Technical Advisor, Local Development & Fiscal Decentralization: UN Joint Programme On Local Governance & Decentralized Service Delivery (Readvertised)

Location :	Nairobi (possible relocation to Somalia), KENYA
Application Deadline :	14-Feb-10
Type of Contract :	FTA International
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	03-May-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :	1 Year
Expected Duration of Assignment :	3 years
Background
The objective of the assignment is to have a Resident technical adviser for UNCDF programme implementation activities in Somalia. This will facilitate the timely provision and management of technical services to support the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery. The specific support for the short and medium term is to assist the Governments of Somaliland and Puntland to analyze and assess existing institutional functioning for service delivery focusing on structures, relationships, process, task, influence, effectiveness, relevance and even trust in the eyes of clients. It is again to establish a rational basis for the review and development of a sustainable fiscal management system, targeted capacity development and investment for an effective service delivery process for local authorities in Somaliland and Puntland. Background: The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery is a 5 year Programme of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. Somaliland partners for the Joint Program are central, regional and district authorities and councils, as well as non-state actors and selected communities. The Programme is aligned to the programming frameworks of the Somali Reconstruction and Development Programme 2008-12 and the UN Transition Plan 2008-9. One of the key outcomes of the RDP is to achieve decentralised service delivery in Somaliland. The outcome of the UNTP is that local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations. It is envisaged to achieve as wide coverage in Somaliland as resources and conditions allow with a comprehensive approach to rendering local governments as credible and professional service providers, increasing public investment in basic services, and strengthening civic awareness and participation in local decision-making and development are very crucial. The strategy pursued will comprise: (i) policy and legal frameworks for decentralisation, local government, service provision and land, (ii) institutionalising local government systems, vertical and horizontal inter-government linkages and civic education initiatives, (iii) investment in public services and goods through testing the Local Development Fund model, direct service provision and promotion of public-private partnerships, and (iv) processes and systems for housing, land and property disputes and resolution. Throughout the Programme, strong emphasis will be placed on gender and women in local government, human rights and local governance, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and participation. The expected outcomes of the Joint programme is (1) local governments have basic structures, systems and resources to fulfil prioritised roles and responsibilities; (2) Communities, private sector and local governments have better means and capacity to deliver equitable basic services; (3) All key stakeholders participate in equitable and inclusive community and village-level planning, policies and development; (4) Land is more equitably managed and accessed resulting in reduction of disputes. UNCDF, as part of its role in the Joint Programme is to facilitate the design of a Local Development Fund (LDF) and support the Governments of the three Areas of Somalia ( Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central) to establish it. The performance of this task over the medium term will include an institutional assessment study for local service delivery, a study of the fiscal management system, the design and institution of processes and capacity building for the operation of the LDF. In addition UNCDF has also been assigned to develop an MIS for the management of development information of the District in Somalia. In undertaking this assignments there is the need for a resident technical support from UNCDF to be established at the Somalia UN office in Nairobi to provide the required technical guidance and also work as part of the Programme Coordination Unit to achieve the objectives of the Joint Programme under the Senior Programme Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Adviser for Local Development & Fiscal Decentralisation will provide technical support to the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) and other decentralization and local development initiatives by UNDP Somaila. The Adviser will also serve as a key player in decentralization and local development within the wider donors group in Somalia. The Technical Adviser will provide consistent support to the Joint Programme Senior Programme Manager of the JPLG and also the PCU in general on issues of institutional development, fiscal strategies and the pursuit of strategies to provide and manage local service delivery. Under the overall joint supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and the UNCDF Regional Adviser, the post-holder will perform the following tasks: Policy advice and strategic support: Initiate and support discussions on issues on fiscal decentralisation and funding of local development initiatives through lessons generated from JPLG and other related initiatives; Create innovative solutions to the challenges of Fiscal nature and the LDF, initially in the selected Districts but with the prospects of wider application and replication in all the three areas; Contribute at a senior level to government?s debate on decentralisation and local development funding through the PCU; Organise forums and workshops to support the implementation of the LDF as approved by the PCU at local, regional and national level, including the design and delivery of targeted capacity development; Generate lessons as good practice and see these incorporated into draft and subsequently updated Public Expenditure Management manuals. Technical advice and monitoring support: Oversee the development and implementation of the Local capacity for Fiscal Management as well as the operation of the Local Development Fund; Ensure technical leadership within the PCU for the local fiscal management and the establishment of the Local Development Fund and linkages with other related activities within the UNJP and Somalia in general; Establish monitoring frameworks for the LDF and provide ongoing feedback and technical backstopping, and regularly monitor progress towards the identified indicators and inform the PCU; Provide technical support to the identified districts by the PCU for establishing the LDF and fiscal management support as well as the respective national teams and ensure progress of implementation of work plans of UNCDF; Identify capacity building needs and coordinate responses around the LDF and local fiscal management.to ensure equitable local development principles; Develop tools and guidelines that facilitate the achievement of the anticipated outcomes by with respect to local fiscal management and funding for local development at the district, regional and national levels; Support the Joint Programme Senior Programme Manager in the preparation of reports for the JP Steering Committee and other technical requirements as requested by the JP Senior Programme Manager. Additional: Be responsive to ad hoc requests and opportunities for contributing to other initiatives to which the post holder is qualified; Expand partnerships with local, national, regional and international partners in the interest of UNCDF, UNDP and the UN in general. IV. Impact of Results Outcome indicators Intended Outcome as stated in the Project document of the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery Programme Results and Resource Framework; Outcome (1) Local governments have basic structures, systems and resources to fulfil prioritised roles and responsibilities; Outcome (2) Communities, private sector and local governments have better means and capacity to deliver equitable basic services;
Competencies
Technical/Functional: Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform; Substantive knowledge of developing and managing a fiscal transfer system for a country in a decentralized system; Sound experience of developing local fiscal management systems and subsequent management of? a local Development Fund; Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, procedures and guidelines for local fiscal management and participatory accountable systems; Substantive knowledge and understanding of local development and decentralization through government reform. Managerial: Ability to build and teams effectively, mentoring team members well, inspiring confidence in others; managing matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration; Build strong relationships with both internal and external actors; - cultivate productive relationships with UN organizations, donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals; Manage technical inputs effectively - consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work carried out by the incumbent or the team; Strong oral and written communication skills; Ability to build and teams effectively, mentoring team members well, inspiring confidence in others; managing matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: An advanced degree (minimum at Masters level) in Economics, Business Management, Development Studies, Public Financial Administration or a related discipline. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience at local, national and international levels, dealing with Local Fiscal Management and decentralization; Deep knowledge and understanding of the operation of a Local Development Fund and decentralization, and of the related challenges in African countries; Recognized leadership in fiscal policy and systems development; Wide experience of technical advisory support and overall capacity development, preferably in a post-conflict situation; Country level experience in working directly on decentralization, local government reform and public expenditure management; Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communication skills. Language requirements: Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language a plus
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. Click here for more information on how to apply.

