Head of Dominica Project Office

Roseau

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Roseau
Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UNDP Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) covers 10 countries and territories that include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Within the Eastern Caribbean, UNDP aims to create an enabling environment to support national governments capacities for inclusive and sustainable human development; meet their regional commitments, and internationally agreed goals including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of UNDP Barbados MCO support to the Commonwealth of Dominica, a Project Office was established in 2017 to assist government with immediate response, recovery and reconstruction post Hurricane Maria. This included strengthening national recovery frameworks, disaster preparedness and climate and community resilience, as well as empowering women to take a more proactive role in emergencies. Since 2017, the Dominica Project Office has evolved its portfolio to include climate resilience, economic recovery and sustainable development initiatives.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative the Head of Dominica Office (HDO) is in charge of liaison with counterparts, and will provide the appropriate direction and adequate management of the Project Office, strengthening institutional and operational capacity, covering Recovery Planning and Implementation, Monitoring, Information Management and Communications, and Partnerships and Coordination.

With direct reporting to the Deputy Resident Representative and in close coordination with the different Head of thematic clusters, the incumbent will work closely with internal and external counterparts, including at highest levels of Government (Prime Minister, Ministers), national institutions, civil society, private sector etc; and will be responsible for the daily management and coordination of the Dominica project portfolio, including the management of the Dominica Development and Reconstruction Facility in support of Governments leadership in implementing reconstruction works, social protection programmes, and response interventions to address COVID-19.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1.Programme Development and implementation, Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice

2.Office Management

3.Representation and Coordination

4.Operational Management

5.Management of communication flow

6.Partnership building and donor liaison

7.Coordination of the Dominica Development and Reconstruction Facility

1.Ensures strategic programme development, planning, coordination and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analyses the socio-economic and political situation and trends in the area and identifies opportunities and entry points for UNDP.

Ensures the team has the adequate guidance, allocate sufficient resources and prioritize the implementation of strategic projects, providing quality assurance and monitoring progress.

Provides guidance and manages the overall Dominica Office (DO) programme development and implementation including planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring.

Ensures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects including planning processes and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the DRR

Ensures identification and promotion of programming and planning opportunities

Identifies and develops new programme and project opportunities.

Supports capacity building of national counterparts.

Oversees project implementation through close monitoring of results. Ensures effective application of RBM tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks.

Coordinates and follows through on decentralized local evaluations.

Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.

Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

Ensures proper implementation of programmes based on continuous monitoring and analysis of: (a) the most critical recovery and development needs, response capacities, access situation, operational environment and applicable security issues and (b) implementation progress of the programmes in his geographic area;

Acts as Emergency and Response Advisor for the MCO, is available for emergency deployments in the region as a part of the first responders’ team

2.Responsible for effective Office management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Ensures smooth running of the Dominica Office, builds an effective DO team, promotes teamwork and an environment that is conducive to delivering results.

Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the Project Office by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations. Continually find ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations of the Dominica Office.

Approves contracts and ATLAS transactions under written delegated authority from the Resident Representative. Has Atlas manager rights as delegated. Responsible for the management of the Dominica Office staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary.

Ensures timely and regular reporting.

In collaboration with the Operations staff, ensures that the security needs of offices and projects are met. In collaboration with the Security Advisor ensures enforcement of security procedures and MOSS/MORSS requirements in the Project Office.

Mitigates possible risks and impacts associated with the Dominica Office operations (e.g. logistical, security etc.) by proactively designing mitigation measures.

Builds capacity of the office staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing training/learning programmes.

3.Responsible for Representation and Coordination in the area focusing on achievement of the following results:

Represents UNDP at the local level.

Provides strong coordination support to national authorities and other organizations through the establishment of a wider consultation process.

Ensures proper coordination and inputs to multi-partner initiatives.

Maintains collaboration and coordination with the PRR Portfolio Analyst and other personnel of the MCO to ensure programmatic integration and sharing of best practices.

4.Responsible for the Operational Management of the Dominica Office

Is responsible for smooth processing of financial management issues through Atlas, including direct payments, purchase orders and requisitions;

Provides leadership in overseeing of effective provision of services to counterparts including fair and transparent procurement, efficient logistics and sound financial management as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations;

Ensures the integrity of financial system and directly oversees the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of Programme delivery in its geographical area

Ensures cost-recovery system for the services provided by the Dominica Office to projects or other agencies in close collaboration with the DCD-O;

Is responsible for approval of payments up to an agreed amount upon level.

5.Promotes communication flow in the project office focusing on achievement of the following results:

Maximizes communication between the various portfolios and ensures that stakeholders (development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies and Government agencies) have one consistent UNDP counterpart.

Ensures internal communication and coordination at DO level and effective and proactive communication between relevant units (both programme and operations units).

Monitors the perception of UNDP at the local level and suggest media activities that positions UNDP more strategically and effectively as a neutral broker for local development. In the context of the MCO communication strategy, enhances local visibility for UNDP in development effectiveness.

Ensures that local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with Communication Office in the MCO.

6.Fosters partnership building and donor liaison focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contributes to the development of the Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy for the local project presences, including planning tools to implement the strategy.

Identifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the project office level through innovative approaches to partnership development.

Encourages ways of increasing funding base for project office such as engaging in resource mobilization efforts in consultation with local counterparts and following-up with donors on local opportunities.

7.Coordinates the smooth implementation of the Dominica Development and Reconstruction Facility (DDRF)

Leads the implementation and monitoring of the DDRF

Liaises with high level Government authorities in the implementation and troubleshooting of the DDRF

Provides technical assistance and policy advice to Government authorities on implementation of the DDRF

Oversees project implementation through close monitoring of results. Ensures effective application of RBM tools, management of scorecard targets and other benchmarks.

Ensures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.

Competencies

Core Competencies Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work	Level 6: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division
Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow	Level 6: Ensures teams are resourced for success and empowered to deliver
People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction	Level 6: Guides substantive specialists / teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity
Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform	Level 6: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen
Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement	Level 6: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services

Technical/Functional
Crisis Governance	Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Disaster Recovery	Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Disaster Risk Reduction	Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Result Based Management	Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other relevant development areas.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral organization in a multi-cultural setting is required.

Experience in the region, including the Caribbean and/or SIDS is an asset.

Experience supporting governments implement reconstruction and rehabilitation funds

Track record in strengthening relations with government counterparts and civil society organizations.

Experience with UN and UNDP is an asset.

Experience in recovery context is an asset.

Language Requirements:

English. Other official language of the UN will be desirable

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

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