Regional Technical Adviser, Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) UNCDF

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to financial services and investment capital. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and developments partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. Within its broader economic development mandate, UNCDF focuses on public and private financing mechanisms. Effective and efficient finance – in both the public and private sectors – can spur economic growth and make it more sustainable and inclusive. UNCDF’s focus on financing mechanisms has special relevance for least developed countries, where public financial management is often weak and private financial systems often underdeveloped and inaccessible to poor people. Adopted in 2011, the new business plan of UNCDF’s Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) helps to strengthen public investment and service delivery at the local level. UNCDF’s support for decentralization and strong financial management within decentralized systems leads to improved allocations of scarce public resources, stronger and more responsive local governments and, ultimately, better public investment and services that improve people’s lives and lay the foundations for economic growth. Under the overall guidance of the Head of the UNCDF Regional Office for Africa and the direct supervision of the LDFP Regional Team leader, the incumbent provides technical leadership and high-level policy advice for a portfolio of local development projects, business intelligence and technical support for identifying new programming opportunities that may serve as policy pilots, as well as for co-funding arrangements with UNDP. At the regional level, the Regional Technical Adviser for LDPF (RTA/LDFP) works closely with the Regional LDFP Team Leader and the Regional Portfolio Specialist, providing technical support, programming and policy advice regarding start-up and on-going projects in the region. The incumbent serves as technical adviser to UNDP country offices located in LDCs and selected non-LDCs in the region, ensuring integration of UNCDF with UNDP country programming and national programming frameworks, and partners with UNDP practice areas, particularly in governance, on policy, programme and knowledge-related initiatives in the region. She/he provides technical back-stopping and guidance to the project work of the Programme Officers and country teams responsible for project implementation, ensuring quality assurance in line with the LDFP. She/he receives guidance on human resources and financial matters related to the project formulation cycle from the UNCDF Regional Office and UNCDF Headquarters. From Headquarters, the RTA/LDFP obtains strategic guidance from the LDFP Director and technical support from the LDFP Portfolio Adviser, particularly in thematic areas, keeping them apprised of programme opportunities and relationship developments with key stakeholders. The incumbent is supported by the Partnerships Division, on business development, resource mobilization and related matters, keeping the Partnerships Adviser informed of the latest business intelligence. She/he is supported by the Operations Division in the negotiation of agreements for the provision of technical services. ___________________ This is a Development Project funded position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions: Provides technical leadership and policy advice in the area of local development finance, local public finance and thematic areas of relevance to the Practice, to key stakeholders in the region and country office network in the LDCs and selected non-LDCs; Does technical project-oversight for the assigned regional portfolio so as to contribute to the achievement of corporate and project objectives; Provides regional leadership in applying business development strategies, tools and intelligence, to build and maintain technical partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and enhance resource mobilization for local development and local public finance in the region; Provides technical leadership in policy development and knowledge management in the areas of local development, local development finance and associated thematic areas, including (a) localizing the MDGs; (b) policy, research and development, and knowledge management; and (c) financing models for infrastructure and service provision. Provides regional leadership in the active acquisition and sharing of business-sensitive knowledge in local development and local public finance; Provides technical support and advice to the LDFP Director and to UNCDF Senior Management on UNCDF corporate initiatives and activities. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND FORMULATION OF PROGRAMMES/PROJECTS: Develops concepts for new programmes and takes a lead role in proramme/project formulation in the area of local development finance with emphasis on thematic highlighted in the UNCDF corporate strategy Leadership in developing concept notes leading to the development of new programmes /projects in line with corporate priorities and the with the UNCDF’s Local Development Finance Practice Business Plan and country-level programming frameworks; Formulation of programme/projects in the priority thematic areas of the Local Development Finance Practice Area; Due diligence in ensuring that the programme planning cycle meets agreed upon deadlines in a quality fashion, including project appraisal, formulation and approval processes; Scans environment and opportunities in selected LDCs and proposes areas to be explored/developed by the practice, including regional initiatives; Identification and development of new products, tools and processes in UNCDF’s niche areas to better employ comparative advantages of UNCDF and UNDP in the region to serve targeted clients; review of existing products, concepts and tools in local development to ensure continued effectiveness and to increase awareness of these products, tools, etc. among key stakeholders, adapting them to changes in circumstances and requirements in the region. TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP/POLICY ADVICE: Provides technical leadership and policy advice in the area of local development, local public finance and thematic areas of relevance to the Practice Responsible for technical monitoring and reoorting during programme/project implementation and in selected LDCS; Contribute to high-level debates and consultation processes at regional and country level related to UNCDF’s projects and programmes in the region and UNCDF’s work in local development finance; Advises UNDP in LDCs and non LDCs; Effective and innovative programme strategies and design, involving assessment, dialogue and negotiations with key regional stakeholders, including donors, LDC and selected non-LDC government officials and UNDP, advancing UNCDF’s comparative advantages and its contribution to the achievement of MDGs in the sub-region; Technical guidance to UNCDF country teams on project preparation and implementation, and technical monitoring of their work plans; Development of policies in the areas of local development finance, drawing on the latest, cutting-edge research, new thinking, lessons of policy pilots and substantive dialogue with key practitioners and major international institutions, including UNDP, in order to better achieve UNCDF Business Plan’s objectives and MDG goals. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING FOR LEVERAGE AND ADVOCACY: Develops and applies strategies, to build and maintain partnerships (technical and programmatic), capitalize on business opportunities and enhance resource mobilization in the region, focusing on achieving the following results: Enters into partnerships to ensure replication and scaling up of UNCDF programmes in order to achieve greater impact; Increase cost-sharing opportunities for UNCDF programmes/projects; Investment opportunities identified that can be leveraged within assigned LDCs and selected non-LDCs; Effective technical relationships with strategic partners, including LDC and selected non-LDC governments at local and national levels, the Bretton Woods Institutions, research and academic institutions, civil society and the private sector; Advice to the LDFP Director and the Partnerships Adviser on development of resource mobilization and communications strategies that meet needs of regional programmes; Agreements negotiated on provision of technical services at the regional level, with the support of the Operations Division; Dialogue and outreach to key internal and external constituencies and partners, to increase visibility and awareness of UNCDF’s comparative advantages and strategic niches in local development within specific LDCs and selected non-LDCs. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Provides regional leadership in the active acquisition and sharing of business-sensitive knowledge in local development, focusing on achieving the following results: Technical leadership in identifying, documenting and incorporating lessons learned from regional policy pilot experience for scaling up, policy influence and model refinement into portfolio management and planning at regional level, and as input to LDFP area for UNCDF and UNDP's policy and programme support to local development; Technical contributions to the Local Development Academy Project; Elaboration of papers based on evidence and results of UNCDF interventions; Collaboration with key partners and local development practitioners, including UNDP practices, within the region for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches to build the reputation of UNCDF as a centre of excellence and sharpen delivery of local development projects in order to better achieve UNCDF Business Plan objectives and MDG goals; Development and contribution to knowledge-sharing networks on local development initiatives within the region and globally. POLICY ADVICE IN SOCIAL PROTECTION AGENDA: Advises on the possibilities of developing a UNCDF social protection agenda in the Africa region, focusing on: Concept development; Exploration of synergies with the Inclusive Finance Practice; Programme Development. PARTICIPATIONS IN CORPORATE INITIATIVES Technical support from regional and national perspectives to the development of LDFP’s substantive inputs into the UNCDF LDFP Business Plan and its implementation; Advice to the LDFP Director and Regional Team Leader on different matters, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports; Analysis and recommendations on issues arising from data for new programming in LDFP; Atlas approval authority for requisition; Advice to UNCDF Senior Management on technical issues and business development opportunities, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports; Policy advice to Director, LDFP on substantive thematic and inter-regional activities; Development of substantive inputs into the LDFP Business Plan and to the UNCDF Results-Oriented Annual Report. Support to the development of the annual Practice Work Plan at the regional level, in collaboration with other Regional Technical Advisers; Analysis and recommendations on issues arising from data for new programming in local development finance; Atlas approval authority at Level 2. Impact of Results Results of the work of the LDFP Regional Technical Adviser have a major impact on the overall technical effectiveness and growth of UNCDF’s Local Development Programme in the region and on the success of the Local Development Finance Practice in achieving LDFP Business Plan objectives, and results expected in the UNCDF results framework. Results have a major impact on the reputation of UNCDF in the region and countries as preferred partner and as a centre of excellence in Local Development Finance and its success engaging key actors, in strategic partnerships and joint programming of local development and public finance projects for the LDCs and selected non-LDCs in the region. Results have a significant impact on resource mobilization and on the capacity of UNCDF to expand coverage to other LDCs and non-LDCs in the region.

