Job Description

Posted on September 17, 2020

UNDP Zambia is strategically repositioning its country programme implementation supported emerging opportunities and UNDP’s comparative advantages that maximizes partnerships, resource mobilization and impact keep with UNDP’s mandate and its current Country Programme Document (CPD) covering the amount 2016 – 2021 and embarking on subsequent programme cycle to support the govt of Zambia through its 8th National Development Plan (8NDP). additionally, the review of the programme portfolio also showed a pressing got to recalibrate the programme implementation in Zambia through a more integrated vision aligned with the present CPD, the six (06) signature solutions of the present Strategic Plan and therefore the RBA’s strategic offer and where UNDP will fully play its integrator role for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zambia. because the development world and UNDP Zambia enter 2020, defined because the Decade of Action, with only 10 years left to realize the SDGs, it’s more pressing that UNDP Zambia revisits its approach to programming to make sure both it continues to explore new ways of optimally supporting the govt of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to realize the objectives began in both Agenda 2030 and therefore the 7th National Development Plan (7NDP) employing a strategic approach to planning leading to an efficient and effective delivery of the Country Programme to market sustainable human development. Against this backdrop and building upon the teachings learnt over the past months, UNDP Zambia is strengthening its integrator role enshrined within the United Nations Development System (UNDS) reform through an improved structure with the Ministry of National Development Planning – MNDP. The improved structure centers round the creation of the GRZ Liaison Specialist which will play a critical role in optimizing the coordination relationship between UNDP and GRZ. The effective liaison and coordination between MNDP and UNDP will strengthen UNDP’s contribution to the general cooperation between the UN system and GRZ with expected positive leads to accelerating achievements of SDG in Zambia, pushing forward Agenda 2030, the graceful implementation of the National Development Plans (NDPs) The Liaison Specialist will function a liaison between the Ministry and UNDP. S/he will support the graceful working relationships of the MNDP and therefore the UNDP with a network of colleagues from UNDP and MNDP also as other key partners including other sister UN agencies, IFIs, multilateral and bilateral donors and other key stakeholders. Duties and Responsibilities Under the general guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR), the Liaison Specialist will closely work with the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and therefore the Strategic and Policy Unit (SPU), especially, and Programme and Operations Units. S/he also will assist the Senior Management and SPU in its technical leadership role, especially in providing support to GRZ in various joint UNDP – MNDP initiatives, in close collaboration with the UN. Summary of key functions: External liaison between UNDP and MNDP concerning ensuring effective implementation of ongoing UNDP/MNDP cooperation programme in close collaboration and complementarity with UN efforts; Internal liaison between UNDP and MNDP and other key stakeholders to make sure that UNDP plays its integrator mandate for a robust and coherent UN development system Assistance to UNDP and MNDP Senior Management on critical liaison initiatives and functions Facilitation of data building and management External liaison between UNDP and MNDP concerning ensuring effective implementation of ongoing UNDP/UN/MNDP joint cooperation programme that specialize in the achievement of the subsequent results: Contribute to making sure effective and efficient design, implementation and monitoring of the ongoing/future UNDP/UN/MNDP cooperation programme; Ensure technical support is provided to both UNDP and MNDP Leadership for the graceful implementation of UNDP/UN/MNDP cooperation programme at the service of the UN – GRZ Cooperation enshrined within the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); Facilitate and coordinate day-to-day communications and updates between MNDP and UNDP on UNDP/UN/MNDP joint cooperation programme; Assist in provision of relevant support to the technical preparation of VNR, SDGs and Development Plans; Organize and facilitate programme activities, like meetings, workshops, seminars, trainings and study visits, by ensuring all necessary organizational, logistic and administrative requirements are in situ. Internal liaison between UNDP and MNDP and other key stakeholders to make sure that UNDP plays its integrator mandate for a robust and coherent UN development system that specialize in the achievement of the subsequent results: Assist and cooperate with the UNDP’s key units and MNDP’s key directorates to prepare: Key events, workshops, conferences, training sessions, consultation meetings etc. (incl. talking points, speech, PowerPoint presentations, press releases, logistics, invitations, follow-up with participants, minutes, report etc.) Key documents (reports, concept notes, project information package, project proposals etc.). Key knowledge products (policy briefs, SDG-related