Programme and Analysis Officer

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Background

Since the outbreak of the civil war in December 2013, recurring violence and conflict have continued to affect the South Sudanese people. The country continues to face significant economic challenges as well as inadequate basic service delivery, unemployment, high levels of gender-based violence and increased criminality. Cattle raiding and land disputes between pastoralists and farmers are also causes of conflict in many parts of the country. Pressing safety and security challenges include ineffective law enforcement and justice delivery at state and local levels; the spread of small arms and light weapons; land and border disputes; extensive gender-based violence; limited gender equality and a tendency towards the breakdown of social cohesion.

Since the signing of the 2018 R-ARCSS, significant progress towards sustaining peace has been made with considerable reduction in political-related violence in most parts of the country. The transitional government of national unity has been formed and has embarked on implementing general commitments made by the peace agreement in the six (6) substantive chapters namely, (i) governance, (ii) security, (iii) humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, (iv) resources, economic and financial management, (v) transitional justice, accountability, reconciliation, and healing, and (vi) permanent constitution making.

In May 2021, the UN Secretary-General renewed the eligibility of South Sudan to the Peacebuilding Fund for a period of five years.  During this period, in line with the request of the Government of South Sudan and in support of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, PBF support will focus on supporting three main priorities: i) strengthening national democratization, justice and accountability processes; ii) addressing conflict resulting from and around displacement and iii) reducing the impact of localized conflict by strengthening local peace mechanisms and local conflict prevention.

The UNCT works closely with the newly founded Ministry of Peacebuilding on capacity building and technical assistance, a key national partner for peacebuilding. The UNCT has been aiding the Ministry’s Technical Secretariat to support the process of developing a One South Sudan Peacebuilding Strategic Framework and Policy Documents. Institutional capacity building of the new ministry is urgently required to enhance political commitment and leadership for implementation.

The PBF portfolio in South Sudan currently has an active portfolio of $31.3 million across 11 projects. The portfolio is aligned with the overarching policy frameworks for South Sudan, including the Revised National Development Strategy (NDS 2018-2021), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023-2025) , and the PBF Strategic Results Framework.

The PBF Secretariat at the Resident Coordinator’s Office supports to the RC’s strategic direction of PBF engagement in the country; provides quality-control and coordination support for the portfolio of PBF-funded projects and helps leverage synergies and partnerships with other peacebuilding actors in the country. The PBF Secretariat project intends to work closely with the Ministry of Peace Building as well as the recipient organizations and their implementation partners in achieving results through the projects. The Secretariat will also support the UNCT, for the selection, development, and implementation of PBF projects. In this regard, the Secretariat will also liaise with key dialogue institutions/platforms to ensure successful strategic results for the PBF engagement in the country: UNSDCF mechanisms, coordination group coordination groups and other entities working in PBF related areas.

The PBF Secretariat includes the PBF Coordination Team – Coordination Specialist (P4), Finance and Admin Associate (NUNV), M&E and Communications Expert (P2), Program Management and Analysis Officer (P2) and a Driver (G3). The PBF Secretariat supports implementing agencies and government counterparts, specifically the Ministry of Peace Building, CSOs, and NGOs to ensure the cohesion of the PBF portfolio in South Sudan.

Position Purpose

The Programme Management and Analysis Officer will oversee development of a joint integrated M&E system for PBF projects (including gender and youth promotion initiative projects) aligned with the PBF Strategic Results Framework to promote synergies between projects. He/she will ensure formulation of common results and indicators at the macro level to help measure achievements based on priorities defined in the eligibility application.

