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National Coordinator -  UNDP Project Office in the British Virgin Islands

Bridgetown

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Bridgetown
  • Grade: Mid level - SB-5 (SC10/SC11), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • 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).
 
UNDP programmatic support in the BVI has been enhanced since the impacts of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, and the implementation of recovery and reconstruction projects led by the Government of the BVI. 
 
Recently, UNDP has been supporting the COVID-19 emergency response by partnering with the Government in the production of a Human and Economic Assessment of Impact (HEAT) Report, with the collaboration of UNICEF and UN Women. In 2020, UNDP collaborated with the local COVID-19 taskforce in BVI to alleviate the effects of the pandemic and SURGE support was provided via three targeted interventions. Additionally, through grant funding provided by UNDP, the Government of the BVI was able to transition 10 restaurants to a digital business model. The USD 40,000 injection supported the digital infrastructure which reduced the dependence on in-person transactions thereby allowing the businesses to remain open even with national restrictions and physical distancing measures in place. These innovative solutions are part of the responsive and adaptive strategies being considered in the nation.
 
The BVI is one of the key regional champions promoting Blue Economy as an instrumental approach to build resilience and diversify its economy. To help the BVI accomplish this, assistance was provided on the formation of a Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap 2020-2025, which includes innovation interventions supported by the Global Accelerator Lab on Blue Economy and Sustainable Management of Ocean Degradation. This Roadmap examines key sectors in the blue economy including fisheries, tourism and maritime monitoring and will provide guidance in the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable development.
 
In November 2020, UNDP and BVI formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening the UNDP/BVI partnership towards the opening of a project office in order to further address the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and other external shocks such as natural disasters, financial crises or pandemics. In addition, the agreement reinforces support for the achievement of the SDGs and 2030 Agenda, including mainstreaming the SDGs in national policies and plans, accelerating their implementation and providing technical assistance for sectoral analyses, the promotion of the blue economy and additional relevant activities. The MoU also refers to the establishment of UNDP project office in the BVI. 
 
 
 
In this context, UNDP is recruiting a National Coordinator UNDP Project Office in the British Virgin Islands. 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 government officials, national institutions, civil society, private sector etc; and will be responsible for the daily management and coordination of the activities in the BVI, including the response interventions to address COVID-19. 

 

 

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
 
The incumbent’s duties are outlined below and will be fulfilled in line with the prevailing UNDP rules and procedures as well as with due compliance with the UNDP internal control framework. The National Coordinator will work closely with Government of the Virgin Islands, national institutions, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, INGOs, private sector and other partners to successfully perform the following: 
 
1.Lead strategic programme planning and ensure programme coordination and implementation in the BVI.
2.Maintaining collaborative working relationships among key project partners and projects’ donors, through effective communication, consultation, and reporting
3.Responsible for the Operational Management of the programme. 
4.Promotes communication flow in the office
 
1.Lead strategic programme planning, and ensures programme coordination and implementation in the BVI, focusing on achievement of the following results:
 
 
oAnalyses the socio-economic and political situation and trends in the area and identifies opportunities and entry points for UNDP as well as approaches and modalities to achieve development targets in line with the cooperation priorities defined between the Gov of the BVI and UNDP; 
oEnsures overall efficient coordination of programmes/projects and timely delivery of results taking into consideration agreed upon work plans with the UNDP country office and consistency with UNDAF/CPD/priorities;
oIdentifies and develops new programme and project opportunities, in close collaboration with the heads of the thematic clusters;
oManaging and coordinating the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project documents, including, as needed, supervision and guidance of other project staff, consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results;
oDeveloping comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and setting-out corresponding milestones;
oMonitoring the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules observing the work-plans and set deadlines including monitoring of the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
oMobilizing goods and services to support project activities, including drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications;
oManaging and monitoring project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Boards for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log;
oAssuming responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework;
oEnsuring adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observing the project timelines;
oPreparing project progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensuring timely submission of the reports to the relevant instances, such as the project boards and relevant donors;
oManaging project tracking in ATLAS in accordance with UNDP procedures;
oManaging the transfer of project deliverables to national beneficiaries and other project stakeholders.
oAnalyses the socio-economic and political situation and trends in the area and identifies opportunities and entry points for UNDP.
oEnsures the team has the adequate guidance, allocate sufficient resources and prioritize the implementation of strategic projects, providing quality assurance and monitoring progress. 
oIdentifies and develops new programme and project opportunities. 
oSupports capacity building of national counterparts.
oEnsures full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.
 
 
2.Maintaining collaborative working relationships among key project partners and projects’ donors, through effective communication, consultation and reporting
 
oMaintaining strong relationships with the implementing partners and donors;
oMaintaining regular coordination and quality assurance of expert inputs and products as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities;
oIdentifying opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation;
oMaintaining regular communication on relevant project issues with the local and international counterparties, consultants and experts and ensuring quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs;
oMaintaining effective linkages with current and potential donors;
oSubmitting reports to UNDP, partners and donors in a quality and timely manner.
oContributes to the development of the Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) strategy for the local project presences, including planning tools to implement the strategy.
oIdentifies new partnerships and strengthens existing ones at the project office level through innovative approaches to partnership development.
oEncourages 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.
 
 
3.Responsible for the Operational Management of the programme. 
 
oIs responsible for smooth processing of financial management issues through Atlas, including direct payments, purchase orders and requisitions;
oProvides 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;
oEnsures the integrity of financial system and directly oversees the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of Programme delivery in its geographical area 
oEnsures cost-recovery system for the services provided to projects or other agencies
oIs responsible for approval of payments up to an agreed amount upon level.
 
 
4.Promotes communication flow in the Office focusing on achievement of the following results:
 
oMaximizes 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.
oEnsures effective and proactive communication between relevant teams.
oPromotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning; 
oSupports capacity building of national counterparts;
oPromotes knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning.
oMonitors 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. 
oEnsures that local development results are effectively communicated in collaboration with Communication Office in the MCO.
oContributes to the implementation of the MCO communications strategy
 
 
 
 
 

 

Competencies

Core

 

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

 

Technical/Functional

 

 

Strategic thinking/Visioning

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Management and Coordination

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Risk Management

 

 

 

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Recovery Support and Implementation

 

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Operational Efficiency

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Human Resources Management (General)

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Learning and Development

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Security Policy Management

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Representation

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement 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

 

Other:

Able to adapt to different cultural contexts

 

 

Disclaimer

Important applicant 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.

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