Job Opportunity at UNDP – Development Management Special

Background
Tanzania has sustained a relatively high economic growth over the last decade, averaging 6–7% on an annual basis (World Bank 2019), and attracted solid foreign direct investment of about $3 billion in 2018 (NBS 2019). Some of the main growth drivers included the mining sector in 2017 (BoT 2018).

In the past decade, the aid landscape has changed quite significantly in the country where direct budget support has shown a declining trend and at the same time there is a shift from aid dependency to increasing self-reliance with the expanding of the Government’s tax base and the growing role played by the non-traditional donors. In addition, the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 has placed additional emphasis on expanding and deepening partnerships to mobilize the necessary resources for realizing the Global Goals in every country. Alternative sources of finance such as green and blue bonds, blended finance and impact investing are currently being explored

Within this context and informed by the Kaberuka Process, the Government of Tanzania (GoT) and the Development Partners (DPs) agreed on a new Development Cooperation Framework (DCF) in 2017 which forms the basis for effective development dialogue with potential new DPs, opens up development financing opportunities and enhances mutual accountability between Government and the DPs. This has contributed to a wider approach on development cooperation and indeed the traditional development partnership, going beyond donor harmonization and alignment.

The Development Partners Group (DPG) promotes the implementation of the agreed DCF in Tanzania with a view to support national efforts to achieve the country’s growth and poverty reduction goals. Formalized in 2004, the DPG has been facilitating coordination and harmonization and alignment of DPs’ policy priorities within the framework of dialogue between Government and the DPs. There is a DPG Main Group and DPG sectoral groups with the first being co-chaired permanently by the UN Resident Coordinator and on a rotational basis by a bilateral agency.

In 2016-17 UNDP provided secretariat support to the DPG Main and the DPG co-chairs in the form of the DPG Secretariat. The DPG Secretariat played a facilitation role, advising the DPG Co-Chairs and contributing, including substantively, to a renewed strategic dialogue between the DPG and the GoT, in particular the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP). This was mainly related to the Kaberuka process and the new Development Cooperation Framework. In doing so, the DPG Secretariat contributed to a representative and consensus- oriented engagement between Government and its bilateral and multilateral DPs. In addition, the DPG Secretariat provided secretariat support to several DPG working groups, including the Poverty Monitoring Group, the Public Financial Management DPG and the Environment DPG. With regards to the latter, this assistance contributed to advancing their coordination agenda and harmonization of efforts to support the Government priorities.

Since then, UNDP has continued to support the MoFP in both mainland and Zanzibar to lead the planning, budgeting and reporting functions for the national and global frameworks under the ongoing ‘Enhancing Results for Development Results and Effectiveness’ Project. Up to late 2018 the former UNDP Head of the DPG Secretariat was also leading this project. The Project has among others supported the data collection, analysis and visualization for Tanzania’s Volunteer National Review (VNR) which was presented in 2019 at the High-Level Meeting in New York.

UNDP supported the development of a new National Coordination Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is in the final stages of government approval, it includes among others an SDG National Coordination Task Force whose Secretariat is led by the MoFP and Zanzibar Planning Commission. The DPG together with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and other key stakeholders are foreseen to play a key role as members of this Coordination Task Force.

UNDP, in response to the request from MoFP, will provide support to the Government in implementing the SDGs Coordination Framework through the ongoing ‘Enhancing Results for Development Results and Effectiveness’ Project.

In October 2019, the DPG Co-Chairs indicated to UNDP the need to continue this strategic support to the DPG. UNDP has therefore committed to reinstate its support to the DPG Secretariat and to re-establish the P4 Position of Development Management Specialist with a contribution of $100,000. There is a balance of $150,000 that needs to be filled by development partners and would be very welcome.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

