UNDP Zimbabwe -Government Agency Program Officer
Closing date: Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Agency: Government Agency
Title: Project Officer – Lupane district
Job ID: 4051
Practice Area – Job Family: Environment&Disaster Reduction
Vacancy End Date: (Midnight Geneva, Switzerland) 14/06/2016 Time Left
Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe
Education & Work Experience: G-Bachelor’s Level Degree – 3 year(s) experience
Languages
Required: Desired: English
Grade: GP
Vacancy Type: National Regular UN Volunteer
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 24 months
Only open to Zimbabwe nationals
Background
The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a five year project ‘Supporting Enhanced Climate Action’ from April 2016 to December 2020.
Zimbabwe, like many other developing countries experiences unprecedented impacts of climate change and climate variability with much of the impacts being felt on the most vulnerable poor communities, women and children. With an economy founded on sectors vulnerable to climatic changes namely agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism, and industry, among others, the impacts from climate change have a significant effect on access to food, water, health, settlements and energy. Existing climate data reveals a worsening scenario if significant action is not taken.
The past few years have shown that climate change is altering the face of disaster risk and is adding to the complexity of disaster risk management. Zimbabwe has experienced a number of disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, storms and landslides and is at increasing risk due to climate change. Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in disaster risk management including insufficient disaster information and communication as well as a lack of integrated information management system for capturing and communicating climate risks, losses and impacts. In addition, in order to enhance preparedness at the district and community levels, climate sensitive disaster risk management plans needs to be in place particularly for infrastructure design and human settlements planning. The above challenges reinforce the need to establish coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation and gender sensitivity in the planning of development interventions.
English Language
In recognition of the need to promote a climate resilient society, a joint programme has been prepared by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, through its Ministry of Environment Water and Climate and Civil Protection Department and other partners. The programme aims to support the Government in pursuing an enhanced transformative climate response trajectory, through scaling up climate adaptation and mitigation actions, supporting gender sensitive DRM planning and implementation, and providing support for the Government to meet their obligations under the global frameworks.
The project works at the national level as well as at district level, where the project targets five districts identified as highly vulnerable to climate change impacts – Buhera, Chiredzi, Bulilima, Lupane and Gokwe South. The UN Volunteer will be based in either Bulima, Lupane or Gokwe South with frequent travel around the district and to Harare. Three UN Volunteers will be recruited to support one district each. Each UN volunteer will work closely with the respective Rural District Council, the UN Volunteers based in other districts and the Project Coordinator at National level. The UNV will support the national Project Management Unit (PMU) in coordinating, reporting, monitoring and managing the project implementation process and achievement of the required deliverables. The UN Volunteer will receive support and supervision from the Project Coordinator, who will also connect the district level UN volunteer with relevant institutions and actors at national level. UNDP, with support from UNV, has overall supervisory and administrative role over the UNV contract holder.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator the UN Volunteer will provide technical assistance to the Rural District Councils in relation to the implementation of the project of Supporting Enhance Climate Action. The UN Volunteer will support the development of gender sensitive climate change adaptation and disaster risk management plans in three most vulnerable districts and contribute to strengthened capacities of local institutions, communities, and households on DRM through a participatory approach.
The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks
Ensure timely implementation of the project activities focusing on delivery of results and quality control through systematic planning, preparation of annual and quarterly work plans and budgets, monitoring and evaluation;
Provide operations and administrative support to the project including financial management, financial reporting, preparation of audits and follow-up actions, and maintenance and inventory control of all project assets at district level;
Perform as UNDP-MEWC/RDC liaison on project implementation, administrative and finance issues for the project and ensure programme compliance with UNDP Guidelines and government rules and regulations;
Conduct a mapping and gap analysis on the risks and vulnerabilities that the districts are exposed to in cooperation with the Department of Civil Protection. Based on the findings of the mapping exercise, the UNV will contribute to the development of a disaster database/inventory in cooperation with the Department of Civil Protection;
Provide technical advisory services and assistance to Rural District Council officers and community leaders on the development of gender sensitive climate change adaptation and disaster risk management plans and work closely with them in the development and implementation of plans;
Conduct participatory research with communities (particularly youth and women organizations) in cooperation with Rural District Councils and resource persons to develop and adapt climate change adaptation and DRR practices to each area. Engage community leaders and volunteers from each district to act as champions for climate change adaptation and DRM action taking into consideration gender balance;
Document experiences and lessons learnt in climate change adaptation and DRM planning with a focus on strengthening the knowledge base and collaboration on climate change adaptation and DRM at district and national level. This includes identification and synthesis of the best practices and lessons learnt from the project activities and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Perform other project-related duties as requested by the Project Management Unit.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow.
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
People management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
Delivery
Ability to get things done.
Functional Competencies
Knowledge and Learning Management
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the Organization.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work.
Management and Leadership
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
University degree in Environmental management, Development Studies, Agriculture Economics, Natural Resource management, Climate Change, Disaster Management or related fields from a recognized institution;
Experience
At least 3 years’ experience in climate change related project management;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
Working knowledge of the government’s procurement guidelines and procedures is an advantage;
Working knowledge of community organizing and development work as well as an appreciation and understanding of the languages, cultural values and norms of communities in the district is highly recommended;
Appreciation of UNDP processes and procedures in project management is an advantage;
Clean drivers license for motorbike and proven biking experience.
Additionally, he/she is expected to demonstrate the following competencies
Good knowledge of operational and administrative procedures related to project implementation;
Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in prioritizing assignments, effective time management and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with multiple actors – from community to national level;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills;
Highly developed written and oral communication skills.
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.