briefs, updates etc.). Assist the promotion of awareness of MNDP and UNDP/UN mandate and mission, especially, UNDP integrator role in support to the UN System; Ensure swift and timely information sharing between UNDP’s Programme Units (Strategic Policy, Clusters of Sustainable Growth and SDGs, Environment and Energy and Governance and Gender) and MNDP’s key directorates; Identify potential risks and remedial actions and convey potential issues to the eye of the top of SPU, Programme Manager or/and DRR, for consultation and for guidance and proposals for efficient resolution. Assistance to UNDP and MNDP Senior Management on critical liaison initiatives and functions that specialize in the achievement of the subsequent results: Assist in preparing notes, speeches and statements for both UNDP and MNDP officials; Assist in preparing technical notes, policy guidance and strategic papers on various areas of the UNDP/UN/MNDP joint cooperation programme, including substantive contributions to key programmatic framework (Country Programme Document – CPD, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, UNDP Strategic Plan and therefore the National Development Plan); Support the UNDP/MNDP Senior Management within the review of draft papers, policy statements and documents in reference to the cooperation programmes between UNDP/UN/MNDP; Contribute to the supply of study and substantive inputs to NDP analysis, Development Cooperation and other strategic documents; Contribute to the supply of economic inputs to all or any relevant MNDP programmes and projects for aligning UNDP/UN programmes with national policies and priorities; Perform the other duties as necessary. Facilitation of data building and knowledge sharing that specialize in achieving the subsequent results: Research and draft background documents in support of the MNDP – UN coordination mechanisms; Organization of trainings for the MNDP and UNDP staff also as other UN staffs as needed on joint MDNP-UNDP/UN cooperation; Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices; Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice like One UN Knowledge Exchange Network on Yammer; Identify opportunities and collate resources for enhancing the collaboration between UN, UNDP and MNDP; Contribute to knowledge networks, including ensuring information for public information; Participate in review of lessons learned and best practices, ensure proper documentation and dissemination. Competencies Core Innovation Ability to form new and useful ideas work People Management Ability to enhance performance and satisfaction Communication Ability to concentrate, adapt, persuade and transform Delivery Ability to urge things done while exercising good judgement Technical/Functional Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda Ability to style and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and perform customized activations to spotlight UNDP’s position and support issue-based advocacy economics Analysis Knowledge of the interaction of political and economic processes during a society; including distribution of power and wealth between groups and individuals, and therefore the processes that make, sustain and transform these relationships over time, and the way these dynamics both affect, and are suffering from, UNDP’s development support Building Strategic Partnerships Ability to take care of a network of contacts and conduct basic research and analysis Knowledge Management and Learning Participates within the development of mechanisms/new approaches to market individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies Innovation and Marketing New Approaches Ability to manage organizational resources and deployment in pursuit of innovative approaches and initiatives. Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design Required Skills and knowledge Education: Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Economics, development studies, policy, public policy, politics, or a related area. Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in socio-economic analysis and research at the national level or similar development context; Strong experience in drafting advisory notes, socioeconomic papers, briefing notes and technical notes at the very best level leading and coordinating consultations with a variety of stakeholders, including governments, multilateral and bilateral actors, and civil society; Experience working with international development partners (bilateral and/or multilateral); Proven ability to figure with limited supervision and during a team context; Experience with public sector, line ministries, national counterpart organizations may be a strong asset; Knowledge of UN/UNDP processes and procedures is another advantage; Experience within the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems; Good knowledge of Zambian context with good knowledge of key stakeholders including Zambia Statistic Office, civil society partners and key stakeholders involved the socioeconomic analysis in Zambia; Previous work experience with UNDP/UN agencies or/and other multilateral the ecu Union and/or International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and familiarity with processes of those institutions is another advantage. Language Requirements: English. Other official language of the UN are going to be desirable