UN Co-ordination Specialist Job Vacancy: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is UN’s global development organization. UNDP has a normative global mission as a pro-poor development agency to promote human rights, gender and the Millennium Development Goals.

Job Code Title: UN Co-ordination Specialist

Grade: National Officer (Category C)

Vacancy Number: 2009-06-010

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Type of appointment: Fixed Term Appointment (100 Series)

Organizational Unit: Resident Co-ordination Unit

Closing Date: 1 July 2009

I. Organizational Context and Position Information

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UN RC/HC), the UN Coordination Specialist reinforces capacity of the UN Country Team

• to use the Common Country Assessment process (CCA) in a flexible and effective manner,
  
• to prepare high quality, focused and strategic United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs),
  
• to respond to crisis and post-crisis contexts, to support the national strategies setting,
  
• to develop and implement the collaborative and joint programmes, to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Global Conferences,
  
• to establish electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national systems and processes, and
  
• for national counterparts to access the expertise of agencies without field representation.

The Position

The UN Coordination Specialist supervises and leads the staff of the UN Coordination Unit.

The UN Coordination Specialist works in close collaboration with United Nations Country Team (UNCT) members, programme and operations teams of the Agencies, UN Development Operations Coordination Office (UNDOCO) staff,Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of UNCT activities.

II. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN programmes coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country including managing the support of the UNCT with relevant national counterparts.
• Coordination on behalf of the UN RC/HC of the CCA Thematic Group activities and draft CCA preparation.
• Provision of secretarial support to the UNDAF Working Groups ensuring full participation UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions and coordination of the draft UNDAF preparation.
• Establishment of effective mechanisms for monitoring UNDAF implementation based on the UNDAF Results Matrix and the UNDAF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in consultation with UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions.
• Monitoring of the activities of the UN Theme Groups.
• Identification of strengths and weaknesses in UN Agencies programmes in the context of UNDAF, UN System reform and MDGs.
• Provision of advice on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of joint UN programmes, common services and other UN functions.
• Development of strategies, policies and programmes in close consultation with UN Agencies aimed at reaching the MDGs and establishment of the system for monitoring the progress towards the MDGs and Global Conferences.

2. Ensures preparation and implementation of the RC Work Plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Coordination of the RC Work Plan, reports and proposals for funding preparation.
• Coordination of substantive preparations and support provided for UNCT retreat to review the annual workplan and prepare for the next annual work planaswell as for other UNCT meetings.
• Management and Monitoring of the Support to the Resident Coordinator (SRC) fund and other funds dedicated to UNCT activities.
• Apportionment and approval of expenditures and generation of related reports.

3. Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities in close consultation with the relevant communication focal points of the coordination unit and the UN system focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of the systematic information on UN RC/HC system activities.
• Implementation of the outreach strategy for partners of the UN system.
• Management of media and communication strategies of the UNCT, in close consultation with the UNCT
• Preparation of speakers notes, talking points, speeches for major advocacy events of the Resident Coordinator system, in close consultation with the UNCT and partners.
• Coordination and logistical management for visiting incoming missions

4. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of joint initiatives such as a joint resource mobilization strategy, a civil society strategy, and roll out of a “Delivering as One” strategy for UNDAF implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on donor strategies and national development strategies, provision of advice to UN RC/HC ensuring synchronicity, alignment and complementarity between these strategies and UN activities.
• Coordination of the substantive preparations of the UNCT for CGs, roundtables and other key events in close consultation with appropriate counterparts in government, bilateral and multilateral partners
• Research on strategies and the coordination of roll out of the strategy towards “Delivering as One”.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to coordination. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals.
• Identification of national policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective UNDAF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNCT.
• Establishment of electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national institutions and processes and for national partners to access the expertise of agencies without field representation.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings to UN staff on coordination issues.

III. Terms

This is an appointment that is governed under UN Staff Regulations and Staff Rules (100 series) for a Fixed-term contract, one-year renewable based on performance. An attractive remuneration package commensurate with the grade and level of the position will be offered.

IV. Recruitment Qualifications

Education

• A Master’s Degree in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages
• Experience in handling of web based management systems.
• Knowledge of the UN and Resident Co-ordination systems would be an advantage.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and the working language of the duty station.

V. Application Procedures:

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications may send their applications enclosing an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) to the following email address - jobs.ke @ undp.org - on or before 1 July 2009.

The (P.11) may be obtained from UNDP Kenya website at:
www.ke.undp.org/jobsandconsultancy.html.

Internal candidates should submit an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) and their two most recent performance appraisals.

Kindly quote the vacancy number (No. 2009-06-010) on the subject line of the email message.

VI. Additional Considerations

1. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
2. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
3. As this is a National Officer position, UNDP will only consider applications from nationals of Kenya.
4. Everything being equal, applications of qualified female candidates will be given preference.

“UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns”.