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 three outcomes areas to work with countries across the region to address these risks by development: 1) government planning and financing systems enable gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; 2) country oversight and accountability systems require gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; and 3) regional organisations, policies and practices are actively supporting gender and socially inclusive risk-informed 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) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Governance for Resilience Project Manager based in UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, the Oversight and Accountability Specialist will be responsible for effective implementation and management project activities relating to integration of gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development into country oversight and accountability systems.

Support efficient and effective planning, management, coordination, implementation and monitoring of project results and activities, for work relating to integration of gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development into country oversight and accountability systems.

• Coordinate technical inputs relating to risk informing oversight and accountability outcomes in consultation with project technical experts, implementing partners, and other project stakeholders;
• Support accountability actors such as Parliaments and State Audit Institutions to ensure public debates on budget reflect concerns relating to climate change and disasters and gender and socially inclusive development by; coordinating technical experts; liaising with government counterparts; undertaking training and capacity building;
• Coordinate with Advocacy Groups to increase dialogue in the public space on CCDRM and GSi to help trigger more concerted actions from policy-makers, thereby reinforcing the likelihood of more informed, and responsive planning and investment decisions 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;
• Support 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.

Support 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

Support 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;
• 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

Core Competencies:

• Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Self-development, initiative-taking; Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Job Knowledge/ Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit 
•  Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally 
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; 
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments. 
• Ability to work with a wide cross-section of partners including Government, donors, I/NGOs and community-based organizations;
• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive, resourceful and energetic approach to problem solving;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and strong organizational and time management skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to advocate effectively; 
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism;
• Ability to conceptualize issues and analyse data;
• Demonstrates excellent facilitation and presentation skills;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and planning skills.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.
• Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines;
• Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders, especially with primary stakeholders.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; 
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches; 
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing;
• Develops awareness of the various internal/external learning and knowledge-sharing resources.

Education: Masters Degree in Governance, International development or other similar fields. 

Experience:

• At least 6 years of progressive working 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, planning and implementation of the programme, managing data and reporting;
• 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;
• Ability to work 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.
•  Knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations is desirable.
•  Knowledge of UN rules and regulations is an asset. 

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and language of the duty station.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 12 Months