Background
Since the December 2013 crisis, the Republic of South Sudan continued to face a worsening spiral of humanitarian, development, economic and security crises of unprecedented proportions. The country is riveted in a mutually-reinforcing conflict dynamic that involves several actors beyond the two key principal players of the August 2015 peace accord. In the aftermath of the peace deal, relatively peaceful regions turned into a stage for contesting the new disposition of power in the country which exposes an internal strain in the peace accord. Several drivers of conflict, some new and others heightened by the conflict, have emerged around poorly managed decentralization, corruption, marginalization, ethnic rivalries and exclusionary politics, and unaddressed local grievances that have fed localized militias and insurgencies in the country
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) data has highlighted that 5.3 million people (48% of the population) are estimated to be facing Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) acute food insecurity, out of which 1 million people are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity. Worsening food insecurity is primarily driven by protracted conflict and displacements, which have contributed to insufficient crop production (only 61% of the 2018 national cereal needs are met by the harvest), disruptions to livelihoods and persistent macroeconomic deterioration. Livelihoods have been further eroded by climatic shocks, such as prolonged dry spells and flooding, and pest infestations (e.g. Fall Armyworm). Estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) suggested that because of the conflict, nearly 2 million people have been internally displaced and over 2 million people have sought refuge in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo with women and children being worst hit.
Overall, the economic growth in South Sudan continues to be severely afflicted by the civil war and consequent displacements, insecurity and weakening of state institutions across the country. The African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Outlook for South Sudan has estimated that GDP has fallen by 13.1 % in 2016. Ongoing conflict further hampers efforts to consolidate the economy. The AfDB outlook states that the ‘economic prospects are negative and dependent on a significant recovery in oil prices, implementation of the slew of economic and fiscal measures announced in September 2016’. Budget deficit is estimated at 36% for the 2017/18 financial year.
In July 2017, IGAD initiated the process of convening a High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) to put ARCSS on track and reinforce its implementation within firm and credible timeframes. Subsequent to several inclusive preliminary consultations, the parties to the conflict signed the “Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access” in Addis Ababa on December 21, 2017. The second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum is ongoing and the various parties are expected to examine the 2015 peace deal to include other new groups who rebelled against the Government after the collapse of the August 2015 deal in the first week of July 2016.
The Transitional Government of National Unity has continued to prioritize reconciliation efforts through the National Dialogue, which is scheduled to be concluded by April 2018. Initial consultations at the subnational level have commenced in the largely Government-controlled areas. Further, the Sub-Committee on Refugees and International outreach conducted consultation in Uganda and Kenya with South Sudanese refugees and the diaspora. The Sub-Committee is expected to conduct consultation in Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC and Egypt. Furthermore, national consultations regarding the content of the legislation that will establish Commission on Truth Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), commenced in December 2017 as provided by the peace agreement. The Council of Ministers also endorsed the draft statute and memorandum of understanding of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS) in December 2017. The statute gives clarity to the role of the HCSS, its structure, composition and jurisdiction.
The South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP) originally launched after independence in 2011 for a period of two years was extended until mid-2016 as the momentum for development weakened, first by the fiscal crisis in 2012 and then by the conflict from 2013 onwards. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) adapted to changing context by refreshing and extending its own United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which expired in 2016. With the conclusion of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in August 2015, there is now a new roadmap for progress and new opportunities to strengthen efforts towards peace and development. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (August 2015) provides for the Transitional Government of National Unity to establish a new national development framework during the transitional period until 2018. However, this did not materialize due to the collapse of the peace agreement in July 2016. Until this new national development framework is in place, and in order for the UNCT to better align the policy and programmatic work to the current context, the Country Team has decided to launch an Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF) as its overarching Strategic Plan covering the period 2016 -2018. UNDP also developed its Country Programme Document (CPD 2016-2018) aligned with the ICF. Currently, UNCT is developing the new UN Country Cooperation Framework (UNCF 2019-2021) to replace the ICF .UNDP is also developing its CPD (2019-2021) aligned with the UNCF and builds on the achievements of the previous CPD (2016-2018) on Recovery, Resilience and Reaching the Most Vulnerable.
As part of the peace deal (2015), the government has initiated the preparation of the national development strategy (NDS) which seeks to provide strategic direction and key priorities across economy, basic services and governance cluster for the period July 2018 to June 2021. The NDS is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2018.
South Sudan recognizes the need to raise productivity in non-oil export sectors in order to diversify as well as make growth more inclusive. Employment generation and improved livelihoods are not only important for poverty reduction, but is central to maintaining peace and security. The challenge for South Sudan is to shape the growth process to promote to the fullest extent possible the creation of productive, remunerative and decent employment for both men and women, particularly among the youth. A major driver of job creation will be private sector development.
The UNDP programme supports the Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for rapid private sector development in key growth sectors such as agriculture and effectively use its natural resources to accelerate inclusive growth. UNDP thus focuses on three key programme areas: (i) Creating an enabling environment for inclusive growth through policy development, enhancing financial literacy in rural areas and effectively linking communities to microfinance services and marketing channels; (ii) Supporting trade capacity development through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Least Developed Countries to include strengthening institutional capacity for trade policy formulation and implementation within development priorities; and (iii) Strengthening pro-poor development policy through evidence-based planning and budgeting
The programme is a deliberate attempt to nurture growth in the non-oil sector of the economy using the ‘inclusive markets’ approach, creating an enabling environment for inclusive growth through the promotion of small and medium enterprises, supporting effective planning, use and reporting on public and donor resources, and expanding access to health services through the management of four Global Fund grants.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Programme), the Team Leader of the Human Development & Inclusive Growth Unit (HDIGU) acts as a Programme Manager for all aspects of UNDP South Sudan’s programme in the area of poverty reduction, inclusive growth and sustainable development recovery and resilience and HIV and AIDS, , overseeing a major portfolio of project initiatives, which are largely Directly Implemented (DIM) by UNDP, and a Programme Unit with a large number of project personnel across all former ten states of South Sudan. The main roles of the Team Leader are to manage the HDIG Unit, including leading the programme team in strategic planning and identification of new programme areas, to oversee and provide quality assurance and compliance to project implementation, promote partnership, and manage the Unit itself.
