Background
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Project Description
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) together launched the South Sudan Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF) in December 2018. The Fund provides strategic financing to integrated programs that together lessen the destructive drivers of conflict and create more stable conditions to realize development and resilience objectives. Drawing on the comparative advantages across UNMISS, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the RSRTF promotes integrated programming across the ‘Triple Nexus’ of humanitarian, development, and peace.
The RSRTF intends to reduce violence and conflict in hotspots and marginalized areas of the country through its Area-Based Programs (ABP). RSRTF partners deliver comprehensive interventions that reduce social acceptance of violence and simultaneously nurture a conducive environment where peace can be sustained. Often building on existing efforts to bridge political divides and reconcile community divisions, the approach ensures hard-won political agreements and community reconciliation initiatives are reinforced through tangible actions that shift incentives and raise the cost of resorting to violence.
The Strategic Planning and Knowledge Management Specialist reports to the RSRT Fund Manager.
Scope of Work:
The Strategic Planning and Knowledge Management Specialist will be based in Juba, South Sudan, and will play a key role in ensuring the Fund's strategic planning and knowledge management. Under the direct supervision of the RSRT Fund Manager, S/he will work to guarantee that the RSRTF objectives are met and will monitor wider Fund related activities to ensure effective and efficient functioning of the RSRTF Secretariat’s planning and knowledge management operations and activities.
The Strategic Planning and Knowledge Management Specialist will contribute actively to strategic thinking and planning to formulate and implement the strategic plan, evaluate the progress, and adjust as necessary to stay on track. S/he will prepare research papers and reports and interact with officers at all levels within the RSRTF Office. Furthermore, the incumbent will ensure the knowledge management and documentation of the RSRTF actions in South Sudan.
Within the relevant delegated authority, the Strategic Planning and Knowledge Management Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:
Provide support to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (RSRTF) in organizing and facilitating meetings, as well as monitoring portfolio performance based on decisions approved by the Steering Committee and the Leadership Team; Assist the Fund Manager in promoting the strategic prioritization and allocation of flexible funding through regular communication with both the Fund Manager and the donors; Support the Fund Manager in planning, organizing, and managing the work of the RSRTF in strategic planning processes; Excellent English writing and speaking skill is necessary and previous experience in writing UN strategic documents will be prioritized; Supports the Fund Manager in translating and disseminating SC guidance and decision-making that sets out overall parameters for funding, ensuring the strategic directives and relevant planning expectations are adhered to across the Fund’s operations; Help identify Trust Fund priorities by tracking system-wide program initiatives and cross-checking these against the Fund's priorities derived from quality assurance processes and external evaluations; Develop the RSRTF's annual strategy for program planning, taking into account the context of the conflict and security situation at both national and subnational levels; Conduct thorough and timely reviews of proposals submitted by partners, providing analysis and recommendations to support decision-making by the Fund Manager and the Steering Committee; Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes for the RSRTF, ensuring that results-oriented and evidence-based reports on interventions funded by donors are produced for leadership and the Steering Committee; Support the Fund Manager in creating synergies between RSRTF operations, the Annual Report, and the Steering Committee on Programme. Support the RSRTF team in reviewing and analyzing peace- building, stabilization, and resilience issues at the country level, ensuring the Fund stays relevant; In collaboration with the Fund Manager, provide input into RSRTF responses to both recurrent and ad hoc donor requests, which includes the collection, editing, and dissemination of institutional and thematic information; Develop and distribute clear guidance on the utilization of RSRTF resources, including identifying training needs and offering capacity development support; Prepare research papers and reports, strategic considerations, and draft recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the (SC) ensuring the Fund’s approach and priorities remain relevant to wider developments; Supports the programme in strategic planning and quality assurance processes; Lead knowledge management process, draft relevant knowledge documents, terms of Reference, and reports for donors, the Steering Committee, and other stakeholders on Area Based Programmes (ABPs) status; Supports the RSRT Manager in Results Based Management (RBM), specifically evaluating the progress of the Fund’s strategic direction and objectives and making recommendations to the Fund Manager for adjustments as necessary; Leads the sharing of best practices, trends, knowledge, and lessons learned across the Fund’s stakeholders, ensuring inclusion in strategic planning processes; Closely works with the RSRTF team; 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 overall guidance of the Fund Manager, the incumbent will support the UN Multi Partner Trust Fund- RSRTF with reporting, coordination with international and national partners as well as provide support to the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation department to maintain and improve quality.
Competencies
Core Competencies
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.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
System 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. 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 Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally. 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.Minimum Education Requirements:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political or Social Science, Business Administration, International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution or; A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Minimum years of relevant work experience:
Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level working in strategic planning, risk management/or results-based delivery.Required skills:
IT proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Desired experience in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:
Experience with the UN or international organizations, Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluations, and/or results-based delivery at a senior level, preferably within the UN or international organization; Experience in research and publication experience on political and conflict analysis in the region Horn of Africa; Knowledge and experience of the UN system and operational procedures; Proven ability to improve processes and approaches and integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy, and operational objectives; Relevant experience in communication and teamworking.Required Language(s)
Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Knowledge in Arabic is desired but not necessary. Disclaimer