Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Office/Unit/Project Description
The Ministry of Planning & Development (MPD) developed a Ten-Year Development Plan (2020/21-2029/30) with the broader goal of making Ethiopia an African Beacon of Prosperity. Since then, the Ministry is coordinating the implementation of the development plan across line ministries and other federal and regional institutions. In line with this, the crucial role played by the development partners, government institutions, and other stakeholders for the successful implementation of the plan has got adequate consideration by the Ministry, which performs an excellent partnership with various actors in the sector and implement numerous projects and programs in wide thematic areas ranging from planning, macro-economic, agriculture, capacity building, and others. Beyond the technical programmatic activities, the Ministry is liaising with stakeholders and carrying out its day-to-day activities, which are essential for the successful implementation of technical programmatic activities, all of which requires close coordination and follow-up for speedy execution.
The Development Partners Group (DPG), a collective of 35 bilateral and multilateral development cooperation agencies and International Financing Institutions providing developmental and humanitarian support to Ethiopia, has been providing institutional capacity development, technical and financial support to the MPD and more broadly to the Government of Ethiopia in the areas of effective multi-stakeholder dialogue and coordination on development plans, amongst others, through the DPG Pooled Fund project. The project – which supports the Ministry in effectively implementing core functions related to evidence-based planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of development plans – is currently implementing its Phase VI – Development Partners Group Support to Development Plans in Ethiopia.
Within this framework, the Ministry needs to hire a dedicated focal person who coordinates the implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities of the DPG Pooled Fund Project implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Development and also provides excellent coordination, communication, and liaison support in various partnership initiatives with development partners, government counterparts, and regional offices while standardizing the partnership modality of the Ministry in the long-term. Moreover, the Project Coordinator/Focal Person is expected to engage in various project management and leadership assignments at the ministry as required by the Minister.
Institutional Arrangement
The DPG Pooled Fund Project Coordinator/Focal Person in the Ministry of Planning & Development will have a double line of supervision: 1) In UNDP s/he will be supervised by the Head of the DPG Secretariat; and 2) In the Ministry of Planning & Development s/he will be supervised by the Minister. Please see in Annex 1 lines of supervision both at the DPG Secretariat and at the Ministry of Finance.
Scope of Work and responsibilities
The scope of the work of the DPG Pooled Fund Project Coordinator/Focal Person at the Ministry of Planning & Development is to successfully coordinate and oversee the implementation of DPG Pooled Fund project activities that the Ministry of Planning and Development undertakes in contribution to the Ministry’s priorities, as well as manage and lead the Ministry under the direct supervision of the Minister.
Within this framework the incumbent will guide and lead the implementation of planned activities of the DPG Pooled Fund project implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development, facilitate the communication of the DPG Secretariat with the Ministry and provide information when needed, liaise and strengthen partnerships with national and international institutions, and engaged with assignments at the ministry during the period of secondment and requested by the Minister of Planning & Development.
The Project Coordinator is expected to execute the following generic duties and responsibilities:
- Complete special projects and initiatives with skillful oversight and support;
- Lead meetings and workshops with meticulous planning and coordination;
- Identify areas of improvement across the Ministry of Planning & Development and making actionable recommendations;
- Manage budget of the component of the DPG Pooled Fund project implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development;
- Recruit, interview, and hire staff, when needed;
- Maintain a working knowledge of national development including challenges and opportunities in the different sectors;
- Work closely with heads of departments in the Ministry of Planning & Development to improve efficiency;
- Create and deliver presentations;
- Design new processes to improve quality or increase efficiency;
- More precisely, the DPG Pooled Fund Project Coordinator/Focal Person will implement the following duties:
Lead and oversee the implementation of the DPG Pooled Fund project directly implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development:
- Lead the development of the component of the Annual Work Plans of the DPG Pooled Fund project directly implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development, ensuring full alignment with the priorities of the Ministry;
- Ensure effective management, implementation, monitoring and reporting of approved activities of the DPG Pooled Fund project implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development in line with UNDP rules and regulations for National Implementation modality, ensuring that activities are carried out within the predetermined time frame;
- Examine and approve relevant documents, including concept notes, TORs, payments, and regular progress and financial reports;
- Oversee delivery of MPD staff engaged in the implementation of DPG Pooled Fund project activities making sure the accountable individuals carry out the scheduled tasks in an effective manner. The coordinator will assess each team member’s performance and provide assistance as required.
Provide timely and active leadership of the administrative wing of the Ministry of Planning & Development:
- Oversee eight divisions under the Ministry’s administrative branch and provide support for the fundamental operations of the Ministry;
- Examine and submit the ministry’s annual plan and quarterly reports, monitor department performance, offer prompt advice and interventions when necessary, and make sure the necessary services are supplied to enable the Ministry’s core tasks to be carried out effectively;
- Coordinating/harmonizing development partners’ engagement in the ministry and managing and implementing flagship projects that fall under the ministry office;
- Lead the administrative wing of the ministry and provide timely active guidance to each department;
- Review and input the regular quarterly activity and financial reports of the ministry;
- Undertake any other assignments requested by the Minister.
Serve as Communication Interface with the DPG Secretariat and other Development Partners:
- Serve as liaison between the ministry and development partners and act as point of contact for collaboration;
- Help with the signing of the various project documents and assist with bilateral and international cooperation.
Liaise the ministry with various governmental and non-governmental institutions:
- Coordinate, cooperate, and harmonize action with a wide range of stakeholders, including governmental, non-governmental, and national and international organizations;
- Facilitate the inter-organization communication amongst the affiliated institutions as well other governmental organizations.
Reporting, Monitoring & Evaluation:
- Lead monitoring and reporting of implementation of DPG Pooled Fund project activities implemented by the Ministry of Planning & Development, and overview quality of quarterly reports delivered by the Ministry;
- Keep timely record, consolidate and submit to DPG Secretariat all products agreed to be delivered by the Ministry of Planning in DPG Pooled Fund Project Annual Work Plans;
- Develop knowledge and lessons documents, briefing notes, case studies, press releases, web articles and other media products as required;
- Coordinate development of workshop reports of technical workshops organized by the Ministry of Planning & Development within the framework of the DPG Pooled Fund Project;
- Assist with research and write and edit sections of technical reports as required;
- Review and provide information on progress of implementation of the National Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals in Ethiopia as required.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
- 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 demands.
- 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 inclusivity.
People Management:
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
- Strategic thinking:
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
- 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 Development
- Knowledge generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management:
- Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- Communication:
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
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.
- Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Leadership and Management, Political Science and other related subjects is required, or
- 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.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in the area of organizational management, project management, project coordination, specifically in governmental organizations, and donor funded projects.
Required skills
- Knowledge in the areas of organizational management, human resource management, finance management, project planning, implementation, and reporting as per the standards of the ministry and the donor;
- Understanding of the government sector, the development partners operating in the country, and the dynamics of the sector;
- Understanding of the political dynamics of the government, civil society, donor community in Ethiopia at federal and regional level;
- Deep knowledge in the various stages of project management and relevant stakeholders of donor funded projects.
Desired skills
- Demonstrated experience in working with a wide range of partners with varying interest and priorities in areas of public resource allocation for development programs;
- Experience on the operation of International Development Partners;
- Excellent public speaking, presentation and facilitation skills;
- Excellent leadership and motivational skills;
- Team oriented;
- Competence in the use of computers especially Microsoft Office applications software such as Word, Excel and Power Point.
Required Language
- Fluency in English and Amharic language is required.
Professional Certificates
- Completion of Project Management training 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.
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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