Strategic Planning Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

Who we are (Mission) UNDP has been working in South Sudan for over 30 years. With the formation of the independent Republic of South Sudan in July 2011, UNDP established a Country Office and has staff working all over the country to help build government institutions. UNDP has maintained its presence in South Sudan despite significant challenges in the operating environment by adopting a flexible approach to its work with the Government of South Sudan. Since the conclusion of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in August 2015, UNDP aims to work in partnership with the Transitional Government of National Unity, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors, academia, media and the private sector. The overarching aim of UNDP is to support the progress towards peace and reconciliation, early recovery and governance, and towards the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What we do UNDP’s goal is to help creating more resilient communities and reinvigorated local economies; strengthening peace and governance; and empowering women and girls. UNDP South Sudan aims to do this by supporting the Government to manage public finances in an environment of respect for the rule of law, with an accountable government to deliver inclusive economic growth.

Context

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) together launched the South Sudan Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF) in December 2018. The Fund provides strategic financing to integrated programs that together lessen the destructive drivers of conflict and create more stable conditions in which development and resilience objectives may be realized. Drawing on the comparative advantages across UNMISS, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the RSRTF promotes integrated programming across the ‘Triple Nexus’ of the humanitarian, development, and peace fields. The RSRTF intends to reduce violence and conflict in hotspot and marginalized areas of the country. Through its Area Based Programs (ABP). RSRTF partners deliver comprehensive interventions that reduce social acceptance of violence and simultaneously nurture a conducive environment where peace can be sustained. Often building on existing efforts to bridge political divides and reconcile community divisions, the approach ensures hard won political agreements and community reconciliation initiatives are reinforced through tangible actions that shift incentives and raise the cost of resorting to violence. The Strategic Planning Officer reports to the RSRT Fund Manager.

Task description

Summary of key functions: The Strategic Planning Officer (SPO) will be based in Juba, South Sudan and will play a key role in ensuring the strategic and operational planning work to guarantee that the RSRTF objectives are met and will monitor wider developments of relevance to the effective and efficient functioning of RSRTF Office operations and activities. SPO will contribute actively to strategic thinking and planning to formulate and implement the strategic plan, evaluate the progress, and adjust as necessary to stay on track. S/he will prepare research papers and reports and will interact with officers at all levels within the RSRTF Office. Within the relevant delegated authority, the Strategic Planning Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Evaluation and monitor implementation of the RSRTF Strategic Planning Framework, including the Strategic Plan, Operating Plans, and coordination of the related results-based budget. - Support M&E Officer as part of the overall RSRTF Strategic Planning process, while working closely with the Communication Officer, Grants and Program Officers. - Plan, organize and manage the work of the Strategic Planning as required by RSRTF. - Lead the coordination of activities and processes related to strategic planning and result-based management including coordination with Secretariat members, steering committee, and partners. - Lead knowledge management, draft documents and reports for donors, Stirring Committee, and other stakeholders on the status of Area Based Programs (ABPs). - Undertake studies and analyses of strategic planning approaches of other UN entities, similar programs, on result-based management and provide information/guidance to RSRTF Manager on these issues, including analyses of options for possible improvement of RSRTF in emerging issues of key importance. - Assist in the RSRTF Manager by drafting of Office input into conflict analysis, research, budget documents, human resources management plans as well as drafting of terms of reference and proposals, proposal for appointment of consultants as required. - No staff supervision is not required now, but it may be required in future as the Program is expanding. Experience in high-capacity multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teamwork is necessary. - Perform other official duties and special assignments which may be requested by the RSR Trust Fund Manager.