Strategic Advisor (Head of Implementation Hub)

Background
 

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Mali, like other countries in the Sahel region, faces a multitude of challenges resulting from protracted conflicts, security challenges, climate change-related disasters and the difficult recovery of populations from these shocks, which results in a context that can facilitate the resurgence of conflict, notably due to the vulnerability of the populations and the socio-political, security and humanitarian fragility. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed with the Government of Mali a country programme (CPD), covering the period 2020 – 2024, aims to contribute to a peaceful and resilient Malian society where citizens regain confidence in their institutions, live in a peaceful environment and are resilient to crises, benefit from a fair judicial system and the fruits of inclusive growth.

UNDP CPD in Mali is implemented in high risks areas, notably the centre and the north and to some extent in the southern regions, which are currently considered a moderate security risk area. Against the backdrop of this geographical coverage, five (05) main projects covering the three areas of interventions of the CPD, are currently being implemented in the region of Mopti, in the center of Mali and this portfolio is expected to grow with the upcoming CPD 2025-2029 and post mission setting. 

In this context, UNDP country programme in support to national priorities, requires a coordinated approach for the implementation of the projects through the establishment of project coordination office in Mopti that will strengthen joint interventions and partnerships including with UN sister agencies and other development actors operating in the region. 

Position Purpose

Under the guidance overall guidance of the Resident Representative, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative/Programme (DRR/P), the incumbent is responsible for overall coordination, monitoring and oversight of the implementation of UNDP projects in the Mopti region. He fosters collaboration within and outside the team, with programme and operations staff and with other UN Agencies and demonstrates exemplary client orientation. S/He works in close collaboration with programme, operations, and project teams in the CO and other UN agencies present in Mopti region, UNDP HQs staff and local Government officials to successfully deliver services.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Effective field presence management:

• Ensures the smooth running of UNDP projects in center and north including good management, oversight and coordination of staff activities in accordance with relevant UNDP rules and procedures. 
• Management of resources attributed to the management of the projects and the portfolio in the regions of center and north. 
• Promotes teamwork, collaboration and synergies within the projects implemented in the center and north in close collaboration with the programme units at the Country Office level. 
• Develop a separate business continuity plan for the local presence in full alignment with the Country Office BCP.
• Ensure systematic adherence to UNDP policies, procedures, and corporate guidance on enterprise risk management at the project level in an integrated manner. 
• Participate in the appraisal of projects to provide an integrated approach to the assessment.

Effective Coordination of UNDP project implementation in the field.

• Under guidance of the DRR/P, facilitates the coordination of UNDP in the region of center and north and provides the orientation of the UNDP at local level and supervises all activities of the project office. 
• Provides strong coordination support to UN Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and national authorities through the establishment of a wider consultation process and appropriate fora to enhance coordination between humanitarian and transition-to-development partners, thus strengthening the links between relief, early recovery and development activities. 
• Ensures proper support, coordination, and input to the implementation of UNDP projects in the region while strengthening partnerships and collaboration with the local authorities.
• Provides oversight and coordination of UNDP projects in the regions of centre and north. 
• Provides support to overall resource mobilization efforts of the country office in close coordination with the Programme Units at the CO level.

Programme Development Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice:

• Planning and implementation of the CO strategic direction and oversight and quality control of programme in close collaboration with the relevant Programme units at the Country Office level 
• Advise the Country Office, national counterparts and other aid partners on policies and strategies to adequately respond to transitional recovery and development challenges and needs. 
• Ensures identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities.
• Coordinates with residual team, UN-organizations, and other interventions at local level. 
• Monitoring and evaluation of the recovery and development Programmes and providing programmatic responses to the identified challenges and lessons learnt.
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

Programme Oversight, Quality Control and Assurance:

• Ensures proper implementation of programmes based on continuous monitoring and analysis of (a) the most critical recovery and development needs, response capacities, access situation, operational environment and applicable security issues and (b) implementation progress of the programmes in the regions of center and north. 
• Leads the UNDP programme and facilitates attainment of expected results in the regions of centre and north in close collaboration with the Country Office.
• Ensures effective application of RBM tools, monitors field office and project unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results. 
• Ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations. 
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Performs any other related task assigned by the supervisor.  

Security and Common services:

• Represent UNDP at the local security meetings.
• Ensures security of project staff and premises at Mopti and at any others project sub presences in the region. 
• Supports the implementation of UNDP MOSS compliance at Mopti and at any others project sub presences in the region;
• Ensures the implementation of security measures agreed in the SMT and for compliance with security policy in Mopti and any other project presences in the center and north.
• Ensures UNDP support to and coordination of common services:
• Provides policy support, guidance and advocacy on the development, establishment, and management of common services arrangements at Mopti and any other project presences in the center and north.  
• Oversees the effective provision of services including financial, human resources, procurement, and logistics.
• Maintains a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequately plans for disasters and recoveries.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  Manage and coordinate the project office staff in close collaboration with the CO Team Leaders and the Project Managers of the different projects implemented in the field

Competencies

• Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Direction & Strategy-Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.

Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Management - Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

Business Management-Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Security Services - Security advice, planning and coordination: Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities. 
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Political or Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration, Economics, or other related fields is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the above field of study in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.   

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years (with master's degree) or 12 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in recovery and development affairs, crisis response and prevention, recovery and development, or other related area.
• Experience in establishing relationships with international organizations and national governments.is desired.
• Experience in international organization and familiarity with UNDP management system is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief, human rights and development-related issues is an asset.
• Ability in analyzing and articulating recovery and development dimensions, as evidenced by the production of at least two comprehensive reports within a six-month period, highlighting the complexities and interconnections of relevant issues necessitating a coordinated UN is an asset.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.

Language: 

• Proficiency in oral and written French language is required.  
• Proficiency in oral and written English language is desirable

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