Competencies

CORPORATE Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly and without favoritism Shows strong corporate commitment Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP FUNCTIONAL Demonstrated strong technical knowledge in the areas of local Development Finance Proven practical knowledge of local development and local public finance as applied in the LDC and non-LDC context at both local and national levels Familiarity with UNDP and the UN system and the role of key institutions in the field of local development and local public finance, knowledge of UNDP field level organization Knowledge of Atlas at level required for the position Comprehensive understanding of managing for results MANAGERIAL/BEHAVIORAL Leadership Focuses on impact and results for client Takes initiative and calculated risks Builds trust in interactions with others Displays positive attitude Takes decisions Managing Relationships Builds strong client relationships Identifies opportunities and builds strategic partnerships Communicates clearly and convincingly Managing Complexity Supports development of clear Unit strategy Develops innovative solutions Building and Sharing Knowledge Shares knowledge and experience with colleagues Provides advice and support to others in UNCDF and UNDP Actively builds deep knowledge in local development area Makes valuable substantive contributions in local development Supports knowledge management in Unit/Office Learning and People Development Provides constructive coaching and feedback Supports learning environment in Unit/Office

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A Master’s degree in planning, economics, public administration, political science or related field. Experience: At least ten (10) years’ professional experience in progressively more responsible positions in the area of local development and/or local governance/decentralization and/or public finance, preferably in LDCs; Demonstrated success in resource mobilization and partnership-building. Language Requirements: Fluency in English; Proficiency in other UN languages relevant to the region of assignment is highly desirable. Note: The applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx. Completion of all the fields is required.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

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.

Regional Technical Adviser, Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) UNCDF