UNDP Job Vacancy for National Youth Expert

• Supports implementation of UNDP PBF programme/project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results
• Supports effective implementation/management of UNDP PBF project activities within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the Country Programme
• Participates in effective quality control within project’s cycle
• Ensures provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government and ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management.

• Support implementation of UNDP components of the PBF projects and programmemes within the framework of the Priority Plan of peacebuilding financed by the PBF;
• Ensure the development of joint work plans and an implementation plan for all Youth related activities of projects and programmes, in complementarity and synergy with other PBF programmes and partners intervening in the consolidation of peace and in close collaboration with the focal points of the UN agencies participating in the programme as well as the national partners;
•  Ensure the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project in the area of Youth interventions in alignment with CO programme and the PBF portfolio, and in close coordination with FAO and UNFPA;
• Promote synergies with other UNDP programmes; UN Agencies’ programmes and exchanges with other key players in the project by bringing together other partners involved in the areas of intervention.

2.    Supports effective implementation/management of UNDP PBF project activities within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

• Facilitate tracking and identification of youth emerging issues for consideration next stages of PBF project implementation cycle;
•  Facilitate the strengthening of the organizational capacities of the existing local security committees by organizing and leading them in the different intervention zones;
•  Facilitate and coordinate the work of implementing partners identified in the programme document ensuring services provided by IPs meet the technical standards and expectations of the project results;
• Organize and facilitate discussion workshops and make diagnoses with the main key actors of the project and with youth organizations in order to identify consensual solutions likely to create a peaceful environment for the consolidation of peace;
• Facilitate the operationalization and implementation of the project’s activities, in synergy with the other projects/programmes partners involved (Government, National Authorities, Youth Associations, CSOs, UN agencies, etc.)
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the project’s activities, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
• Participation in project’s audit.
• Contribute to evaluation of the project impact. Monitoring and analysis of the project environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.
•  Participate in trainings, workshops, meetings and other activities and take part in steering committee meetings, forums and sectoral groups relating to actions of projects and programmes;
•  Undertake field missions in the areas of project’s activities at local level.

3.    Participates in effective quality control within project’s cycle:

• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation system to measure progress towards results, and readjust project activities, as necessary;
•  Prepare and participate in joint field missions, evaluation and external audit missions and disseminate the results;
•  Prepare all the documents necessary for the establishment of partnerships and the mobilization of additional resources
•  Write periodic progress reports (quarterly, half-yearly, annual) as well as consolidated reports to be submitted to the PBF and to UNDP management;
• Contribute to knowledge sharing on the rules and procedures in force within UNDP;
• Perform any other tasks, in connection with the programme, which may be entrusted to it by the UNDP country office.

  4. Ensures provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government and ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Periodically assess the achievements in the field and the progress of activities and ensure the documentation of knowledge (best practices, lessons learned and case studies) resulting from the implementation of projects and programmes in the intervention areas;
•  Ensure compliance with procedures for the management of project funds and provide advice and recommendations on the use of project resources;
•  Facilitate the visibility of the results of the project in close collaboration with the UNDP Communication Specialist and the communication officer within the PBF Technical Secretariat;
•  Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.

The key results have an impact on peacebuilding and on the success of the country programme within specific areas of cooperation as well as on the design, operation and programme activities. In particular, these results focus their impact on Peace, Security and Judicial Governance, national cohesion, democracy promotion, conflict prevention and management.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standardsPromotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•  Treats all people fairly without favoritism
•  Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
•  Creating synergies through self-control and managing conflict
•  Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
• Informed and transparent decision-making

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
•  In-depth knowledge on development issues
•  Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Generates innovative and new ideas as well as approaches, and proposes new, more effective ways of doings things

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
•  Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
•  Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• 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

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines

Master’s Degree/equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field with 5 years of relevant work experience or a Bachelors’ degree with additional two years of relevant work experience.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in designing, implementing and monitoring projects/programmes and leading/supporting project/programme management including at least 5 years focusing on youth programme;
• Experience in managing post-crisis and peacebuilding projects and programmes
• Demonstrated knowledge on youth empowerment, youth-inclusive public policies, youth activism;
• Demonstrated work experience on youth development interventions/projects in the UN, UNDP, government entities or CSOs/youth organizations, movements and networks;
• Understanding of the context of youth dynamics Sierra Leone;
• Knowledge of Youth, Peace and Security and the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Understanding of UNDP’s policy and programme approaches
• Understanding of  youth meaningful participation and inclusion.
• Experience in multi-partner coordination, participating in inter-agency processes, and working in partnership with a wide range of organizations.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills; research, analytical and writing abilities
• Ability to work in teams and under pressure and time constraints

Language Requirements

Fluency in both written and spoken English