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Job Description
Location : Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS
Application Deadline :**11-Aug-08**
Type of Contract : ALD International
Post Level :L-4 (ICS-11)
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract :12 months
Background
The UNDP Sub-office in Honiara, Solomon Islands was established in 1999 as a project implementation unit to oversee the implementation of post-crisis rehabilitation programmes. In the intervening years, the portfolio of programmes implemented by the Sub-office has grown. The overall aim of the Country Programme 2008-2012 is to respond to current and emerging development challenges of Solomon Islands in close partnership with the Government through continued emphasis on capacity development, strategic focus and use of resources in high-impact areas, robust engagement and coordination with other key stakeholders and development partners; and strong partnerships at national, provincial and local levels. The programme is aligned with the country’s priorities as reflected in national development planning documents, and has four strategic outcome areas: (1) equitable economic growth and the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs); (2) good governance and human rights, (3) crisis prevention and recovery and (4) environment and sustainable management.
In view of the increase in programme portfolio, an MDG Unit and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) were created in 2008 within the UNDP Honiara Sub-Office to provide programme and operational services to ensure consistency in services provided, cross-fertilization of experiences across projects, common culture and application of standardized solutions in support of Solomon Islands development challenges.
The MDG Unit Manager covers a broad range of programmatic issues ranging from participation in CCA and UNDAF processes, joint programmes and UNDP projects and programmes within the UNDAF Results Matrix. Under the overall guidance of the RC/RR and the DRR, the MDG Unit Manager leads strategic planning, programme formulation and monitors programme effectiveness and delivery. The MDG Unit Manager advises the DRR on course correction and creative responses to emerging complex challenges.
The MDG Unit Manager is responsible for supervision and guidance to UNDP programme staff and ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination. The MDG Unit Manager advocates for UNDP and liaises with other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under overall supervision and guidance of the DRR, the MDG Unit Manager is responsible for the strategic direction of country programme activities from programme design through implementation. The MDG Unit Manager leads the UNDP programme with the following expected results:
* Coordinates and provides substantive contributions from UNDP in the CCA and UNDAF, promotes thematic and sectoral synergies and coordination of programme activities and execution.
* Leads the programme team in programme formulation and networking to ensure a programme which is relevant and responsive to changes in the country context.
* Advises the DRR on country programme development and delivery, identifies approaches and modalities to achieve development targets.
Within the UNDAF Results matrix and the Country Programme Action Plan, the MDG Unit Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the UNDP programme:
Programme management: the MDG Unit Manager manages UNDP’s commitments within the UNDAF Results Matrix, ensures effective application of RBM tools, monitors unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results, the MDG Unit Manager maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts.
Financial management: the MDG Unit Manager has senior manager rights in Atlas and ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations; the PIU Manager ensures cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with the MDG Unit Manager.
Programme contributions management: the MDG Unit Manager oversees UNDP’s delegated role as Administrative Agent in UN Joint Programmes, and manages complex, multi-donor programmes, ensuring timely and accurate programme reporting to donors and Government.
Human Resources management: in consultation with the DRR, the MDG Unit Manager is responsible for recruitment, performance and career management and supervision of UNDP programme and project staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence.
Team work: Promotes cross-unit team work.
Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
Under the overall guidance and leadership of the DRR, the MDG Unit Manager supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP:
* Supports overall resource mobilization of the DRR with a focus on the Country Programme Action Plan and ensures that UNDP mobilizes the support needed for the RC and local coordination function.
* Supports the development and formulation of UN Joint Programmes, in line with the UNDAF and the Joint Presence.
* Advocates for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, international financial institutions and the UN.
* Represents UNDP in the local UN coordination meetings, and in international fora as requested by the DRR.
The MDG Unit Manager ensures knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
* Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise.
* Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the country programme for organizational sharing and learning.
* Supports capacity-building of national counterparts.
* Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the CO.
Competencies
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
* In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
* Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
* Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Development and Operational Effectiveness
* Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
* Ability to lead formulation, 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
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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities
* Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
* Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
* Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
* Provennetworking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
UNDP Certification programmes Prince2, RMG
Required Skills and Experience
* Master’s degree in international development, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences.
* A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, including 3 or more years of senior-level management responsibilities of similar size and complexity.
* Experience managing complex, multi-donor, multi-agency development programmes is highly desirable.
* Fluency (written and spoken) skill of the UN working language of the duty station. Working knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.
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