Risk Informed Development (RID) Specialist

Background

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Pacific region is facing considerable economic and social development challenges due to the increasing impact of climate change and geo-hazards. At the same time, development in these countries is potentially increasing this vulnerability to climate change and disasters. The Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), endorsed in 2016 by Pacific leaders, demonstrates a clear recognition that managing climate change and disaster related risk must be undertaken in the context of economic development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Governance for Resilience Project works with Pacific governments to ensure that countries adapt their decision making and governance systems towards more resilient development. The projects theory of change rests on a core assumption that Pacific Island people will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and disasters if countries manage all development through a risk informed approach. This is consistent with the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific which calls for the ‘mainstreaming’ of climate and disaster risk treating risk management as fundamental to all development decisions.

The Gov4Res Project two outcome areas to work with countries across the region to address these risks by development: 1) Pacific Island Country Governance Systems enable gender and socially inclusive Resilient Development; 2) Pacific Island Countries Weave Learning to Advocate for and Communicate gender and socially inclusive resilient Development. UNDP is partnering with a range of partners to deliver this project across the Pacific including Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific Project Manager based in UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, the Risk Informed Development Specialist will be responsible for effective implementation of project activities relating to government planning and financing systems that enable gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development.

The Risk Informed Development Finance Specialist will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Governance for Resilient Development (Gov4Res) Project Manager.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Risk Informed Development Specialist will be based in Suva, Fiji to support the Gov4Res project implement the Community Resilience Small Grants Initiative and subnational on-granting program of work. The incumbent will work closely with Local/Subnational Government stakeholders, Umbrella Civil Society / Non-Government Organizations and NGOS, CSOs and CBOs in seven (7) countries (Fiji, Kiribati, RMI, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu), and will be responsible for the following:

Lead efficient and effective planning, management, coordination, implementation and monitoring of project results and activities.

• Coordinate technical inputs from risk informed planning and financing project outcomes in consultation with project technical experts, implementing partners, and other project stakeholders.
• Advises integration of risk into government planning and financing systems by: coordinating technical experts; liaising with government counterparts; undertaking training and capacity building;
• Lead delivery of risk informed demonstration and implementation by: coordinating technical experts; liaising with government counterparts; undertaking training and capacity building;
• Draft ToRs and other technical documentations for further review by Project Manager.
• Provide technical advice to implementing partners and stakeholders to perform tasks related to project activities efficiently and effectively.
• Lead and coordinate the implementation of project activities with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Participate, collate and provide inputs in preparation project workplans and project evaluations.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Manager or as a proactive necessary contribution to the success of the project.

Ensure monitoring and reporting of project activities in close collaboration with project partners and stakeholder:

• Prepare or provide, appropriate, technical programme management inputs to regular reports (monthly, quarterly, and annually) and propose activities to be implemented in the next reporting period.
• Monitor and report the progress on agreed results framework and performance indicators and take action/decision and/or provide timely support to project staff.
• Implement adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close collaboration with other project teams.
• Provide practical inputs to the development, preparation and implementation of workplans.
• Make field visits, collaborate with local counterparts and/or facilitate arrangements for joint monitoring visits to project sites as per the requirement of the project.
• Monitor project risks and support the development of mitigation measures thereof, relaying information to Project Manager

Lead implementation of project visibility and knowledge management activities

• Contributes to the systematic capacity building of Implementing Partners and staff and counterparts through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promotion of their application to project implementation.
• Advise and support the PM in capturing and disseminations of lessons learnt during project implementation.
• Actively engage and promote teamwork, information sharing and collaboration within the project team and between project partners.
• Provide substantive inputs to presentations, visibility activities, advocacy, and other project-related materials, etc.

Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

• Develop Risk informed Development partnerships with UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society.
• Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming in Risk Informed Development.
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.

Perform other duties within your functional duties assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the project/UNDP Programme.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Finance

• Development Finance Expertise: Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc
• Financial Planning and Budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing, and reporting.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Understands changes in regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings, and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social, and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.
• Financial Risk Management: Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management.

Business Direction and Strategy

• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs.; Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Education

Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business or Public-Sector Administration, International Relations, Economics or other similar fields is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in project or programme planning and implementation of technical assistance activities, preferably including experience establishing relationships among international organization and local institutions/communities.
• Experience related to Results-Based Management, including support to design and managing data and reporting.
• Proven experience in working effectively and harmoniously with other colleagues from various cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Solid experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office incl. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Experience and knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge of UN rules and regulations is an asset.
• Experience in an international setting with the UN or with international organisations an asset.
• Experience working with government counterparts building national capacities is an asset.
• Additional training or certification in project or financial management would be an advantage.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal is required.
• Fluency in Pacific Island languages is required

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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