UNDP Liberia

UNITED NATIONATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. UNDP/ISSA/2007/04

Post Title : Liberia Forestry Personnel Services Consultant
Contract Type : International Special Service Agreement (ISSA)
Duty Station : Monrovia, Liberia (With in country travel)
Duration : 4 Months
Starting Date : End of April
Advertised on : 10 April 2007
Deadline : 17 April 2007

Background

The Development Forestry Sector Management Project is funded from the World Bank's Trust Fund for Liberia, and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The main objective of the project is to build robust and transparent structures for economic and fiscal governance and prepare a foundation for good governance, economic recovery and growth in the forestry sector.

Historically, the forestry sector in Liberia has been a major component of the country’s economy. However, during the years of the civil war revenue from forestry activities was used to fuel conflict, leading to instability in the country and the surrounding region. As a result of this, timber sanctions were imposed to prevent the export of timber until measures are put in place to ensure that forestry activities are carried-out for the benefit of the Liberian people.

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) is the government agency responsible for the oversight and administration of the forestry sector in Liberia. During the many years of civil conflict, much of the infrastructure of the FDA was destroyed (including most of their personnel records). In addition, the FDA suffered greatly from political interference and an erosion of staff motivation, competencies and experience. There is an urgent need to rebuild the human resources capacity of the FDA and to restructure and reorientate the FDA to reflect the new roles and responsibilities that it will take on. The FDA is currently engaged in a right-sizing process.

As part of post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Liberia, the World Bank is financing a number of activities to support reforms in the forestry sector, with funding from the World Bank’s Liberia Surplus Grant (LSG). This activity will contribute to those reforms and will be implemented as part of the broader, multi-donor Liberia Forest Initiative (LFI). (For further information, see: http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/lfi).

Objective

The objectives of this assignment will be to assist the FDA with the establishment and implementation of personnel policies and procedures that reflect best practices in personnel management.

Job Summary

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and direction of the World Bank task-manager for the Forestry Development Management Project in Liberia. The consultant will liase closely with the Deputy Managing Director of the FDA. Acknowledging that the LFI is a multi-donor initiative, the consultant will also work closely with all LFI partners in-country and on visiting missions.

Specific Duties

1. Assist the FDA in implementing the recruitment of staff into the new structure of the organisation, through the following:

• Train relevant core FDA staff in interview techniques
• Develop interview and selection standards
• Accompany FDA through the recruitment process

2. Undertake staff training needs assessment for the FDA for the short-term (next 5 years) based on the new structure and the results of the staff recruitment exercise.

3. From discussions with FDA management review and assess current procedures for personnel management and administration in the FDA. This could include, for example, the following:

• Terms and conditions of service (e.g. pay, benefits, severance, leave and other allowances);
• Restrictions on staff activities (e.g. conflicts of interest, restrictions on outside activities);
• Measurement of performance (e.g. job descriptions, work-plans, rewards, and annual reports);
• Staff development (e.g. training, promotion, succession planning)
• Procedures for dismissal and complaints (including relations with labour unions); and
• Record keeping.

4. Produce recommendations for improved personnel policies and procedures and discuss these with FDA management and staff representatives, whilst ensuring that the procedures are in compliance with applicable Liberian labour law (with the assistance of FDA legal adviser). Based on these discussions, produce a manual for personnel administration that will be used by the FDA in the future, and a staff Code of Conduct.

5. Train relevant FDA staff in the improved personnel policies and procedures and develop and implement a simple system for personnel record keeping.

6. Assist in the development of flow charts of administrative procedures in the FDA including accounting, personnel management, budget management, procurement and other administrative procedures

7. Train local counterparts in other aspects of personnel management and administration as required.

Outputs

The outputs from this assignment will be:

1. A report on the new FDA staff listing, detailing job positions, responsibilities and qualifications (output of Task 1)
2. A report on the training needs assessment (output of Task 2)
3. The new FDA manual of procedures for personnel administration (output of Tasks 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 above).
4. A Code of Conduct for FDA staff (output of Task 4)

Proposed timing

Outputs 1 and 2 should be completed within the first six weeks of the assignment, and the draft manual of procedures and code of conduct should be completed by the end of the third month. The manual of procedures and code of conduct will be developed with small FDA working groups, and presented in two workshops to FDA management and staff. After the completion of the workshops final versions shall be prepared.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• A Master degree in Management, Business or Public Administration (or a degree in forestry plus a recognised qualification in management or personnel)
• At least 10 years experience in personnel management, previous experience of public policy and/or civil service reform, particularly in post-conflict countries.

Competencies

• Mature personality and capable of handling sensitive situations
• Fluency in the English language. Working knowledge of a second UN language an added advantage
• Excellent report-writing skills; excellent command of MS Office applications
• Team player and self-starter
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

Email application to this vacancy should be sent to vacancies.lr@undp.org. Please insert vacancy announcement number in the subject of the email or written application. Attach photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates and academicals) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note: All applications/queries must be addressed to: vacancies.lr@undp.org
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