Background
UNDP is the UNโs global development organisation that supports countries around the world in their efforts to successfully address diverse development challenges, framed around three broad settings which require different forms of support: eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions; accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development; and building resilience to crises and shocks. Strengthening governance systems, promoting rule of law and human rights are cornerstones of UNDPโs work to achieve sustainable human development and eradicate extreme poverty. Within this broad governance mandate, the UNDP Pacific Office is implementing interventions aimed at preventing and fighting corruption and promoting integrity, transparency and accountability guided by SDG 16 (promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies) and in line with the planned outcomes of the United Nations Pacific Strategy and the UNDP Sub-Regional Project Document.
Pacific Islands countries (PICs) boast โbig oceanโ economies, with young and mobile populations and highly resilient and adaptative societies. Past and recent investments have however fallen short of developing diverse economies offering inclusive services and opportunities, resilient to external shocks and the increasing pace of climate disasters. While the scale of Pacific economies does not allow them to respond to all these challenges alone, public investment and revenues would gain from empowered officials accountable to keep basic service delivery and development priorities in mind while driving fiscal decisions.
For this reason, the โAccountable Public Finances to serve Pacific people โ Vaka Pasifikaโ project (hereafter Vaka Pasifika project) builds on the results of the โStrengthening Public Finance Management and Governance in the Pacificโ (PFM) project implemented between 2018 and 2022 thanks to the support of the European Union. The proposed overarching goal of this project is to strengthen the governance mechanisms enabling Pacific countries to deliver public services that are better calibrated to meet specific needs of the people. Its specific focus will be to ensure scarce Pacific resources are better managed and the resource base available for achieving national development goals will be increased. To achieve this goal, PIC economies require stable and reliable institutions implementing the right mix of creativity and rigor informed by ground reality. The Project will contribute to this vision by (a) supporting oversight institutions and decision makers to define and implement their priorities through leadership and institutional capacity strengthening and (b) enhancing responsiveness of service delivery and public finance management by developing institutional mechanisms for engagement and openness and strengthening civil society capacity.
The Vaka Pasifika project is implemented through a team based in Suva, Fiji in the UNDP Pacific Office. As part of the Effective Governance unit, the team is responsible for implementation of the project, its various activities and corresponding institutional processes and requirements.
The Vaka Pasifika Activity Manager acts across all outputs and activities and supports the Project Manager in delivering and reporting on results and liaises with stakeholders and ensurewide awareness and buy-in the the projectโs activities. The Manager takes responsibility for activities under his/her direct responsibility from start to finish, including ensuring communication and timely reporting as well as coordination with the rest of the team. The Activity Manager ensures that the project activities are delivered in line with the projectโs approach as stated in the Description of Action, and adopts a human rights based approach and mainstreams gender and climate change within all initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will directly report to the Effective Governance Team Leader and will closely cooperate and support the Vaka Pasifika Project Manger and other project team members, consultants, and project stakeholders. The Vaka Pasifika project team is situated in the Effective Governance Team of the UNDP Pacific Office in Suva.
