UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Vacancy No: 2011-FTA-03

Issue Date : 12 April 2011
Closing Date: 28 April 2011

I. Position Information

Job Code Title: Strategic Planning Advisor

Pre-classified Post: P5
Type of Appointment Fixed-term appointment
Department: UN Coordination Office
Duty Station: Manila,Philippines
Duration: One year appointment, with possibility of extension based on performance and
availability of funding

II. Organizational Context

Under the leadership of the Government and in close consultation with the civil society and development
partners, an inclusive and participatory process to manage the formulation of the new United Nations
Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) has been put in place.

In response to the Government’s request of 2008 for greater UN coherence and reform, the UNCT in the
Philippines has signed off on a Code of Conduct on “Delivering as One” at the country level. Cognizant of the
benefits of having a single plan for UN assistance in the country with UN agencies coordinating and working
together, the Government through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recommended
the development of the UNDAF Action Plan (UNDAP) to replace the Country Programme Action Plans (CPAPs) or
agency equivalent documents.

This requires a correspondingly strengthened support capacity for the role of the Resident Coordinator
especially for the strategic analysis and results-based planning. The overall result of this function will be the
development of a relevant, unified, strategic UN development programme that is effectively coordinated with
national and international development partners. These outputs are extremely important it will provide the
basis for the scope and nature of the collective work of the UN System in the Philippines for 2012-2018, the
critical years that would ensure the country’s achievement of the MDGs by 2015.

Under the guidance and supervision of the RC/HC, the Strategic Planning Adviser will advisethe UNCT in the
development of a strategic programme for the UN System in the Philippines in close consultation with its
partners and under the leadership of the Government. This would entail overseeingthe development of the
Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the
United Nations Development Action Plan (UNDAP) encompassing all UN agenciesand development of new or
upscaling of existing UN Joint programmes. The incumbent will also support country level UN programme
coordination and resource mobilization.

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 The incumbent will be an integral part of the UN Coordination Office and will work in collaboration with the UN
Country Team. S/he will undertake the above functions through supporting the UNDAF Steering Committee, the
UNDAF Working Group/Programme Coordination Committee, the Monitoring and Evaluation
Group/Committee,UNDAF Outcome Area and Sub-Outcome Groups, and external consultative groups including
the Government, Donors and Civil Society. S/he will also work to build upon the coordination mechanisms that
have been developed in the field.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Advise the RC and UNCT on the design of the UNDAF Action Plan for the period 2012-2018, ensuring
strategic focus on key UNDAF Outcomes that are in line with national development priorities and the MDGs
 Manage the development a focused, prioritized and strategic programme log-frame which will form an
integral part of the UNDAF Document;
 Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms to ensure consensus and team building in the development
and implementation of the UNDAF and UNDAP, through appropriate inclusive, participatory and
consultative processes;
 In close collaboration with the Chair, coordinate and play a leading role in the discussion on the
development of the UNDAF Action Plan andjoint annual workplans; and
 Ensureappropriate linkages are made to other ongoing initiatives/support and reinforce national and
local level policy and planning processes – e.g. preparation of the Philippine Development Plan and its
accompanying regional/sectoral development plans, results matrix, and budget; donor strategies; etc.

2. Identify and nurture strategic alliances/network with the government development/planning agencies, the
UN-Civil Society Advisory Committee (UN-CSAC), the Philippine Development Forum (PDF), and private
sector and other donors in order to ensure effective positioning of the UN among the development partners
of Philippines.
 Provide substantive support in defining the the UN’s role, its value added, its capacities and its priorities
and strategies in the Philippines as a middle-income status country as identified by the RC;
 Facilitate, at the request of the RC and UNCT, consultations with the Government, donors and
organizations of the UN system, and provide technical support for policy and programme development
and related strategic initiatives;
 Establish and/or participate in existing external networks to continuously monitor changes in
development priorities; and
 Ensure greater inclusion of donors, civil society and private sector into UN programme development.

3. Advise the RC onthe planning and management of UN System cooperation at the country level, including
the operationalization of the UNDAF results matrix, in line with UN reform initiatives.
 Build consensus and ensure the synergies of the UNCT on institutional and organizational issues, to
promote a united and coherent UN system, consistent with the organizational mandate;
 In close consultation with the UN Operations Management Team (OMT) and its Chair, develop and
recommend policies and guidelines on the implementation of common and joint services, linking
security, financial and operational aspects to ensure efficient and economical support services to the
implementation of the UNDAP. Draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge
networking to provide contributions to UNCT decision-making and learning;
 Promote the use of simplification and harmonization strategies, in order to reduce the burden on
national partners and to maximize the effectiveness of an integrated UN operation;
 Advocate for the implementation of the Paris Declaration principles, the UN reform and UN delivering

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 as one;
 Monitor progress of UN system response against the MDGR and/or other frameworks as defined by
international conferences;
 Lead the development of a common actionplan to operationalize the UNDAF;
 Identify potential areas for joint programming and develop concept notes in line with priorities outlined
in the UNDAF in support of national priorities; and
 Identify mechanisms and tools to facilitate the implementation of thematic and geographical
convergence.

4. Perform other tasks/functions as may be required.

V. Impact of Results

The overall result of this function will be the development of a relevant, unified, strategic UN development
programme that is effectively coordinated with national and international development partners. This is
expected to reduce overlaps/duplication, increase synergy/ complementarity and increase resource
mobilization.

V. Competencies

Technical Competencies:
 Design and management of strategic planning processes in the context of post-humanitarian crisis, including
with multiple stakeholders
 Project/programme/policy planning, monitoring and management.
 Analysis of macro socioeconomic and political developments.
 Understanding of SWOT Analyses.
 Understanding of human rights-based approaches to programming
 Understanding of gender considerations
 Familiarity with results-based management instruments and their application
 Logic modeling/logical framework analysis

Corporate Competencies:
 Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
 Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN
 Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
 Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management

 Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team.
 Encourages UN staff to share knowledge
 Develops deep understanding in UNDAF, UN System reform and MDGs

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 Coordination Effectiveness
 Ability to lead the implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for
UNDAF implementation.
 Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate
effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership

 Excellent organizational and management skills
 Focuses on impact and result for the client
 Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
 Establishes priorities for self and other members of the UN Coordination office; schedules activities to
ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other
objectives and corrects deviations from the course
 Capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information
accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems
 Ability to negotiate at decision-making level
 Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working
relationships
 Strong interpersonal and communication skills
 Demonstrates excellent 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
 Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in development economics, political science,

statistics, international development and/or management and coordination

Experience: At least ten years work experience in international development field, with at
least four years experience in the field. Experience must primarily relate to
senior levels of programme management or the management of complex
national level strategic plans. Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and
operational activities for development. Previous experience in UNDAF in the
context of Delivering as One/UN Reform will be considered a plus. Strong
M&E and RBM skills are a must.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is essential. Competency in other languages will be

considered an asset.

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The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work
experience. Interested applicants are requested to complete the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in
our website http://www.undp.org.ph/jobs/ and send to:

Humanresources.ph@undp.org
OR
Human Resources
United Nations Development Programme
30th Floor, Yuchengco Tower I, RCBC Plaza
Ayala Ave., cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City

indicating the Vacancy No. and Post title on or before 28 April 2011 Kindly note that only completed P.11
forms will be reviewed. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the
short-listed candidates.

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