Back Task Manager on social protection and disability issues (Re-Advertised)

Project Title/Department:UN Joint Programme Accelerating Agenda 2030 in Uzbekistan through inclusive transformation of the social protection system, Output 3 implemented by UNDP Uzbekistan, Good Governance Cluster.

The UN Joint Programme will support the Government in building and delivering a high-quality

social protection system that offers all citizens of Uzbekistan – in particular, those at risk of being left behind – income security and social support throughout their lives. Our mission is to harness the collective expertise and capacity of the UN family to overcome a key systemic barrier to achieving numerous SDGs: the fragmentation of social protection at institutional, policy and programme levels which results in ineffective leadership over significant component of government’s portfolio of programmes aimed at population’s welfare and in reduced impact of financial investments. This is particularly critical in the context of ongoing ambitious socio-economic reforms in Uzbekistan. We will support the Government in establishing a dedicated institution that will provide leadership and coordination to the social protection sector, as well as being responsible for overseeing the delivery of social protection schemes. We will support design of an integrated and costed long term national social protection strategy built on evidence and developed through wide multi-stakeholder consultations and citizen engagement. Jointly with the Government and civil society, by piloting the introduction of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) in the assessment of disability and moving away from the current medical approach, the programme will enable greater access of persons with disabilities to social protection and promote their full inclusion into different aspects of social life.

UNDP Uzbekistan is responsible for implementation of Output 3 of this Joint Programme. It is stated as following: By 2022, the Government of Uzbekistan has tested the disability assessment procedures and service delivery design based on ICF and CRPD norms and has taken on board relevant policy recommendations. UNDP Uzbekistan will hire Task Manager on social protection and disability issues with project management functions in Atlas and Administrative-finance assistant to implement the Output 3 under joint programme in line with UNDP rules and regulations and in adherence to UNDG guidance notes and  requirements on joint programmes.

Expected Results of Output 3 of the Joint Programme:

• By 2021, the ICF and CRPD compliant procedures of disability assessment are piloted to identify the impact and implications expected from ICF introduction and CRPD implementation at the local level.
• By 2021, the CRPD compliant social services for people with disabilities focused on inclusion into economic activities are piloted to demonstrate opportunities for quality and accessibility improvements at affordable costs for state budget.
• By 2021, Government has an extended capacity to revise legislation to align it with CRPD and to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of the current state policies and programmes on social protection of PWDs via collecting disability related statistics in line with international standards and SDGs priorities / targets / indicators.
• By the end of 2021, pilot initiatives are designed and launched to deliver social services and benefits, using innovative user-led and citizen-centered forms and methods that are compliant with the CRPD jointly with DPOs, experts, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• By the end of 2022, a CRPD compliant disability assessment mechanism has been revised and designed in collaboration with government, based on the ICF piloting results.
• By 2022, lessons learned on pilot initiatives are analyzed, codified and provided to Government through a series of policy papers and consultative workshops to fine-tune policy advice to Government.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Good Governance Cluster Leader and in close coordination with Programme Analyst on Rule of Law and UN Joint Programme team, Task Manager on social protection and disability issues will be responsible to successful and high-quality implementation of Output 3 of Joint Programme and perform the following duties and responsibilities according to UNDP corporate rules and procedures as described below:

Project management functions and duties:

• Responsible for ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost;
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming);
• Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, using advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the IPSAS;
• Manage and monitor the project risks as initially identified in the Project Document, submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
• Prepare the Quarterly Project Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures in UNDP format;
• Prepare the Annual Review Report;
• Based on the ARR, prepare the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Annual Plan of Activities and Procurement Plan for the project years;
• Sign annual CDRs with UNDP and the Implementing Partner national agency;
• Liaise with other UNDP, UNICEF and ILO projects to implement possible synergies;
• Ensure proper operational, financial and programmatic closure of the project;
• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board;
• Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board;
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Perform other duties related to the scope of work.

