New Vacancy: Private Sector Development Programme Specialist

[Navy9]

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME SOMALIA

POVERTY REDUCTION & SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS PROGRAMME (PRSL)




I. Position Information


Job Code Title: Private Sector Development Programme Specialist
Contract: ALD 3
Duration 12 months
Supervisor: CTA, Private Sector Development
Duty Station: Nairobi – KENYA (with frequent travel to Somalia)
Start Date: 1 June 2006
Closing Date: 23 May 2006



II. Organizational Context


The UNDP Programme is guided by the shared vision of the Country Office for Somalia as ‘a peaceful and secure nation with sustainable social and economic development opportunities and enhanced livelihoods for every Somali child, woman and man’. Towards this vision, the Poverty Reduction & Sustainable Livelihoods (PRSL) Programme aims to address the poverty that inhibits human progress in Somalia through a series of interventions, grouped around three components:

(i)Pro-poor and MDG-based Planning and Policy-making that looks to assist regional and national authorities with the formulation of MDG-based poverty reduction policies and strategies that benefits and empowers the poor, women and other vulnerable groups.
(ii)Private Sector Development (PSD) on the basis that a dynamic private sector can expand opportunities for people to earn income and improve standards of living, enhancing their access to goods and services which meet their basic needs. Here, UNDP seeks to address some of the key constraints facing the business and productive sectors. Accordingly, the assistance will be focused on three sub-components: creating the business enabling environment; access to skills and business development services; and access to finance.
(iii)Community-led recovery and sustainable livelihood generation with emphasis on revitalizing growth of the local economies and generating livelihoods specific to their needs and priorities with a focus on areas affected by conflict and environmental disaster, as well as integrating strategies that empower women and other vulnerable groups, including IDPs and Returnees.

Under the guidance of the Programme Manager and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, Private Sector Development, the PSD Programme Specialist will assist in the design of PSD project strategies and results, PSD project implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, partnership building, managing donor relations and resources mobilization, and results-based management support to the Poverty Reduction Sustainable Livelihood (PRSL) Unit.

The PSD Programme Specialist will also work 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 PRSL programme implementation.




III. Functions / Key Results Expected


Summary of Key Functions:

Assist in the design and implementation of PSD programme strategies and results
Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PSD programme
Provision of programmatic and policy advice services to the PSD programme sub-component specialists, Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management


1.Supports the design and ensures implementation of PSD programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Design PSD programmes with a special emphasis on enabling environment in a post crisis context, and ensuring synergies and linkages with other programs of UNDP and other relevant UN agencies.
Assist in monitoring, analysis and evaluation of all programme sub-components of the PSD programme and preparation of substantive inputs to UNDP strategic documents.
Support design and implementation of PSD annual workplans and specific project documentation within the programme.
Identify areas for support and interventions within the PSD programme.
Prepare and submit all required reports for partners of the PSD programme.

2.Ensures effective management of the PSD programme focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the PSD programme achieving the following results:

Effectively apply RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
Assist in the design and formulation of PSD programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP and PSD priorities into local interventions.
Coordinate programme implementation with the executing agencies.
Ensure strict adherence to UNDP rules, regulations and procedures, with specific care to ensuring compliance for actions requested or approved according to the post responsibilities.
Introduce performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones.
Prepare and provide strategic support of a project, presentation of the project to Steering Committee.
Represent UNDP in interagency, national, regional or international fora on PSD issues as needed.
Input and monitor all project stages in Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements.
Determine required budgetary revisions, coordinate the budget and workplan exercises, and close projects through review.
Assist in the financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions.
Support evaluation of PSD programme impact.

3.Professionally delivers programmatic and policy advice services to all relevant parties achieving the following results:

Lead activities on selected business environment areas and serve as a knowledge anchor on these areas.
Lead and participate in various knowledge management programs in specific PSD areas, including development of good practice material and training delivery.
Assist in promotion of awareness and understanding within Government, Private Sector and Civil Society with regard to PSD best practices; and encourage synergies between the various actors.
Analyze and assess the socio-political environment relating to the PSD in the Somalia and maintain continuous dialogue with partners to provide relevant development advisory services.
Analyze current laws, policies, practices, and inter-governmental structures, including deficiencies and strengths, affecting PSD.
Organize consultations with relevant national and international stakeholders, including TFG, private sector associations and representatives, civil society, donors, and UN agencies, as regards entry points and areas of engagement for UNDP in PSD.
Support the CTA, PSD programme in providing substantive support to enhancing UNDP capacities in the area of PSD.
Assist in the provision of advisory services to the authorities in matters related to PSD, including the identification of specific areas/niches of interventions and institutional needs for capacity development.


IV. Impact of Results


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


V. 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 a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the programme
In-depth knowledge on development issues
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills


Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Assists managers effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
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
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities


VI. Recruitment Qualifications


Education:
Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (such as Development Economics, Business Administration)

Experience:
5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
Recognized expertise in private sector development, particularly in the area of business environment reforms.
Experience in conflict or post conflict settings is an advantage.
Knowledge of Somalia or the Horn of Africa region.
Strong managerial background and analytical judgment working with efficiency and results-orientation in a multi-tasking environment
Knowledge of UNDP and its programmatic and operational systems (including Atlas).
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or Somali desirable.

Please send your curriculum vitae, marked “PSD Programme Specialist” by 23 May 2006 to: The Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), United Nations Development Programme - Somalia, P.O. Box 28832, Nairobi, Kenya, fax: 254-2 4183641, e-mail: registry.so@undp.org. UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

[Mowhawk]

Navy

Nabadeey sis, and as usual you are always spreading good news by bringing to our attention these vaccant positions. These jobs are way out of reach for a community college graduate like LionHeart (he will graduate on 5.6.06) and who has a great apetite for such a proffession. I know you are an executive with UNDP in New York, and is there any way that you can push his head into a job like this? Believe me this boy is a quick learner. Please consider, because he is a jolly nice young bloke.

[AbdiWahab252]

Nice post. Navy 9 !

The job looks good but a 3 month stint is not attractive to me. The other part which concerns me is:

'Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure '

This means that you will be sent around bandit country with a clearly marked UN vehicle (plz come rob & convert me into a technical).

The short term nature of the job & flux in events in Somalia could mean that the program could be postponed/or cancelled at short notice.

I once did a short term consultancy in a southern African nation. The pay was great, $300/day plus meals/lodging & incidentals. Unlike Somalia, the locals were appreciative and considerate folk especially to a foreigner, a Somali like myself.