1.    Post Information

Location

:

Resident Coordinator’s Office

Post Title

:

UN Coordination Specialist

Post Category

:

International UNV

Duration of Assignment

:

12 months (with possibility of an extension)

Duty Station

:

Maseru, Lesotho

Executing Agency

:

Resident Coordinator’s Office

Reporting

:

UN Resident Coordinator

2.    Organizational Context

 As the designated representative of the Secretary-General and team leader of United Nations System Agencies, the Resident Coordinator assumes the overall responsibility for, and the coordination of, the operational activities for the development of the UN System at the country level. In Lesotho, as in the majority of the developing countries, the Resident Representative of UNDP is the designated Resident Coordinator of the UN System and is also the designated head of the UN Country Team in Lesotho.

The United Nations Country Team is a team of the United Nations Representatives and the World Bank Senior Country Officer. The Team is expanded to include selected non-resident UN agencies with a main purpose of promoting the notion of a strong, unified United Nations System; one that works together and in partnership with other development partners to achieve the greatest impact possible, to support the Government to implement the national priority programmes and tackle major development challenges.

In response to developments related to the UN Reform globally including developments in the global aid environment and national development context, the UN Country Team (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, WHO, UNAIDS, FAO, UNV, World Bank) in Lesotho have collectively agreed to work together as a more unified and cohesive entity in order to increase the effectiveness of the UN System in delivering development results as well as to increase the efficiency with which these results are achieved.

Given the global drive for UN to deliver as one, UN system in Lesotho realizes that it cannot afford to operate piecemeal; resulting in the UN Country Team agreeing to work together on the agenda of “Delivering as One” in Lesotho.

Despite the many challenges arising such as Overseas Development AID (ODA) falling and the changing aid modalities at country level by Donors, the UN System in Lesotho is looking to use the opportunities and lessons learnt experiences of the One UN Pilots and Self Starter countries to assist in developing their own tailored Delivering as One concept in Lesotho so as to ensure that maximum support is given to assist the Government of Lesotho deliver the national priorities and goals outlined in the country’s  Development Frameworks and/or plans which are also clearly articulated in the signed UNDAF (2008 – 2012).

Through the initial planning process of how to Deliver as One in Lesotho, the Country Team is looking to implement the following components in order to make “Delivering as One” a reality:

·         One Programme (common or joint programming)

·         One Office (Common Premises, Common Services and Harmonizing Business    Practices)

·         One Leader

·         One Fund (Common budgetary framework and Joint Resource Mobilization)

·         One Voice (communicating as One UN internally and externally)

The UN System in Lesotho already has an established One UN House currently housing all the agencies except for WFP which is located nearby. This puts the UN in Lesotho at a greater advantage as it will help drive the Delivering as One concept more realistically.

In addition, communication is also regarded as pivotal in this Delivering as One process; UNCT is currently in the process of recruiting a UN Communications Officer to join the RC’s Office in support of the existing UN Communications Group in achieving the One Voice component of the Delivering as One process.

Through a phased approach, the RC and UNCT is looking to add to the RC Office two more staff (Change Management Advisor and M&E Officer) to join the Coordination Specialist and Communications Officer in supporting and facilitating the Delivering as One process on behalf of the UNCT with close collaboration with the Inter-agency task teams.

The UNCT also hopes that by coordinating its efforts and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its activities, the UN System in Lesotho will be able to enhance its development impact and “do more with less”, but also through this new initiative, it certainly hopes to attract financial resources to the country thereby increasing the potential to address the different development challenges facing Lesotho.

3.    UNV Context

This post is a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) volunteer specialist in Coordination Specialist assignment in the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Lesotho and is based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefits to the individual volunteer, as well as to society. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism and the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer actions in all their diversity.

Volunteerism is diverse and is embedded in all cultures and traditions. In this context, as a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) volunteer you are encouraged and expected to relate to local volunteerism and to be identified with the concept. You are expected to regard your national and international colleagues as peers and together uphold trust as volunteers among yourselves and within the communities and organizations to which you are assigned.

4.    Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Coordination Specialist’s main function is to assist the UN Resident Coordinator in coordinating and leading the UN System activities in Lesotho through preparation and implementing of the RC and UNCT Work plans.

The Coordination Specialist is also expected to work closely with the Change Management Advisor in supporting and facilitating the Delivering as One process in Lesotho through preparation of country programming documents such as the Common Country Assessments (CCA), United Nations Development Assistant Frameworks (UNDAFs).

As the UNCT and UN System in Lesotho plan to Deliver as One, the Coordination Specialist is also expected to support the UN Agencies establish inter-agency teams to support each of the components of the Delivering as One.

5.    Key Duties and Responsibilities

 Summary of Key Duties

1. Support the UNCT on UN Reform initiatives
2. Ensure time driven results are met through support and leading the RC Office
3. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
4. Preparation and implementation of the RC/UNCT work plan
5. Coordination of UN’s preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters
6. Coordination and Implementation of the UN’s security activities.

1. Support the UNCT on UN Reform initiatives, especially the “Delivering as One” initiative, aimed at enhancing system-wide coherence, aid effectiveness and efficiency:

·     Closely work with the Change Management Advisor (the UN System-wide focal point) for furthering plans to “Deliver as One”, fostering dialogue among all agencies, inter-agency or thematic teams, and developing concrete suggestions to further the objectives of Delivering as One.