Programmatic and analytical functions on social protection and disability issues:

• Analyze and provide solutions to better adapt and localise International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) requirements and standards to the context of Uzbekistan;
• Advocate for ratification and implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
• Coordinate the development and organization of training modules for representatives of adult and children disability assessment commissions and Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) on application of ICF in day-to-day activity of the disability assessment Commissions for adults and children with disabilities.
• Piloting of application of principles and approaches on disability assessment which based on ICF and UN CRPD
• Support the launch and implementation of micro-grants programme jointly with DPOs and local authorities to support to local user-led pilot initiatives based on ICF.
• Organize business process reengineering of public services, which are provided in the social protection sector, according to CRPD and ICF requirements.
• Analyse the results and impacts of pilot initiatives in regions on the social rights of persons with disability and formulate policy recommendations on further replication.
• Prepare knowledge and communication products and printing of the results of the pilot initiatives on ICF after peer-review by DPOs.
• Organize stakeholder and donor events, jointly with DPOs.
• Provide substantial inputs to the reporting under Joint Programme.
• Ensure the donors’ visibility in the events and public materials of the project.
• Organize a republican conference, jointly with DPOs and UNCT, to discuss the results of the project and present codified lessons learned and policy recommendations to decision-makers and donor community.
• Promote the gender equality in project activities.
• Development of the policy documents and draft legislation on disability issues, jointly with DPOs, in line with CRPD, CEDAW and ICF.
• Organize joint advocacy campaigns and policy consultations with DPOs and other stakeholders on CRPD ratification, implementation and monitoring as well as ICF implementation.
• Organize capacity development activities, jointly with DPOs, for State Statistics Committee, sectoral ministries and other stakeholders on disability statistics collection, analysis and aligning them with SDG indicators related to disability issues as well as ICF.
• Provide analytical consultations jointly with DPOs to national stakeholders on agency-specific and sector specific disability indicators and data collections and disclosing disability statistics in open data format.
• Organize a series of SDGs and ICF related consultations with involvement of DPOs and national stakeholders.
• Perform other relevant duties within the scope of this position.

Corporate Competencies:

• Responsible for day-to-day management, administration and decision-making for the project;
• Oversees strategic planning process for the project and ensures its implementation in accordance with the signed project document;
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team leader and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;

Functional Competencies:

Communications and Networking

• Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Has excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the team through leadership and personal example;
• Actively mentoring project staff under her/his supervision;
• Leadership and Self-Management;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Competent in leading team and creating team spirit, stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent fashion.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.

Education:

• University degree in Social Science, Health, Disability Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Law, and/or Development Studies and relevant areas;

University degree in Social Science, Health, Disability Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Law, and/or Development Studies and relevant areas;

Experience:

• At least 3 years of work experience in any of the following areas in government, international organization or non-governmental organization, including 1 year of managerial experience, is required: non-profit organization management, social work, disability research and policy work, legislative drafting, public services delivery reform, public policy analysis, and community based local development projects.

• Managerial experience in international development projects would be considered as an asset.

At least 3 years of work experience in any of the following areas in government, international organization or non-governmental organization, including 1 year of managerial experience, is required: non-profit organization management, social work, disability research and policy work, legislative drafting, public services delivery reform, public policy analysis, and community based local development projects.

Managerial experience in international development projects would be considered as an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency English and Russian, and good knowledge of Uzbek.

Fluency English and Russian, and good knowledge of Uzbek.

Others:

• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;

• Excellent knowledge in use of computer software packages for word processing, excel spreadsheets, power point, internet, databases and handling web-based management systems;

• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;

• Work prioritization and ability to handle multiple tasks;

• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;

• Basic understanding of development issues, governance reform, anticorruption issues is desirable.
   

Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;

Excellent knowledge in use of computer software packages for word processing, excel spreadsheets, power point, internet, databases and handling web-based management systems;

Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;

Work prioritization and ability to handle multiple tasks;

Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;

Basic understanding of development issues, governance reform, anticorruption issues is desirable.
 

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

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Contract Duration: 6 months with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)