Strategic Planning Specialist (UNDP)

Background

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.In response to the situation, in 2016, UNDP has established a Project Office in eastern Ukraine with a view to consolidate and deliver the various recovery and governance projects through a comprehensive, area-based Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in five conflict-affected oblasts: Donetsk and Luhansk (Government Controlled Areas), as well as Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, and Kharkiv oblasts. RPP frames UNDP’s interventions in Eastern Ukraine to address the recovery needs of conflict affected population and communities. The Programme Component has three components focusing on: (1) economic recovery and restoration of critical infrastructure; (2) restoration of governance and support to decentralization reform; (3) strengthening community security and social cohesion.UNDP Ukraine invites applications for the post of the Strategic Planning Specialist to provide capacity development support and technical assistance on strategic planning to newly amalgamated communities, rayons and the regional civil-military administrations of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. This position falls under the second component of the RPP – i.e., Local Governance and Decentralization Reform (LGDR). Planned outputs and activities under the LGDR component are funded by the Government of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland and the European Commission.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform (LGDR) Component, Strategic Planning Specialist will perform the following key tasks:

• Ensure overall implementation of strategic planning activities of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP in line with UNDP rules and regulations and delivery of results in accordance with the programme document, work plans and other joint agreements between the Government and UNDP;
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
• Ensure collection and analysis of the data and relevant studies on strategic planning taking into account decentralization trends and human rights based approach. Ensure availability of an up-to-date information on all critical issues on strategic planning related to RPP; Initiate and design analytical and technical products, including assessments and studies in support to strategic planning efforts at oblast, rayon and local level, including baseline assessments and methodological recommendations;
• Provide technical advisory support on strategic planning issues to local authorities and communities from cities and towns as well as to the newly amalgamated hromadas in target Oblasts (Donetsk and Luhansk), particularly through capacity building and technical assistance activities related to strategic planning in inclusive and transparent manner;
• Provide analytical and management consulting support on strategic planning, including studies and technical assistance for the implementation of the new arrangements, particularly concerning the intergovernmental relations aspects, the allocation of competencies and responsibilities concerning strategic planning among practitioners on all levels of governance;
• Provide technical advisory support to Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts governments on strategic planning and development of Action Plans for implementation of regional strategies;
• Ensure timely preparation of strategic planning documents at local level in up to 20 targeted hromadas (10 hromadas in Luhansk region and 10 hromadas in Donetsk region) in line with decentralization trends and human rights based approach;
• Provide substantive input to monitoring, coordination and supervision of field activities on strategic planning to ensure the Component objectives are met;
• Mobilize the team of at least 3 national consultants assigned for the development or update of strategic planning documents in target hromadas by developing ToRs and facilitating their recruitment in line with UNDP rules and procedures;
• Regularly supervise and monitor the work of national consultants on strategic planning and delivery of assignments (training, seminars/workshops, surveys, data collection, etc.), as well as coordinate their work in target Oblasts;
• Ensure proper management of the budget allocated for relevant strategic planning activities. Ensure that funds are available when needed and disbursements achieved as per the work plans;
• Ensure effective coordination among stakeholders as well as among various structures of governmental institutions on behalf of UNDP in the subject area (strategic planning);
• Facilitate programme monitoring and evaluation, as well as audit activities;
• Prepare sections of the Programme/Component reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as any ad-hoc technical reports;
• Perform other activities as requested by Programme Coordinator and UNDP Project Office Management.

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the respective strategic planning activities within Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP;
• Results, experiences and lessons learned during implementation of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP related to strategic planning activities disseminated at the national, regional and local levels;
• Reporting and quality monitoring activities completed.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS:

• Respective sections of the annual work plan for the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP are fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery allocated for strategic planning activities reached 100%;
• Programme and Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. 

Competencies

COMPETENCIES EXPECTED OF THE INDIVIDUAL:

1. Corporate Competencies:

• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Leadership;
• People Management;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

2. Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self –management and emotional intelligence;

3. Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

4. Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

5. Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

6. Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level. 

OTHER:

• Ability to implement project/programmes components for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare inputs to project/programme reports in a timely manner;
• Good interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with government authorities and CSO’s and within UNDP;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Good facilitation skills;
• Familiarity with national legislation on recovery issues;
• Demonstrated strong analytical, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Social Sciences, or other relevant areas; PhD will be considered as an advantage;
• At least 3years of relevant progressively responsible experience in analysis, advisory support and research in the field of strategic planning and drafting state development strategies/programmes at national, oblast and local level or related field;
• Experience in delivering capacity development, advisory and advocacy services to the Government on strategic planning would be a strong advantage;
• Sound knowledge of public sector reforms generally and the reforms currently undertaken at local level by the Ukrainian Government;
• Experience of working with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into strategic planning and other governance issues at the national and sub-national levels would be an asset;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the "Apply now" button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
• Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link. Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 29 MAY 2018UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.