Project Officer

Background

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.

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.

2.     Office/programme Description and Context 

         In September 2019, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, through the Deputy-Secretary-General endorsed a proposal by the R-UNSDG to establish the UNISS Implementation Support Unit (ISU) to focus actions and UN system’s resources towards upscaling programme implementation on the strategy, with key functions including: strategic analysis, programme coherence and coordination; strategic planning and coordination of UN joint programming and flagship initiatives; building strategic partnerships and resource mobilization; advisory services, strategy and policy formulation; production of key reports; preparing and ensuring follow up to UNISS Meetings; strategic communication, innovation and knowledge management, etc. In 2021, the Office of Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel (OSCDS) was established following the appointment of the UN Special Coordinator with a mandate to lead collective efforts, including financing to implement UNISS and its support plan for a scaled-up UN development response for the Sahel, drawing on all the UN assets in the region, engaging and supporting efforts of G5 Sahel, Sahel-Alliance, Ministerial Coordination Platform, ECOWAS, African Union, European Union, World Bank and African Development Bank. 

UNDP has set up an Implementation Support Unit (ISU) to support the OSCDS. Furthermore, UNDP is the recipient of the funding on behalf of the OSCDS to implement activities of UNISS and it provides financial and administrative support to OSCDS, which is housed within UNDP premises. UNISS–ISU/OSCDS stands for United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel – Implementation Support Unit, Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel which operating costs are covered by UN Agencies, Funds, and Programs, including the UN Secretariat. 

In order to support the scale-up of activities within OSCDS, UNDP is highly desirous of recruiting a Project Officer for the Implementation Support Unit to accelerate its programme delivery under IPSA9.  

3.     Duties and Responsibilities 

      Under the supervision of the UNDP Implementation Support Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Programme Officer will be part of the UNDP/ISU team based in Dakar and he/she reports to the Director. He/she shall liaise with partners such as UNOWAS, UN Agencies, DCO, and other relevant partners and stakeholders in discharging the following duties and responsibilities:

       1) Provide support to the development and management programmes and policy 

1. provide substantive analysis and reviews and formulation of office workplans and UNISS road maps.
2. support to develop key UNISS programmes and activities including programmatic offers and pipeline projects for accelerated actions.
3. Support the implementation of agreed workplans and roadmaps with relevant UN entities, and UNISS working group. 
4. Support to the production of knowledge products and substantive working documents for UNISS
5. Support the follow up and implementation of action points/recommendations of meetings, workshops, etc.
6. Provide inputs and support for the effective domestication of UNISS in country-level documents including UNSDCFs/UNDAFs and to CCA processes and ensuring their strategic alignment with national and regional priorities.
7. Support to organize high-level and technical meetings, events, and visits for the implementation of the strategy including the HDP Nexus activities/approach.

2) Support to programmes coordination and collaboration

1. Support and facilitate coordination and collaboration across UN development activities and programs at the regional level, through a nexus-approach including with UN, national, regional, and international partners.
2. Contribute substantively to the preparation and organization of UNISS Steering committee meetings and follow up on the implementation of outcomes and recommendations.
3. Support the coordination and facilitation of the functioning of the UNISS working groups ensuring cross pillar coordination to warrant programme implementation coherence.

       3) Production of Knowledge Products, Analysis, Drafting and Reporting

1. Work with UNISS working groups and UN entities at regional and country level for the production UNISS reports – Reports to the ECOSOC, Secretary-General’s Reports, UNOWAS’ reports to security Council, of briefs, opinion pieces, etc.
2. Carryout research, analysis, collate, review and draft concise thematic reports.
3. Facilitate the dissemination of knowledge products to designated stakeholders.

4) Support to the Implementation of Change of Narrative Initiatives 

1. Provide support to the implementation of the UNISS Communication and Visibility Strategy
2. Ensure amplification of UNISS Change of Narrative Initiatives: production and dissemination of visibility of knowledge products, Newsletters, UNISS Annual Progress Report
3. Support efforts for the strategic positioning of UNISS at local, national, regional & global level (meetings & events); G5 Sahel, ECOWAS, LCBC, ALG, Alliance Sahel, UNSC Briefings, RCP, Water Forum, COP, etc
4. Support the production of evidence briefs viz; data on Sahel and publications on UN’s work in the Sahel. 
5. Contribute to updating the UNISS 5W mapping and other allied processes.
6. Facilitate the dissemination of success stories; enhanced Social media engagement; expanding positive discussions on the Sahel by notable figures.

    5) Strategic Support to UNISS/ISU Director and the UN Special Coordinator

1. Provide executive support to office leadership on policy including through support to administrative processes, synthesizing and analyzing information and data to facilitate decision-making.
2. provide strategic and technical advice on key events and trends on the situation in the Sahel including the impact of geopolitics on UNISS programmes and UN Development efforts in the region.
3. Provide support on analysis of social and political developments, climate trends and their impact, and of partner interests and concerns to inform actions by UN Special coordinator and UNISS/ISU Director.
4. Carry out research, analysis and draft policy documents; briefs, talking points and presentations for UNISS/ISU Director and the UN Special Coordinator 
5. Coordinate/facilitate the taking of minutes at strategic and technical levels and follow up on action points and outcomes.
6. Facilitate the effective preparation of missions, visits including meeting packages; drafting talking points, statements, briefing notes, activity reports, etc.
7. perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the UNISS/ISU/OSCDS.

6) Support to Youth and Women Empowerment Initiatives: 

1. Facilitate the development and implementation of all activities relating to the empowerment of youth and women.
2. Facilitate the organisation of dialogues between youth and women and key UN Stakeholders
3. Support the planning and organisation of various youth and women empowerment including under Generation Unlimited, Youth Connekt, etc.
4. Support and facilitate the participation of relevant youth leaders in fora, meetings and events at country, regional and global level.

   7). Contribute to Partnerships building and Resource Mobilization

1. Provide substantive support to partnership, resource mobilization and stakeholders’ consultations.
2. Support the development of and roll out of MOUs with key partners and stakeholders.
3. Support the effective running and of the Partnership UNISS Resource mobilization working group.

4.      Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the UNISS/ISU Director or her/his designated representatives and in close collaboration with the Senior Programmes Coordinator.

5. Competencies    

DISCLAMER 
Female candidacies are strongly encouraged.
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. We strongly encourage female candidacies.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.