Chief Technical Specialist

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is currently supporting the National Registry of Persons (RNP) of Honduras since 2019, by successfully implementing the Identify Yourself Project (IDENTIFÍCATE) in which a national electoral census database was revised and a National Identity was issued for more than 3.5 million Hondurans above 18 yrs. The technical and technological capacities installed in the RNP thanks to the support of the UNDP for the IDENTIFÍCATE Project and the new competencies assumed by RNP have enabled that the institution developed several internal processes for improvement of efficiency and efficacy of its services directed towards the population. Those have resulted in the creation of two additional projects to respond to RNP´s strategic plan 2019-2024: the project of institutional strengthening of RNP (PROFIN) and the project to strengthen the Civil Registry and the National Identification Ecosystem in Honduras. 

The PROFIN project will provide the technological structure to carry out in 2024 a biometric enrolment process for around 1.5 million Honduran minors between 6 and 17 years old. The Project establishes a single result that is described as: strengthened the institutional capacity of the RNP to guarantee the timely registration of minors with biometric characteristics and provide more efficient services to citizens and related public and private institutions through a process of technologization cutting edge, the optimization of operational processes and the logistical adaptation that a modern institution requires. Two products contribute to this result: The first is the strengthened the technological platform of the National Identification System (SIN) and developed the interoperability ecosystem (public/private institutions) in order to guarantee the certainty, authenticity and legal security of the facts, vital acts and situations related to natural persons and, and the second, the expanded and optimized national coverage of the RNP and its physical and technological conditioning.

The Project to Strengthen the Civil Registry and the National Identification Ecosystem in Honduras, financed by the World Bank, proposes to cover the registration process with biometric characteristics (facial, fingerprint and/or plantar) of around 3.4 M Girls, Boys, Adolescents (NNAs) included in the demographic group between 0 and 17 years old. The expected results of this project are: 1) Ensure the proper registration, registration and identification of newborns through the reinforcement of timely, universal and free registration action in 52 hospitals and/or health establishments nationwide (public, IHSS and Private); 2) Enrolment with facial and fingerprint biometric characteristics of approximately 2.4 M children between 6 and 17 through Agreements with SEDUC, SESAL and registration of children in special situations of vulnerability through the Timely Identification Network (RIO) and brigades mobiles; 3) Delivery of identification cards for children and adolescents to an approximate number of 2.4M from 6-7 years of age; 4) Developed the legal, regulatory and technical framework to implement a National Identification Ecosystem (interoperability, innovation), promoting transparency and efficiency in the RNP service model. 5) Initiatives to promote registration culture. The Project will be led by the RNP but institutional alliances such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Statistics, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT), the Ministry of Children, Adolescence and Family will be essential, as well as the National Women’s Institute, National Migration Institute, early childhood programs such as Red Solidaria, Plan Crecer (Criando con Amor), Poverty and Vulnerability Observatory, to name a few programmes with communities and other local actors such as the Municipal Mayors and other local actors.

UNDP will assist RNP in the implementation of both projects through CO support to NIM modality and act as fiduciary agent whenever applicable, being responsible for the procurement, signature of contracts, hiring of personnel and the implementation of the procurement plans in general. 

The Chief Technical Specialist must ensure that donor requirements are met within expectations as well as legal and practical arrangements. Since PROFIN and the Identification Ecosystem Project, financed by the World Bank, have a national scope and considering their sensitivity vis-à-vis RNP´s mandate, it is required to ensure that the CTS has relevant experience in the field of citizen/legal identification and managerial competencies with similar characteristics to the scope and challenges envisaged for Identificate project. Finally, it is important the project will require a massive deployment of human and operational resources which require sound technical experience and managerial capacities that must be ensured by the CTS and its technical team, that will be integrated by several national and international experts and specialists. 

Scope of Work 

Under the guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative, the CTS acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the Project management and operations. This includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT, public communication, legal, training, and common services, and support provided to the National Registry of Persons (RNP), consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The main role is to lead the project, ensuring smooth functioning of the CO/programs/projects operations, consistent services delivery and constant evaluation and readjustment of the operations to take into account changes in the operating environment as and when needed.

The CTS leads and guides the UNDP Project Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with CO staff and with other UN Agencies, using a client-oriented approach. The CTA works in close collaboration with staff in the CO and in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials to successfully deliver services

Key responsibilities of the CTS will include:

1) Provide strategic technical direction and leadership. 

Stimulate strategic thinking in minors’ registration and identification management and processes and bring best practices in fulfilling aspiration of the RNP Strategic Plan and corresponding Project Documents.

