Coordinator (Africa Region), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

COORDINATOR (AFRICA REGION)

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Application Deadline :

11-Dec-12

Additional Category

Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract :

TA International

Post Level :

P-4

Languages Required :

English   French  

Starting Date :

(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

04-Feb-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

364 days

Expected Duration of Assignment :

364 days

Background

When the United Nations Millennium Campaign was established by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2002, its specific purpose and mandate was to work with a wide range of partners to foster a self-sustaining advocacy movement - extending beyond the UN system - for the realisation of the MDGs. It was designed to disseminate data and analysis emerging from UN reports, promote partnership among key actors, especially from civil society, link with other UN campaigns and coordinate campaign strategies and messages.

Over the past 10 years the Millennium Campaign has built an impressive array of partnerships with civil society on MDG advocacy and supported the creation of strong coalitions to create accountability for commitments at global, regional and country levels. Our work sits squarely within the framework of our recommendations for follow up to the 2010 High Level Plenary Meeting of the MDGs particularly in the areas of increasing national ownership and commitment to the Outcome Document and broadening partnerships for development.

The 2010 MDG Summit renewed the focus on the global MDG challenge. Within the United Nations efforts are underway to synergise advocacy and communications efforts across the UN system by working more closely with the UN Development Group, and enhancing advocacy at the regional and national levels by supporting UN Country Teams and Regional Service Centres in the undertaking advocacy for the accelerated achievement of the MDGs as well as the Post 2015 development framework.

The Campaign’s Africa regional team works with citizens, across key constituencies including civil society organizations, parliamentarians, local authorities, youth, media and the private sector. The Campaign focuses it advocacy work on MDGs and the Post 2015 development framework on regional and continent-wide interventions as well as on national interventions primarily but not exclusively, in Burkina Faso, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Campaign also has presence in Egypt and Cameroon.

This position will support Africa Campaign and has recently been revised to strengthen the managerial and leadership components. The position holder will be supporting the Regional Director, Africa to lead the advocacy and engagement strategy and providing oversight to the National Campaign Coordinators and other junior colleagues. Furthermore, the position holder will be expected to progressively taking on thematic and strategic leadership on key issues not only for the African Team but also for the global Campaign.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, Africa of the UN Millennium Campaign and supporting the campaign as a whole, the Regional Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of advocacy initiatives; the analysis of political, social and economic trends; the provision of high-quality advocacy and policy advisory services; and the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio.

The primary role of the Regional Coordinator will be to support Millennium Campaign's campaigning and advocacy strategy for the acceleration of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and influencing the shaping of the Post 2015 development framework. This involves understanding the work of the Millennium Campaign and UN Agencies in Africa and working closely with constituencies such as civil society, youth, local authorities, parliamentarians, and media, in coordination with the UN system and its formal mechanisms.

The Regional Coordinator, Africa for the UN Millennium Campaign will coordinate and support the implementation of a wide range of initiatives designed to facilitate and deliver strategic and more coordinated MDG advocacy across UNDG agencies, the wider UN system and civil society partners. Working with a broad range of engaged partners the objective of these efforts will be to deliver strategic, impactful and effective advocacy initiatives and partnerships to keep the MDGs on the political and public agenda and contribute to shaping the discourse around the MDGs to reflect progress and identify challenges in the lead up to the 2015 deadline for MDG delivery.

Summary of key functions:

Oversight and coordination support of advocacy and programme strategies;Manage the regional and continental components of the Africa Campaign strategy;Provision of management, technical backstopping and guidance of the African Campaign programme;Provide support on key thematic issues for the Campaign ;Creation and maintenance of strategic advocacy and programme partnerships;Support to design and implementation of the influencing and resource mobilization strategies ;Provision of top quality advocacy, coordination and policy advice services to the Regional Director and other UN Millennium Campaign Senior Management as well as the facilitation of knowledge building and management within the Campaign.

