Background:
The Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG) for Somalia is a joint UN programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. The first phase of JPLG commenced in April 2008 and ended in December 2012, and the second phase (JPLG II: 2013-2017) is now being implemented across Somalia.
The UN JPLG is implemented in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Government of Puntland State of Somalia and the Government of Somaliland with an average annual budget of USD 25-35M.
The JPLG II specific objectives are:
- Communities have equitable access to basic services through local government;
- Local governments are accountable and transparent.
UN JPLG works to ensure transparent, accountable and efficient local service delivery by working at the following different enabling levels:
- Improving the legislative and regulatory framework for decentralized service delivery in all three zones of Somalia;
- Improving the capacity of existing and emergent district councils;
- Providing funding for service delivery through districts councils; and
- Developing the capacity of communities to generate the demand side governance at the local level;
- Supporting infrastructural development facilitating access to basic services (and improving economic activity;
- Developing local government’s engagement with civil society on economic development.
The JPLG pursues a comprehensive capacity development approach aimed at local authorities, Federal and central administrations and communities. It builds on existing capacities and focuses on design and development of policies and systems, institutional strengthening, civic education, citizen and private sector participation in service delivery and local economic development. In so doing, the JPLG supports a ‘top-down’ process covering policy development for local governance and decentralization and ‘bottom-up’ empowerment of communities to demand and participate in local governance and economic development. In addition, the programme has designed a Local Development Fund which acts as an intergovernmental fiscal transfer system to channel district grants for capital investments, local economic development and for piloting decentralized service delivery models. Since 2014 and considering the political and security developments and opportunities in the south and central region, JPLG is expanding its support towards strengthening of interim district administrations. JPLG approach aims at placing the relevant local and central government institutions in the driving seat for capacity development and other reforms in line with established procedures and systems.
To coordinate the JPLG and facilitate the implementation of the participating UN agencies, a Programme Management Unit (PMU) is in place comprising of national and international staffs based in Somalia and in Nairobi respectively. The PMU ensures timely and appropriate implementation of the work plans, reviewed and approved by the JPLG Steering Committees, which comprises the heads or delegates of the participating UN agencies, donors and government representatives. The PMU is accountable to the JPLG Steering Committee for the results achieved under the Joint Programme. The PMU is headed by the JPLG Senior Programme Manager and consists of: an international Senior Programme Manager, of an international Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, a National Programme Specialist, a National Programme and Finance Analyst, National Local Area Managers, National M&E officers and a Communication consultant/analyst, and. The JPLG Senior Programme Manager leads and supervises the PMU staff and delegates responsibilities and authority according to respective ToRs (including for day to day coordination by the Local Area Managers in Somalia).
In this context, the JPLG Programme Management Group (PMG) wishes to recruit a JPLG Senior Programme Manager who will report to this the PMG. The JPLG Senior Programme Manager will provide overall strategic guidance and coordination of the work of the participating UN agencies, provide oversight to ensure a harmonised approach and directly manage the PMU. The Senior Programme Manager will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting of all JPLG activities and results to the JPLG Steering Committee and Programme Management Group.
The Senior Programme Manager will also work in close collaboration with UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the participating UN Agencies, the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society in ensuring successful and transparent coordination of JPLG activities.
For more info please visit: www.jplg.org.
Description of Responsibilities :
Summary of key functions:
- Representation of JPLG and Strategic Advisory Support to the JPLG;
- Co-ordination of the JPLG activities;
- Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation;
- Communications and External Relations;
- Knowledge-sharing and networking.
Ensures effective representation and strategic advisory support, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- On behalf of the JPLG participating UN agencies, represent the JPLG as required to governments (Federal, central and local), donors, Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the UN Country Team, the UN Mission and the Resident Coordinator’s Office;
- Represent, with the support of the relevant technical Agency, JPLG in PSG Working Groups, mainly PSG 1, 4 and 5;
- Report on progress, attainment of results and challenges of the JPLG to the JPLG Steering Committees , Programme Management Group (heads of agencies or delegates) and Technical Working Group (comprised of the five project managers of the UN agencies and the PMU), and Resident Coordinator’s Office;
- Assess the technical substance, policies and strategies of JPLG agencies’ interventions, and advice on methods to achieve technical coherence and a harmonised approach with regard to the Somali Compact (PSG 1, 4 and 5 in particular) and the ISF;
- Continue open and sound relationships with JPLG international partners, encourage the use of the joint programming and financing mechanism (UN MPTF) and joint M&E and reporting systems.. Seek new donors to contribute to the JPLG’s objectives and approach.
