Background
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The Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) is a Regional Economic Community (REC) of the African Union, comprising eight countries that are usually referred to as the Horn of Africa (HoA). The area includes some of the most arid places in the world and is highly prone to droughts and other impacts of climate change which are becoming major threats to the sub-region’s life-supporting ecosystems and services thereby posing major challenges to socio-economic development.
The HoA region is one of the poorest in the world and IGAD Member States (MS) are classified among the low human development countries. Resource scarcity is exacerbated by frequent disasters. In fact, the HoA is one of the most conflict- and disaster- prone regions of the world. Conflict in the region occurs at several levels, including inter- and intra- state wars, and armed conflicts and inter-communal conflicts (the latter being the most frequent). The intimate link of these conflicts with resource scarcity is evident by reviewing the causal analysis of the inter-communal conflicts.
While the population has historically demonstrated its capacity to mitigate the negative impacts of such extreme events, the impact of climate change has rapidly increased the frequency of disasters and eroded the adaptation and recovery capacity in the HoA. The drought of 2011 is a clear demonstration of this reduction in mitigation capacity in countries in the HoA. The disaster witnessed the worst food security crisis in over twenty years, and, in the case of Somalia, the first famine of the 21st century.
Overall, IGAD countries are struggling to meet the MDGs and climate change is increasing their risk of falling short of these goals. Comprehensive approaches to adaptation are needed to meet the scale of the challenge. Livelihood choices are often limited and adaptation is frequently the only option available. Lack of adaptive capacity among communities results in competition for scarce resources which in turn generates social upheavals and conflicts.
Responding to climate change will require systematic action across all levels of development planning and implementation. The sub-region needs to strengthen the ability to anticipate, cope, resist and recover from climate change shocks. These capacities together are termed “resilience”. In pre-disaster contexts, resilience includes proactive measures that reduce exposure, vulnerabilities and risks. In post-disaster contexts, resilience includes the ability to organize effective relief and recovery processes.
Based on the above need, a project entitled, Strengthening the Capacity of IGAD in Building Resilience in the Horn of Africa, was developed by UNDP together with IGAD and other development partners (including the Global Alliance for Action for Drought Resilience and Growth and its participating organizations) to ensure that critical UNDP assistance can be made available to support IGAD capacity building in light of the mandate provided to the institution to lead and coordinate the implementation of the drought resilience agenda in the Horn of Africa. The project strategy is informed by IGAD’s strategic development frameworks as reflected in the institution’s mission and guided by UNDP’s capacity development framework which seeks to enhance institutional management and technical capacities, systems, and processes within IGAD to improve its service delivery in support of reducing and building resilience to crises in the region.
With the goal of achieving sustainable development in the HoA by developing drought resilience, underpinned by robust preparedness and response capacity at all levels (IGAD Secretariat, its Member States and pastoral communities), the project is focused on the achievement of four key outputs:
- Strengthened capacity of the IGAD Secretariat to plan, implement and coordinate Drought Emergency activities in the Horn of Africa under the Institutional Strengthening Action Plan (ISAP) Framework;
- Drought Resilience and Disaster Risk Management related knowledge products, polices and systems made available;
- Development and implementation of IGAD’s resource mobilisation and partnership strategy to strengthen drought resilience in the region;
- Strengthened National Coordination Mechanisms of Member States for Drought Resilience.
The project is implemented in close coordination with other RBA regional projects, especially the “Enhanced regional capacities in Africa for preventing and recovering from crisis caused by natural disasters and conflicts” and “Management of environmental services and financing for sustainable development” projects. Linkages are also established with the RBAS regional “Arab Climate Resilience Initiative (ACRI)” project, which targets Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti, to maximise synergies and complementarities, particularly with respect to best practices, knowledge sharing and lessons learned. The Regional Service Centres in Addis Ababa (RBA) and Cairo (RBAS) plays a critical role with regard to knowledge management and information sharing, ensuring that the linkages between this joint regional initiative and the Country Offices are maintained.
