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JOB OPENINGS IN UNDP

CHIEF,  COORDINATION UNIT, SUB-REGIONAL RESOURCE FACILITY FOR EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA (ADDIS ABABA)

CHIEF,  COORDINATION UNIT, SUB-REGIONAL RESOURCE FACILITY FOR ARAB STATES (BEIRUT)
 

The United Nations Development Programme is looking for professionals to head two Sub-Regional Resource Facility Coordination Units – for Arab States based in Beirut and for East and Central Africa based in Addis Ababa.  Sub-Regional Resource Facilities (SURFs) are groups of substantive specialists outposted from UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy (BDP) in New York, providing policy advisory services and technical support to clusters of Country Offices.  The SURFs are part of a substantial re-profiling currently underway in UNDP ( information on vacant thematic policy specialist positions can be found on the UNDP website at www.undp.org/jobs ).  The Chief of the Coordination Unit plays the pivotal role in ensuring coordination and responsiveness from the BDP team.

The incumbent should have at least 10 years as a development professional, preferably in the respective regions.  He/she should also:

• be a highly skilled manager, and in particular effective at motivating professionals outside of his/her direct supervisory authority to work as a team in support of clear-cut goals;
• enjoy working in a demand-driven environment, motivated by a willingness to respond rapidly and effectively to the needs of many clients;
• be a talented networker, able to identify competent professionals and match them to client demands;
• be IT-savvy, easily able to use, learn and identify needs for software applications in a wide range of tasks.
• willing to travel extensively within the region

Job Profile:  The Chief of the SURF Coordination Unit works under the overall direction of the Resident Representatives of the Cluster (the “SURF Board”).  Specific responsibilities include:

Referral services.  Responds to requests from UNDP Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and BDP for expert referrals, comparative experiences etc.  Identifies high-quality specialists and specialist organizations within the region and keeps updated on their performance.  Maintains information on country and regional programmes of UNDP and other development organizations, including best practices and comparative experiences.

Policy support services.  Provides or arranges for technical backstopping and policy advisory services to Country Offices on request, including for programme, project formulation, appraisal, evaluation and review or programme documents, project documents, UNDP Country Cooperation Assessments, UN Development Assistant Frameworks etc.; for policy or technical advice; for preparing or commenting on substantive documents and position papers; etc.

Networking services.  Establishes and manages regional and sub-regional networks to promote enhanced knowledge sharing and collaboration among UNDP staff as well as with outside partners; promotes and facilitates effective staff participation in regional and sub-regional networks; promotes effective staff participation in global networks

Capacity-building.   Strengthens Country Office staff capacity through workshops, staff exchanges and other events promoting learning and exchanges of best practices.  Identifies and promotes the application by Country Office staff of best practices in programme and project design and implementation

Secretary to the SURF Board.  Prepares agenda; records decisions.  Monitors and reports on performance of the BDP Policy Specialists; helps ensure the implementation of SURF Board decisions, including those related to coordinating the services provided by the outposted BDP Policy Specialists.

Management.  Manages the SURF Coordination Unit and budget; develops working relations with the host UNDP office; supervises unit staff (a Deputy Chief, and Information Officer and an Administrative Assistant).

Applicants should be sent via e-mail by 24 August to Steve Glovinsky, Coordinator for Policy Support, at steve.glovinsky@undp.org . Specify in the Subject “Post 4361” for the Addis Ababa position, or “Post 4364” for the Beirut position.