Coordination and Development planning specialist

Volunteering Elections & Governance

Overview

Support sustainable development and coordination efforts in West Africa

You have:

• At least 5 years of professional work experience in sustainable development or programme management is required at the national and/or international level.
• Experience in advising senior management on sustainable development in a development cooperation context is desirable.
• Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Field experience in development cooperation is desirable.
• Experience in development planning and policy formulation in a development cooperation context is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills both in English and French.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications and email/internet.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The DCO Regional Office for Africa (DCO-Africa) was established in July 2019 in Addis Ababa to provide the new empowered UN Resident Coordinators – the designated representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General – with strategic support in the integrated implementation at the country level of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs; as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 – The Africa we Want.

In this regard, the Regional office provides day-to-day support to 53 resident coordinators and their offices in Africa. Its overall function is focused on overseeing and supporting coherent and effective delivery of operational activities for sustainable development by UN resident coordinators and UNCTs in Africa through integrated policy, programming and operational support together with the new Regional Collaborative Framework (RCP).

The UNV will be assigned to DCO sub office based in Dakar, which covers West and Central Africa (23 RC Offices) and will performs the following activities under the guidance of the Senior Regional Coordination Officer.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Regional Coordinator Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

1. Assist the Resident Coordinator’s Offices (RCOs) to design and implement new generation Cooperation Frameworks, in line with the UN development system reform;
2. Provide substantive and quality advice on Country Analyses (CAs) and Cooperation Frameworks while facilitating substantive contributions from a regional and global perspective;
3. Coordinate the Regional Peer Support Group to provide technical support to UN Country Teams in strategic planning and lead quality assurance reviews of Country Analyses and Cooperation Framework products;
4. Keep abreast of the latest emerging trends in Africa, contribute to the quarterly subregional socio-economic reports, and drafts analyses/policy recommendations/background paper on sustainable development issues and trends;
5. Contribute to sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, such as UNOWAS, UNOCA SG’s reports, UNISS Newsletters or other research activities and studies;
6. Facilitate knowledge management and exchange of good practices amongst RCO economists and assist on the preparation and servicing of RCO Economists’ events and analyses;
7. Assist the Resident Coordinator’s Offices (RCOs) with advice on the monitoring and reporting on the SDGs, such as trough the UNINFO platform;
8. Provide support to consultative and other meetings, workshops, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues;
9. Assist in producing DCO Africa briefing documents to inform headquarters-level processes such as RMRs, EC/DCs, ETF, IATFs, ITFs, and assist in following up implementation of EC/DC Decisions at country and regional levels;
10. Assist in the preparation and servicing of HQ and Special Coordinator events on Sahel, including through the provision of background materials and key messages;
11. Contribute to the preparation of DCO Africa engagements with Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams and RCO core functions, including in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin (LCB);
12. Assist in the preparation of background materials (KMs/BNs) to inform field visits by UN principals and engagements by the Regional Director and draft meeting minutes.

Results/expected outputs • As an active DCO Regional Office team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to sub office in Dakar and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Written outputs, e.g. background documentation, talking points, proposals, concept notes, socio-economic analysis, reports, inputs to DCO Africa Annual reports, UNOCA, UNOWAS’s SG report, UNISS Newsletter etc. are produced; • Quarterly sub regional socio economic reports, including country profiles in the three sub regions; • A compilation of PSG inputs to Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks and reporting on lessons learned and challenges; • Regular monitoring of the knowledge management database on socioeconomic situation in Africa; • Semestrial Report on DCO Africa achievements; • Contribution to the onboarding exercise of new staff in RCOs; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to DCO regional office]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [DCO regional office] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [DCO regional office] in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• At least 5 years of professional work experience in sustainable development or programme management is required at the national and/or international level. • Experience in advising senior management on sustainable development in a development cooperation context is desirable. • Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. • Field experience in development cooperation is desirable. • Experience in development planning and policy formulation in a development cooperation context is desirable

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge: • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills both in English and French; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet;
• Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment as an asset; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; Prior experience in West Africa is also a distinct advantage.

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with missions to the region. Dakar is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Dakar are good, as well as the access to health services. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory; vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs. According to official estimates from ANSD/RGPHAE 2023, the Dakar metropolitan area population reaches over 3,9 million. The total population of Senegal is 18,032,473 inhabitants (ANSD 2023). Senegal is located on UTC/ GMT. Senegal has a warm climate and sunny days throughout the year that make it a comfortable duty station. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season is in the northern hemisphere’s summer/fall. The currency used in Senegal is called Franc CFA (XOF). On 1st January 2024, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 602,577 XOF. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept the leading international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is vast. Renting unfurnished and furnished accommodations from 450 to 2000 USD is possible. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private concessions, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Local taxis can easily arrange Transportation in town. A valid passport is required to enter Senegal. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required to have an entry visa. Citizens of other countries may be required for an entry or long-stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas before travel.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org