Coordination, Liaison and Reporting Officer

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP in partnership with the Government of Uganda private sector, development partners, civil society, and academia; contributes to Uganda’s development journey and sustainable development outcomes through creating opportunities for empowerment, protecting the environment, minimizing the occurrence and response to natural and man-made disasters, building strategic partnerships, and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

UNDP Uganda through the Governance and Peace Strengthening programme is fostering equitable and sustained regional and national practices, infrastructures, and systems for peace building, cohesion, and conflict management. This is pursued through the Humanitarian, Development, and Peace (HDP) Nexus lens, as part of the strategies for sustainable response to the refugee influx and development in Uganda. To respond to the prevention and humanitarian-development-peace linkages and expand UNDPs’ programming and delivery of the HDP nexus, several projects have been implemented and others under design phase. Key among the ongoing projects is the Uganda Host and Refugee Community Empowerment project funded by Government of the Republic of South Korea. Other projects in the pipeline include i) Karamoja greenbelts’ women-led large-scale farming of cereals, legumes, and oilseed project; ii) Building Resilience in Conflict affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja in Uganda; and iii) Promoting socio-economic development and sustainable peace in the borderlands of the Horn of Africa; to mention but a few.

Based on above context, UNDP is seeking the services of an International UN Volunteer to support ongoing projects and those in the pipeline in delivery of its contribution to the HDP nexus, recovery, and resilience as well as its further development. Specifically, the International UN Volunteer will: 1. Support resource mobilization and contribute to the nurturing of strategic partnerships, including with KOICA; 2. Support management and implementation select projects; 3. Contribute to Inter-Agency and technical working groups coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence (25%) 4. Contribute to reporting, knowledge brokering, strategic communications, and the promotion of south-south and triangular cooperation (25%)

Within the delegated authority and overall guidance of Team Leader – Governance and Peace and direct reporting to the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Specialist the UN Volunteer Coordination, Liaison and Reporting Officer will:

Act as the main focal point between KOICA and UNDP for all matters related to KOICA funded projects. In doing so, the officer shall deliver the following support:

1. Support resource mobilization and contribute to the nurturing of strategic partnerships, including with KOICA(25%): • Support resource mobilization opportunities through the development of project proposals to development partners and multilateral funds. • Contribute to the strengthening of strategic partnerships with government, thought leaders, donors, UN entities, and implementing partners to enhance comparative advantage and influence; • Support the development and implementation of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. • Contribute to the development of relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization. • Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing. • Strengthen information sharing and coordination with KOICA and Republic of Korea.

2. Support management and implementation select projects (25%) through contribution to(25%): • Planning, implementation, and coordination of the Strategy and interventions. • Application of Results Based Management tools and performance indicators; • Programmes/projects appraisal and evaluation according to results- based management requirements. • Management of the portfolio of funds/projects through technical monitoring and administrative and financial supervision; • Operationalizing a monitoring system to track progress on program results and indicators. • Identification of capacity-building needs of partners and recommending strategies of support including ensuring gender responsiveness of the strategies • Technical assistance, mentoring, training, and capacity development initiatives to partners.

3. Contribute to Inter-Agency and technical working groups coordination, to achieve a coherent and aligned presence (25%): • Attend meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed. • Support coordination with other UN agencies; government ministries, departments, and authorities; donors and implementing partners to ensure capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other efforts; • Provide relevant input when needed on key developments and opportunities to develop and strengthen institutional partnerships for addressing displacement and providing durable solutions.

4. Reporting, knowledge brokering, strategic communications, and the promotion of south-south and triangular cooperation (25%): • Establish and implement standardized project results reporting mechanism and tools • Support effective and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders through draft project reports, such as quarterly reports, annual report, and donor-specific reports, capturing in a comprehensive analytical manner project progress against Results Framework; including the documentation of success stories, achievements, lessons learned, risks and issues. • Produce project updates to donors and stakeholders in a timely manner by using the professional writing and formatting requirements. • Assist and participate in the development of project management-related documents and concise reports and power-point presentations for various project meetings and workshops. • Ensure smooth reporting and communication to donors and stakeholders; ensure adherence to donor visibility requirements. • Work closely with project management and the UNDP CO colleagues to ensure timely and accurate response to donor inquiries on project activities including progress update. • Contribute to the development and review of knowledge products. • Proactively contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Results/expected outputs

As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget and workplans. • Timely and quality monitoring and evaluation of programmes; • Strengthened relations with partners and stakeholders and donors. • Timely, results based and quality reports submitted; • Regular communication with other agencies and partners; • Quality of advocacy, communication, and knowledge management initiatives and products. • Development of fundable concept notes/proposals. • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP 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; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP 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, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

using the Humanitarian Development and Peace nexus approach and for the areas of recovery, social cohesion, resilience, and gender mainstreaming at the national and/or international level. • Prior experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • Experience in programme/project management, M&E and reporting. • Experience in coordination and liaison related work. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation. • Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Experienced in computer use, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing • Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork orientation. • Culturally and socially sensitive. • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, government partners, Civil Society Organizations, faith-based entities youth organizations. • 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. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in the refugee response, peace and governance issues, and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Uganda is landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. It is the largest Refugee hosting country in Africa and 2nd globally, with over 1.5 million Refugees and asylum seekers. It is politically stable, but experiences protest from dissenting voices occasionally. Uganda is a unique country and UNDP Uganda sits on several working groups (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.