UNDP Recruitment

PROGRAMME SPECIALIST (POLE)
Location :	Dakar, SENEGAL
Application Deadline :	05-Mar-13
Type of Contract :	FTA International
Post Level :	P-5
Languages Required :	English   French
Duration of Initial Contract :	One year
Expected Duration of Assignment :	One year
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Background
Sub-regional initiative resulting from a partnership between UNDP and France, the Pole “Development strategies and public finance” is a unit of the UNDP Dakar Regional Centre, which covers 23 countries in West and Central Africa. It promotes initiatives undertaken by countries to better take into account growth and poverty-reduction goals defined in national development strategies (especially Millennium development Goals), into multi-year and annual budget planning. The Pole primarily works on the development of tools and processes for planning, budget programming, monitoring and evaluation (PBPME chain), and on their ownership by national parties. It also addresses budget oversight issues (Parliaments and audit bodies) as well as citizen control, and stands as one of the main technical partners of the WAEMU and the CEMAC in the implementation of their new harmonized frameworks in public finance. The Pole intervenes in the framework of UNDP country offices programmes. To date, it has carried out technical assistance missions in 17 countries. Capacity development instruments used to address national needs are the following: (i) Conduct and update of in-depth diagnostics of the articulation between national development strategies and national budgets based on tools developed by the Pole, (ii) support to national teams for improving planning, budget programming, monitoring and evaluation tools, related to national and sectoral strategies (PRSPs, action plans, ministerial missions letters, global and sectoral MTEF, budgets programmes, reporting, ...), (iii) collection and sharing of best practices implemented by West and Central Africa countries, (iv) training actions in partnership with national institutions. As part of the extension of the first phase of the project (2012-2013), the Pole defined a strategic direction regarding its training action. The Pole intends to scale up and optimize its contribution to capacity building efforts undertaken in areas in which it has expertise and demand tends to increase. A study has been initiated to define an operational strategy aiming at structuring Pole’s training action, developing partnerships, particularly with specialized training institutions in the region (national Schools of administration, training centres for public finance...) and facilitating the scaling up of its training activities. This strategy is based on the development of a specific tool, an e-learning system, expected to serve as a platform for the training of government officers - or any other public - involved in strategic planning and public finance (planning officers, budget managers, accountants, controllers, auditors, teachers, civil society organisations...). The platform is also expected to function as a tool for the dissemination of capitalized experience to planning and public finance practitioners. At first, the pedagogical content uploaded corresponds to resources facilitating the ownership of the new harmonized frameworks of public finance adopted respectively by the WAEMU (March and June 2009) and the CEMAC (December 2011). Training is, indeed, one of the key levers to ensure a regional harmonization for the transmission of the public finance concepts and innovations initiated at the regional level. Beyond the transposition of these directives into national law, the challenge is to have public finance officers familiar with the logic, techniques and knowledge implied by these new frameworks. This important effort for capacity building, reinforced by Pole’s contribution, determines the success of these new directives. The training package made available by the Pole through the online platform also extends beyond technical issues enclosed in the WAEMU and CEMAC Directives. It includes the whole Planning-Budget Programming-Monitoring and Evaluation (PPBSE) chain, covering various tools and practices related to strategic planning, macroeconomic frameworks, budget programming or monitoring and evaluation of public policies. In this context, the UNDP Regional Centre in Dakar is recruiting a training technical advisor. Specialized in public finance and e-learning systems, he/she will support the implementation of the Pole e-learning training strategy. He/she will elaborates, implement and monitor the capacity building strategy of the Pole within its various expertise areas.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions: Develops and supports the Pole online training strategy Administers the e-learning platform Manages relations with stakeholders / partners Develops sustainable partnerships with training centers Ensures a specific reporting on the functioning of the platform Develops and supports the Pole on-line training strategy Conceives a sound capacity building strategy for the Pole which will be implemented still during the extension phase of the project and will be extended during the 2nd phase of the project; Advises the Coordinator on all issues linked with capacity building matters and appraise the quality of all training tools produced by the Pole ; Rolls out the e-learning project within the whole potential geographical scope of the Africa Regional Centre of UNDP (Addis-Abeba), it means all Sub-saharian African countries with a special focus on the 14 countries belonging to the WAEMU and the CEMAC; Trains teachers, tutors, managers, students and other designated users in different WAEMU and CEMAC member States on the use of the training platform (integration of content, registration, connection, learning ...); Oversees the development of professional curricula issued by the platform and part of a graduate education; Supports national administrations for the ownership of e-learning tools developed by the Pole; Trains and assists Pole members in (i) mastering online training tools, (ii) developing and updating dynamic training content, (iii) uploading resources, (iv) content managing methods (teachers, tutors). Administers the e-learning