Programme Specialist Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somalia

I. Position Information

Job Title: Programme Specialist Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somalia Reports to: Head of Sub-Office Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment (Local) Approved Grade: NOC

II. Organizational Context

Under the guidance and primary and direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, the Programme Specialist is responsible for supporting the management of UNDP programme at the Sub-Office, within the geographical area assigned. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and supports formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio.

The Programme Specialist supervises and guides programme support staff, and supports the coordination and oversight of activities of the project staff. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation. The Programme Specialist will provide continuous feedback on implementation and identify actual or potential successes and problems as early as possible to facilitate timely adjustments to project implementation.

The Programme Specialist will work in close cooperation and coordination with the M&E Specialist, the Programme Associate, and the Communications Associate, for the enhancement of project document design, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and quality assurance, and compilation of information about UNDP Project activities at Sub-Office level

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions (at Sub-Office level):

 Supports implementation of programme strategies  Supports management of the CO programme  Supports creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
 Supports provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

1. Supports implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the area and preparation of substantive inputs to the UNSAS, CPD, and other relevant frameworks and documents.  Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.  CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management at the Sub-Office level.

1. Supports effective management of the CO programme within the geographical area assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

 Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.  Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.  Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas ( in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects.  Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of projects.  Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.  Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

3.  Supports creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team   focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.  Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

 4.  Supports provision of top quality advisory services and  facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.  Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.  Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

IV. Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

 Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

 Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work  Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration  Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation  Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development  Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

 Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues  Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

 Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things  Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

 Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors  Develops a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

 Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things  Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

 Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position  Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks  Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning  Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments  Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals  Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences  Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate

Client Orientation

 Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion  Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines  Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies:  Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
 Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment  Self-development, initiative-taking  Acting as a team player and facilitating team work  Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively  Creating synergies through self-control  Managing conflict  Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.  Informed and transparent decision making

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:
• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

• First level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and 7 years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: • Minimum of five years relevant experience with advanced university degree or 7 years professional experience with a first level university degree in position, at the national or international level is required in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:
• Strong written and spoken English skills and Somali language is required

How to apply:

“Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visitinghttp://jobs.undp.org/. or http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=34605