The Team Leader works in close collaboration with Chief Programme Advisors, Technical Advisor and other programme Units (Democratic Governance and Stabilization Unit), the Strategic Advisory Unit, and the Operations team in the UNDP South Sudan Office to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery within the overall strategy and approach of UNDP in South Sudan
Duties and Responsibilities
1.As a member of the UNDP South Sudan management team, ensures strategic programme management of the Human Development & Inclusive Growth (HDIG) focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of planning frameworks such as the UN Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF/UNCF), Country Programme Document (CPD, Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and other documents, with emphasis on the poverty reduction and MDGs components of the programme.
- Operationalization of ICF/UNCF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, including identification of possibilities for joint programming in recovery and stabilization, environment and private sector development and HIV and AIDS under the strategic framework of the Joint UN Team on AIDS and with development partners including the UN Mission;
- Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies, lessons learned, and innovation experience in other countries, and good practices, and their implementation in the UNDP South Sudan Programme.
- Work closely with UNDP’s global Bureau for Development Policy, GFATM partnership office, and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) on strategy formulation and programme development, as well as with the relevant programme Units in UNDP Juba.
- Ensure optimal financial planning and identification of human resource requirements within the area of Human Development & Inclusive Growth
- Ensure the team’s formulation of management, targets and results indicators, substantive programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation
2.Ensures effective management of the UNDP South Sudan Human Development & Inclusive Growth (HDIG) and supervision of the Unit focusing on quality control and compliance of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:
- Effective application of RBM tools, and monitoring achievement of results for field based teams, technical advisors and project staff in Juba;
- Further design and formulation of the HDIG programme in South Sudan, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions;
- Support coordination and oversight of project implementation with the executing agencies and project management teams;
- Ensure that the Unit and project teams have the necessary capacities in order to effectively and efficiently deliver on programme commitments.
- Effectively manage the programme team, including providing for their learning needs and sharing substantive knowledge
- The Team Leader of the HDIG Unit performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval.
- Business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management within the unit;
- Control of the workflows in the unit and follow up on audit recommendations.
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
- Support for organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the UNDP South Sudan to projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager.
- Ensure delivery targets are met, as per project documents and donor agreements
- Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
- Personnel supervision in a matrix arrangement where applicable of the Unit programme team comprised of international and national programme specialists, analysts, associates and assistants, and oversight of project managers and their teams
Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with the Programme Management Support Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Implementation of the UNDP South Sudan partnerships and resources mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes.
- Ensure strategic engagement that promote partnership coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society working on issues related to poverty reduction and MDGs.
- Ensures strong coordination of the UNDP programme with other UN Agencies, the World Bank and Multi-Donor Trust Fund, Resident Coordinator Office, relevant units of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and other entities, including South Sudan Government institutions and local and nongovernmental actors, members of the diplomatic community, and UN headquarters;
- Participates in relevant Government and UN interagency task forces, working groups, and/or theme groups, including the Public Financial Management Donor Group, Private Sector Development Working Group and the Global Fund Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM);
- Makes sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice
4.Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and innovation and management on HDIG focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Ensure the HDIG Unit is adequately capacitated with technical expertise required to provide top quality advisory services to Government counterparts and other stakeholders and partners.
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals related to HDIG and achievement of the MDGs.
- Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the challenges and of South Sudan related to poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs, in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, in particular contributing to the UN’s and UNDP’s experience in the area of poverty reduction and MDGs.
- Organization of trainings for the Government, partners and project staff on poverty reduction and MDGs.
- Support the development of a national Human Development Reports including studies, discussions related to social protection policy.
Competencies
Innovation – Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Leadership – Ability to persuade others to follow
People Management – Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
**Communication –***Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform*
Delivery – Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Technical/Functional
Advocacy
Building Strategic Partnership
Knowledge Management and Learning
Management and Leadership
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Development Economic, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Policy or related field
Experience:
- 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in programme management;
- Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects; and establishing partnerships and inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
- Extensive programming and managerial experience in post-conflict environments, and ability to work in hardship conditions.
- Experience with GFATM grants would be a significant advantage.
- Experience in development of national Human Development Report would be an added advantage
- Excellent, clear and comprehensive vision an understanding of the transitional challenges in South Sudan
- Excellent ability to pragmatically integrate the fundamental orientation of UNDP in the overall focus areas of peace consolidation, democratic institutions development, poverty reduction, community recovery, crisis prevention, and climate change.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage but not a requirement
How to apply:
Disclaimer
This vacancy announcement is for qualified South Sudanese nationals only
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.undp.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNDP Personal History Form. Please note that UNDP only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received throughhttp://jobs.undp.org will be considered and applications received after closing date will not be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNDP South Sudan vacancies, only applicants short-listed for written test and interview will be contacted.
General Information
UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities.
UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNDP jobs.
UNDP has zero tolerance of sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.
The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.
More Information
- Job City Juba
