Local Governance Specialist

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.

Mozambique is among the 193 United Nations Member States that in September 2015 adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since then, efforts have been made by government and other development actors in Mozambique to initiate its implementation. However, this work has largely remained at the national-level. In this respect, SDG localization efforts, in the form of actions at the sub-national level to advance the 2030 Agenda across Mozambique’s provinces, districts and municipalities, have been limited.

SDGs localization is gaining increasing attention under the recognition that the achievement of Agenda 2030 largely depends on the ability of local governments to promote integrated, inclusive and sustainable local development. Local governments are best placed to link global goals and commitments to local realities and empower local stakeholders, aimed at making sustainable development more responsive, and therefore, relevant to local needs and aspirations.

Cabo Delgado province is one of the selected provinces for the implementation of the D4D/ and the SDGs Localization project. The D4D/SDGs aims at supporting the implementation of the decentralization reforms by putting national policies into practice at the provincial level. To do so, subnational coordination mechanisms will be strengthened by capacity building programs and by financing local projects. For the effective implementation of the decentralization reforms in the province of Maputo, the D4D/SDGs programme foresees the setting up of provincial platforms for supporting the inter sectoral and administrative coordination of activities related to the decentralization reforms. Therefore, the SDGs localization process becomes a trigger to push forward the decentralization reforms since the SDGs can only be achieved through a vertical and horizontal coordination between sectors and between local administrations.

The varied nature of the challenges – but also opportunities – faced by the province of Cabo Delgado, call for an integrated development approach that could be framed under the scope of the D4D/SDGs. Such an approach can help provide a whole-of-system understanding of these, often interconnected, issues and identify interventions that serve to maximize potential synergies and address trade-offs, thereby accelerating progress in attaining the SDGs.

Under the supervision of the D4D/SDGs CTA, the UNV Local Governance Specialist will be responsible for:

1. Implementation, monitoring and reporting of Decentralization for development and the SDG Localization Project in Cabo Delgado Province.  Ensure timely, efficient, and effective delivery of project activities in Cabo Delgado Province, indirect coordination with provincial authorities in that province and UNDP.  Elaborating quarterly workplans and progress reports in collaboration with the project’s implementing partners and UNDP.  Undertaking financial and administrative monitoring and evaluation of the project including identification of operational and financial problems and proposal of solutions.  Organizing regular meetings with Responsible Parties and IPs and UNDP to assess work progress, discuss challenges and constraints, and provide/receive guidance and support.  Supporting the organization of UNDP’s supervision missions to Province of Cabo Delgado to assess the status of implementation of project activities.  Taking corrective measures to keep project on the right track and achieve the planned results.  Seeking synergies and coordinating with different project stakeholders for maximized results and impact.  Manage the operational functions of the Project including organizing and coordinating events, workshops, training sessions and meetings in liaison with the stakeholders.  Ensure the availability of adequate financial resources for implementation of project activities.  In consultation with the Provincial authorities the SDGS and planning specialist, initiate the development and preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the implementation of the project at local level in close cooperation with local administrations, and other development partners.  Liaise with Stabilization Programme, identify synergies and support with the development of the Joint Action Plans  Support the UNDP sub office in Pemba in terms of SDGS and territorial decentralized institutions analyses.

2. Provide Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Support to the Provincial Government of Cabo Delgado  Provision of technical assistance to support mainstreaming the SDGs in the provincial, district and municipal planning processes in the provinces of Cabo Delgado.  Coordinating and contributing to the preparation of diagnostics and policy analysis, as well as the development of instruments to support strategic planning and identification of priority SDGs.  Coordinating the implementation of a capacity building and advocacy strategy.  Contributing to the development of a strategy to strengthen data production and analysis in the province of Cabo Delgado.  Provide the necessary guidance and advice to local authorities on the formulation of Plans, request for funds, resource utilization and reporting.  Tracking existing socio-economic data and provide regular analysis of economic, security and development issues in the Province of Cabo Delgado.  Support the elaboration and implementation of the SDGs projects that will be selected by the three pilot provinces.  Support to the IPS on the organization of the Development Observatories and the provincial Coordination council.  Participate in the provincial coordination committee as project representative.

3. Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts in the Province of Cabo Delgado.  Promoting SDG advocacy in multi-stakeholder dialogues in the province, working with different development actors in Cabo Delgado Province to raise awareness and action on the SDGs.  Engaging with development partners and UN agencies in the province of Cabo Delgado and identifying possible areas of cooperation; and  Promoting UNDP’s visibility by disseminating products among local stakeholders. In addition, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.  Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Professionalism • Adaptability and Flexibility • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Integrity • Leadership • Judgement and decision making • Respect for diversity • Self-Management • Communication • Working in Teams

implementing development projects; • Experience in international development, including work with NGOs, think-thanks, UN agencies or other international organizations; • Experience in research and policy-related analysis would be an asset; • Experience working within government institutions is an advantage; • Knowledge and work experience in SDG localization and local planning is an advantage. • Knowledge of Stabilization is an advantage • Knowledge of Norther Mozambique

The contract lasts for a period of 12 months with possibility of extension subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-in-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance (US$ 2337) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

For UN Volunteer entitlements, kindly refer to the link https://vmam.unv.org/calculator/entitlements