Job – UN Field Coordination Specialist at United Nations Development Programme

Job Title: UN Field Coordination Specialist

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. The UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It provides expert advice, training, and grant support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.

To accomplish the MDGs and encourage global development, UNDP focuses on poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, democratic governance, energy and environment, social development, and crisis prevention and recovery. UNDP also encourages the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women in all of its programmes. The UNDP Human Development Report Office also publishes an annual Human Development Report (since 1990) to measure and analyse developmental progress. In addition to a global Report, UNDP publishes regional, national, and local Human Development Reports.

Job Summary: The UN Field Coordination Specialist reinforces the capacity of the UN Country Team (UNCT) to implement the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (the UNDAF 2010-2014) and the Northern Uganda UNDAF Action Plan for 2013-2014, with a particular focus on piloting of Delivering As One (DAO) efforts as per the Government of Uganda’s request to the UN Secretary General in 2010. The UN Field Coordination Specialist also supports the development of the next UNDAF.

To ensure UN effective and efficient coordination of UN joint field operations in support to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2010 to 2014) signed by Government of Uganda and the UN, the UNCT agreed to institute an integrated coordination system at the field level under the leadership of a UN Area Coordinator (UNAC). The UNDAF was developed by the UN to respond to national development priorities and enhance impact and sustainability of UN interventions. In addition to that, the UNCT has undertaken to accelerate the implementation of DaO and the UNAC system will spearhead this process in the regions of Acholi and West Nile (UNICEF), Karamoja (UNICEF) and South West (UNFPA). The integrated coordination system in the field will accommodate humanitarian, recovery and development requirements.

The UN Field Coordination Specialist works in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s (RC) Office team, UN Area Coordinators, programme and operations teams of agencies, technical advisors and experts, district local government, Office of the Prime Minister, multi-lateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Field Coordination Specialist will work under the guidance and supervision of the Coordination Specialist and under the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT and in close collaboration with the UNACs;
• Carry out needs assessment of existing coordination capacity of district level local government entities and develop capacity development plan;
• Actively engage and support District Local Governments to revive and conduct monthly (sectoral) coordination meetings;
• Engage and support OPM to revive development partner coordination meetings;
• Operationalize and coordinate regular UN regional coordination meetings on humanitarian field operations;
• Operationalize and coordinate regular meetings between UN and district officials and OPM to discuss coordination matters and response to any emergency or humanitarian situation;
• Coordinate and facilitate development partner missions in refugee influx affected districts;
• Facilitate the link between emergency and development activities in districts affected by South Sudan refugee influx;
• Develop and implement joint UN strategies (Re-hope and Karamoja Resilience);
• Support field consultation sin relation to the next UNDAF;
• Compile and prepare policy briefs on regional issues for the next UNDAF;
• Document learning and best practices for next UNDAF development and advise the UNCT in relation to the next UNDAF.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Strengthened district local government coordination capacity, including humanitarian coordination capacity;
• Strengthened coordination capacity of the UN Area Coordinators;
• Northern Uganda Action Plan operationalized;
• Piloting of DaO in Northern Uganda feeding into next UNDAF.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate for the UN Field Coordination Specialist must possess an advanced university degree or its equivalent from a recognized university preferably in the fields of Economics, Social sciences, International relations, political sciences or related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, preferably with experience from an advisory role and working in the field and/or on coordination;
• Background in capacity development and knowledge of UN and RC system is an advantage.

Language: Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station;

Personal Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates 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 favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Strong negotiating and lobbying skills;
• Basic knowledge of UN operations and institutional mandates, policies;
• Strong background in the field of advocacy and policy advice;
• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and results for client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management in the UN and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

NB: The UNDP is any Equal Opportunity Employer. Highly Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified candidates who desire to join the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to Apply Online by clicking the web link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 12^th September 2014