He/she will be responsible for the collection, treatment, and analysis of PBF interventions-related data and will define the appropriate baseline for each project results. In collaboration with project teams, he/she will ensure results of different projects are documented, monitored, evaluated, analyzed, and built upon. He/she will contribute to specific activities (perception surveys, etc.), maintain mapping of activities updated, develop, and implement reporting strategy in close collaboration with the PBF Secretariat PBF Coordination Specialist and the team. He/she will also be focal point for the Steering Committee annual report. He/she will work closely with the RCO M&E Officer, RCO Communications Officer, project managers and recipient agencies and their implementing partners.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of RCO, reporting directly to the PBF Coordination Specialist and indirectly to PBSO, the Programme Management and Analysis Officer of the PBF Secretariat will work in close collaboration with the RCO M&E Officer and RCO Communications Officer to oversee development and implementation of a M&E and reporting framework and communications strategy funded by the PBF in South Sudan. He/she will contribute to strengthening PBF Secretariat and Steering Committee capacities.
 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.) PBF Programming Support and Oversight:

• Guide project design by providing expertise, planning and facilitating processes to identify programming priorities and entry-points, and to develop high quality proposals in a timely, efficient and consultative manner.
• Organize and conduct field visits to monitor project implementation, formulate recommendations, collect lessons learned and impact stories.
• Support the identification of entry-points and project design of cross-border and borderland projects.
• Provide technical advice/guidance on project development including facilitating project design workshops, reviewing concept notes and proposals.
   

2.) Peacebuilding Coordination and Partnerships: In support of the PBF Coordination Specialist and under her supervision/as assigned by her, and in close collaboration with relevant RCO staff.

• Liaise closely with national, regional, and local stakeholders including civil society, academia, think tanks, women’s and youth networks and key international actors (including International Financial Institutions and regional organizations) to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen partnerships on peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
• Coordinate PBF initiatives and build synergies internally through regular exchanges with relevant partners in UNMISS and the UNCT (e.g. UNMISS Civil Affairs; the South Sudan Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF); UN Agencies, Funds and Programs).
• Develop/implement a partner engagement strategy, organize visits to PBF projects for contributing partners, PBF Joint Steering Committee members and if necessary, other high-level UN and non-UN dignitaries. 
• Organize quarterly meetings for the PBF Joint Steering Committee and support follow-up of key actions from the meetings.
• Advise on alignment and evolution of PBF priorities, as articulated in the Strategic Results Framework, with national and UN strategies and processes, and on processes to re-assess as necessary.
• Identify, document and disseminate lessons learned and impact across the portfolio.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and outreach activities on peacebuilding.
   

3.)   Strategic Planning and Analysis: In support of the Resident Coordinator’s Office/Integrated Office capacities and under supervision of the Resident Coordinator through the Head of RCO:

• Promote system-wide coherence on development and peacebuilding through participation in inter-agency forums and UN integrated planning and coordination processes (e.g., the UNSDCF, HDP Nexus process and early transition planning).
• Keep abreast of political and conflict analyses, trends and developments to support RCO in informing and coordinating programming and strategic planning.
• Support research and analysis of key development challenges and opportunities in the country including on select peacebuilding topics, including during field visits, such as in support of drafting thematic/regional briefs and background material, identifying peacebuilding priorities or preparing specific planning processes.
• Support the Risk Management Unit to conduct risk assessment and trends to identify potential obstacles and develop mitigation strategies.
   

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A
 

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields is required, OR 
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant work experience at national or international level. At least 2 years’ experience in project / programme and fund management is required. 
• Demonstrated experience writing analytical reports is required.
• Experience developing and implementing governance, human rights protection and peacebuilding projects is an asset.
• Experience managing communication and relationships with senior officials in the UN, Government, contributing partners and civil society is an asset. 
• Strong experience with providing targeted and ongoing capacity building support to UN and non-UN program teams on diverse thematic areas including program management, coordination, reporting, gender, climate security and peacebuilding, monitoring and evaluation is an asset. 
• Extensive experience organizing high profile events and program monitoring missions involving multiple donors, government and senior UN and non-UN officials is desired.
• Proficiency in computer software (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.).
• Excellent drafting skills is desired.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
   

Competencies

• Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident 

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

• Cross Function & Technical Competencies

General (across the functions) & Event planning/execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.

Partnership Management & Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

2030 Agenda: Peace related to Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion.

2030 Agenda: People & Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

Business Management & Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Business Direction and Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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