Programme Management - Associate (Grants Monitoring and Reporting)

Contract

This is a LICA-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-6 contracts.

Background Information - UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Background Information – Philippine Office

Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organisations to improve access to justice of marginalised groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU.

In the health sector, UNOPS works with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the construction of health facilities in Eastern Samar, and with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

The UNOPS Philippines Office is part of the UNOPS Cambodia Multi-Country Officer (KHMCO), which provides oversight, support and services to UNOPS operations in the country offices.

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law, and governance sectors and subsequently is looking for qualified and committed experts.

Background Information – Philippines and Project

Over recent years, the Philippines has demonstrated a high potential for development. In 2013, in spite of Typhoon Haiyan, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.2%, a net increase from 6.8% in 2012. The country thereby became the fastest growing amongst the five largest economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (also including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) and the second in Asia after China. However, the Philippines still faces some challenges to ensure inclusive growth for its population.

With the specific aim of promoting inclusive growth by generating mass employment and reducing poverty, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 sets out nine key priorities. Good governance and anticorruption constitute one of the nine distinct priorities, as well as being an overarching theme to each and every intervention. Within the governance chapter, the PDP gives a particularly prominent place to the rule of law, emphasizing its function as a key driver for both economic and social development.

Despite some exceptions, traditional governance indicators for the rule of law are on an upward trend. The country's percentile rank in the general rule of law measurement of the Worldwide Governance Indicator has been steadily improving since its lowest score of 34.1 in 2009, to 36.5 in 2012 and 41.7 in 2013, although it is still far from its highest score of 52.2 in 1998. Likewise, the more detailed 2014 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index shows major gains with regard to the absence of corruption and order and security, and slight improvements regarding regulatory enforcement, constraints on government power, and fundamental rights since 2010. On the other hand, the Index also indicates some lags in the standard of civil and criminal justice, might be partly due to the contrast with improvements in other sectors more than to an actual worsening. However it nevertheless addresses the need to emphasize the areas in most need of attention.

To support the reform agenda for the rule of law as part of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016, the Government of the Philippines (GoPh) and the European Union (EU) started to implement a Justice Sector Reform Programme to contribute to a better delivery of justice services. The Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (GOJUST1), was implemented from 2016-2020, focused on four interrelated components and laid the ground for reforms such as: strengthened sector coordination and policy-making; implementation of case decongestion and automation; improvement of administrative and financial management; and sustainability of reforms through enhanced accountability.

Building on the success of GoJUST I, the EU in partnership with UNOPS and British Council agreed to support another five-year (2020-2025) Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice II (GoJUST II). This successor project aims to strengthen the Rule of Law through a two-pronged approach by combining improved administration of justice and enhanced promotion and protection of human rights. GoJUST II will build on the experiences and lessons learnt from the work done in the previous GoJUST I and previous EU-Philippines Justice Support Programmes in the sector.

GOJUST II seeks to achieve four major result areas, as follows:

Result 1

Justice sector coordination mechanisms are improved

Result 2

Strengthened institutional efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice services

Result 3

Increased access to the justice system for vulnerable groups, including women

Result 4

Justice policy and practice is informed by evidence and responds to justice needs

Justice and Human Rights policies are at the heart of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, which for the first time includes a dedicated chapter on justice, chapter 6, titled “Pursuing Swift and Fair Administration of Justice”. The chapter enshrines the principle of coordination as a mechanism for bringing about long term and sustainable justice sector reform. The focus is on the enhancement of “civil, criminal, commercial and administrative justice” and the improvement of sector efficiency and accountability while also directing the CHR “ to intensify its efforts to facilitate access to justice by improving, monitoring and evaluation, empowering the people living in poor and marginalised situations to seek response and remedies for injustice, improving legal protection, awareness and aid, enhancing civil society and parliamentary oversight, addressing human rights violations in the justice sector and, strengthening linkages between formal and informal justice providers.

The justice component will continue and expand some previous GOJUST activities such as improved coordination between and within the justice sector agencies (both at the national level through the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) and at the local level through the Justice Zone (JZ) and case management automation interventions to strengthen capacities to decongest overburdened courts, prosecution offices, and reducing pre-trial detention. GOJUST II will also focus on new result areas such as increased access to justice for vulnerable groups and evidence-based policy research and advocacy to inform policy making for improved justice outcomes.