·    Support the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in the advancement of the country-level UN reform agenda through the preparation of briefs, presentations, or the organization of thematic workshops.

·     ssist where appropriate the inter-agency team leaders to ensure the emergence of strong inter-agency task teams for each area identified in the Delivering as One Concept Paper for Lesotho

·     Be the focal point for information sharing, and seek solutions to questions emerging from the Task Teams from the Resident Coordinator/UNCT.

·     Promote the expansion of simplification and harmonization strategies, including the expansion of the use of common support services in order to reduce the burden on national partners and to maximize the effectiveness of a harmonized UN Operation.

·     Liaise effectively on behalf of the Resident Coordinator and UNCT with the Government, as well as other multilateral agencies and the wider donor community on UN Reform issues

·     Act as the principal liaison with the UN Development Group Office on issues relating to UN Reform

·     Support the UN Staff to realize the full implementation of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

·     Become the knowledge repository on issues and or development matters that will inform the Delivering as One process

·     Become thoroughly familiar with the UN Reform process, experiences of other countries and fully anticipate and offer any challenges which might face UN Lesotho as it moves to One UN.

·     Be fully conversant with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and Agreed ACCRA Agenda for Action.

2. Support the Resident Coordinator/UNCT by leading the RC Office and ensuring time-driven results are met:

·     Provide input and guidance to the design of UN-wide Strategic Partnerships

·     Facilitate the preparation and implementation of a UN Resource Mobilization Strategic Plan, based on clear needs assessments and other identified priorities and strategies from the UNDAF.

·     Support the RC and UNCT with their resource mobilization efforts

·     Support further operationalisation and effective implementation of the UNDAF and the emerging Annual Work Plans and Joint Programmes by ensuring full alignment with the National Development Plans

·     Ensure provision of technical assistant to the Agencies participating in Joint Programmes.

3. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

·     Identification of sources of information related to coordination.

·     Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned stemming from the inter-agency task team efforts

·    Establishment of electronic and other systems for agencies without field representation to access national institutions and processes and for national partners to access the expertise of agencies without field representation

·     Organization of trainings or town hall meetings to UN Staff on coordination and UN Reform issues with support from the UN Communications Group

4.  Ensure preparation and implementation of the RC/UNCT Work plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

·    Coordination and preparation of the RC/UNCT Work plan, reports and proposals for funding preparation

·     Coordination of substantive preparations and support provided for the annual UNCT Retreat and other UNCT meetings

·     Monitoring of the Support to the Resident Coordinator (SRC) fund and other funds dedicated to UNCT activities and approval of expenditure reports

·     Provide secretarial, timely and organizational support for SMT/UNCT meetings

·     Facilitate implementation of UNCT decisions and ensure follow up and feedback

·     Monitor implementation of the UNCT Work plan and Budget, and update the Resident Coordinator on the status of implementation.

·     Prepare and submit Resident Coordinator Annual Reports (RCARs) online including UNCT’s key results.

5. Ensure coordination of the UN’s preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters, focusing on achievement of the following results:

·     Provide coordination support to the UN’s Disaster Management Team’s internal meetings, and meeting with Partners

·     Monitor implementation of the UN Lesotho Emergency  and Avian Flu Plans

·     Act as the UN’s focal point for Emergencies and Disasters and provide technical and administrative support to the Disaster Management Authority of Lesotho.

6. Support coordination and implementation of the UN’s security activities, focusing on achievement of the following results:

·     Support the initiatives of the Designated Official for Security on behalf of the UN Security Management Team (SMT) and in collaboration with the Field Security Coordinating Officer (FSCO)

7. Actively engage with UNV Lesotho in the promotion, advocacy, integration and mobilization of volunteers and the volunteer ethos.

6.    Competencies and Critical Success Factors

 Corporate Competencies:

·    Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

·    Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN

·    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

·    Treats all people fairly without favoritism

 Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

·    Shares knowledge and experience

·    Develops deep knowledge  in UN Practice Areas including Delivering as One concept

·    Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

·    Is able to implement communications and publications strategies

·    Is able to advocate effectively

·    Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies

·    Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism

·    Good knowledge of current development issues particularly those            pertinent to the UN in Lesotho Practice Areas. 

·    Is able to conceptualize issues and analyze data

·    Demonstrates strong IT skills

  Management and Leadership:

·    Focuses on impact and results  for the client

·    Leads teams effectively and shows good conflict resolution skills

·    Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

·    Builds strong relationships with colleagues, clients and external actors

·    Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

·    Is able to work well in a team

7.    Experience and Qualifications

Education

:

Master's degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience  and Competencies

:

·   A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in providing management and advisory services.

·   Hands on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects

·   Knowledge of the UN and UN Reform is essential.

Language Requirements:

:

·   Fluency in English is essential.

·   Competence in South Sotho would be welcome.

8.    Personal Attributes

Behavioral

:

Accountable, detail oriented, resilient

Thinking

:

Holistic, well organized, reflective

Interpersonal

:

Consensus seeker, perceptive/emphatic, team oriented