Advisor at UNDP

Purpose

To support the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Somalia (DSRSG/RC/HC/RR) and the broader UN system to deliver an integrated and more effective programme of peacebuilding, recovery and development assistance to Somalia through the management of the Integrated Office of the Resident Coordinator and the provision of high-quality advisory services to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and the UN in Somalia on strategic planning, programming and risk management

Background

Resident Coordination

No single agency has the range of funds, skills, knowledge and experience to tackle the multi-dimensional causes of instability and poverty in Somalia. An integrated approach is needed to increase the contribution of the UN System to Somalia’s transition, and to its peacebuilding and State-building priorities in particular, as articulated in the Somalia Compact (2013) and the subsequent Somalia National Development Plan (NDP) (2016). Effective coordination is also required to reduce the transaction costs of the national authorities and other key stakeholders; strengthen national capacity for managing assistance; and increase recognition by national authorities and other partners of the strength of the UN System when it works as a coherent whole. This requires a strong planning and coordination capacity especially for the strategic analysis and results-based planning needed to integrate the UN’s operational response to Somalia’s challenges.

The new United Nations Strategic Framework (UNSF) being prepared for Somalia will articulate, in a common plan between the UNCT and UNSOM, the UN system contribution to the Somali NDP. The UNSF, to be developed and finalized with the Somali government in early 2017, is based on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the UN in Somalia (UNCT and UNSOM), the country situation, and the national development priorities as set out in the Somali Compact and the NDP.

The challenge for 2017 onwards is to effectively implement the new UN Strategic Framework in a challenging environment, which will require maintaining working-level engagement with national counterparts, implementing rigorously the monitoring plan, supporting program development, including in the regions, and advising senior leadership on bottlenecks or gaps. It also requires sustained collaboration between the RCO, RMU, UNSOM, OCHA and UNDSS to design effective, and common solutions to the complex operational challenges, including staff security, funding constraints, and institutional/fiduciary risks.

Secretariat to Somalia UN-MPTF

The Resident Coordinator Office, in conjunction with the UNSOM New Deal Unit, has the responsibility of serving as secretariat to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), under the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Fund (SDRF). This fund now administers a current portfolio of twelve (12) UN Joint Programmes with USD 160 million in multi-donor commitments. These secretariat functions include the following: Coordination of pipeline development; Support to Joint Programme development; Liaison with Government; Donor Briefings; Fund Risk Management and Monitoring; Liaison with the MPTF Office in HQ; UN MPTF Communications and Reporting 

Risk Management

Somalia provides a unique challenge for international assistance. The country requires the concurrent and continual delivery of a complex mix of relief, recovery, and development interventions in a deeply insecure, unpredictable and high-risk operating environment. In recent years, increased volumes of UN assistance, particularly humanitarian aid, has increased the UN’s reputation and programme delivery risks. Questions have also been raised on the possible exploitation of that assistance.

To address some of these challenges, the UN Somalia Risk Management Unit (RMU) was established in 2011 to support all United Nations entities working in Somalia, as well as partners and donors. The RMU has made considerable progress in advancing the risk management agenda for the UNCT Somalia. In July 2012 and June 2013 the Monitoring Group Report on Somalia and Eritrea noted the work of the RMU as a best practice.

In his/her capacity as Head of the Integrated Office of the DSRSG / Resident Coordinator, the incumbent will also oversee the RMU, and support the UN system in Somalia by working in close cooperation with Heads of Agencies, Heads of UNSOM Sections, operational and programme staff, risk management focal points as well as partners and donors to ensure a risk management environment is cultivated to address contextual, programmatic and institutional risk

Integrated Mission

The Head of the Integrated Office will likewise oversee two UNSOM Units under the integrated pillar of the mission, notably the New Deal Unit, and the Community Recovery and Extension of State Authority and Accountability (CRESTA) / “Stabilization” Unit. The New Deal Unit coordinates the UN’s engagement in and support to the broader engagement of Somalia in the New Deal for Fragile States, and the UN Country Team’s progressive alignment with the Partnership Principles of the Somali Compact, and the subsequent National Development Plan, including through engagement with and support to the Federal Government of Somalia’s Aid Coordination  Unit (ACU), and support to the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Fund (SDRF), including the UN administered Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) window of the fund.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, and in collaboration with the UNCT and UNSOM, the incumbent's main duties and responsibilities are to:

Manage the Integrated Office:

• Supervise and provide guidance to staff in Nairobi and in Somalia duty stations (Mogadishu, Garowe, Hargeisa), comprising four sections (RCO, RMU, New Deal, CRESTA);
• Oversee and support the development of unit work-plans outlining shared results (encompassing programme, communication and operations) and, through the offices in Somalia, ensure that regional work-planning is fully coherent with the overall objectives of the UN system;
• Support the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR in identifying and managing required resources for coordination and risk management;
• Facilitate division of responsibilities amongst agencies, and between agencies and UNSOM, for joint UN activities including programmes and projects;
• Support UN Thematic Groups, Working Groups and Special Committees as appropriate for the efficient functioning of the UN system, with a particular emphasis on cross-cutting themes;
• Support the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR in the management of ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the UNCT, meetings with international development partners, etc.;
• Liaise closely with OCHA and UNSOM to ensure complementarity in policy advice, coordination mechanisms and field presence

