Job: Senior Programme Advisor

Location: Yangon
Deadline: Saturday, 21 September 2013 

Description

SENIOR PROGRAMME ADVISOR

Location :

Yangon, MYANMAR

Application Deadline :

21-Sep-13

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Post Level :

P-5

Languages Required :

English

Starting Date :

(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Oct-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Background

Myanmar is at an historic stage in its development. A new Constitution was adopted in May 2008, elections held in November 2010 and bi-elections in April 2012. Parliament and governments have been formed at Union and at region/state levels. A number of reforms have already been undertaken focusing on good governance, human rights and reaching cease-fire agreements in conflict areas. The reforms have led to increasing engagement with the international community and allowed Executive Board of UNDP to lift mandate restrictions and to approve fully fledged UNDP country programme in January 2013.

Against this background, UNDP strategically repositioned its role in Myanmar and ramped up capacities to support national priorities of democratic transformation and poverty reduction. After more than 20 years of working exclusively at the grassroots level, the country programme (2013-2015) seeks to contribute to the strengthening of national institutional capacities for democratic governance, inclusive growth and climate resilience. Whereas UNDP's contributions to development results are provided delivered through three programmatic pillars (local governance; environmental governance and DRM; and democratic governance) the programme's overall direction and coherence will be facilitated by the newly established Strategic Planning, Knowledge Development and Advocacy Unit, SPU, led by Senior Programme Advisor.The Senior Programme Advisor will report directly to the Country Director in fostering overall programme coherence and cross-pillar synergies. S/he will provide strategic leadership to SPU and support to Programme Pillars:

(1) to provide quality assurance of programme results and to manage overall M&E cycle in UNDP Myanmar;

(2) to position UNDP Myanmar at the cutting edge of knowledge development and knowledge sharing;

(3) to coordinate knowledge sharing and other programme-related activities with the government of Myanmar;

(4) to support external outreach, development advocacy and communications; and

(5) to support gender mainstreaming across the entire range of UNDP Myanmar programme activities. In this role, the Senior Programme Advisor will supervise 5-10 staff, including M&E Team, Communications and Knowledge Management Team, Programme Coordinator in Nay Pyi Taw, and Gender Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Strategic planning and coordination of delivery of country programme results;
• Facilitation of cross-pillar synergies and internal knowledge management;
• Strategic partnerships, outreach and advocacy for development results;
• Support to programme governance arrangements, monitoring and evaluation.

Strategic planning and coordination of delivery of country programme results

• Coordination of the programme design and integrated annual work planning;
• Leadership on RBM processes, including IWP, ROAR, inputs to ABPs;
• Quality assurance of programme pillar work plans and result frameworks;
• Overall programme resource planning and budgeting and delivery oversight;
• Enhancement of delivery business processes and their efficiency.

Facilitation of cross-pillar synergies and internal knowledge management

• Fostering overall programme coherence and cross-pillar synergies;
• Internal management and cross-pollination of development knowledge;
• Strategic guidance and quality assurance of knowledge products;
• Support to innovative programme and knowledge management practices;
• Staff capacity development and knowledge sharing across units and offices.

Strategic partnerships, outreach and advocacy for development results:

• Design and implementation of the Communications Strategy;
• Strategic engagement with key stakeholders within and outside the UN;
• Advocacy on key development issues related to country programme;
• Effective media partnerships, social media and web content management
• Coordination of participation in UN-wide and development partner task forces.

Support to programme governance arrangements, monitoring and evaluation

• Effective functioning of Pillar Steering Committees and Output Boards;
• Robust monitoring systems, oversight of effective data collection;
• Implementation of the Evaluation Plan, coordination of impact assessments;
• Rigorous and timely corporate and donor reporting arrangements;
• Quality assurance of programme pillar quarterly and annual progress reports.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and achieving its objectives. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operations and programming of activities, forging strategic partnerships as well as positioning UNDP as a leading development knowledge organization in Myanmar.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning and facilitate crucial decision making at the highest levels of government;
• Ability to lead the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic policies and sound development programmes;
• Ability to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to aid management, coordination and effectiveness;
• Familiarity with UN system and role of key stakeholders in the area of national development plans, local-level planning, aid management, coordination and effectiveness.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal example;
• Experience in capacity development and facilitating positive transformational change;
• Experience in providing technical assistance and substantive inputs in the area of local governance.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and responds positively to constructive feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skills;
• Excellent computer skills, and applications for report and project planning;
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver projects within assigned deadlines;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in social sciences, political sciences, development, management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years progressively responsible and relevant professional working experience in the area of development;
• Proven track record in programme support and monitoring;
• Proven management experience, preferably within UNDP or another UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
• Prior experience of development work in Myanmar, South-East Asia and/or countries in transition would be an asset;
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills; ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English, knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More Info and Application