UNDP Vacancy - Procurement Associate, Nairobi

Location :	Nairobi, KENYA
Application Deadline :	05-Feb-10
Type of Contract :	FTA Local
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	05-Apr-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :	12 months (with possibility of extension)
Expected Duration of Assignment :	12 months (with possibility of extension)
Background
Under the guidance and supervision of the Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Associate ensures execution of transparent and efficient procurement services and processes in CO. The Procurement Associate promotes a client-focused, quality and results- oriented approach in the Unit. The Procurement Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations Teams in the CO and Sub-offices, Programme and Project Personnel and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
Summary of Key Functions: Implementation of operational strategies Organization of procurement processes Implementation of sourcing strategy Provision of logistical services Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing 1. Ensures administration and implementation of the procurement strategies focusing on achievement of the following results: Full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system. CO Procurement business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Procurement and Logistics, control of the workflows in the Procurement Unit. Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultation with office management. Provision of researched information for formulation and implementation of contract strategy and strategic procurement in the CO including tendering processes and evaluation, managing the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, e-procurement introduction. 2. Organizes procurement processes for CO, DEX projects and at the request of other Agencies focusing on achievement of the following results: Support the preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects and their implementation monitoring. Organization of procurement processes including preparation and conduct of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. Preparation of Purchase orders and contracts in and outside Atlas, preparation of Recurring Purchase orders for contracting of services, vendors’ creation in Atlas. Buyers profile in Atlas. Review of procurement processes conducted by projects; submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP). Implementation of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems. Presentation of researched information on procurement in the CO. Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the procurement services provided by UNDP to other Agencies. Organization of joint procurement processes for the UN Agencies in line with the UN reform. 3. Ensures implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools focusing on achievement of the following results: Development and update of the rosters of suppliers, implementation of supplier selection and evaluation. 4. Ensures proper Contract Management focusing on achievement of the following results: Preparation and implementation of contract management systems for projects and sub-offices. Implementation performance evaluation systems of key suppliers 5. Ensures organization of logistical services focusing on achievement of the following results: Organization of PO preparation; arrangement of shipments; conference facilities arrangements. 6. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results: Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Procurement. Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Procurement. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Impact of Results The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the CO procurement services and success in implementation of operational strategies. Accurate analysis and presentation of procurement information, duly organized procurement processes ensure client satisfaction and overall timely delivery of UNDP programmes and projects.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Functional Competencies Knowledge Management and Learning Shares knowledge and experience Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas 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 perform a variety of specialized activities related to contract, asset and procurement management, including organization and conduct of procurement processes, implementation of contract and sourcing strategies, reporting, control of assets Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system. Leadership and Self-Management Focuses on result for the client Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure Demonstrates openness to change Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Secondary Education with specialized training in procurement. University Degree in Business or Public Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement. Experience: 7 years of progressively responsible procurement experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), advance knowledge of automated procurement systems, experience in handling of web based management systems. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Somali is desirable
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. Click here for more details on how to apply.