COVID19 Administrative Consultant – The United Nations in Namibia

The United Nations in Namibia, under the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), seeks a COVID-19 Administrative Consultant to support in the delivery of its mandate under the COVID-19 response.

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development. The RC leads the Country Team (UNCT), which is composed of representatives of all the UN entities with a presence in the country. Working closely with the Government of Namibia and with the support of the rest of the Country Team, the RC coordinates the UN agencies that make up One UN, advocating for the mandates of the whole UN system, towards accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As the highest UN Official and representative of the UN Secretary General at the country level, the RC coordinates and provides leadership in strategy development, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of development programmes as outlined in the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF 2019 -2023) aligning with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The RC advances the Delivering as One (DaO) Standards of Operating Procedures (SOPs) so that the UN coordination system is empowered to deliver results together.

The RCO (Resident Coordinator’s office) supports the role and functions of the UNCT through shared global, regional and country level vision, norms and standards, capacities and operating protocols to deliver together more coherent, effective and efficient support to globally, regional and nationally agreed goals and priorities. To do this, the RC system focuses on leveraging the leadership, policy and practices, and diverse expertise across UN development entities, to work together towards this common end, of improving the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the UN’s contribution to development results.

The leadership role of the RC in driving the UNDS operational activities for development at the country level is captured in the six core functions of the RC including:

i. Ensuring coordination of UNDS operational activities for development, creating a platform for coordinated delivery, and promoting the development of national capacities.

ii. Supporting the Government, at the latter’s request, in its coordination of all types of external development assistance (including from the UNDS).

iii. Ensuring effective advocacy of human rights and other UN values, norms, standards, principles and activities on behalf of the UNCT with the highest level of Government.

iv. As Designated Official, where applicable ensuring effective coordination of country-level security and the safety of all UN staff and dependents and leading the inter-agency Security Management Team.

v. Encouraging and supporting national efforts in disaster risk reduction.

vi. Finally, if international humanitarian assistance is required and a separate HC position is not established, the RC takes on the role of Humanitarian Coordinator, leading and coordinating response efforts of the UNCT and other relevant humanitarian actors.

Additionally, the RCO provides support to the RC/UNCT’s roles and efforts in coordinating the work of the UN system at the country level. The office works in close collaboration with the UN programme and operations teams of the Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful implementation of UNCT activities. The RCO also acts as a first port-of-call to provide services and support to the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) and other stakeholders such as the Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations and other Development Partners.

The year 2020 marks the beginning of the Decade of Action to accelerate implementation and deliver the SDGs by 2030. As part of its functions, the RCO 1) Plans, facilitates and consolidates evidence-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries; 2) Provides substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to Resident Coordinators (RC) and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners; 3) Coordinates the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs; 4) Plans and directs SDG knowledge generation and management

In the context of COVID-19, the UN RCO in Namibia is currently supporting the whole UN response and recovery plan through the COVID-19 UN Country Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP) and the Inter-Agency task team (IATT) for COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan. The UN RCO has immediately backed the UN coordination of the UN response with its core human resource positions in the absence of emergency response or OCHA advisors in-country. The RCO seeks a COVID19 Administrative Consultant to support in the delivery of its mandate under the COVID-19 response

Duties and Responsibilities
i. Support for RCO budget management, assisting in preparation of reports and forecasts.

ii. Support for procurement processes: monitoring orders status with Common Services, facilitating specifications for quotes, etc.

iii. Support for organizing meetings and workshops for RCO and UN-interagency groups, coordinating with ICT services and UNDSS.

iv. Follow-up on action points with UN technical staff, Personal Assistants of UN Heads of Agencies and external partners.

v. To support RCO TL and Development Coordination Officers to liaise with external partners to set up meetings, including requests for incoming consultants, missions and UN staff (e.g. GRN, UN agencies, NRAs, other partners);

vi. Support minutes or read-outs when requested;

Support travel arrangements and schedule for RCO staff and incoming consultants and missions (e.g. travel, accommodation, induction, meetings

Competencies
· Excellent communication and networking skills;

· Excellent organizational skills;

· Excellent research and analytical skills;

· Working proficiency in MS Office Package (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook);

· Attention to details;

· Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and good self-management;

· Ability to work independently with only rudimentary supervision;

· Ability to work in a team and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;

· Maintain confidentiality and a positive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

· Bachelor´s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Management Studies, or related field

Experiences:

· A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in administrative management and/or project management;

· Previous working experience for the United Nations System or an international organization is a strong asset;

· Knowledge of the UN Development System is a strong asset

Languages:

· Strong analytical skills; exceptional ability in communication and writing in English

Remuneration

· The Junior Consultant will receive a monthly salary at the end of the month, latest at the beginning of the following month

Application Method

· Upload Comprehensive CV, and Application Letter;

· Upload Completed and signed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc).

· To view the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and download letter of confirmation of interest and P11 form, please access the UNDP Procurement Notice site on the below link:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=66478

Evaluation criteria for selection of best candidate

Advanced university degree Social Sciences (e.g. Sociology, Political Sciences, Psychology), Development Studies, International Relations, Business Administration, Economics, Management Studies, or related fields – Wieght:- 20% Score:- 20

A minimum of 3 years of professional work experience, especially in the area of coordination – Wieght:- 30% Score:- 30

Experience in the UN System, and knowledge of UN reform process Delivering as One – Wieght:- 15% Score:- 15

Understanding of the development context in middle income small states; regional/national experience, as well as sound knowledge of political context in Namibia – Wieght:- 10% Score:- 10

Excellent communication, networking, organizational, analytical, management and MS Office skills, etc. – Wieght:- 15% Score:- 15

Fluency in spoken and written English – Wieght:-10% Score:- 10

General Terms and Conditions:

Any individual hired under these conditions are not staff and therefore, are not covered by UN Staff Regulations and Rules;

· All the expenses connected with the consultancy will be borne by the Junior Consultant

· UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the consultancy;

· The Junior Consultant is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the consultancy will be performed;

· The Junior Consultant must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;

· Junior Consultants are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/3eJF0YY

38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, Namibia