Coordinate and provide oversight for implementation of advocacy strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Working with National Campaign Coordinators to develop and implement joint MDG campaigning action plans with UNCTs in priority countries especially thus rolling out the MDGs Acceleration Framework;Working with National Campaign Coordinators, Programme/Operations colleagues and Advisers to support national and regional partners in developing and implementing advocacy campaigns for the accelerated achievement of the MDGs in Africa;Lead in establishing and managing strong partnerships with regional institutions and stakeholders on joint action on issues related to Arica's progress toward the MDGs;Facilitating the process of joint UN campaigns and advocacy in relation to the achievement of MDGs and the design of the Post 2015 development framework;Working with governments to account for the achievement of the MDGs by 2015;Lead and participate in meetings in relation to planning, budgeting and follow up of Millennium Campaign activities and projects.

Lead and manage the strategic partnerships with, key civil society organizations, faith- based organizations, Parliamentarians, UN Country Teams, local authorities, youth groups, media, and other stakeholders in order to achieve the following goals:

Coordinate the Campaign's strategies in the areas of local authorities, civil society, faith-based organizations, and Parliamentarians;Coordinate and participate in internal and external meetings, as well as attend MDG-related conferences and events;Initiate and support participation in advocacy and mass mobilization toward achievement of the MDGs;Give strategic advocacy and engagement advice to the Deputy Director, Africa and other senior management.

Ensure appropriate support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing around the Campaigning strategies and tools, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Engage in supporting the Deputy Director, Africa in strategic coalition building/networking and advocacy and campaigning with constituencies especially for key policy opportunities and events;Build a comprehensive campaign and advocacy strategy around key policy moments for the Africa region towards policy and practice change for the achievement of the MDGs;Liaise with national counterparts in the region on progress of activities, including appropriate flows of information from the regional office to national campaigns in the region and vice versa;Represent the UN Millennium Campaign in internal and external meetings, presentations and conferences and High Level events in the region;Provide timely and high quality quarterly and annual reports to the Deputy Director, Africa and provide relevant materials for the Campaign’s interactive web platforms.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and liaise with Strategic Partners, Advisers and National Coordinators focusing on achievement of the following results:

Working with National Campaign Coordinators to establish and/or maintain excellent working relationships with the UN Resident Coordinators and UNCTs, particularly in the Millennium Campaign's priority countries;Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to campaign policy goals;Support to development of policies and institutions that will address problems and needs in collaboration with theRegional teams and other strategic partners;Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP/Millennium Campaign;Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism

Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, civil society, partners, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with MDG matters;Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels;Shows pride in work and in achievements;Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UN MC and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;Solid academic background and demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;In-depth knowledge on development and social justice issues and advocacy for these issues;Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-profile initiative in a politically challenging environment;Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus building;Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;Ability to lead formulation, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects as well as mobilize necessary resources;Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. Proven ability to work under pressure independently with limited supervision and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and between different levels and types of program personnel and counterparts in an organization transcending national boundaries and multiple zones;Ability to understand and apply tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;Demonstrate understanding of and commitment to the mission and values of the UN Millennium Campaign;Strong IT skills.

Management and Leadership

Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;Proven managerial experience in an international context and ability to lead teams and coordinate complex advocacy initiatives. Proven ability to make sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback;Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;Strong inter-personal communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders including strategically influencing and partnering with high profile personalities;Demonstrates good oral and written communication;Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in Africa and at the regional and international level;Familiarity with the MDGs and social justice advocacy landscape in Africa; Good understanding of government systems and key Millennium Campaign partners/constituencies in Africa and the ability to facilitate policy/practice change and strategic advocacy work based on sound knowledge of the social justice landscape, MDGs and their status in focus countries;Skills in strategic influencing, training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building;Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in citizens engagement;Excellent PC and new interactive media user skills: social media platforms, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research;Willingness to travel frequently within Africa and globally, as necessary;Proven track record of designing, coordinating, supporting and directly implementing advocacy strategies and initiatives;Demonstrable ability for advising, organizing and supervising activities and partnerships with CSOs and other stakeholders;Ability to work harmoniously with people from different cultural backgrounds and gender.

Language:

Excellent written and spoken English and French.Working ability in a third UN language is an asset.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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