The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) leads the implementation of the project, provide high level engagement/representation, render specialized technical support in the area of capacity development, and implement resource mobilization strategy towards the achievement of project outputs and objectives. Reporting to the Executive Secretary of IGAD, the CTA will be guided on broad policy issues by the Director of the Regional Service (RSC) to ensure conformity with UNDP norms and procedures. The CTA will work on close collaboration with the project team, including experts seconded from Member States, and relevant staff in the IGAD Secretariat.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Ensure implementation of the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensure that the main objectives and outputs of the project are achieved in the most efficient and effective manner;
- Provide strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of project activities, tracking the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
- Lead the preparation of monitoring and progress reports, work plans, budget and expenditure statements for approval by the Project Board;
- Supervise and build the professional capacities of the project team;
- Lead the implementation of the capacity development component of the project, particularly on the enhancement of the technical capacity of the IGAD Secretariat and its Member States;
- Ensure that the project enhances IGAD ownership and promotes the institutionalization and sustainability of DRM and resilience initiatives supported under the project;
- Ensure the identification of clear and achievable physical and financial targets, a realistic work plan to reach them and an agreed upon monitoring and reporting system;
- Evaluate the performance of staff in the project management and support unit, as well as, experts from Member States seconded to the project and make recommendations accordingly.
Provide Policy Service and Technical Assistance, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensure that technical assistance provided under the project subscribes to the UNDP capacity development framework;
- Lead the analytical and policy development work of the team and ensure that products are not only of high quality but are institutionalized, sustained, and owned by IGAD and its member states;
- Work with various counterparts, including Member States in the HoA and key national and regional institutions, especially National Platforms, towards strengthening resilience and DRM capacities;
- Lead the provision of high quality technical and advisory inputs, particularly in the areas of capacity development and knowledge management for the IGAD Secretariat and Member States.
Ensure effective Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Work closely with the IGAD and its Secretariat, including key national and regional institutions, especially National Platforms, towards strengthening resilience and DRM capacities;
- Coordinate with other agencies and bodies at regional and national levels to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project and delivery of products;
- Create and coordinate partnerships among the various beneficiary entities, implementing partners, donors, other actors in the field of DRM and CCA and the partner governments for a timely, resource-bound and effective implementation of the project activities;
- Represent UNDP in relevant global, regional, and national forums, meetings, workshops, etc.;
- Lead the implementation of resource mobilization strategies to generate resources and achieve project outcomes.
Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Lead activities on knowledge management related to resilience building and DRM across IGAD and ensure its reflection in global knowledge management platforms and communities of practice;
- Ensure that project results are captured in knowledge products and communicated widely in IGAD and at global levels;
- Ensure that a learning environment and systematic information and knowledge sharing within the project team is followed;
- Ensure the delivery and quality of knowledge management products, systems, services, etc. supported under the project and its effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice at regional and global levels.
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Competencies
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Core Competencies:
- Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
- Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team;
- Creating synergies through self-control;
- Managing conflict;
- Informed and transparent decision making.
Functional Competencies:
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 good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly.
Managing Relationships:
- Builds strong client relationships;
- Identifies opportunities and builds strategic partnerships;
- Communicates clearly and convincingly.
Managing Complexity:
- Supports development of clear Unit strategy;
- Develops innovative solutions.
Knowledge-management and Learning:
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
- Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:
- Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
- Experience in Projects management with the United Nations System;
- Good knowledge of the political environment, administration of developing countries particularly countries of the west African region;
- Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment;
- Ability to produce reports and high leveled political analysis;
- Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high leveled political and Administrative Officers as well as donors from the international community.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- M.A/M.Sc. Degree in Leadership, Capacity Development, Management, International Development Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Social Sciences and /natural science or related qualification from a recognized University. Specialization in the area of capacity development is an advantage.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of professional experience in managing large-scale projects with a strong capacity development or resilience building approach;
- Extensive international experience in working with governments, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and civil society organizations;
- At least 5 years of international field experience (inclusive in the 10 years of professional experience) in a country/ies with similar development circumstances.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in both written and spoken English;
- Ability to speak and write in French is an advantage.
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