevant field
• Relevant working experiences a developing country is preferable
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Past experience with the United Nations and/or UN Coordination-related activities will be considered an advantage.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English with excellent drafting skills
• Good communication skills.

Nationality

• This post is opened in the context of the Special Assistants to the UN Resident Coordinator (SARCs) Programme sponsored by the Government of Finland and is addressed exclusively to nationals of Finland.

Other desirable education, languages and work experience

• Knowledge of the UN system, UN reform and its operational mandates. Previous UN field and coordination experience will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of humanitarian system is considered an asset.
• Excellent skills in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

The selected candidate will expected to participate in the training course on Finland’s Development Policy and Development Cooperation in 2017 organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, from 7-9 June, 2017, in Helsinki

For more details on the JPO Programme and detailed requirements, please visit: http://www.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home/how-to-join/current-vacancies....