platform Takes all necessary measures for the proper functioning of the platform; Updates all contents implied by the Pole’s responsibility for the platform administration; Manages relationship with technical service providers (hosting, preservation, and maintenance) and provides / requires any technical assistance for the platform development Manages relations with stakeholders / partners Formulates with the Coordinator partnership agreements with main stakeholders including UNDP Country Offices, public training institutions and beneficiaries; Manages all contacts and specialized meetings with national and international parties regarding the online training services provided by the Pole; Takes part in national and international events related to online training, mainly in the WAEMU and CEMAC communities member States. Ensures a specific reporting on the functioning of the platform Develops a monthly dashboard on the Pole online training activities, a quarterly report on partnerships with training institutions, a biannual statistical report completed with an analysis of the functioning of the training platform, a periodical report on the human and financial costs generated by the platform; Participates in the information of UNDP country offices on Pole activities by developing regular reports on e-learning activities. Impact of Key-results Contribution to the effective ownership of the new harmonized frameworks of public frameworks within the WAEMU and CEMAC Communities Permanent access to resources related to PBPME (Planning, Budget Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation) and taxation issues for stakeholders involved in these fields in West and Central Africa Strengthened partnership between UNDP and the WAEMU and the CEMAC Strengthened collaboration between technical and financial partners regarding capacity development in West and Central AfricaDeveloped capacity for actors involved in public finance reforms in the WAEMU and CEMAC zone; Updated public finance teachings of training institutions
Competencies
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda Influencing the public policy agenda Builds consensus concerning UNDP’s strategic agenda with partners on joint initiatives; Dialogues with national counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives. Results-Based Programme Development and Management Achieving results through programme design and innovative resourcing strategies Make use of a variety of resources within UNDP to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams and collaborative funding approaches; Ensures the full implementation of country programme and financial resources to obtain results; Strong programme management experience with emphasis on monitoring, evaluation and incorporating lessons learned into development finance projects and programmes. Building Strategic Partnerships/Building strategic alliances Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships; Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations; Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links; Resource mobilization experience and record of success in reporting to and managing donor grants and reporting mechanisms. Innovation and Marketing New Approaches Fostering innovation in others Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking; Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources. Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Participating in the development of policies and innovative approaches and promoting their application throughout the organization Promotes UNDP as a learning/knowledge sharing organization. Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise Expert knowledge of development finance Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in public finance as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures; Deep technical knowledge and experience in finance good practices, and development of inclusive financial markets and products in emerging markets, especially through private sector partnerships; Applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch; Keeps abreast of new developments in area of development finance and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally; Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments. Client Orientation Meeting long-term client needs Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives; Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services; Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP programmes and operations. Core Competencies: Managing complex projects and processes, with strong organizational and communication skills; Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents; Building support and political acumen; Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; Building and promoting effective teams; Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication; Creating an emotionally intelligent organization; Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP and setting standards; Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Fair and transparent decision-making; calculated risk-taking.
Required Skills and Experience
Education Master’s degree in public finance, public law, public management, budget and accounting law. Experience At least ten years of professional experience as a teacher / trainer in higher education institutions or in training organizations using e-learning systems; In-depth knowledge of e-learning platforms and online networks (a network-management professional certification is an advantage; Leadership and groups management skills (managers, teachers, tutors and learners) in online training of partners institutions; Good knowledge of public finance, budgetary and accounting frameworks of West and Central Africa countries Good knowledge of online training open source solutions Good knowledge of the functioning of West and Central African countries regional institutions (WAEMU and CEMAC); Proven experience in developing online training content, managing and administrating of e-learning solutions. Language requirements Fluency in French; knowledge of English is desirable. FC: 30000
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.
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