Provides efficient co-ordination of JPLG activities among the programme agencies, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Ensure the implementation of the JPLG programme document through a country office operated joint programme and in accordance with the UNDG Guidance Note on Joint Programming 2003 and MPTF procedures;
- Maintain effective means for strengthening ownership, technical leadership and coordination capacity of government counterparts in Somalia in all the areas encompassed by the JPLG;
- Coordinate and work closely with the JPLG Administrative Agent (in this instance UNDP), donors and MPTF to ensure adequate funding levels, timely disbursement of the funds and follow-up on programme expenditures;
- Lead the JPLG annual work planning exercises with government and all participating UN agencies, ensuring coherence, providing strategic direction, advising on sequencing of activities, partnership strategies and integration of risk management, contingency planning in work plans, budgets and budget allocations to UN agencies, are in accordance with the approved annual work plans and budgets;
- Under the guidance of the PMG, propose annual budget ceilings, review Agencies disbursement rates, promote the use of common unit costs (operations and HR), review and rationalise of annual staffing requirements against agency workplans and take management decisions to improve JPLG’s efficiency and effectiveness;
- For each donor contribution received, review Agencies’ implementation progress against approved AWPB and recommend (to the PMG) the amount of funds that can be allocated to each Agency based on their respective needs, resources available and delivery rates;
- Coordinate and, to the extent relevant, supervise through matrix management the agency specific Project Managers and draw on their capacity in cross cutting thematic areas;
- Organise and facilitate meetings for the JPLG Steering Committee, Programme Management Group and Technical Working Group on a regular basis and in accordance with their respective Terms of Reference;
- Lead in overseeing application of decisions and recommendations arising from the JPLG Steering Committee, Programme Management Group and Technical Working Group;
- Promote synergies between the JPLG and other relevant programmes and projects within the Somali Compact, the SDRF and the ISF. Ensure and maintain effective and open dialogue amongst and between all participating UN agencies in the JPLG.
Provides effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation process, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Manage the PMU in accordance with its work plan and budget;
- Guide and supervise the work of PMU staff and conduct staff performance reviews in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and procedures, and provide leadership and direction to staff performing JPLG implementation functions in Somalia;
- Prepare regular status reports on the JPLG and raise issues, risks and opportunities to the Programme’s committees, and ensure records are kept and maintained of all meetings;
- Consolidate all narrative reports for submission to the relevant Programme committees for approval and dissemination to all key stakeholders;
- Manage the process for all reviews and evaluations of the JPLG strategy, management set-up, and activities and advice on timely readjustments of strategies and corrective actions as necessary;
- Provide support, data and reports as required to UNDP country office in performing its functions as Administrative Agent for the JPLG;
- Implement the monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework plan for the JPLG, ensure there are appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems for JPLG activities and results and oversee its implementation, including tracking of results, lessons and risks;
- Follow-up closely on JPLG implementation in order to quickly identify delays and bottlenecks and propose means for solving these;
- Comply with security and safety requirements and regulations and ensure the same are respected by all PMU and Programme personnel.
Ensures effective communications and external relations, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Ensure that a solution and issue based focus is applied to problem solving;
- Develop messages on key thematic issues and ensure appropriate visibility for the JPLG, towards donors, Somali counterparts and communities;
- Establish and oversee an internal and external communications system to facilitate institutional and technical learning, and collection and dissemination of information and reports to all key stakeholders;
- Take an active role in defining the resource mobilisation strategy of the JPLG in the context of the Somali Compact, the SDRF and the ISF, and in support of donor relations and resource mobilisation as a joint effort with UN JPLG partners;
- Take an active role in preparing for high level consultation meetings with donors and government authorities on local governance, decentralisation and service delivery assistance strategies;
- Facilitate donor missions and media relations on behalf of the JPLG.
Ensures facilitation of Knowledge-sharing and Networking, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Promote information sharing and co-ordination between the UN JPLG teams and with UN Country Team, donors and government on decentralisation, local governance and service delivery matters;
- Keep abreast of technical issues related to the themes of the JPLG and operational matters related to UN Joint Programmes and advise Programme partners accordingly;
- Provide inputs or advisory support to similar thematic initiatives at the global and regional levels.
Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the success of the UN Country Team attainment of the ISF, the JPLG’s successful implementation of its annual workplans and budgets by five participating UN agencies, strengthening of overall coordination capacity and implementation of the UN System reform. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design and operation of UN activities, creation of strategic partnerships for UNCT Programming including the Somali New Deal Compact, the ISF implementation and support of Somali government led strategies, plans and priorities.
Competencies :
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
- Builds consensus concerning UNDP’s strategic agenda with partners on joint initiatives;
- Dialogues with national counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives.
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
- Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach;
- Makes use of a variety of resources within UNDP to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches;
- Ensures the full implementation of country programme and Financial Resources to obtain results;
- Demonstrated programme management skills including: results-based orientation, preparation of work plans, monitoring and evaluation, and leading cross-cultural teams.
Building Strategic Partnerships
- Makes effective use of UNDP’s and UNSOM’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
- Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations.
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
- Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
- Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources.
Resource Mobilization
- Contributes to the development of resource mobilization strategies at CO level;
- Actively develops partnerships with potential donors and government counterparts in all sectors at country level;
- Strengthens the capacity of the country office to mobilize resources.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Promotes UNDP and UNSOM as learning/knowledge sharing organizations.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
- Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures;
- For managers: applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch;
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally;
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
- Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments.
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals
- Advocates for increased priority given to human development issues internationally and in national planning frameworks;
- Advocates for increased resources at international and national level.
Client Orientation
- Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
- Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
- Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP and UNSOM programmes and operations.
Core Competencies:
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
- Building support and political acumen;
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
- Building and promoting effective teams;
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of the UN & setting standards;
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
- Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
- Qualifications :
- Education:
- Masters degree in public administration, planning, political science or related social science fields.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of work experience related to project/programme management and development and/or co-ordination of complex multi-sector programmes/projects, preferably in governance or sector services;
- At least 5 years of work experience in developing countries, preferably in Africa or Arab States and preferably post-conflict and fragile situations;
- Work experience of directly managing programming in the field with at least one UN agency/organization;
- Strong experience in promoting capacity building and governance in multi-cultural environments is desirable;
- Work experience in Somalia is desirable.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application by visiting: http://jobs.undp.org/ or