    • Provide advisory and secretariat support to the Development Partners Co-Chairs as well as the Group itself as a head of the DPG Secretariat.
    • Advisory and technical support to the national framework of the development effectiveness (Development Cooperation Framework for Tanzania) and strengthening development (including SSC and Aid) management systems, processes and capacity.
    • Substantive and Programme management support for the projects that support development management in Tanzania, the ‘Enhancing Results for Development Results and Effectiveness’ Project including the Financing Framework for SDGs.
    • Provide technical support to UN RC on development effectiveness in the context of UN Delivering as One.
    • Contribution to UNDP practices on development effectiveness matters.Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative and working closely with the Governance Pillar Lead, Pillar Members and Project Team, the Technical Specialist will be responsible for achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Advisory and Secretariat Support to the Development Partners Chairs and the Group itself (DPG)Provide guidance and implement broad strategic directions as agreed with and by the DPG Co-Chairs; on behalf of the Development Partners Group.
  2. Provide advisory, analytical and technical support to the Development Partners Group (DPG) on the issues regarding development management, coordination and effectiveness as well as strengthened development partnership.
  3. Provide strategic advisory support to the Development Partners Group in facilitating policy dialogue on a number of key overarching policy issues through the DPG monthly meetings and other DPG special discussions on topics agreed by the DPG.
  4. Provide advisory and technical support to the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) and implementation of Development Cooperation Framework i.e. organize quarterly Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) meeting and serve as contact point between DPG Main and Government.
  5. Regular strategic advisory briefing to the DPG co-facilitators on development coordination, management and effectiveness in context t of national processes.
  6. Provide advisory support to the OECD – DAC country-level activities, including country-case studies, evaluations, and survey, etc.Provide secretariat support to DPG Main, including minutes, agendas and invitations, as well as managing mailing lists, lists of sectors working
  7. groups and websites

Advisory and Technical Support to National Framework of Development Effectiveness and Strengthening Aid Management

  1. Advise the MoFP on the development and implementation of appropriate strategies and interventions for enhancing development effectiveness and the strengthening of Government capacities for effective development management.
  2. Provide advisory support to the Government Secretariat and areas of work as agreed by the DPG and the Government on issues related to development management and effectiveness. Including technical advice in strengthening dialogue structure, Division of Labors, etc.
  3. Provide neutral a and impartial technical advice to both the Government of Tanzania and its Development Partners in the implementation of mechanisms and approaches for the promotion of mutual accountability in partnership relations.
  4. Provide advisory support to the MoFP in enhancing its capacity and lead in OECD¬DAC related activities, including policy coherence.
  5. Liaise with other Advisors in Zanzibar as needed in ensuring the provision of necessary support to the Development Cooperation process.

Programme Management Support for development management and effectiveness portfolio

  1. Provide advisory and Management support in programme implementation with specific focus on development coordination, harmonization, alignment and effectiveness, especially the ‘Enhancing Results for Development Results and Effectiveness’ Project including implementation of the SDG Coordination and Financing Frameworks.
  2. As the Head of the DPG Secretariat, meet project oversight and management responsibilities for the strengthening of the DPG Secretariat support and manage day-to-day functions of the DPG Secretariat, including leading the work planning process.
  3. Supervise staff in the DPG Secretariat

Provide technical support to UN Resident Coordinator on development effectiveness in the context of UN Delivering as One Reform.

  1. Analytical support the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in ensuring a strategic engagement of the UN in the development cooperation and DPG.
  2. Assist the contribution of UN agencies through integration function of UNDP to support the development effectiveness agenda in Tanzania.

Contribution to UNDP practices on Development Effectiveness Matters:

  1. Support the UN/UNDP capacity and positioning in terms of development effectiveness agenda.
  2. Provides strategic advisory support to the UNDP on development effectiveness issue.

IV. Impact of Results
Effective development partnership and incrementally higher Level of development effectiveness in country
Deeper knowledge among Development Partners and stronger partnership in implementing the National SDG Coordination and Financing Framework

Competencies
Core

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional
Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
  • Greater knowledge in national development coordination, harmonization and alignment agenda and knowledge in promoting South-South Cooperation.
  • Greater knowledge in national development management process:>es (Planning, Financing & Budgeting/MTEF, Poverty Reduction, PFM, etc)
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice to SDGs implementation.
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice

Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development including SDGs, programmes and projects, mobilize resources
  • Good knowledge of the Result its Management Guide and Toolkit Strong IT skills
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Management and Leadership

  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
  • Proven networking, teambuilding, organizational and communication skills Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Relationship Management

  • Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, inter-agency coordination and forge productive working relationships Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-based Management
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in social sciences including economics, international development, and development studies.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of experience in development management, including coordination and effectiveness.
  • Experience working with donors and government counterparts on Paris, Accra, Busan and Mexico-linked partnerships for development
  • Experience in global and national debates related to use of national systems to enhance aid and development effectiveness
  • Familiarity with UNDAF processes, such as formulation and implementation of join UN initiatives
  • Familiarity with work processes in Ministries of Finance and government planning institutions

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of Kiswahili will be considered an asset.

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.

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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Vacancy End Date (Midnight New York, USA) 18/03/2020

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