Consultant Capacity Development and South-South Cooperation Supervisor: Practice Leader Capacity Development RSC-LAC

REFERENCE 2011-014
I. Position Information
Job code title: Consultant Capacity Development and South-South Cooperation
Supervisor: Practice Leader Capacity Development RSC-LAC
Type of contract: IC (Individual Contract)
Duration: 12 months
Location: Panama City, Panama
II. Organizational Context
Background
If human development is the “what” of the UNDP mandate, capacity development is the “how.” UNDP defines capacity development as the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives. UNDP considers capacity development as its overarching contribution to development as noted in its Strategic Plan 2008-2011. Capacity development is the key to sustainable human development. Without an enabling environment, efficient organizations and a dynamic human resource base, countries lack the foundation to plan, implement and review their national and local development strategies and promote human development. Over the last decade, the development community has come to realize that it is impossible to work on policies without at the same time working on the capacities of people, organizations and the larger community. The development of the institution – at the grassroots level, at the community level, at the national level – is at the centre of the development challenge, be it about its human resource base, the systems or the environment in which it must function. It is for this reason that capacity development is at the heart of everything UNDP does.
UNDP places priority on strategies that create opportunities to develop and sustain capacity at national and local levels, including accountable leadership, long-term education and learning, stronger partnerships between citizen and state, and institutional reform.
One of key capacities needed at the national level in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 is to manage and coordinate official development assistance (ODA) effectively and efficiently, as a complement to foreign investments, remittances, national revenue and other sources of development finance. UNDP therefore provides support to countries in aid effectiveness implementation and other measures taken to meet the targets in the Paris Declaration (2005) and the Accra Agenda for Action (2008), in addition to nationally set targets. Special efforts are needed globally for countries to meet their targets on Aid Effectiveness before the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Seoul in 2011.
Latin America and the Caribbean, as a region, depends less on official development assistance, and has developed useful strategies for south-south cooperation, based on mutual respect and understanding, national demands, regional and cultural advantages and regional autonomy. South-South cooperation is an increasingly important aid modality for the Middle Income Countries (MIC) in the region, and more work needs to be done to support the MICs as they
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
REGIONAL CENTRE LAC LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
CONSULTANT
REFERENCE 2011-014
continue developing their South-South cooperation strategies, integrating capacity development components and aid effectiveness initiatives.
The regional work is implemented directly through the UNDP Capacity Development Practice Area at the Regional Centre, and project implementation will be undertaken in collaboration with the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean through the Regional Centre (RSC-LAC), the Capacity Development Group in New York, the communities of practice, as well as with other partners. While the post has a regional focus, the candidate will also support Aid Effectiveness activities globally in support of the global Aid Effectiveness cluster at the Capacity Development Group at BDP in New York under the RBLAC annual work plan.
III. Functions / Key Results Expected
Under the leadership of the Capacity Development Practice Leader in the Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean (RSC-LAC), the Policy Specialist
1. Provide high quality policy advice to UNDP country offices and governments globally in Latin America and the Caribbean, on capacity development, particularly but not exclusively in the areas of capacity development, managing for results, aid effectiveness and South-South cooperation
Functions: Desk reviews, missions and technical advice undertaken and good practices implemented.
2. Support the creation and strengthening of regional and global strategic partnerships for Capacity Development (CD), Aid Effectiveness (AE) and South-South Cooperation (SSC) for the successful implementation of UNDP initiatives.
Functions: Development of partnerships with UN Agencies, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
3. Support the organisation of missions and events for regional and country entities on Capacity Development, Aid Effectiveness and South-South cooperation, including the Capacity Development and Aid Effectiveness meeting and workshops.
Functions: Successful events with the participation of governments, civil society organisations and parliamentarians and the production and sharing of outcome documents and reports.
4. In collaboration with CD/AE teams globally and regionally, provide support on knowledge management, showcasing new methodologies, services and examples of the CD/AE approach and South-South Cooperation experiences, strengthening the global and regional communities of practice.
Functions: Networks facilitated and strengthened and knowledge products produced and disseminated.
5. Under the instructions of the Capacity Development Practice Leader in the RSC-LAC, assist the regional Capacity Development Team on South South Cooperation solutions and demand-driven requests from RSC-LAC, Country Offices and HQ.
Functions: SSC documented and SSC project management carried out successfully with a clear monitoring and evaluation of results.
REFERENCE 2011-014
Impact:
The candidate’s work will reinforce the Capacity Development Practice’s activities conducted in collaboration with the Regional Centre, Regional Bureaus, the Capacity Development Group (HQ) and country offices. Furthermore, this will provide substantive support to the Regional Practice Leader on Capacity Development as well as the Regional Centre, CDG and RBLAC.
Reporting:
The consultant will prepare monthly reports on products agreed with the supervisor.
IV. Competencies and Critical Success Factors
Functional:
 Excellent oral and written communication skills including editing skills
 Knowledge and experience in Results-based Management;
 Knowledge of (UNDP or other internationally established) tools and instruments for RBM and for monitoring and evaluation
 Ability to negotiate and build partnerships as well as providing technical advice
 Operational experience in areas related to Capacity Development and south south cooperation.
 Good understanding of UNDP program management operations and systems.
 Strong analytical abilities and communication skills;
 Familiarity with UN system and other international development organizations
Corporate Competencies:
 Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
 Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
 Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP
 Displays adaptability and cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity.
 The candidate selected will be required to take UNDP’s mandatory training on UN Programme on the Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority within two months of their assuming their functions in this position
Managerial:
 Ability to manage multiple deadlines and tasks.
 Ability to work in a close-knit team and coordinate activities with other Capacity Development staff in BDP and other units at the Regional Centre, in country teams, regional bureaus and other partners.
 Discipline required to perform at a high level of efficiency.
Management, Communication and Leadership:
 Ability to plan and manage tasks and teams and various groups and stakeholders;
 Excellent ability to dialogue with various development agencies;
 Excellent ability to build strong relationships and work with partner country collaborators and regional institutions;
 Treats all people without favoritism;
 Ability to develop and support the implementation of systems and change management models;
 Excellent ability for facilitation of learning about evaluation and its purpose;
 Demonstrated openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
 Displays open and cooperative behaviour, embraces additional responsibility within teams and contributes effectively in team-based activities.
 Effective team leadership and conflict resolution skills;
 Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
REFERENCE 2011-014
V. Regime for Payment of Fees The professionals who submit an expression of interest as Policy Specialist Capacity Development and South-South Cooperation, should specify their expectations of monthly rates in dollars of the United States of America. The contract signed as Individual Contract does not involve any fees in advance at the beginning of the consultancy.
VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
Masters degree in relevant field including international relations, political science or social sciences.
Experience:
At least five years of relevant work experience preferably in an international organization in the area of development; with experience in Capacity Development and south south cooperation.
Language Requirements:
Excellent written and oral English and Spanish communications skills. Adequate working knowledge of other UN language(s) would be an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Qualified candidates who are interested in the above position are invited to submit their application, in English, attaching a UN Personal History Form (P11 form, see below) and Financial Offer in US dollars, not later than 31 March 2011.
o To: rc.lac.vacancy@undp.org
o Subject: Vacancy Announcement No.014 Consultant Capacity Development and South-South Cooperation
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.