Job: National Programme Advisor

Location: Khartoum, SudanEmployer: UNDeadline: Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Sudan

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the United Nations system and its partners to implement peace building,humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always meet the expectations of its partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. With a mandate of providing management and implementation support services in emergency, post-conflict and development environments, UNOPS makes tangible contributions to the achievement of operational results of its partners in the areas of:

• Rebuilding peace and stability after conflict,
• Early recovery of communities affected by natural disasters and other emergencies,
• Ability of people to develop local economies and obtain social services,
• Environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change

As a part of the Africa Regional Office [AFO] Sudan Project Center provides UNOPS services in Sudan. The UNOPS Sudan Operations Centre (SDOC) is based in Khartoum and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners to support humanitarian response, recovery and development initiatives. UNOPS SDPC is the United Nations sector lead for the Basic Infrastructure Sector in Sudan and helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: water resource management, education, census and elections, human resource management and mine action.

While being a project based agency, UNOPS is seeking to adjust its central program support structure to the expansion of UNOPS’ projects as well as its responsibilities as leading infrastructure agency. The role of the Project Support Officer will be to support the Project Manager by strengthening UNOPS institutional presence and quality of project management, specifically related to the project/s of the Project Manager, in the areas of business development, project planning,reporting, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and project financial management.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

UNOPS has been actively working in the water sector in Darfur. Since 2009 UNOPS has been implementing the Urban Water Supply(DWUS) project funded by DFID. This project has focused on improving the infrastructure for water supply in four main towns: El Fasher, Nyala, ElGeneina and Zalengei. The infrastructure works of the project are near completion and UNOPS is now planning a capacity development component. UNOPS has also been working on drought mitigating work with the design and implementation of small dams in North and South Darfur States.

In implementing a new generation of projects in Darfur and across Sudan, UNOPS is committed to support a more sustainable and equitable use of natural resources, water in particular, using an integrated approach to water resources management (IWRM) in a catchment or ecosystem.

The Programme Advisor will support allon-going projects and new project proposals in all sectors to ensure UNOP Sactivities are (1) aligned with national priorities and coordinated with national and international interventions in the field; (2) promote participation of broad range of beneficiaries with a particular attention to the role of women; (3) ensure capacity building needs are appropriate for sustainability in terms of scale strategy and level of intervention.

Reporting to the Project Manager, the National Programme Advisor will be responsible for, but not limited to the following functions and responsibilities:

• Map stakeholders at federal level as well as state in Darfur, Red Sea and Eastern states including community based organizations;
• Participate in meetings with key stakeholders including government, donor and counterpart agencies and organizations;
• Assist the programme managers in identifying relevant interlocutors for specific interventions;
• Facilitate community consultations to ensure broad representation of stakeholders;
• In consultation with relevant authorities, assist UNOPS in identifying project sites;
• Support the development of concept notes and project documents as necessary;
• Support the design and implementation of a plan for information sharing;
• Support the preparation of presentations of UNOPS work and concepts targeting specific audiences;
• Support and review translations in local languages;
• Assist UNOPS in establishing strategic partnerships;
• Support the implementation of UNOPS programmes and liaise with relevant ministries;
• In collaboration with programme managers, support the establishment of effective monitoring and evaluation, capacity building and sustainability plans;
• Support the preparation of a risk preparedness plan;
• Assist in UNOPS coordination with national, regional and state level authorities;
• Advise UNOPS on how to ensure activities are well coordinated with UNEP, UNICEF, UNHABITAT and other international entities working in the water and environmental field.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

(Cleardescription of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicatorsand/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

• Timely implementation of planned activities;
• Contributions to proposal development and programme briefings;
• Effective support provided to Programme Managers;
• Accurate and quality reports prepared and reviewed as required;
• Field missions successfully undertaken;
• Workshops and sector coordination activities attended;

Education

• Masters degree in engineering, natural resources, environment, water management or other relevant fields is required;

Experience

• At least 9 years of practical experience at regional and national levels in areas of infrastructure, water and environment management is required;
• Relevant work experience in Sudan is required;
• Extensive knowledge of Sudanese institutions is required;
• Thorough knowledge of current government policy and protocol is desirable;
• Experience in the application of computer software for required work functions;
• Knowledge of UN core values, rules and regulations is an asset;
• Experience in communication and report writing is an asset;
• Fluency in written and oral English and Arabic is required;

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge of UN core values, rules and regulations is an asset
• Demonstrate theoretical knowledge and commitment to continuous learning
• Demonstrate accountability for results
• Analytical, creative, innovative and pro-active
• Demonstrates results orientation and focus on solutions
• Respect for diversity

Client focus:

• Demonstrate sense of ethics and sound judgment in dealing with clients
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with clients, donors andother stakeholders
• Focuses on result for the client/donor and responds positively to feedback

Planning and Organizing:

• Ability to plan work in a collaborative manner and to manage priorities
• Strong computer and IT skills are required

Communication skills:

• Communication and facilitation skills are required
• Writing, analytical and reporting skills are required
• Ability to facilitate meetings/workshops in a participatory manner is desirable

Teamwork skills:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the project and in accordance with UNOPS shared goals
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and show leadership
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Functional Competencies:

• Identifies opportunities and obstacles in the political scene to advance UNOPS work;
• Strong communication and facilitation skills is required;
• Writing, analytical and reporting skills are required;
• Focuses on result for the client/donor and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Self-starter with ability to take initiative and show leadership;

Contract type, level and duration Contract type: Local ICA Contract level: LICA 8 Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension (subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability) For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx 

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.