Community Development Specialist for Democratic Governance Unit (1 position) (Duty Station: Manila) (For Filipinos Only)

Efficient, resilient, and well-planned road networks ensure that no one is left behind in the drive for inclusive growth. This is why roads are considered as an important foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a prerequisite for bringing communities together. 

At present, only 24.6% of all provincial roads in the Philippines are of acceptable quality. Of the 12,726km of provincial core roads, 57.2% are unpaved and in need of upgrading, while 20.2% are in poor condition and in need of rehabilitation. The situation is similarly dire for the 19,098 km of non-core roads, with 67% needing upgrading and 7% in need of rehabilitation. To address this situation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CMGP) initiative to improve the quality of the local road network across the country, by providing both financial investment for capital outlay, as well as strengthening the governance processes so that provincial governments are themselves able to effectively plan, design, implement and maintain their road networks.

In partnership with DILG, UNDP has launched a project “Paving the Road to SDGs through Good Governance” which aims to provide support to the governance reform and quality assurance components of CMGP through the ‘Road to SDGs’ framework. This framework will anchor the prioritisation, planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects to the achievement of the SDGs, incorporating the elements of partnership building, climate change and disaster risk reduction, gender mainstreaming, and citizen participation for transparency and accountability.

Under the overall guidance of the Governance Team Leader and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Community Development Specialist will work closely with the technical and project support team to provide the necessary technical expertise for the project implementation of the project “Paving the Road to SDGs through Good Governance.”  The Community Development Specialist will be responsible for organising and mobilising citizen monitors to participate in the planning and monitor the implementation of road projects, providing inputs to the development of new technology that aids citizen reporting, providing inputs to the refinement of existing and new modules on road governance to ensure citizen participation, and identifying interactions of the project with the environment, defining the associated impacts of these interactions and proposing mitigation measures as well as protocols for implementing them.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Organise and mobilise citizens to participate in the planning and monitor the implementation of road projects under CMGP;
• Provide inputs to the development of new technology that aids citizen participation and reporting of road projects;
• Identify vulnerable communities and groups and ensure social impact risks are minimised during the project implementation;
• Oversee the implementation of UNDP’s SDG Localisation strategies;
• Perform other duties as may be prescribed by the Governance Team Leader.

Citizens organised to participate in the planning and monitor the implementation of road projects under CMGP

• Under the direction of the UNDP Philippine Country Office, linking up with the Governance Hubs and CSO networks to organise citizens to participate in the planning process of road projects under CMGP, having inputs particularly in road selection and type;
• Under the direction of the UNDP Philippine Country Office, linking up with the Governance Hubs and CSO networks to organise citizens to monitor the implementation of road projects;
• Providing regular reports of the citizen monitors;
• Overseeing project impact documentation efforts and policy reforms to strengthen citizen participation in provincial road programmes.  

Support the implementation of SDG Localisation tools for the benefit of the road project.

• Support the implementation of SDG localisation tools, including the baseline / assessment tool, as well as the FACES methodology in communities benefitting from the road project. 

Ensure compliance with social safeguard policies of the CMGP as well as local regulations:

• Establish social and economic baselines;
• Identify potential social risks and impacts;
• Review the local regulatory requirements as well requirements emerging from compliance with DILG and UNDP safeguards frameworks and policies;
• Strategise the development of adequate instruments for implementation of CMGP and develop appropriate plans including social impact assessments;
• Prepare any initial reports or recommendations;
• Interact and consult with relevant actors and stakeholders;
• Ensure that consideration for social and gender issues is streamlined in project implementations;
• Ensure that the deliverables adequately address the requirements of the various stakeholders including any operational documents such as Social Impact Assessments and operation manuals.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Builds knowledge in at least one practice area;
• Ability to provide quality policy advice services on related issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Substantive knowledge of democratic governance processes.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
• Proven track record in project implementation of a comparable size and/or of a similar nature;
• Demonstrated experience in implementing development projects;
• Ability to plan and organize work programme and flow;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present sensitive; issues/positions and to write reports and technical decisions quantitatively justified;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision. 

Management and Leadership

• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the works, work on tight deadlines, and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• High degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities;
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Substantial previous experience in working with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issues. 

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Science, Behavioural Economics, Anthropology or other relevant discipline is required;
• Bachelor’s Degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree; 

Experience:

• At least 5 - 7 years of relevant experience in social impact assessments and social impact mitigation (risk-based assessments, livelihood restoration plans, gender mainstreaming, indigenous communities’ protection) is required;
• Experience working on and implementing multilateral and bilateral donor agencies safeguards and/or policies would be an asset;
• Relevant experience working in remote areas is an asset;
• Relevant social assessment experience of infrastructure projects is an asset;
• Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required
• Previous experience in mentoring and training counterparts is desired
• Work experience at the sub-national level will be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal English language skills.

Important application information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment

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Note:  UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply.  All applications with be treated in the strictest confidence.

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