Location: United States of America (New York)
Closing date: 07 Mar 2008
Job Description

Background:

The Programme Support and Operations Cluster is one of three clusters in the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. It is designed to provide both strategic programme and operations support to strengthen UNDP’s ability to respond to countries in crisis. It will be BCPR’s point of entry for country offices and, as such, will help to ensure that countries in conflict and post-conflict situations have the capacity to develop and implement programme activities that integrate prevention and recovery into on-going development efforts.

Description of Responsibilities :

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Programme and Operations Support Cluster, the Policy Advisor, is held accountable for the following:

Policy Tracking and Policy Analysis
Identify potential geographic and sub-thematic areas of policy for crisis prevention and post crisis programme collaboration in the Africa region.
Analyze specific policy issues in the region and propose strategic initiatives whilst keeping abreast of internal policy and programmatic developments in the UN and UNDP.

Formulate strategic recommendations for UNDP positioning in the region or country offices within the region. Provide analyses of key debates and formulate strategic recommendations for UNDP positioning.
CPR Liaison Role with UN agencies on Specific Countries in the Region
Represent UNDP and the Bureau in corporate or inter-agency policy discussions related to Crisis Prevention and Recovery for the region or for specific countries in the region.
Produce policy guidelines for country offices in crisis situations in the region for informing country support work by the CPR team in Johannesburg. Make substantive contributions to policy and programme documents.
Produce regular updates for BCPR senior managers on the evolution of CPR related discussions in the interagency fora.
Organize meetings, workshops and round tables on key policy issues relating to the region, coordinating with other agencies as necessary.
Prepare briefs and background documents, including speeches, for BCPR’s participation in corporate or inter-agency meetings for the region or specific countries in the region.
Programme Planning and Management Support
Provide strategic policy support to CPR Team Leader in the RSC in Johannesburg to ensure optimal programme design and management of conflict prevention and recovery activities at the country level, in alignment with current CPR policies and tools.
Coordinate strategic support within BCPR and support CPR programme implementation in the Africa region when supplementary capacity needed by the RSC.
Develop a CPR strategy for Africa, in collaboration with RBA, and manage a partnership framework with the Regional Bureau for directing BCPR support to the region.
Undertake on-going socio-economic and gender analyses, in collaboration with the CPR Team Leader for the region, to identify strategies to minimize crisis and risks at the regional level.
Coordinate the workplaning process for the region, in collaboration with the CPR Team in Johannesburg, as well as the Technical Advisory Services Cluster.
Knowledge Networking
Contribute to documenting UNDP best practices and lessons learned in addressing issues of crisis prevention and recovery in the Africa region. Mainstream these into UNDP’s broader corporate knowledge networks.
Advocate for the role of development in CPC situations and promote mainstreaming of conflict prevention programming within UNDP, e.g. through corporate planning tools such as the CCA, UNDAF, SRF, CPAP, RCF, etc.
Liaise with other organizations and academic institutions specializing in crisis prevention and recovery research in support of “best practices” review and development.
Contribute to the formulation of CPR training programs and serve as a trainer or resource person for the CPR practice area.
Perform other related duties as and when required by the Chief of POSC.
Impact of Results

The actions and recommendations of the post have impact on three levels: countries in crisis or post conflict, BCPR and UNDP. The post improves significantly BCPR’s ability to support those countries in crisis and post conflict situation. The post will have a convening authority and coordinates within BCPR and provide a coherent and integrated programme and operational support to country offices in an efficient manner. It will also impact BCPR’s image and ability to influence the strategic direction of recovery activities in country offices. The countries will have an increased capacity to respond crisis and post conflict situations as well as natural disaster. It increases UNDP’s credibility as active player in crisis and emergency situations at the country level as the leader within the UN country teams.

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
Excellent analytical and organizational skills
Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
In-depth knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly required skills
Knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations
Knowledge of UNDP/UN regulations,rules, policies, procedures and practices; operations
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead and manage corporate strategic initiatives
Excellent computer/information system skills, including resource management system
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and effect staff behavioral/ attitude change

Management and Leaderships
Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
Excellent staff management and supervisory skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Contribute effectively to teamwork
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates strong team management skills
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Strategic thinking, strategic decision-making and proven leadership qualities and experience in management of teams and large groups
Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programme effectively
Resourcefulness, initiative and maturity judgment

Qualifications :

Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: Social sciences, International affairs, development-related fields or business administration or management.
10 years of progressively responsible experience in the programme management, coordination or related areas; field experience in crisis and/or post-conflict settings highly desirable. Excellent knowledge of the region a requirement.
Fluency in English, both verbally and in writing, and working knowledge of French is essential.
Vacancies Contact
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=3881