Planning and Partnership Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) supports the UN Resident Coordinator in his/her roles and functions. The UNRCO in Zimbabwe also provides inter-agency coordination support to the UN Country Team and its different working groups, including Progamme Management Team, Operations Management Team, UN Communications Group, Human Rights Working Group, Team of Policy Advisors and Partnerships and Development Finance Task Force to enhance UN coherence and improve overall programme impact to better achieve results. More information is available at: https://zimbabwe.un.org/

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of RC Office/Strategic Planning Advisor or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV – Planning Specialist will support efforts to strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team and provide support in coordinating and planning a coherent UN response to national development/humanitarian priorities. S/he will collaborate as needed with the UNCT members, RC/HC Office staff, programme and operations teams of the UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

EFFECTIVE COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE RESIDENT AND HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR’S MULTIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES • Provides support for the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Office ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and reports and updates provided as required; • Provides support towards development of partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national and development partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information; • Keeps abreast of the main issues in Zimbabwe and identifies internal and external issues of interest or concern and assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled and ensures appropriate follow-up as directed; • Supports the smooth flow of relevant information and communication within the Resident Coordinator’s Office; • Provides support in managing processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology; • Facilitates teamwork and communication within the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UN Country Team and across inter-agency structures; • Contributes to the preparation of briefing/background notes, talking points and speeches to facilitate strategic messaging and communication initiatives by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordination and UN Country Team; • Conducts research, review, and analysis of key documents as requested.

PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA IN ZIMBABWE THROUGH A NEW GENERATION CCA/CF • Support UN Agencies to ensure the results-oriented focus of joint programming and joint programmes in response to national priorities and in line with the Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • Provides support to and effective liaison with the ZUNSDCF Results Groups; • Regularly updates the information on ongoing joint programmes, including data on funding requirements; • Provides support in organizing preparation and provision of the annual One UN Country Results Report to the Government and other stakeholders; supports the development of CCA periodic updates and in providing support towards establishing and coordinating effective working relationships with national and international public and private partners to facilitate knowledge sharing in support of CCA/CF implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE BUILDING AND MANAGEMENT • Assist in the day-to-day systematization of activities and support knowledge management, making sure that documentation is timely drafted, and policies and analysis are shared within the Team; • Contributes flexibly to other activities of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office team in support of the RC/HC system and Delivering as One as required, including backstopping arrangements; • Supports management of knowledge management and capacity development activities in and outside the UN System; • Contribute to knowledge sharing (including through training and facilitating peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools; • Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of relevant results; • Ensure that area/country programmes are strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases; • Draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to contribute to strategic planning processes. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

RESULTS/EXPECTED OUTPUTS: The UNV Planning and Partnerships Officer is expected to contribute to the following outputs as outlined in the RCO annual work-plan • Fostering and supporting regional and cross-regional collaboration and initiatives among UN country teams • Enhanced knowledge management and sharing with the UN system in-country and external partners through the systematic use of innovation, data generation, management and utilization strategies. • Mainstreaming global initiatives and strategies (e.g., Food Systems Summit, 2030 Youth Strategy, Disability Inclusion Strategy, etc) into country-level programming and advocacy, and feedback is shared to the global level to inform policy development • Effective and coordinated use of system-wide approaches to consistently deliver high-quality, evidence-based results reporting by the UN system in-country • Effective advocacy and communications for the SDGs, including in times of crisis, aligned to the values of the UN Charter, in coordination with all partners at global and country level, using the most effective communication channels in different settings and for different audiences. • Updating external-facing websites, platforms and dashboards, with data and analytics for use by the UN system and other partners, including on UNDS and RC system assets, funding, partners, programming and reporting • Leveraging expertise from across the system and cutting-edge approaches and tools to enable top-notch analysis of the country context to inform strategic and forward-looking policies and programmes for the SDGs (including through updating the CCA annually). • Ensuring the Cooperation Framework is implemented to deliver principled and coherent whole-of-system support to national needs and priorities, incorporating and complementing other relevant frameworks (e.g., COVID-19, UN humanitarian frameworks, national development frameworks, etc). • Ensuring joint programmes in support of the Cooperation Framework outcomes, are increased and in line with national needs and priorities. • Facilitating, convening and fostering internal and external partnerships are facilitated to ensure a whole-of-system and whole-of-society approach to sustainable development, tailored to country settings and addressing structural obstacles that need to be overcome to leave no-one behind. • Mainstreaming system-wide normative and human rights support, including a commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment into analyses, policy, advocacy and solutions at all levels, in support of the Cooperation Framework • The CCA and Cooperation Framework are informed by collaborative joint analysis, foresight and planning across development, humanitarian, human rights and peace-building actors and effectively addressing risk reduction, conflict prevention, durable solutions and early action to address structural causes and crisis drivers, taking into account the demands and needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups

• Professionalism • Communication • Planning & Organizing: • Accountability: • Teamwork:

Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field • Experience at the national and international level in international development issues and providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is desirable; • Previous experience in UN Coordination and UNDAF / UNSDCF mechanisms is considered an asset. • Knowledge about the UN and RC systems would be an advantage. • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems. • Work experience and/or familiarity with development and humanitarian contexts is considered an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • 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; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines

Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is the Zimbabwe dollar and the United States dollar in some places. Foreign exchange bureaus are available, and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.

Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.

Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size, location and furnishings. You are advised to check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has good access to water with a prolific borehole with a water tank in place. There are a number of reliable online platforms available to enable one to find accommodation more smoothly once they are within the country.