UNDP Liberia

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO UNDP /005/2007-MP

Post Title :Project Coordinator-Strengthening the Capacity of Local Administration(County Support Team Project- CST)
Organization : UNDP (CST)
Post Level : L3
Duty Station : Monrovia (APA Dakar)
Duration : One Year (With possibility of extension)
Start Date : 1 December 2007
Date of Issue : 6 November 2007
Closing Date : 21 November 2007

This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates.

Background:
In support of the Liberian Government's efforts to prioritize decentralization to the counties and to ensure coherence between national and county-level policies and actions, the UN has formed County Support Teams (CSTs). The CSTs aim to bring together the UN at the county-level to assist local administration with the restoration of civil authority as well as with planning and development management support.

To support the CSTs, a joint UN project, administered by UNDP, aims at building capacity of local administration in assessing, planning, raising resources for and delivering essential services in support of the consolidation of state authority and recovery.

A CST Project Coordinator is sought to manage and oversee the CST project, which assists the county administration with rehabilitation of infrastructure/transportation, capacity-building of local officials and strengthening of information and data management.

Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Recovery and Governance / UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, the Project Coordinator would work closely with a Government / UN technical team, while undertaking the following principal duties and responsibilities:

•  Provide overall management and accountability for achievement of the three CST project areas, namely the rehabilitation of infrastructure, capacity-building and strengthening of information and data management;

• Ensure regular monitoring / assessment / evaluation and reporting of the project;

• Organize and participate in the monthly Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meetings as well as follow-up issues raised;

• Liaise with the Government (mainly Ministries of Internal Affairs and Planning and Economic Affairs, Liberia Institute of Public Administration and Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-information Services), with UNDP's units/projects (particularly the Community-Based Development and Recovery Programme, the Liberia Decentralization and Local Development project as well as the National Information Management Centre), the UNCT, UNMIL (O/DSRSG and Civil Affairs) to ensure smooth running of the project and with donors (particularly European Union and USAID) to ensure complementarity of efforts.

• Provide guidance and supervision, including regular field visits, to county-based staff, in close collaboration with UNMIL Civil Affairs.

•Participate actively in the UN Inter-agency Programming Team (Senior Programme Officers), the CST Technical Team and the project working groups related to infrastructure, information and capacity-building.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

The following key qualifications and skills would be required:

•  Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in humanities - political or social science, international development, political economy, public administration, economics, natural resource management, agriculture science or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.

•  At least 5 years experience in post-conflict contexts with programme development, management, monitoring and evaluation techniques.

•  Sound knowledge and experience in local capacity development.

•  Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills.

•  Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Operational Skills

•  Highly motivated, flexible, and capable of working under pressure and hardship conditions.

•  Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in a multicultural environment.

•  Ability to take initiatives for pre-emptive measures and most efficient and effective approach to achieve results.

•  Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with a cross section of government officials, members of donor organizations, international and national NGOs, civil society representatives, etc.

•  Excellent organizational and presentation skills.

•  Strong inter-personal skills with ability to promote participation and teamwork.

•  Ability to undertake field travel in order to achieve objectives.

•  Active commitment to promoting the interest of marginalized people.

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.  Applications without the Vacancy Announcement Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Announcement Number will not be accepted. 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 applicants will be contacted for a written test followed by an interview.

Please forward all written applications to:

Deputy Resident Representative (Operations)

Attention: HR Unit
United Nations Development Programme
Simpson Apartment, Mamba Point
Monrovia , Liberia

cc: All UN Agencies and UNDP Programmes/Projects and All Counties

Note: All applications/queries must be addressed to: vacancies.lr@undp.org
Also you can download the P11 Form here