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Community Facilitator – Pacific Solution Exchange

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Vacancy Announcement 2011/12



The UNDP Office in Fiji seeks to recruit suitably qualified Nationals for the following 2 positions for the Pacific Solution Exchange Programme which will be based with the UNDP Pacific Centre at Level 7, Kadavu House, Suva:



1. Community Facilitator – Pacific Solution Exchange
2. Research Assistant – Pacific Solution Exchange





The Pacific Centre (PC) provides technical support to the UNDP offices in the Pacific and through them 15 Pacific Island countries, as well as implementing a range of regional activities in support of the Pacific Plan. The PC is part of UNDP’s Asia Pacific Regional Centre in Bangkok, and has strong commitment to efficient and effective delivery with a focus on results that will impact on economic and social development in the region. The PC focuses on the small vulnerable island countries of the Asia Pacific region and includes capacity to provide policy and programme support in a range of areas including governance, MDG achievement and peace and conflict prevention.



The Pacific Solution Exchange is a service provided by UNDP in the Pacific to connect people who work in development, particularly climate change adaptation, via email, so that they can help each other to address day-to-day challenges in their work. UNDP provides a facilitation team to moderate the discussions, do research and fact checking, and most importantly, to network across the field developing links and relationships between practitioners. The facilitation team consists of the Community Facilitator, and the Research Assistant.





Community Facilitator (SCP-5)



Under the supervision of the Pacific Centre Manager, and the guidance of the Solution Exchange Coordinator, the Community Facilitator will be responsible for creating, managing and generally motivating the Pacific Solution Exchange climate change and development community, which is made up of practitioners drawn from government, academic and research institutes, NGOs, the private sector, the UN and other multilateral and bilateral agencies.



Key Functions include :-



q Anchors the growth and development of the Pacific Solution Exchange climate change and development community through facilitation of collaboration and promotion of knowledge sharing between members of the community.

q Manages the community’s activities on its email network through encouraging member participation, moderating and facilitating electronic discussions.

q Ensures the quality of material posted on community mailgroups and websites is accurate and relevant by providing guidance to the Research Assistant search for documentary information, compilation of member responses and preparation of drafts.

q Advises the UN Agency Convener (UNDP Pacific Centre) and the Pacific Solution Exchange climate change and community’s Resource Group on cutting edge issues of concern to the community.

q Participates in Solution Exchange collective activities and collaborative initiatives by promoting team building, contributing to systems development and ensuring conformity and compatibility with agreed system norms and guidelines











Minimum Qualifications and Experience:



Education: Master’s degree in climate science (adaptation),development studies, communications or another specialization relevant to the Pacific Solution Exchange climate change and development community.



Experience: 7 years practical experience as a substantive practitioner in a development specialization. Experience in facilitating and moderating email discussion groups will be well regarded, as will substantive experience in climate change adaptation.





Research Assistant (SCP-3)



Under the supervision of the Pacific Solution Exchange Community Facilitator, the Research Associate will be responsible for providing the Community of Practice with research, documentation, assistance to generate and maintain knowledge products.





Key Functions include:-



q Providing support to the Community Facilitator in managing the Pacific Solution Exchange mail-group by conducting desk research and follow up to community members to obtain material.

q Drafts material posted on Pacific Solution Exchange community mail-groups and websites under the guidance of the facilitator (e-discussion summaries, updates, newsletters etc).

q Provides the Pacific Solution Exchange community with operational support by organizing community events and initiatives.

q Contributes to work addressing cutting edge issues of concern to the community, under the guidance of the Community Facilitator.





Minimum Qualifications and Experience:



Education: Bachelors degree in environmental science, climate science (adaptation),development studies, communications or another specialization relevant to the Pacific Solution Exchange community.



Experience: 3 years practical experience as a substantive practitioner in climate change adaptation/ relevant development specialization, or experience in a research or academic capacity. Experience carrying out desk research and experience in using information technology tools for research will be well regarded.





Competencies Required:



Corporate Competencies:

q Demonstrates commitment to UN mission, vision and values.

q Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.



Functional Competencies:

q Good knowledge of the key concerns and challenges facing development and climate change practitioners in the Pacific.

q Highly effective at securing relevant information through desk research, and in applying web search tools and conventions.

q Motivated, energetic, thorough and responsive to the needs and interests of peers.

q Excellent drafting and analytical skills; able to communicate clearly through email.

q Computer literate and willing to learn new applications.







General Terms and Conditions of Employment:



Various other benefits including health insurance, medical and annual/sick leave apply.



Applications must include a Results-Oriented Curriculum Vitae with full contact details of three referees and a signed UNDP P-11 form to be submitted by Tuesday 21 June, 2011 either electronically to registry.fj at undp.org or addressed under confidential cover to:



Vacancy – UNDP (Indicate Vacancy Title),

UNDP Resident Representative

UNDP

Private Mail Bag

Suva.



Incomplete applications will not be considered and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted.



Additional information including the Post Profile, Results-Oriented Curriculum vitae format and P-11 form is available from the UNDP website: www.undp.org.fj or the UNDP Office.



Women candidates are encouraged to apply.