Advise the DSRSG/RC/HC and support the UNCT in their contributions to New Deal implementation in Somalia:

• Facilitate and monitor the quality of UN contributions to internal and external, medium- and long-term needs assessments and similar analytical work;
• Provide technical advice/guidance to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and UNCT on consultations with the Federal government, regional authorities and donors on policy, planning and coordination of assistance for Somalia;
• Liaise closely with the World Bank to ensure complementarity of development assistance through the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Fund (SDRF), which comprises windows managed by the World Bank, UN (MPTF) and African Development Bank;
• RCO, in close liaison with the New Deal Unit, serves as Secretariat to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), under the SDRF, currently managing a portfolio of twelve (12) UN Joint Programmes with USD 160 million in multi-donor commitments;
• At the request of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, represent the RC or UNCT in various national and UN meetings as well as in regional coordination of UN activities;
• Work with UNSOM to ensure a coordinated and complementary approach to peacebuilding and State-building efforts.

Backstop UNCT efforts to effectively implement the UN Strategic Framework (UNSF):

• Support the Programme Management Team (PMT) in overseeing implementation, including the identification of bottlenecks and gaps for the attention and action of the UNCT;
• Advise the UNCT on ways to address bottlenecks identified under the UNSF review, and on subsequent planning frameworks, where and as necessary;
• Monitor, on behalf of the UNCT, and in close collaboration with UNSOM, the effective monitoring of the UNSF;
• Facilitate, on behalf of the PMT and UNCT, continued engagement with partners (Federal government and others, as well as donors) in regard to the UNSF.

Provide guidance on joint resource mobilization:

• Support the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and UNCT in mobilising resources for the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Somalia;
• Support the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and UNCT in pursuing an active, systematic, and client-driven donor outreach strategy and represent, as requested, the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and UNCT in donor briefings;
• Support the UN system (UNCT and UNSOM) in identifying and accessing additional funding sources, including bilateral sources and global funds;
• Ensure that the UN fund strategically complements other parallel funding mechanisms such as the CHF, the PBF, bilateral funding, the SSF and other mechanisms in Somalia

Lead the continuous strengthening of the UN Risk Management System:

• Ensure that RMU continues to build internal risk management capacity for all UN entities in Somalia, through the provision of high quality advice, analysis, training, monitoring, and information sharing services;
• Provide leadership and reporting on strategic issues and trends related to risk management in the Somalia context, and to share lessons across the UN and with national and international partners;
• Support the implementation of the SDRF Trust Fund Risk Management strategy, in collaboration with the World Bank and the AfDB;
• In collaboration with other Risk Management Units, facilitate the implementation and development of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework based upon ISO 31000 to ensure consistency, industry best practice, and linkage, which will enhance the collective UN risk management agenda;
• Convene risk management-focused discussions, and lead the development of a comprehensive risk management framework that supports all stakeholders including the UN Somalia, INGOs as well as donors;
• Advocate for common tools and approaches to risk management that enhances and strengthens planning and programming amongst the UNCT, INGOs and donors, while recognizing and respecting the differing programmatic requirements;
• Remain current on evolving risk management standards and leading risk management practices. Participate in relevant knowledge networks and document lessons learned and best practices

Promote the UN Reform Agenda:

• Support the implementation of a “One UN” approach for Somalia, including with UNSOM;
• Support the elaboration, negotiation and implementation of joint programmes through concrete and immediate support on operational and substantive issues as required;
• Support the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR in the development and implementation of a UN strategy on common services and common premises, which effectively links security, financial, operational aspects;
• Establish a system to effectively monitor and report UNCT progress against jointly agreed results including regular reports such as: reporting against conference declarations, producing the RCs Annual Report, UN Thematic Reports, inputs to the Secretary-Generals Reports to the Security Council.
• Support the development of a policy and practice on shared information resources, notably through the establishment of common information and management tools for the UNCT.
• Promote dialogue and research on “cutting edge” issues in relevant practice areas to inform UN programming in Somalia.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing (notably through training) amongst UN staff on issues relating to the UN Reform, integration, planning and programming, and peacebuilding.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• 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. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in development economics, political science, statistics, international development and/or management or other related field

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in post-conflict or transitional operations and management including work experience in post-conflict setting;
• Previous experience in UNDAF development and integrated UN strategic planning. Understanding of peacebuilding, political, humanitarian and recovery/transition issues;
• Strategic vision and strong technical and analytical/investigative capabilities
• Excellent organizational and management skills and ability to negotiate at decision-making level;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Experience in risk analysis, programme management, operations support or a similar position in complex environments;
• Proven experience managing and leading teams in a complex and multi­agency environment;
• Knowledge and experience managing risk in an international environment;
• Knowledge of risk challenges as well as existing practices and expectations by the United Nations, donors and partners;
• Excellent negotiation skills;
• Experience in training is desirable;
• Experience in problem solving and decision making in a fast­paced environment adopting a flexible and proactive approach;
• Knowledge and experience of United Nations system (policy, programming and operations) Somalia preferred;
• Ability to operate effectively in a changing and complex environment, and to produce results under stress