United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The UNDP Somalia Country Programme is focusing on post conflict recovery and consolidation of peace. The Programme is compost of Rule of Law and Security, Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods, Governance, Human Development and Economics. The cross cutting areas/projects are HIV/AIDS, ICT, human rights and gender. The overall objective of the Inclusive Development and Poverty Reduction project under the HDEU Unit is to support the Somali administrations to identify the necessary interventions required to meet basic service delivery functions and attain the MDGs to promote human development and reduce poverty, strengthen institutional capacity and mobilize support for implementation. The project will support the production of the Somalia Human Development Report 2010 and the introduction of the human development course in select universities. The project will also build and strengthen the foundations for a nationally-owned, participatory process to prepare MDG-aligned development strategies and strengthen institutional capacity to achieve development results by helping to build capacity of the Ministry of Planning and line ministries, to create awareness of the need for poverty monitoring and to support the establishment and institutionalization of the Zonal Statistical Offices and Planning and Monitoring Units in the line ministries. The project will assist in piloting MDG-based planning and programming at the local level by strengthening macro-micro linkage for effective decentralization. The project will also support specific outputs on emerging policy issues that have a direct bearing on socio-economic development in Somalia. HDEU is a growing Unit and consists of the following components: 1. Human Development: Support to preparation of background papers for human development report and introduction of human development course in some select universities 2. Capacity Building on Statistics: Support to Setting, strengthening and establishing statistical offices at national, state, regional and district offices, training and on the job training and the development of poverty monitoring systems 3. MDG Initiatives: Support to advocate on MDGs both at public and policy level, progress reporting on MDGs and MDG-aligned development planning. Under the overall guidance of the Senior Economist and reporting to the Project Manager, the Programme Assistant will ensure efficient and effective delivery of the Unit services in close collaboration with the project team and consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Assistant provides overall support to the proper implementation of the project. This includes financial and operational support in close collaboration with the Programme Management Support Team (PMST) as well as the Operations and other programme and projects’ staff in the country office. The Programme Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Programme Management Support Unit (PMST), operations, the business development unit, and other programme and projects’ staff in the CO for resolving finance-related issues and exchange of information. The incumbent will also work closely with the other Area-based Project Managers in all regions in Somalia.
Closing date: 20 Nov 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Kenya - Nairobi
Summary of Key Functions:
- Support formulation of the Unit work plan and strategies and implementation of the work plan
- Effective and efficient financial and operational management, in addition to administrative support to the unit
- Support the preparation of agreements/contracts between UNDP and other implementing partners
- Support to field staff and implementing partners
- Effective and efficient asset management
- Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
1. Supports formulation of the Unit plan and its implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Preparation of draft work plans and effective application of Resource based Management (RBM) tools and establishment of project targets
- Presentation of background information for draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements
- Support the preparation of Letters of Agreement (LOAs) in liaison with project team leaders.
2. Provides effective support to management of the Unit and provides administrative support to the project focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Provide all necessary support as required in terms of administrative and DEX reporting requirements, and all relevant clearance procedures for finance, procurement, recruitment, travel, etc.
- In liaison with the Project Manager and other project team members and with support from the Programme Management Support Team, prepare budget and budget revisions as required; Update and initiate processing of project financial entries in Atlas; ensure transmission of project financial data for inclusion in Atlas;
- Reconcile the records of payments with activities and recommends new disbursements to the Project Manager;
- Under the guidance of the Project Manager and other project team members and in close collaboration with the Procurement Unit, carry out and submit required preparatory work for contracts, tendering, bill of quantities and works, according to UNDP procedures, rules and regulations;
- In close collaboration with the Project Manager and other project team members, monitor all works with the support of the in-country Advisors and project officers in the field;
- Drafts correspondence and reports relevant to the project; contributes to monitoring and evaluation procedures in close collaboration with the Project Coordination Unit, and compiles relevant data as needed.
- Collect, maintain and update data relevant to project areas being supported, maintain work plan information for all programmes;
- Supervise logistical arrangements for visiting missions, ensure briefing kits are compiled, liaise with Field Security Coordination Officer (FSCO) and ensure security clearance and visas are obtained for all staff and consultants traveling to the field.
- Travel to Somalia when required.
- Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects.
- Carry out any other relevant duties requested by the Project Manager
3. On the financial management side, the programme assistant focuses on the achievement of the following results:
- Review of financial reports from partners and sub-contractors; preparation of budget revisions, review of non-PO vouchers for project inputs and put in Atlas
- Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
- Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
- Creation of requisitions in Atlas for project inputs, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
- Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.
4. Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.
5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff.
- Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in the project.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP’s interventions and activities in support of the Inclusive Development for Poverty Reduction Project. Effective coordination of project activities and fully documented work strengthens the capacity of the project and enhances UNDP’s capacity and credibility in implementation of this highly complex project and in a politically sensitive environment. Incumbent’s own initiative is decisive in results of work and timely finalization.
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
- Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
- Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies.
- Strong financial and accounting skills;
- Ability to extract, interpret and analyze data;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
- Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems
Management and Leadership
- Demonstrates strong analytical and management skills.
- 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.
Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
- Completion of Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance.
- University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences is desirable but not a requirement
- Prince2 training and certification; RMG are desirable.
Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of progressive responsible administrative or project experience.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
- Work experience within the UN or an NGO is desirable but not a prerequisite.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English, good written and oral skills
Terms of Service
This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.
Reference Code: RW_7XH9F4-66
