United Nations Development Programme
UNDP/PAPP Vacancies
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366 - Chief Technical Advisor (LGSP) - Ramallah
| Application Type : |
External Vacancy |
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| Job ID/Title : |
366 - Chief Technical Advisor (LGSP) |
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| Category : |
Social & Human Development Unit |
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| Brand : |
UNDP |
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| Post Level : |
NO-C |
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| Application Deadline : |
28-Sep-10 |
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| Duty Station : |
Ramallah |
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| Type of Contract : |
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Post Number :
(for 100 Series Contracts) |
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Languages Required :
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Arabic, English,
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Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
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| Duration of Initial Contract : |
One year with possible extension |
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| Expected Duration of Assignment : |
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| Background: |
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The United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) is in the process of implementing the newly established Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP 2010-2013) which aims at developing democratic, decentralized, transparent, and inclusive system of local governance in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The five main components of the LGSP are the following:
• The openness and accountability of local governments are increased
• A working decentralized model for local governments in promoting local economic development is developed and implemented in selected municipalities.
• Fiscal resources for decentralized local governance are increased
• The technical capacity of government institutions and officials in the local governance sector is enhanced
• A decentralized regional planning and development process is institutionalized
The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will be stationed in UNDP – Ramallah office and will provide conceptual and technical support in decentralization of local governance. Moreover, the expectation is that s/he will lead and manage activities/projects under the LGSP portfolio and therefore requires solid management skills both in terms of supervising staff as well as ensuring the effective delivery of programme outputs.
The CTA will work under the authority of the Special Representative, direct supervision of the Team Leader, in matrix management with the Deputy Special Representative.
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| Description of Responsibilities: |
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The CTA will be responsible, but not limited to, the following:
1-Provide technical advice and act as an advisor to UNDP on issues related to decentralization and participatory local governance. The functions include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:
• Elaborate policy issues and develop technical papers on issues related to UNDP's programming in the decentralization of local governance sector;
• Establish policy framework for UNDP's interventions in the sector, and ensure its relevance to UNDP/PAPP's sector strategy;
• Develop programme/project proposals in line with UNDP/PAPP strategy in the sector and;
• Contribute to networking and partnership building with donors and positioning PAPP in a leadership role in the sector.
• Demonstrate creativity in identifying new areas of interventions in the local governance sector.
• Provide support to other UNDP offices when requested through queries and technical input when deemed necessary
2-Provide technical support to the Local Governance projects team, support the team of experts in programming, and provide technical advice on related issues, these may include, but not limited, to the following:
• Support and provide technical advice to the Project Managers and team on issues related to sector policies, best practices and strategic orientation of the project;
• Keep projects teams updated on related local governance activities that may directly or indirectly impact the planning and implementation of projects;
• Encourage and support learning plans for the LGSP team.
• Establish a coordination mechanism between UNDP projects in the sector;
• Ensure integrating the outputs/outcomes of the local governance projects within the overall sectoral policy framework;
• Clear technical documents produced by the projects and;
• Participate in meetings, seminars and workshops with local authorities, donors and stakeholders.
3- Provide leadership to staff and activities of the LGSP.
• Provide overall leadership, oversight and management of the UNDP’s activities under the LGSP.
• Identify needs for additional technical support and expertise to support the ongoing local governance projects as well as leading/supporting the process of designing and operationalising new projects in the sector,
• In cooperation with other portfolios and in consultation with international multi- and bi-lateral donors, prepare and assist in the implementation of resource mobilization and partnership strategies in the area of local governance reform.
4 - Provide Programme management and financial oversight of the LGSP:
• Co-ordinate the work of the project teams under the LGSP and conduct staff management and performance reviews in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures,
• Oversee preparation of budgets and work plans by project managers according to the requirements of the LGSP and ensure their implementation within set tolerance levels,
• Ensure rapid and effective start up of project operations and activities within the newly designed areas of interventions,
• Monitor and analyze the progress, using applicable M&E and risk management tools where relevant, and advise on timely readjustments of strategies and corrective actions as necessary,
• Develop and oversee implementation of partnership strategy and arrange and review provision and quality of technical assistance, ensuring proper agreements are in place with relevant parties,
• Oversee the management of financial allocations and approve expenditures according to authority delegated, and ensure timely payments in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures,
• Approve preparation of procurement plans and oversee procurement and logistics for supporting implementation within projects,
• Supervise and guide the drafting of periodic operational and financial reports of the LGSP,
• Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations and ensure the same are respected by all programme personnel.
• Ensure co-ordination with other portfolios at UNDP/PAPP to promote complementarities and harmonization of different PAPP’s efforts in assisting the Palestinian people
5 - Advocacy and Co-ordination
• Play an active role in policy advice and strategic thinking on decentralization, local governance, fiscal decentralization, increasing openness, local economic development and community participation in local governance
• Liaise and co-ordinate with government(s), donors, other UN Agencies, NGOs and CSOs operating complementary activities and innovations, and provide feedback to the UNDP and programme partners,
• Play an active role in support of donor relations and resource mobilization,
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with donors and partners and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insights,
• Liaise constantly with the UNDP senior management, Team Leader for Governance and Poverty Reduction and partners on strategic positioning issues within the national local governance context, as well as on strategic areas of focus and substantive directions to be tackled by the LGSP programme.
6 - Policy support and development
• Support and provide technical advice to the Project Managers and team on issues related to sector policies, best practices and strategic orientation of the project;
• Supervise and guide the work of the UNDP local governance policy analyst related to policy development and research and ensure sharing of findings and recommendations within and outside of UNDP,
• Provide technical support and guidance to national stakeholders;
• Work closely with UNDP CO to ensure that the programme is contributing effectively to fulfilling CO objectives and in a manner that strengthens UNDP’s strategic position among donors and as an effective conduit for development aid in support of local development through local authorities.
Impact of Results
The results of the work of the Chief Technical Advisor will greatly impact UNDP/PAPP’s LGSP programme by enhancing its capacity in the design, implementation, coordination and facilitation and monitoring of the LGSP at the national level. This would include the development of democratic, decentralized, transparent, and sustainable local governance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt).
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| Competencies : |
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Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong team work skills and negotiations ability
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Leads teams effectively and shows monitoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
UNDP Certification programmes Prince2, Procurement, HR, Accounting and Finance
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| Qualifications : |
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Education
Master degree (masters or equivalent) in public administration, planning, economics, political sciences, social sciences or related field.
Experience
At least five years of substantive experience in local governance, community based development, planning & decentralization of local governance, or related fields;
• Extensive knowledge of the local government systems in developed and under-developed countries; knowledge of the Palestinian local government system is an asset;
• Fluent in English; excellent communication and report-writing skills; strong knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Team-player and self-starter;
• Ability to travel through the West Bank and (if feasible) Gaza;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet strict guidelines;
• A proven capacity in designing and guiding complex and multi layered local development and decentralization support programme activities, ranging from field operations in municipal capacity development, the reconfiguring of functional assignments, fiscal decentralization, support to the development of efficient municipal institutional structures and the reform of policies, and other;
• Previous intensive experience in Palestine/in the Region in managing large and complex projects as well as thorough understanding of the political environment is a strong asset;
• Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
• Excellent and proven experience in dealing with local government challenges, NGOs, CSOs, and bilateral and multilateral Donors;
• High level of maturity, excellent inter-personal, negotiation and team leading skills required;
• Experience with complex UN and/or UNDP programmes preferably in the area of Local Governance an asset: and
• Experience in use of computers and office software packages.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English and Arabic required
“ UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from men and women will be considered equally”
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