Job Description

Duty Station: Surkhet, Nepal)
Job Identification: 18175
Locations: Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-9
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Nature, Climate and Energy
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks

Job Description
Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Nepal was hit by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake on 3 November 2023, at 23:48 hours and several districts of Karnali province were affected. The epicenter identified near Ramindanda of Jajarkot. The initial seismic event followed by several aftershocks including 7 aftershocks of magnitudes over 4 Richter scale have brought devastating impacts, with loss of 157 lives and 256 people injured. The worst affected districts are Jajarkot, with 105 deaths and 81 injuries, and Rukum West, with 52 deaths and 78 injuries. There has been significant damage to infrastructure, including residential buildings, educational institutions, health service centers, and administrative structures. NDRRMA has estimated the total recovery and reconstruction cost to the tune of 518 million USD, however it includes recovery and reconstruction of other two recent earthquakes in Nepal namely the Doti earthquake and the Bajhang earthquake.

UNDP has been responding the earthquake through relief and early recovery interventions. In Nepal, ER is led by Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) and UNDP is co-lead. In Karnali province, the ER cluster is led by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment (MoITFE). The early recovery (ER) is an approach that addresses recovery needs that arise during the humanitarian phase of an emergency; using humanitarian mechanisms that align with development principles. It intends to stabilize local and national capacities from further deterioration so that they can provide the foundation for full recovery and stimulate spontaneous recovery activities amongst the affected population. This can be achieved through distinctive early recovery activities to stabilize the situation, while identifying opportunities for longer term recovery and eventually development.

UNDP has been responding by providing non-food items, deployment of human resources to improve coordination and information management, debris management using cash for work approach, support to local government to deliver basic services and medical support devices for persons with disability. In addition, the proposed expansion of RERAS will provide additional livelihoods support to earthquake victims in Jajarkot and West Rukum. The activities will prioritizes working with local governments to provide agro-support services and support cooperatives and farmers’ groups for improved agricultural production and value chain linkages, agro-support services and support to better utilize renewable energy for agro- and non-agro-enterprises, all aiming to create additional short and long-term employment opportunities for rapid economic recovery in the affected areas.

As a Resilient Recovery package, UNDP is prioritizing developing a package programme with other possible engagement development partners for reconstruction and recovery work in municipalities heavily impacted by the EQ. In order to augment the existing capacity, an Early Recovery Coordination Analyst will be recruited in Surkhet, Karnali to effectively coordinate activities in the prioritized local governments and support the implementation of the Resilient Recovery package.

The selected Early Recovery Coordination Analyst will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of RERAS Project and the Early Recovery Coordination Analyst based in Kathmandu.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Early Recovery Coordination Analyst shall work closely with UNDP SUPER Field team, Karnali province and National ER Coordinator under the supervision of the Risk Management Specialist, UNDP and particularly perform the following:

• Lead stakeholder engagement, partner coordination and proper implementation at the local level.
• Liaison with provincial government and other key stakeholders to ensure linkages between ER activities of government and other key stakeholders and also ensure linkages with other rehabilitation activities.
• Coordinate with province district and municipalities for smooth implementation of UNDP’s ER and rehabilitation activities.
• Represent the project with consent from the Project Manager and share experiences for up scaling the learnings of the project.
• Coordinate and network with relevant stakeholders for smooth implementation of the project at each local government, as per the need of the project.
• Maintain good working relations with key stakeholders and partners – including but not limited to WFP, ICIMOD, AEPC, LIBIRD to support smooth implementation of the project and ensure local ownership of project results and their sustainability.
• Coordinate with UN field office team and government line agencies working in the cluster.
• Support Project Manager related to value chain development of selected commodity.
• Ensure quality assurance and proper implementation of the program at the local level.
• Coordinate with province district and municipalities for smooth implementation of UNDP’s ER and rehabilitation activities.
• Manage ER and rehabilitation information to engage in the inter-agency information management coordination process supported by sector-specific information management focal points, to ensure visibility of early recovery as a mechanism across sectors, but within the humanitarian response, in information products; ensure that updated and relevant cluster-specific information is included in general reporting including common web platforms, inter-cluster situation reports.
• Ensure application of standards to ensure that partner organizations in Early Recovery are aware of relevant guidelines and standards and apply those in their response also in line with government commitments to Human Rights and IHL obligations.
• Coordinate with local government and engineers deployed by UNDP for providing sociio-technical assistance on temporary shelter debris removal for its effective implementation.

Plan and monitor project interventions and knowledge management.

