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.
Background and Organizational Context
SEESAC is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). As such, it is an integral part of UNDP’s work in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) region and has, since 2002, worked primarily to strengthen the capacities of national and regional stakeholders to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and thus contribute to enhanced stability, security and development in Southeast and Eastern Europe (SEE). SEESAC also has a distinguished record of working closely with Governments to advance gender equality.
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to international peace and security by combatting the threat posed by the widespread accumulation and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in and from SEE. At the same time, it enhances regional stability by working within the framework of the RCC and in partnership with other relevant initiatives. The project is directly contributing to the implementation of the EU Security Union Strategy, the EU Small Arms and Light Weapons Strategy, the Arms Trade Treaty, the UN Firearms Protocol and its International Tracing Instrument, the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 by facilitating regional cooperation and providing advisory, technical and capacity development support to jurisdictions across Southeast and East Europe. Specifically, the project is contributing to the implementation of the Southeast Europe Regional Implementation Plan Combatting the Proliferations and Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse, and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024. The project results are also directly contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful and just societies, in particular targets 16.1(Significantly reduce all forms of violence and death rate everywhere) and 16.4 (significantly reduce illicit arms flows).
SEESAC is implementing the Council Decision 2019/2111 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition, and Council Decision 2022/2321 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the regional roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and to disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe. Further, with the support of the European Union, represented by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), SEESAC is implementing the project Support for enhancing the fight against illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans – IPA/2021 – 425/067. In addition, SEESAC is also implementing the second phase of the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans project. The project facilitates regional cooperation on gender equality in the military and further strengthens the capacities of the Ministries of Défense and the Armed Forces for the implementation of gender-responsive policies. These initiatives continue to strengthen safety and security through regional cooperation in Southeast Europe.
Position Purpose
Under direct supervision of the SEESAC Project Manager, the incumbent will support effective project management, as well as providing high quality advisory services to Governments and ensuring facilitation of knowledge building, management and dissemination. The incumbent will ensure results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of activities, nurturing and maintaining relations with partners and line ministries, supporting the monitoring and coordination of the implementation of Western Balkans Roadmap, and supporting resource mobilization efforts.
The SALW Control Specialist works in close collaboration with the SEESAC Team members (Programme and Operationa); Programme Staff and Operations teams in the COs, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors and experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
As a member of the SEESAC team, ensure effective project management.
- Ensures effective project management including the preparation of work plans and budgets, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
- Successful implementation of project activities and delivery of outputs in a timely manner;
- Ensures effective implementation of activities facilitating regional cooperation on SALW control, in particular the coordination of the implementation of the SALW Control Roadmap;
- Provide regular reporting to the Project Board and Regional Steering Committee and contribute to progress reports;
- Implement activities in accordance with UNDP operational procedures, financial rules and regulations and UNDP’s Internal Control Framework ensuring the integrity of financial management of the project;
- Manage implementation of contractual processes for project implementation such as procurement of expertise, goods and services, including preparation of ToRs, specifications and other inputs;
- Design and update, as required, project implementation arrangements and identify implementing partners such as government institutions, service providers, and NGOs;
- Ensure effective monitoring and measuring of the impact of SEESAC activities;
- Ensure strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
- Support implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations
Effectively providing relevant and high-quality advisory services to a broad range of clients in issues related to SEESACs specialization.
- Provide high-quality advisory services to a broad range of clients on issues related to SEESACs specialization including in the preparation of briefings for senior UNDP management as required;
- Ensure that timely support is provided to Governments in the region in arms control activities, armed violence prevention and citizen security.
Support monitoring and coordination of the implementation of Western Balkans Roadmap
- Support planning and implementation of Roadmap coordination and monitoring activities;
- Research, collect and analyze data, provide quality assurance of the data collected, turn information in to useful knowledge, produce comprehensive analytical reports and visual material that informs policymaking;
- Develop and maintain effective relations with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, experts and others in line with the thematic focus of SEESAC;
- Organize regional and local meetings dedicated to coordination of the implementation of Roadmap;
- Provide advice and support in the implementation of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
Support resource mobilization for the SEESAC portfolio
- Keep up to date on partnerships related issues; identify possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall UNDP SEESAC effort in resource mobilization;
- Contribute to design and formulation of new projects in consultation with national counterparts, translating priorities into local interventions, as the needs and opportunities arise;
- Undertake analysis and research of funding opportunities, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and identify opportunities for cost-sharing.
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: Programme and project staff.
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:
- 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.
Partnership Management:
- 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.
Business Development:
- Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management:
- Client Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
- Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as 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.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Sciences, Security, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of security-related portfolios and projects in South East Europe (SEE); and establishing relationships among international organizations and national governments.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
Desirable skills
- Experience with thorough understanding of the political, economic and social climate in SEE;
- Experience and knowledge of the existing legal and institutional frameworks for arms control, armed violence prevention and citizen security in South East Europe;
- Experience with SALW control and gender mainstreaming in security sector is an advantage.
- Knowledge of UN regulations, rules, and procedures is a strong asset.
- Experience and knowledge of Quantum is desirable.
Language requirements:
- Fluency in oral and written English is required.
- Knowledge of one or more languages spoken in the region is a strong asset.
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable).
Disclaimer
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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