UN Coordination 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 new Cooperation Frame-work guidance emphasizes the primacy of the Cooperation Framework in articulating United Nations Development System (UNDS) collective commitments in support of national SDG goals and targets with an enhanced focus on the prevention of vulnerabilities and crises. The Cooperation Framework is meant to be the polestar of all UN country-level activity. It identifies specific SDG targets in each country that the Cooperation Framework supports. Since the agreed Cooperation Framework represents the UN commitment against which the UN Development System (UNDS) entities will be held collectively and individually accountable, the negotiation of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) of FAO with the government, other key stakeholders and development partners must be fully embedded within the Cooperation Framework process and cycle. This requirement ensures that the UN approach is cohesive and that the collective efforts of the UNDS support country ownership and address national SDG priorities and gaps. It is important that the FAO Representative (FAOR), in close consultation with the UN Resident Coordinator, ensures that FAO and the relevant line minis-tries are part of the Cooperation Framework consultation, monitoring and implementation process. The Country Programming Framework (CPF) remains the planning document at country level for FAO but is duly derived from and synchronized with the Cooperation Framework. Ensuring that FAO’s contributions to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at country level are reflected in the Cooperation Framework is a primary responsibility of the FAOR. It is therefore very important that FAOR builds strong alliances within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and leverage support for FAO’s work, issues and initiatives.

Under the overall guidance of the UN RC in Georgia and the FAO Representative for Georgia, and the direct supervision and responsibility of the Assistant FAO Representative for Georgia, and in close collaboration with the UNRC Office and FAO Georgia Team, the UN Coordination Specialist will provide support to the FAO Country Office in coordinating its work for successful implementation of USDCF 2021-2025. The UN Coordination Specialist shall contribute to smooth collaboration with programme and operations teams of the UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful and transparent coordination of the activities.

More specifically, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Ensures FAO’s efficient and meaningful participation in different UN Inter agency Groups. 2. Ensures effective support to monitoring and implementation of the UNSDCF and CPF. 3. Contributes to CPF and UNSDCF 2021-2025 implementation by preparing FAO specific inputs to Joint Work Plans, progress reports on outcome and output indicators in order to to ensure their linkage with nationalized SDGs; 4. Updates UN INFO data related to the JWPs and reporting progress in its implementation every three months in line with formal requirements and in the capacity of UN RG co-chair; 5. Advise on progress reports drawn up annually under the UNSDCF Results Groups; 6. Engages in joint/inter-agency monitoring exercises to establish and verify results as needed or appropriate; 7. Performs periodic and annual review of collective progress of three Result Groups on achieved results within and across priority areas and providing technical support to en-sure that FAO has quality information to assess the progress; 8. Prepares the inputs to the UN country results reports related to the specific priority are-as. 9. Ensures that lessons learned and best practices of FAO participation in the UNSDCF implementation are documented; assists in the preparation of reports on good practices or any other analysis or data related to UNSDCF/ CPF implementation and/or evaluation, including programme performance, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability; as well as good practices in partnerships and collaborative relationships; 10. Serves as a FAO focal point for preparation of different UNSDCF-related materials and coordinates the various supports to RCO and UNCT as per their request; 11. Supports the day-to-day communication between FAOGEO and projects and Country/Regional Offices with regard to UN coordination and collaboration; 12. Perform any other related duties and activities as required by the Supervisor.

CORPORATE COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates commitment to UN with a focus on FAO mission, vision and values; Strategic vision, strong technical skills and analytical capacities; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, adaptability, nationality and age sensitivity; Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others; Builds trust by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior; Respects individual/cultural differences; Utilizes diversity to foster teamwork. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in Relationship Management, Knowledge exchange, Strategic Planning, Results-based Management, Effective Development Cooperation, Sustainable Development, Internal Reporting and Accountability; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; Analysis problems carefully and logically. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens and correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Develops creative solutions to particularly challenging situations; Provides and responds constructively to feedback. JUDGEMENT: Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Drives for change and improvement.

the field of international development; Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; Demonstrated knowledge of/experience within the region is an advantage; Knowledge of the UN development system and good understanding of the conceptual and policy shift to the 2030 Agenda, policy integration, partnership development and of national planning processes and also knowledge about FAO would be an advantage.

Georgia is a middle-income country, with a population estimated at 3.76 million and is governed by means of a parliamentary democracy. The capital, Tbilisi, has a population of approximately 1.16 million which is increasing. The city has a modernized infrastructure and a developed system of public transport, including the Metro. Public transport throughout Georgia is pretty reliable, but the roads are congested. Good modern housing for rent is available on the open market and all widely used amenities (food, clothing, restaurants, etc.) are available. Internet and mobile communications work well. The country is well served with international flights many of which transit through Istanbul. Banking services are generally very good.

Georgian is the primary language in Georgia (83% of the population is Georgian). It is the literary language for all ethnographic groups of Georgian people, especially those who speak other South Caucasian languages (or Kartvelian languages). Russian is less widely used than previously. English is spoken mostly by the younger generation. Most Georgians belong to the Georgian Orthodox (65%), Russian Orthodox (10%) or Armenian Apostolic (8%) churches. Although religion does not overtly impact the culture on a day to-day basis, the values do on a subtle level appear in outlook and also are-as such as the treatment of guests. Guests are considered a gift in Georgia and hospitality for foreigners is viewed as important.

Georgia is generally a safe place to live in, however while the crime rate is considered low prudence is required. Crime against foreigners is mainly limited to petty theft and can be avoided by taking the usual precautions. Most street crimes are non-violent and range from simple pick-pocketing, handbags thefts in restaurants and public transport, and theft of personal items from parked cars. Road transport remains a significant risk. Radars are installed at all main junctions and on key streets and highways throughout the country. However, Georgia leads the South Caucasus in reported road traffic accidents. Georgia is generally considered a low to medium risk for infectious diseases. Diseases include hepatitis A and E, typhoid fever, brucellosis, and several diarrheal diseases, all acquired by consuming contaminated food, water, and dairy products; and some vector-borne diseases. COVID 19 affected Georgia as well like, as of 16 March 2021 there are 275685 confirmed corona virus cases, 268693-recovered; 3658 -fatal outcome. Environmental factors may also pose a health risk including sewage, agricultural, and industrial contamination of water and food supplies; and localized air and soil pollution. Medical and dental services are available throughout the country, but the quality varies considerably, and advice may be sought. There are a number of private and international schools from primary to high school levels. There are also a number of nurseries and preschools catering for expatriate children.