• Conduct regular monitoring, effective technical assistance, project implementation quality assurance and evaluation, through regular field visits, interactions with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support in mapping of demand and supply of indigenous crops, potential pockets areas, consumption behaviour, dietary pattern, and agro-value chain of selected commodities in consultation with partner organizations.
• Support in assessing value chain, post-harvest loss and storage facilities of selected commodities.
• Provide technical support in establishing community seed bank, market outlets, and post-harvest management of selected commodity.
• Contribute identification of project pocket areas, municipalities, cooperatives, farmers, extension officers and information extension providers.
• Provide technical inputs in developing training modules, e-learning platforms, and extension materials on resilient agriculture practice for technology transfer of food-based nutrition and conduct different awareness events.
• Provide technical support to local governments, cooperatives and farmers’ organization on agriculture solutions, soil fertility, crop and water management and storage facilities.
• Advise in implementing pilot project in testing feasibility and effectiveness of energy solution in food system.
• Contribute in the agriculture-based infrastructures, digital platforms and start-ups identified in collaboration with the municipality, farmers’ group, youths, women, and cooperatives to enable them to deliver their products to market in timely and cost-effective manner.

Provide technical guidance and support to the project team and partners:

• Provide technical guidance to project team, government officials and other stakeholders, related to value chain and preparation of detailed project workplan and budget.
• Guide the field team in Jumla and Bajura in relation to agriculture value chain development of selected commodities.
• Assessment of priority commodity value chain and support to ameliorate value chain constraints for business expansion.
• Organize project inception and review workshops to build mutual understanding about project outcomes, implementation modality, challenges, and deliverables in collaboration with RERAS and other partners.
• Provide technical guidance to the project team, in liaison with the government officials and other stakeholders, in preparation of detailed project workplan and budget, development of project implementation strategy and action plan, and engagement of project staff at community levels.
• Guide the field team based in the cluster and municipality to execute planned activities in a timely and efficient manner.
• Conduct regular meetings and follow ups with project team to take stock of implementation and reflect cross-cutting issues such as vulnerability, gender, social inclusion, human rights, etc. in project result framework.
• Engage in policy advocacy, consultations, and policy formulation to enhance energy-food and nutrition security nexus.
• Provide quality inputs and feedback to the work done at provincial and municipal levels and ensure coherence with project objectives, plans and budgets.

Reporting and documentation responsibility

• In consultation with the local partners prepare and finalize consolidated narrative progress reports and oversee financial deliveries periodically as agreed in monitoring and reporting timeline and deliverables as per the standard template of UNDP and donor.
• Support in documentation and dissemination of project experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, and share in appropriate forums.
• Prepare and submit periodic delivery reports and submit to PMU.
• Assist the Project Manager in preparing work plans, procurement plans, technical reporting as per the requirements of donor and UNDP.
• Prepare and organize public awareness raising activities, briefs, and relevant documents regarding energy, food, and nutrition security at local level with project partners.

Carry out Gender Equality and Social Inclusion responsibilities of the project.

• Ensure women empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion throughout the project implementation.
• Manage records of disaggregated data by gender, age, and caste/ethnicity, disabilities of project interventions.
• Promote integration of GESI in local government policies.
• Ensure meaningful participation of women, dalit, janajati and people with disability in all stages of project cycle.
• Ensure integration of GESI aspects in all stages of the project in coordination with RERAS GESI expert and consortium partners.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Collaborate with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business direction and 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 Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

2030 Agenda Nature, Climate and Energy

• Energy: Market-based energy financing and practical application

Partnership management

• Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Inclusion and Participation

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in: Disaster Risk Management, Social Science, Rural Development, any related field.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Advanced University degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-years’ experience (with master’s degree) or minimum of 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) in the field of disaster risk preparedness, humanitarian response and recovery operations, experience in coordination with both at the national and sub-national level
• Experience with provincial, district and municipal government structure, working experience with NGOs and vulnerable poor women is essential.
• Demonstrated excellent coordination skill including liasioning with government and development partners is essential.
• Prior experience on early recovery and disaster response will be an asset.
• Experience of working with UN and experience of working with UNDP will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience and understanding of Karnali province will be added advantage.
• Experience and knowledge of humanitarian architecture and emergency response/cluster will be an advantage.
• Experience of working with value chain actors and in business development, institutional strengthening, and policy advocacy will be asset.
• Prior experience in working closely with local, provincial and federal government on disaster response is desired.
• Proven experience in formulating different policy framework and effective implementation will be an asset.
• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks will be as asset.
• Experience in working in livelihood options and agriculture value chain will be an asset.

Required Languages:

• English and Nepali

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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.

Apply Before: 05/24/2024, 11:59 PM

x + − ⟲