Programme and Infrastructure Specialist

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories. It is one of the leading multilateral development agencies contributing to the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. It supports national processes to accelerate progress in human development.
Its main areas of intervention are focused on:
- Inclusive growth and sustainable development
- Participatory governance and social cohesion
- Environmental resilience and disaster risk reduction, and
- Human capital development

In Chad, UNDP works to improve inclusive growth, governance, environmental sustainability and human capital, addressing inequalities and building resilience to natural disasters and prolonged humanitarian vulnerabilities. The program is based on the idea that strong and credible governance institutions capable of managing development and conflict are the foundation for solid and inclusive economic progress, and that growth cannot be sustained without economic diversification and appropriate management of natural resources, including through extractive industries.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in over 170 countries to help eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and support countries in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development.
Since 2009, violence by extremist groups around the Lake Chad Basin has caused major suffering, killed tens of thousands of people and forced about 2.5 million to flee their homes. Over 10 million people in the region especially in northern Cameroon, the Hadjer Lamis and Lac provinces in Chad, Diffa in Niger, and Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states in Nigeria are still in urgent need of help.
To respond to this crisis, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2349 in 2017, followed by international meetings like the Berlin Conference. These efforts called for better cooperationbetween countries in the region. The African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission worked together to create a regional plan to stabilize the area.
This plan, called the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (SSR), was adopted in 2018. It focuses on addressing the root causes of the crisis and helping communities recover in the long term.
As part of the plan, a Governors' Forum was created to encourage dialogue and cooperation between the affected areas. The first meeting took place in May 2018 in Maiduguri, Nigeria, and the second in July 2019 in Niamey, Niger. These forums reviewed progress and strengthened support for the strategy.
To help make the plan a reality, the Regional Stabilization Facility was launched by UNDP and its partners. It’s a funding mechanism designed to help the African Union, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission carry out the strategy in a coordinated and practical way. Its goals include:
 Quickly stabilizing areas that are still unsafe and where people are at risk.
 Improving cooperation between civil and military actors, and making sure human rights are respected.
 Fixing essential infrastructure and restoring basic public services.
 Supporting people’s livelihoods, reducing poverty, and preventing recruitment by armed groups.
 Reviving the local economy.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Stabilization or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Programme and Infrastructure Specialist will:

1. Planning and coordination
 Provides substantial support in the planning and implementation of the programme in general and infrastructure projects in particular throughout their life cycle.
 Coordinates technical assistance to the programme regarding work requirements at the design, procurement, implementation, supervision and monitoring stages in accordance with international standards and best practices.
 Provides programmatic management and administrative support to the Chief Stabilization Officer and the Stabilization Specialist regarding infrastructure and livelihood activities, policies, standards and procedures.
 Implements programme activities for which responsibilities have been assigned in accordance with the annual work plan.
 Provides technical and programmatic support to the project team in the preparation of work plans, budgets and proposals in the process of implementation of activities.
 Provides support in the preparation of partnership documents, monitors their implementation based on operationalization plans and maintains good relations with the various actors involved.
 Organizes, facilitates and monitors meetings, events and activities related to the implementation of the programme.
 Ensures that the programme is implemented in the provinces of Lake and Hadjer Lamis in accordance with the programme document and the procedures in force.
 Leads the production of needs assessments, due diligence assessments and feasibility studies, including the supervision of consultants as required. Reviews evaluations and reports and recommends follow-up actions.
 Actively participates in the process of identifying innovative initiatives and approaches for populations located in the areas of intervention of the stabilization program.
 Assists the Chief Stabilization Officer in identifying strategic areas of support to UNDP in the areas of stabilization and transition to recovery.
 Supports and leads and/or participates in the facilitation of groups or reflection initiatives in the program's areas of intervention.
 Ensures regular coordination of field activities in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders.

2. Partnership building and resource mobilization
 Work closely with local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors to ensure effective coordination and alignment of objectives.
 Provides technical support and guidance for the development of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts.
 Contributes to the process of coordination, planning, documentation, monitoring and implementation of the Stabilization Facility relating to the management of partnerships with provincial and national organizations, UN agency partners and other humanitarian and development actors.

3. Programmatic leadership and overall management
 Conducts detailed assessments to identify infrastructure and livelihood needs.
 Participates in the work plans and budgets for all activities of the UNDP Regional Stabilization Facility at the level of the Lake Province/Hadjer Lamis.
 Assists in the preparation of project and contract documentation, including periodic progress reports, construction work reports, minutes of meetings with stakeholders, change instructions and orders, contractor invoice verification reports, certifications, performance evaluation of partners, companies and control firms, and final work reports with lessons learned.
 Identifies risks and challenges of the programme and advises the Stabilization Specialist of the UNDP Country Office in Chad on mitigation strategies.
 Ensures appropriate levels of visibility and public awareness of ongoing results and activities.
Innovation and Knowledge Management:
 Promotes the use of innovative and sustainable technologies in the design and implementation of infrastructure.
 Participates in the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned and ensures their integration into the planning of infrastructure and livelihoods programmes.
 Supports capacity-building exercises in the areas of infrastructure and livelihoods.
 Actively participates in UNDP knowledge networks and leverages good practices and lessons learned available in the province and around the world and encourages National Stabilization Window teams to do so by creating a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
 Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
 Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
 Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
 Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
 Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
 Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs
 As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
 Effective planning, coordination, and implementation of infrastructure and livelihood projects in Lake and Hadjer Lamis provinces, ensuring alignment with the Regional Stabilization Facility’s goals and timelines.
 Comprehensive technical support provided throughout the project cycle (design, procurement, supervision, and monitoring), resulting in timely and quality delivery of infrastructure and stabilization activities.
 Strengthened collaboration and coordination mechanisms with local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and donor partners, contributing to increased synergy and impact.
 Regular production of technical assessments, feasibility studies, and due diligence reports, with clear recommendations to inform programming decisions.
 Well-documented lessons learned and best practices shared within UNDP and partners, contributing to improved approaches in stabilization and recovery programming.
 Quality and timely reporting on project progress, financials, risks, and partner performance, enhancing transparency and accountability.
 Visible contributions to capacity-building efforts and knowledge-sharing activities, including participation in innovation platforms and UNDP learning networks.
 Strengthened local ownership and community engagement through inclusive dialogue, volunteerism, and support to local initiatives aligned with the stabilization objectives.
 Contribution to resource mobilization through support to strategic partnerships and development of concept notes or proposals as needed.
 Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
 A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed