Location
: Lilongwe, MALAWI
Application
Deadline : 13-Nov-12
Additional
Category: Millennium Development Goals
Type
of Contract : FTA International
Post
Level : P-4
Languages
Required : English
Starting
Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 02-Jan-2013
Duration
of Initial Contract : One year renewable
Background
As
part of the measures to operationalize Outcome 4.2 of the 2012-2016 UNDAF,
namely: Public institutions will better manage, allocate and utilize resources
for effective development and service delivery, the UN system in collaboration
the Government of Malawi has developed a project document on Strengthening of
Institutional Capacity for Development Effectiveness and Accountability. The
Project has been conceived to address gaps in capacities in the areas of
planning, monitoring and evaluation, development assistance management and
results-based management (RBM) while recognizing the synergies and
inter-relationships between them.
The
Project seeks to achieve the following outputs:
i)
National
institutions utilize Results Based-Management (RBM) systems for planning,
monitoring and evaluation to enhance ownership and leadership for achievement
of development results;
ii)
Government has sufficient capacity to
effectively negotiate, manage and account for development assistance; and
iii)
National
institutions have the capacity to align policies, programmes and budgets with
national development strategies and MDGs for efficient achievement of
development results.
It
is the UN's response to the 2011-2015 Malawi
Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) Theme 5: Improved Governance - Sub-theme
1: Economic Governance and to the Public Financial and Economic Management
(PFEM) Report Programme. The latter is the main vehicle through which
Development Partners are going to support the economic governance agenda in the
MGDS.
The
Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Development Effectiveness and
Accountability Programme (DEAP) and the PFEM Reform Programme entail a wide
scope of technical areas and large number of stakeholders at the national,
sectoral and local levels. The nature of interventions will demand high levels
of coordination capabilities, strong analytical and organizational skills as
well as experience in development cooperation management. It is against this
background that a DEAP Specialist is being sought to assist in the management
and coordination of the programme.
The
DEAP Program Specialist will be located in OPC in Lilongwe Malawi. He/she will
operate under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative
(Programme), and under day to day supervision by OPC. He/she will work closely
with other Specialists and Assistant Resident Representative of the Capacity
Development Cluster of the UNDP country office in Malawi. The Specialist will
be responsible for all aspects of the development effectiveness and accountability
project and ensure an efficient attainment of project outputs and results.
Specifically, the Specialist will provide expert advice to support the
coordination and management of DEAP; RBM practices in M & E; development
assistance management and MGDS-based planning and provide technical assistance
to the national project managers in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of
Economic Planning and Development.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provides
top-notch expertise and advice to UNDPMOF and MEPD with regard to development
of policies, strategies, innovations and best practices in RBM, development
cooperation and national development goals and MDGs achievement:
- Conducts
research and analysis of developments in the areas development
cooperation, RBM and national strategy planning and management;
- Keeps
abreast of developments and trends in the areas international development
cooperation, managing for development results, national planning and MDGs
achievement;
- Technically
contributes to the institutionalization of RBM, Human Rights-Based
Approaches and MDGs/MGDS-Based planning and budgeting in Ministries,
Departments and Agencies and district councils;
- Recommends
and initiates policy formulation and reviews impact assessments in the
areas pertaining to development effectiveness;
- Guides
the MGDS and MDGs annual review processes to ensure high quality of
reports and cost-effectiveness;
- Provides
regional and international best practices in programming and management
for effective development cooperation, RBM and national goals and MDGs
achievement; and
- Contributes
to the processes for acceleration on lagging MDGs and priority goals in
the MGDS;
Strengthens
the capacity of OPC/MoF / MEPD/District Councils for the implementation,
management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of DEAP:
- Provides
technical assistance to MoF and MEPD for these Ministries to assume
leadership and strategic oversight of the planning, budgeting,
implementation and monitoring of the DEAP components, in line with output
and outcome indicators;
- Conducts
a thorough analysis of the policy, managerial and technical aspects and
advise MoF, MEPD and UNDP on arrangements to ensure effective management
and implementation of DEAP;
- Provides
technical expertise to ensure effective application of the Results-Based
Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring
and achievement of results;
- Works
closely with and provides technical assistance to the DEAP National
Component Managers to promote effective coordination of activities in
relation to the PFEM Reform;
- Ensures
effective monitoring and evaluation of the DEAP Project and introduces
adjustments to programme design and implementation strategies as/when
necessary in consultation with key stakeholders;
- Provide
technical assistance for the the development of reporting systems and the
elaboration of consolidated annual progress reports for the programme;
- Provides
technical expertise to the formulation of TORs and recruitment of
short-term consultants needed to undertake knowledge products or other
works related to the programme;
- Undertakes
effective liaison and coordination with participating UN agencies, PFEM
focal point and other National Programme Partners (actual and potential)
to ensure a coordinated, harmonised and integrated approach which
guarantees ongoing financial and technical support for its development and
consolidation;
- Transfers
skills and developscapacity in RBM, Aid Management and coordination and
strategic planning, HRBA to programming, MGDS-based planning and costing
through trainings, on-the-job coaching, briefings and study sessions, etc.
Ensures
effective management of the DEAP Project focusing on quality control of the
full cycle of programming from formulation, monitoring, implementation, and
reviews:
- Provides
leadership and guidance in the implementation of the DEAP Project other
related projects within PFEM Reform Programme;
- Assists
in effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets
and monitoring and achievement of results;
- Assists
in strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring
of the DEAP Project, tracking use of resources in accordance with UNDP
rules and regulations, as well as policies and procedures;
- Undertakes
effective monitoring, measuring the impacts of the DEAP on a regular
basis;
- Ensures
team work with the government colleagues, as well as with colleagues in
the UNDP country office and the UN system;
- Contributes
to the learning initiative in the government as well as in the UNDP CO,
and to the knowledge management initiatives, particularly for government
and UNDP.