Project management (support project Manager/take direct responsibility/act as deputy or acting as required):
Planning and adaptative management: facilitate planning exercises, ensure that workplan aligns with project objectives Implementation: deliver the workplan in line with implementation plan, monitor progress against approved workplan and the project results logistical framework, resolve issues so they match the workplan and raise with Project Manager when course correction and change of workplan is needed; Reporting: support and produce when necessary partners reports Coordination and coherenceActivity Lead
Take overall responsibility for the planning, design, implementation, quality assurance and reporting of output 2 and related activities. Take direct responsibility for workplan delivery including execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services, training, and low-value grants, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, verifying technical accuracy with Technical Manager and overseeing all contractorsโ work and providing the project finance officer and associate with required documentation within timelines; Deliver results: ensure that workplans and activity design and implementation are regularly checked against desired results and context. Pushes for actual change and progress on results compare to limit oneselve to workplan activities and do everything in their power to ensure partners are supported and enabled to achieve their goals and the projectโs goals. Constantely seeks solutions to better deliver results for the project and its parnters. Monitor and adapt to risk: Monitor events and risks with a view to ensure the activities are fully risk- informed with multidimensional environmental, gender and socio-economic factors taken into account as determined in the project monitoring plan, and update the plan as required; Provide support for completion of assessments required by UNDP, spot checks, and audits; Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations, and make course corrections when needed within project board-agreed tolerances to achieve results; Ensure that changes are controlled and problems addressed, identify opportunities and synergies with other projects implemented in similar field, escalate when required to Project Manager. Ensure that the activities promote UNDP principles and SDG targets. Constantely seeks and integrate new data and knowledge into the implementation of the activities Provide implementation and technical support to all project parnters including: drafting of templates and reports where needed, support on communication and knowledge product,Localisation, learning and strategic planning
As the senior local staff on the project ensure that all activities are culturally respectful and relevant and lead reflections and consultations to ensure tailoring of activities and mindfulness of the diversity of pacific cultures; Take responsibility to propose adaptation and mitigation measures to ensure the international added-value does not contradict or conflict with desired futures for pacific populations; Fully contribute to the wisdom and learning of the project team and partners by facilitating learning activities, publishing reflections, creating the space for learning and feedback loops on the project; Contribute to the regular revision of the theory of change, together with the Community Officer, by seeking contant learning and foresight opportunities, monitoring and addressing risks, co-designing workplans and activities with partners developing and documenting a method to implement the project as a portfolio of locally-led initiatives. Ensure that all project partners are aware of UNDP and SDG principles and take responsibility for awareness on mode of redress and standards of ethics for all project partners.Partnerships and Strategic Planning
Cultivate and maintain strong relations with key stakeholders including outsourced service providers, beneficiaries, government, private sector and other development actors; Ensure up-to-date information and provide advice to project team on emerging issues in relation to changes in stakeholder relationships/structures; Represent the project at relevant industry and sector specifics conferences and events in coordination with Project Manager; Ensure smooth coordination between the project team and other support functions within UNDP such as with finance, HR and procurement and other functions. Represent the project at events and develop partnerships in a respectful manner in line with the projectโs theory of change. Ensure the project is locally relevant and mindful of cultural practices and gound realities;The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
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Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย
Business managementย ย ย ย
Results-based Management. Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus atimproved performance and demonstrable results
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2030 Agenda: Peaceย ย ย ย
Governance. Civic Engagement (includes CSOs) Governance. Public Administration and Local Goverance2030 Agenda: Peopleย ย ย ย
Gender. Gender Mainstreamingย
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in public administration, project management, community development, public finance management, anti-corruption, development studies or a related field.OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ย
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Experience:
Minimum of 7 years (with masterโs degree) or 9 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in with development sector, governance or public sector. In lieu of seven years of overall experience in relevant sector Minimum of nine years of work experience with BA degree Three years of senior level experience (decision making level) in governance, public or development sector will be accepted Experience working on project management and implementation. Experience in either or multiple of the following sectors: audit, public finance, accountability, oversight, parliamentary services, fiscal policy, civil society organisation, advocacy, citizen engagement, technical advisory, transparency. Successful coordination of events or activities in the Pacific region โ strong advantage to individuals having regional project management experienceย Evidence of interest in continuous learning (through regular academic or non- academic training and certifications, attendance to event and conference, adherence to networks of practitioners and leaders) Evidence of dedication to results and attention to detail and localisation would be a strong advantage. Exposure, understanding and/or publication linked to debates on localization, Pacific leadership and thinking, coalitions, foresight, working and thinking politically, leadership development an advantageยย
Required languages:
Fluency in English is required, Fluency in Pacific vernacular language(s) i.e. Itaukei and/or Fiji Hindi is required.ย
Professional Certificates:
Project Management Professional Certificate is an asset.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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