Project Associate for Resilience and Peacebuilding (3 Positions) (Duty Station: Manila) (For Filipinos Only)

On 23 May 2017, government forces and extremists (the Maute Group), clashed in Barangay Basak Malutlut, Marawi City. The same day, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, through Proclamation No. 216 (s. 2017), declared Martial Law and suspended the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in Mindanao for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days.  However, since the conflict in Marawi was not fully resolved within the allotted time, Martial Law in the whole of Mindanao has been extended up to December 2017.

The 5 month-long conflict totally disrupted the normal daily lives of the people in Marawi and nearby communities, and has already resulted in the loss of about a thousand lives, significant damage to public infrastructure and utilities, as well as private properties, thus displacing around hundreds of thousands of its residents.  The current conditions have negatively affected the local economy and provision of public services. According to the latest updates on the Marawi crisis, the war raged for five months, leaving 359,680 displaced. It has also left 824 extremists, 162 government troopers, and 47 civilians killed.^[1] The nearby municipalities are already experiencing the conflict’s effects.

Following the developments and the need for a more focused rehabilitation effort, an Inter-agency Task Force for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the city of Marawi and other affected localities was created by virtue of Administrative Order No. 03 (AO 3) dated 28 June 2017. The Secretary of National Defense, as the head of Task Force Bangon Marawi, has operational control and supervision of the ad hoc task force. It is composed of the Secretary of Public Works and Highways as its Vice-Chairperson along with the heads of 21 member agencies in coordination with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

AO No. 9 (s. 2017) amended AO No. 3 by reorganizing the composition of the Task Force Bangon Marawi and designating the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) as Chairperson of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM). In addition to the efforts in rebuilding Marawi City specifically the Most Affected Area (MAA), Executive Order No. 49 series of 2018 “Exempting the National Housing Authority from the National Economic and Development Authority Guidelines on Joint Venture Agreements to Expedite the Implementation of Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Projects in the Most Affected Areas of Marawi City.”

The Task Force Bangon Marawi is required to submit Monthly Progress Reports to the President, through the Secretary of National Defense, until such time that the objectives of the Task Force have been achieved. The Task Force can access and utilize an existing data-tracking system.

The eMPATHY system, a web-based real-time management information system, was designed to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of the rehabilitation and recovery Programs, Projects and Activities in the Typhoon Yolanda affected areas. The Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery requested the United Nations for Development Programme (UNDP) for funding support to develop the eMPATHY.  The system was envisioned to serve as an open data visualization platform for transparent, accurate, and timely disclosure of information for evidence-based decision making. The system can contain information on all types of post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery interventions of the different implementers (national government, local government units, private sector, non-government organizations, development partners, etc.) and funders (on and off budget) into one database.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Chair of the Resettlement Cluster in Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery, requested the UNDP for access, use and ownership of the eMPATHY in October 2016.  UNDP approved the request on 26 October 2016 and executed the Deed of Donation to HUDCC of the eMPATHY system in November 2016. The eMPATHY system will aid the agency in its aim to institutionalize a monitoring and validation system for post-disaster projects starting with the Yolanda programs and projects in the resettlement sector. HUDCC also aims to use the system to monitor across the programs of its Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs).

As part of its continuing support, UNDP will engage the services of a Project Officer to assist the Task Force Bangon Marawi/HUDCC in the monitoring and evaluation of the Marawi Post-Conflict rehabilitation and recovery PPAs and assist the TFBM Secretariat in all their activities by providing technical and operational support to the Task Force Bangon Marawi and HUDCC.

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Resilience and Peacebuilding Unit (RPBU), the Project Associate will perform the following functions:

• Provide technical support to the TFBM/TFBM Secretariat;
• Assist in documenting the partnership of HUDCC and Task Force Bangon Marawi relative to the use and access of the eMPATHY system, if needed;
• Assist in uploading and monitoring of PPAs for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City in the existing eMPATHY system including the updating of authorized users and establishment of protocols and guidelines on the use of the system;
• Assist the Team Leader on overall coordinator in the development of an M&E framework to be integrated in the post-conflict Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan for Marawi;
• Follow-up submissions/updates of Implementing Agencies under the assigned Subcommittees (Reconstruction, Housing, Health and Social Welfare, Business and Livelihood, Security, Peace and Order);
• Identify, discuss, and recommend solutions to contentious issues/bottlenecks in the implementation of Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs, Projects, and Activities;
• Coordinate with implementing agencies to streamline processes and clarify key policy issues.
• Provide technical support to the selection of a private partner to develop the Most Affected Area (MAA) in Marawi City.
• Prepare monthly accomplishment report relative to the technical, coordination and operations support extended to Task Force Bangon Marawi;
• Conduct table assessments and assist Task Force Bangon Marawi in close coordination with the Implementing Agencies in ground monitoring and validation of PPAs to further intensify the monitoring and validation efforts;
• Assist/facilitate in trainings/capacity building on the use of the eMPATHY system; and Provide other assistance as may be requested by the Team Leader/Overall Coordinator and Task Force Bangon Marawi in the fulfillment of the TA’s objectives.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall project’s efficiency and success in implementation of project strategies.  Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances project’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision making on the project.

Functional Competencies:             

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 1.1: Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
• Maintains databases of donor information
• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.1: Implementing processes and uses products

• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Responds positively to new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 1.1: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Maintains database of project files
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.1: Research and analysis

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences

Client Orientation

Level 1.1:  Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Responds to client needs promptly 

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Education:

• A First Degree in Social Sciences, commensurate skills and experience.

Experience:

• At least 3-7 years of experience in inter-agency coordination in a relevant Department or National Government Agency
• Experience in post-disaster and/or post-conflict rehabilitation and recovery processes; monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of government recovery interventions;
• Experience in handling web-based data management systems (such as eMPATHY) and familiar with latest trends and technologies in monitoring, an advantage
• Previous engagement with TFBM/TFBM Secretariat, particularly in planning and monitoring the projects and activities of TFBM Subcommittees (Reconstruction, Housing and Settlements, Land Resource Management, Business and Livelihood, Health and Social Welfare, and Security, Peace and Order), an advantage
• Proficient in the use of computers and office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• UN/UNDP experience an advantage

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English and Filipino (knowledge of regional languages in Mindanao an advantage)

Important application information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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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