• Advises RNP and UNDP on all aspects of sound minor´s registration and identification management practices and point out areas for further strengthening.
• Provide intellectual and substantive leadership in managing issues related to minor´s registration and identification management and processes.
• Provide technical advice to the RNP and other partners to help meet the needs of a credible enrolment process and complementary actions.
• Ensure highest standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training, and delivery of outputs.
• Identify strategic entry points for gender mainstreaming in the work of the RNP and for the empowerment of women and other groups.
• Assess the technical substance, policies, and strategies on minor´s registration and identification and advises on the design, organization and implementation of project activities.
• Coordinates the conduct of any studies/reviews/analysis on conflict, gender, human rights, and other dimensions related to minor´s registration and identification and their discussions with RNP and UNDP.

2) Lead in Capacity development and oversight:

• Play a leading role in the development and implementation of a capacity development strategy for the project that identifies priorities, needs and interventions to address those needs within the RNP.
• Provide support to RNP in ensuring the sustainability of project management capacities and in building sustainability into project activities from the outset.
• Provide technical advice to enhance the capacity of RNP directorates in their role of conducting a credible registration process.
• Contribute to development of effective materials and training for RNP and other national stakeholders where relevant.
• Advice on development of strategies and contribute to capacity building efforts for RNP, CSOs, media and other national stakeholders.

3) Ensures effective project management and achievement of the following results:

• In coordination with the RNP, provide guidance to national and international experts/consultants.
• Advise and assist the RNP in ensuring the technical soundness of project activities.
• Provide substantive advisory inputs, as requested by RNP and UNDP in relation to project objectives.
• Guides the project management team on coherence of interventions under the project to ensure technical soundness of project activities.
• Provide expert contributions to the development of periodic results-based work plans and results frameworks.
• Ensure delivery of relevant periodic project reporting to UNDP.
• Facilitate continued close cooperation with projects´s funding partners, keeping the partners abreast of the progress, results, challenges, etc.
• Reviews Terms of Reference for specific activities as directed and assist in the identification of experts.
• Ensures the alignment of project activities with UNDP rules and regulations by providing appropriate advice to the RNP in this regard.
• 4)Build  strategic partnership, coordination and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Act as resource person on minor´s registration and identification policies and strategies, if required, for the international development community.
• Analyses information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost-sharing.
• Mobilize and network with experts in the international development community, government partners, UN organizations and appropriate think-tanks. Develop and maintain productive relations with partners.
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector.

5) Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for project implementation. 

• Advise the project on design and follow up on a sound project monitoring framework for the project integrated within the monitoring system for the Corporate/Strategic Plan.
• Advise RNP on strengthening M&E systems as defined in the strategic plan of the organization.
• Ensure the design of monitoring frameworks demonstrates progress and achievement on key project results and provide technical advice to develop baselines and indicators for monitoring and evaluation.
• Advise the PMU on preparing project reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned and good practices.

6) Lead Communication and Knowledge Sharing on achieving the following results:

• Promote the adoption of suitable knowledge management approaches as relating to project activities and in support of RNP strengthening.
• Advise and Support the RNP in the internal and external communication efforts and the dissemination of information around project objectives and activities.
• Support the project and UNDP in communicating to its stakeholder including development partners on all aspects of project implementation.
• Advise as a mentor and coach to PMU staff in support of achievement of project results.
• Participate in and contribute to global UNDP knowledge networks on minor´s registration, identification, and legal identity.
• Ensure the application of relevant global good practices and actively search for solutions that can benefit Honduran registration process. 
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative, the Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the Projects´ management and operations. This includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT, public communication, legal, training, and common services and support provided to the National Registry of Persons (RNP), consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The main role is to lead the projects, ensuring smooth functioning of the CO/programs/projects operations, consistent services delivery and constant evaluation and readjustment of the operations to consider changes in the operating environment as and when needed.

The CTS leads and guides the UNDP Projects‘ Team and fosters collaboration within them, with CO staff and with other UN Agencies, using a client-oriented approach. The CTS works in close collaboration with staff in the CO and in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials to successfully deliver services.

Competencies

Core

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements   

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree in or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related area is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience              

• Minimum of 7 years (with Master´s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience in senior programme/project management in the field of international cooperation projects.

Required skills  

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. 
• Knowledge and experience in programme/project management.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section 

• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies is desired. 
• Experience in programme management in the United Nations System.
• Experience and good knowledge of the political environment, administration of developing countries.
• Experience in different tasks relating to large-scale projects.
• Demonstrated capacity to dialogue with high level Administrative Officers as well as donors from the international community is an asset
• Have previously worked as Chief Technical Specialist in the framework of multi donor projects is an advantage 
• Experience in working with World Bank financing is an asset. 
• Good knowledge on the organization of citizen identification processes in Latin America is an asset.
• Experience in different tasks relating to enrolment processes is an asset.

Required Language(s)   

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Working knowledge of another UN Language is an asset. 

Disclaimer

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.

Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.