UNOPS is one of the implementing partners of GOJUST II under Indirect Management and will be responsible for the provision of logistical and administrative support, which may include the organization of training, workshops, seminars and study tours; procurement of goods and services; small works; grants management and communication and visibility.

Role Specific

Under the supervision of the UNOPS Programme Management Officer and working closely with the GoJUST2 Senior Adviser on Access to Justice, the Programme Management Associate (Grants Monitoring and Reporting) will be responsible for supporting Key Result Area 3 implementation by providing administrative, monitoring, and reporting support to the grants management activities as indicated in the approved program plan. The role will also over-all provide the link with the target partners/stakeholders on the technical assistance required to ensure that goals and objectives of the grants are achieved.

Functional Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the UNOPS Programme Management Officer (Grants) and with guidance from the GoJUST Senior Expert for Access to Justice, the Programme Management - Associate will be performing the following core functions and specific tasks:

1. Provide assistance to the Technical Assistance Team Senior Adviser in the grant cycle activities implementation - Assist in administrative functions related to call for proposals for each and every round - Assist in the data gathering of information requirements that maybe needed to prepare for the concept notes - Support the Senior Adviser in the administrative and logistics requirement aspects in the review of the proposals

2. Assist the Technical Assistance Team Senior Adviser in providing training/ capacity building, monitoring and reporting of the results of the Grant Facility - Assist the Senior Adviser on the preparation and conduct of capacity building training/workshops that may be programmed for the proponent CSO, whether individually or as a common activity of the set of grantees. - Provide support in the conduct of monitoring activities to check the progress of the work of the grantees, which could be a combination of review of narrative reports, virtual meetings with the grantees or on-site visits - Assist the review of the the progress of accomplishment of the grantees and and support in the tracking of milestones/deliverables - Support the preparation and conduct of joint lesson learning or catch-up planning type of activity, in order to overcome difficulties, possible mentoring or coaching sessions for laggard grantees; - Support in the assessment of the progress of the grant implementation on an annual basis and reviewing the lessons from year one; - Support in the setup of grant monitoring dashboard, through provision of status of implementation of grantee milestones

3. Assist in the operational, logistics, and procurement in the implementation of GOJUST related activities for the assigned Key Result Area/s: - Collaborate within the UNOPS and Technical project team members on operational requirements for implementation of activities in close coordination of vendors (if necessary)

• Assist in the administrative, logistical, and procurement activities before, during, and after each of the GOJUST II supported activities
• Assist the Senior Key Experts and Non-Key Experts from the GoJUST Technical Assistance Team in the events coordination and implementation
• Check to ensure the completion of the documentary requirements for implementation of GoJUST 2 assisted project activities;
• Assist and coordinate with the Senior Key Expert for Key Result1 of BC-TAT on operational requirements for implementation of projects

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Completion of secondary/high school is required. - University Degree (Bachelor or Masters) in Law, Development Studies, Commerce, Accounting, Business Management, Political Science, Public Administration or other related fields would be an asset and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

Experience: - At least 6 years experience (or less depending on academic credentials) in program/project technical grants monitoring and reporting involving CSOs as grantees is required. - Field experience or exposure in Public Interest Law and Human Rights is an asset. - Relevant professional experience in the field of Community Development, Paralegal (Paralegal training, grassroots legal education, community advocacy, referral systems to proper government agencies, direct legal services to the poor and similar activities) are an advantage - Strong background and knowledge of legal programs for developmental legal assistance specifically in civil societies organizations and Law Educations sectors is desirable. - Experience in workshop/seminar/events facilitation, management and facilitation is an asset; - Experience in networking with development partners, justice sector agencies, local government units and national agencies (regional or local offices) in the Philippines is an advantage - Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable; - Computer Literacy in google documents, sheets and presentations or similar platforms are desired.

Language: - Fluency in both written and spoken English is desirable - Fluency in Tagalog/Filipino Language is desirable - Knowledge of other Philippine Regional dialects is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 6 / ICS 6 Contract duration: On-going and subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance Duty Station: Manila, Philippines. Manila is a family duty station

This is a local position, so only candidates of Philippine nationality are eligible to apply. For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.