Vacancy at UNDP - UN AREA COORDINATOR

Location :	Banda Aceh, INDONESIA
Application Deadline :	01-Jul-2010
Type of Contract :	Service Contract
Post Level :	SC-11
Languages Required :	English
Duration of Initial Contract :	12 months

Background

UNDP Indonesia's mission is to be an agent for change in the human and social development of Indonesia. We aim to be a bridge between Indonesia and all donors as well as a trusted partner to all stakeholders. We work in four key areas of development: Governance Reforms, Pro-Poor Policy Reforms, Conflict Prevention and Recovery, and Environment Management, with the overarching aim of reducing poverty in Indonesia. Besides the four priority areas, UNDP Indonesia is also engaged in a variety of crosscutting initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and information and technology for development. I. Background and Organizational Context Background The Government of Indonesia has recently signed the "Jakarta Commitment", which localizes the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action for increased aid effectiveness, local ownership and donor coordination. The UN in Indonesia is responding to this call for increased harmonization with a strengthening of its common approaches and the delivery of results for the advancement of the MDGs based on a joint framework. The work of the Area Coordinator will play an important role in supporting the UN Indonesia in this effort. In this context, the United Nations Country Team, as part of the new United Nations Partnership for Development Framework (UNPDF) 2011 – 2015, has agreed that its presence in three regions should be sustained through joint programmes, in order to make progress in realizing the government’s goals. These regions include Aceh and Nias where the development gains following the Tsunami need to be protected and maintained; Papua Tanah where sustained and concerted efforts are required; and NTT where alternative approaches to reducing the high levels of food insecurity and poverty are required. An integrated and joint programming strategy is being developed for these three regions. In Aceh, the role of the United Nations over the past five years has been to support the endeavor of the GoI, specifically BRR and local governments to manage post-disaster and post-conflict recovery. With the closure of BRR in April 2009, Bappenas (National Planning Ministry) and the Ministry of Public Works have assumed much of the responsibilities of BRR with the remaining responsibilities devolving to Provincial and Local Authorities in Aceh (notably BAPPEDA vis-à-vis coordination and strategic leadership) and North Sumatra. Organizational Context The position of the United Nations Area Coordinator for Aceh and Nias is based in Banda Aceh to serve as the representative of the UN RC for coordination of international support, for the UN agencies and international NGOs in Aceh and Nias but also to assist those agencies that are not currently present. Under the guidance and supervision of the Coordination Specialist and the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, the Area Coordinator will be responsible for the strategic coordination of field-level operations as implemented by UN agencies present in Aceh/Nias, facilitation of frequent communications with the local Government of Aceh (GoA), collaboration with local GoA to strengthen coordination capacity of government decision makers, development of UN joint programmes as appropriate and maintaining up-to-date information updating progress based on the data provided by the UN agencies. This will be realized with support of the facilities already established by UN agencies in Aceh/Nias. Full administrative and programmatic support will be provided to the Area Coordinator by UN agencies in Aceh/Nias. The Area Coordinator is attached to the Office of the Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator. The office manages a wide range of interagency coordination issues including support to joint programmes between several UN organizations, advising government on potential collaborations and/or steps forward on a variety of development-related issues. The structure of the office is unique as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is embedded into the RC/HC office.

