Programme Support 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.

The UN Resident Coordinator's Office supports the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure the strategic, coherent and efficient functioning of the UN System in Ghana under the UN Delivering as One (DaO) approach. The Resident Coordinator System is the main mechanism to coordinate the UN system's operational activities for development. The incumbent will support the Programme department to undertake the outlined key tasks.

The Programme Support Specialist will serve as part of the team that directly supports the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). The main function of UN Coordination is to support the UN Country Team (UNCT) to function as a coherent UN system in Ghana that is well positioned and uses its comparative advantages and distinct role to effectively support key national development priorities. The UNCT is composed of 15 resident and 9 non-resident UN agencies. The UN Country Team meets on a monthly basis to review UNCT progress on the UN Delivering as One effort, discuss and decide on strategic and substantive issues in conformity with the delivering as one guideline. With a strong focus on strengthening UN delivery through a well-coordinated RC system, the UNCT seeks to engage a UN Volunteer, who will work in close collaboration with the RCO colleagues to provide the needed programmatic support.

Under the direct supervision of Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

-Provide the needed RCO support to the Programme Team in the planning and implementation of its work plan;
-Provide support to relevant Inter-Agency Working groups to mainstream UN programming principles into the Joint Work Plans and reporting; -Provide substantive support towards the administration of UNINFO and support the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in reporting of results; -Support in research and analysis on various SDG-related matters as well as major and emerging donors to strengthen strategic engagement;
-Drafting of documents including briefing notes, and background notes for utilization by UNCT; -Assist in conceptualizing and designing detailed joint proposals to initiate engagement both internally and externally; -Support in collecting relevant case studies and best practices critical for stakeholder engagement as well as knowledge extraction, analysis and documentation of results/lessons learned, in line with guidelines using corporate tools;
-Support RCO activities in planning and facilitating evidence-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities; -Provide support in the coordination, monitoring and reporting of UNCT results; -Support knowledge management and capacity development to enhance the UNCT’s exchange of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned internally and with external partners; -Assist in the collection of good practices and assist the RC and the UN Country Team to use the collected good practices and examples to underpin the UN’s strategic positioning and distinct role in the Ghanaian development context, and for strengthening external engagement.

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

multi-stakeholder coordination and facilitation is highly desirable; -Effective communication, networking and organizational skills and ability to work well in a team; -Ability to summarize a large amount of information and translate it into compelling product for internal and external audience; -Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently; -Excellent communications skills; -Ability to work with diverse groups of people; -Good analytical skills and organizational skills;
-Attention to detail and discretion; -Innovation and self-motivation; -Ability to respond flexibly to competing demands, often at short notice.

Software skills: Strong IT skills including full competency in MS Office/ 365. Knowledge of Gender, Human Rights and issues of Social Inclusion

Ghana is a middle income country with a population of 30 million people. The incumbent will be based in the capital city, Accra, Ghana. The duty station is within commuting distance. The country is generally peaceful with transport, medical, education and other services affordable and within reach. At sea level, the climate of the country is tropical-hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27oC (80oF) and little daily variation. At the hinterland, there is higher altitudes with an average yearly temperature of 20oC (68oF), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 500 centimetres (200 in.) on the southwestern slopes to 100 centimetres (40 in.) in the northern lowlands. The dry season runs from October to May. Ghana is a Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) country and a family duty station. Regarding accommodation and food, houses and apartments can be rented from $300 to $800 per month depending on the location and meals at the restaurant cost between $5 and $25. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained prior to arrival from an embassy. The Cedi is the local currency and according to the UN exchange rate system, a 5.0 Ghana cedis is equivalent to USD 1. There are forex bureaux where foreign currencies can be exchanged. Some commercial banks are operating in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels, restaurants and select service centres.

During rush hour the commute can become quite lengthy from certain areas if moving towards the city center. Walking and biking is not recommended due to the conditions of the road, absence of bike lanes and sidewalks as well as in terms of the temperature with high humidity levels.

Most modes of public transport in Ghana, including buses and tro-tros (informal mini-bus taxis), are inexpensive but can be erratic and unreliable. For this reason, most expats living in Ghana opt to drive their own vehicle or hire a driver to transport them daily. However, the cost of purchasing a reliable car is quite high, and petrol prices are steadily increasing although it's still relatively cheap when compared with other countries. The price range for these differ depending on condition, type and age of the vehicle. Uber is offering a reasonable and reliable alternative.

The cost of public healthcare in Ghana is low, especially since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). However, the quality of treatment offered by public hospitals in Ghana does not meet the standard that most expats are accustomed to. Private health care is a good option. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for UN personnel to enter Ghana, while others are compulsory for all other in-coming persons. It is possible for incoming UN personnel, including UN volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations at the Kotoka International Airport, for example yellow fever vaccination. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the Ghana, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The UN clinic is based in the UNDP compound and accessible for UNVs. Ghana has been commended for its management of the COVID-19 crisis and started its vaccine campaign.