Facilitates
and maintains strategic partnerships and resource mobilization:
- Develops
partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization to achieve
programme outcomes;
- Establishes
and promotes partnerships with UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral
donors, government institutions, organized private sector, CSOs and other stakeholders;
- Contributes
to the Economic Governance Sector Working Group (SWG) to help bridge the
potential gap between the government and development partners;
- Prepares
briefings on possible areas of cooperation and identification of
opportunities for cost-sharing;
- Contributes
to the establishment of cooperation and inter-change between national and
sub-national institutions and key national and international stakeholders;
- Provides
technical support and expert advice in the formulation, implementation, monitoring,
and reviews of the UNDAF, UNDP country programme, and the UN Joint
Programmes and Programming for UNDAF outcome 4. 2 and
- Identifies
strategic and innovative areas of cooperation with interested development
partners in supporting development effectiveness.
- Provides
technical contribution to the UN M & E group’s work
- Ensures
strategic linkages between DEAP Project and PFEM – RP.
Undertakes
advocacy and information, education and communication (IEC) and contributes and
knowledge management, focusing on:
- Facilitates
a process of creating and raising the level of awareness on issues
emerging in the fields of development cooperation, RBM and national goals
and MDGs achievement;
- Contributes
to the development and implementation of the MGDS, MDG and National Human
Development Report communication strategy and action plan;
- Generates
best practices and communicates them with the aim of informing the
national-level policy and political dialogue in the fields;
- Provides
specialist advice on a timely basis to UNDP and the UN System on
significant policy measures being considered or implemented by the
Government in the area of development effectiveness;
- Creates
high-level advocacy on relevant development policies and programmes in
relation to development effectiveness across the representatives of top
echelon of the country’s
stakeholders;
- Actively
participates in UNDP’s
corporate knowledge networks (i.e. team works) and share international
level knowledge in the portfolio with national partners
- Determines
appropriate media for reaching out to the public and design strategies for
reaching target groups; and
- Promotes
South-South collaboration in support for exchange of information and
experience with other countries.
Impact
of Results:
The
key results have impacts on the overall success of the Strengthening
Institutional Capacity for Development Effectiveness and Accountability. In
particular, the key results have impact on the definition, planning, budgeting
and implementation of programming activities, programme monitoring and
knowledge management and the creation of strategic partnerships with actual and
potential programme partners. In specific terms, it has impacts on the
following results areas:
- Capacity
development of OPC, MoF, MEPD and other national and sub-national
government agencies involved in the area of decentralised and
participative planning through the provision of specialist technical
advice and expertise, training, and knowledge and information management.
- Management,
coordination, implementation and monitoring of the National Programme for
DEAP.
- The
development and management of strategic partnership with key national and
international stakeholders in the field of development effectiveness.
Competencies
Corporate
Competencies
- Promotes
the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
- Demonstrates
integrity by modelling the UN’s
values and ethical standards.
- Displays
cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and
adaptability.
Functional
Competencies
Technical
knowledge:
- Demonstrates
a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to
development effectiveness and accountability as stipulated in the Paris
Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and Busan global partnership agreement
- Exhibits
a good knowledge of institutional development and capacity development
issues.
- Displays
process, transparency and accountability in the country.
- Expertise
in RBM and M & E tools and practices
Development
and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability
to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes,
results-based management, work planning, and reporting.
- Ability
to formulate and manage budgets, oversight of implementation, monitoring
and evaluation of development projects.
- Ability
to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify
creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
- Ability
to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main
constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across
different constituencies.
- Ability
to mobilise resources and undertake cost-recovery.
- Ability
to implement new systems and effect behavioural and attitudinal change.
Knowledge
and Information Management and Learning:
- Facilitates
knowledge and information sharing and learning culture.
- Has
good knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues.
- Actively
works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more
Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
- Has
knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme.
Management
and Leadership:
- Builds
strong relationships with stakeholders and clients, focuses on impact and
results for clients, and respond positively to feedback.
- Ability
to establish effective working relations and team working in a
multicultural team environment, and sensitivities to cultural differences.
- Excellent
interpersonal skills.
- Consistently
approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Demonstrates
strong oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates
capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan
and organize programmes effectively.
- Demonstrates
resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.
- Demonstrates
openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
- Patience
to work under pressure and maintains positive outlook and humour.
Required
Skills and Experience
Education:
- At
least a Masters
degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Relations,
Public Policy, Development Studies or in any related social sciences.
Experience:
- At
least 7 years practical experience in development cooperation and
development programming at international and national levels.
- Extensive
experience at the national or international level in providing policy
advisory services in support of the coordination and management of DEAP;
RBM practices in M & E; development assistance management and
MGDS-based planning.
- Relevant
work experience in developing countries, preferably in the Africa region
would be an asset.
- Thorough
knowledge of development policies, aid and debt policies, RBM practices,
aid and development effectiveness and strategic planning and budgeting.
- Hands-on
experience in design, monitoring and overseeing implementation of support
to building national capacity for development programming and establishing
inter-relationships.
- Excellent
communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong
analytical and organizational skills.
Language
Requirements:
- Fluency
in English required.
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.
Closing
Date: Tuesday, 13 November 2012