Duties and Responsibilities

II. Functions / Key Results Expected The Area Coordinator will focus particularly on establishing strong coordination mechanisms for UNPDF implementation based on UNCT, UNAT and Government priorities. In this context the Area Coordinator will be directly responsible for the development and coordination of Joint Programmes and activities as well as developing government capacities in coordinating development programmes in Aceh. The Area Coordinator will maintain an updated map detailing of UN interventions in Aceh and Nias. In addition the Area Coordinator will be responsible to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Global Conferences, to establish electronic and/or other systems for agencies without field representation to access provincial systems and processes, and for provincial counterparts to access the expertise of agencies without field representation. 1. Ensures effective implementation of the UNPDF through formulating and implementing a joint UN strategy for Aceh/Nias in keeping with the priorities of the local GoA as well as the UNPDF and priorities of UN agencies in Aceh/Nias Thorough analysis of the political, legal, social and economic situation of the country and engagement with local Government of Aceh to ascertain local GoA needs and priorities in key thematic areas of the UNPDF Engagement with the UNPDF Working Groups ensuring full participation of UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions Establish an effective mechanism for monitoring UNPDF implementation based on the UNPDF Results Matrix and the UNPDF 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 Acts as a mediator to settle any discord between UN and the national/local partners when it arises 2. Design the development of UN Joint Programmes, coordinates and facilitates the harmonization of UN activities in Aceh and Nias Design and formulation of UN joint programmes and activities based on UNPDF, UNAT and Government priorities. The Area Coordinator will focus on selected priority thematic topics articulated in the UNPDF Providing advice on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of joint UN programmes, common services and other UN functions Advocate gender mainstreaming and gender-specific interventions in programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation Taking the lead in obtaining funding for joint programmes from donors, government and/or UN agencies in close coordination with all partners. Ensure coordination of UN agencies in the implementation of joint programmes Ensure implementation of Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) 3. Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities in close consultation with information / communication focal points of the UN system focusing on the achievement of the following results: Maintenance of systematic information on UNAT activities Implementation of an outreach strategy for partners of the UN system Management of media and communication strategies of the UNAT, in close consultation with UNIC Preparation of speakers notes, talking points, speeches for advocacy events of the Resident Coordinator system, in close consultation with the UNAT and partners. Bringing donor attention to important outstanding gaps and for facilitating inter-agency resource mobilization efforts Promotion of the principle of equity and advocacy for the vulnerable, including promotion of equitable distribution of recovery and development benefits between the tsunami-affected and conflict-affected populations, and promoting international standards and principles pertaining to equality 4. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization strategy 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. Ensure cooperation and seek out opportunities for collaboration and synergies in UN Agencies programmes in the context of UNPDF, UN System reform and MDGs. Oversee resource mobilization efforts, establish and maintain positive relationships with the donor community Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on donor strategies and national development strategies, provision of advice to UN RC on 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. 5. Ensures 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 and province policy goals Identification of provincial policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective UNPDF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNAT. Establishment and maintenance of electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access provincial institutions and processes and for provincial partners to access the expertise of agencies without field representation. Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice and supports capacity-building of national counterparts. Organization of awareness raising activities to UN staff on coordination issues. III. Impact of Results The key results have an impact on the success of the UN Area Team activities, strengthening of overall coordination capacity, and implementation of the ‘One UN’ approach. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design and operation of UN activities, creation of strategic partnerships for UNAT Programming including UNPDF implementation and support of national and provincial strategies and priorities. Additionally, the results will also raise the visibility of UN programmes in Aceh and Nias. Through this they will contribute to position the UN for a sucessful implementation of the UNPDF.

Competencies

IV. Experience and Knowledge Expectations Experience in supporting leadership for change, implementing UN Reform at the country level Experience building and coordinating collaborative partnerships among institutions, including UN agencies, government, civil society, multilateral/bilateral aid institutions, media Extended knowledge of key national oversight institutions, government and multilateral/bilateral institutions involved in ODA policy Presentation, teambuilding, advocacy, resource mobilization/coordination and negotiation/consensus building skills Development and implementation of joint programmes, including integration of gender mainstreaming and gender-specific interventions, and networking for resource mobilization, especially in the areas of post-conflict and other priority areas Ability to design and implement multi-stakeholder strategies Fully apprehend the UN RC system, its rules and procedures •Write assessment reports on the coordinated activities of the UN system • Develop and apply a system to monitor the implementation of the RC work plan and the disbursement of funds. V. Competencies Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards Advocates for and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly without favoritism Familiar with gender mainstreaming and gender-specific interventions Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Area Team to all relevant stakeholders Encourages UN staff to share knowledge Develops a deep understanding of the UNPDF, UN system reform and MDGs Coordination Effectiveness Ability to coordinate the design and implementation of UN programme activities, and strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNPDF implementation. Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, and communicate sensitively across different constituencies. Management and Leadership Focuses on impact and result for the client Leads teams effectively and demonstrates conflict resolution skills Establishes priorities for RC office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course In providing advice to the RC, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior Persuading and Influencing Establishes and maintains the highest level of contact with the provincial decision- and policy-makers, keeping them informed of UN mission, goals and strategies Influences policy development to facilitate achievement of UNCT goals and objectives Promotes UN goals and MDGs in the development of local GoA policies in legal reforms, in budgetary decisions, in poverty reduction strategies, in sector-wide approaches and UN programmes and projects Promotes partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including NGOs and national partners

Required Skills and Experience

VI. Recruitment Qualifications Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field. Experience: Minimum 10 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, including 3 to 5 years of working experience preferably from developing countries. Good Knowledge of the development situation in Aceh and Nias and the main Government processes. Knowledge of the UN and RC systems would be highly desirable. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia Knowledge of Bahasa Aceh is an advantage ALL APPLICANT MUST COMPLETE P11 FORM AND SUBMIT AS PART OF THEIR APPLICATION . Click here to down load the form P11 Female candidates are encouraged to apply UNDP Indonesia reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Indonesia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

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.