1. Job Title: Programme Associate – Socio-Economic Development Unit

2. Duty Station (city, country): Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine

3. Category: Poverty Reduction

4. Type of Contract (pick one): SC

5. Starting Date: 07/01/2009

6. Application Deadline: 06/15/2009

7. Background (brief information on the project):

The Crimea Integration and Development Programme is a joint initiative of the international donor community lead by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine and supported by international development agencies operating in this country. The current goal of the Programme is to provide assistance to republican and local authorities, representatives of territorial communities and their organizations in seeking and implementing long-term sustainable and effective solutions for social and economic problems at the grassroots and coping with the development issues faced by the multi-ethnic population of Crimea.

The UNDP Crimea Integration and Development Programme (CIDP) was established in 1995 in response to the complex challenges faced by Crimea as a result of the largely spontaneous mass return of more than 260,000 formerly deported people (mainly Crimean Tatars) since 1989 and the social and economic collapse following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Responding to the needs of an evolving situation in Crimea over the last 14 years, CIDP applied different approaches in different programme phases. Following an emergency response approach during the first two phases (1995 – 2000), the programme has been shifting to a social mobilization approach during its third phase (2001 – 2004), while during the fourth phase (2005 – 2007) CIDP complemented this with an integrated approach to regional development in Crimea that goes beyond the community level to intervene at the policy level

For its fifth phase (2009 to end 2011), the main goals of the Programme have been reviewed carefully. The Programme will not only consolidate its work but it will ensure that Crimea’s institutions, processes and partnerships are strong and sustainable to allow for the region’s sustainable socio-economic development, taking into account its ethnic and cultural diversity.

Four strategic directions will be adopted to fulfill this main goal:
1. To continue working on the disseminating the community mobilization approach that CIDP has implemented in Crimea’s rural territories since 2002 – community mobilization is considered as an essential first step towards territorial development.

2. To develop effective models for increased rural livelihoods and improved social services – This covers the need to diversify economic opportunities of rural population, to create effective information spaces for remote villages and to further disseminate the principle of tolerance promoting whole school approaches in rural schools.

3. To further develop sound democratic governance principles and help institutionalize them among stronger rural communities and more competent authorities – These principles are essential to achieve a participatory approach to local sustainable development.

4. To help develop, at Republican level, effective socio-economic monitoring and public dialogue on Crimea’s sustainable development issues. Such capabilities are important to form a clear strategic development vision for Crimea among republican parliamentary and administrative structures.

8. Description of Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the International Programme Coordinator, RDA/Head of Programme Department and the direct supervisor of the Head of Unit – Rural Socio-Economic Development Models (1), the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the Programme and UNDP Country Office as required for resolving complex work-related issues and exchange of information.

9. Functional responsibilities

The Programme Associate will be primarily responsible for:

1) Supporting the preparation of documents, reports, maps and other materials (design, formatting etc.) for the Socio- Economic Development Unit.

2) Providing support in preparation of workshops, presentations, etc. to project specialists of the Socio-Economic Development Unit (1) including distribution, copying, printing of required materials.

3) Organize, together with other CIDP specialists, District Forums for Integration and Development to integrate cooperative development, tolerance and human rights promotion activities in the district planning and budgeting system.

4) Assisting in developing, documenting and implementing the details of CIDP’s programme strategy as well as preparing policy papers for individual aspects of this strategy.

5) Assisting in developing and promoting concepts and methodologies as requested in the course of the Strategy implementation and presenting them in the form of clearly written outputs.

6) Assisting in coordinating activities with programme partners to ensure timely and successful implementation of CIDP’s interventions. Ensure that all stakeholders are well informed and fully participate in this undertaking. Promote networking and experience sharing between programme stakeholders and target groups.

7) Assisting in preparing the annual work plan and the budget for the implementation of CIDP’s interventions, managing the respective finances and preparing budget revisions if required.

8) Assisting in assessing and identifying training needs of partner organizations, organizing and providing training to relevant actors to enhance their capacity.

9) Assisting in identifying experienced and qualified organizations/experts for the implementation of certain aspects of CIDP’s strategy. Prepare Terms of Reference, tender documents, Invitation to Bids and organize competitive bidding for selection of the most suitable and competent firm/contractor/expert.

10) Check bills submitted by a firm/company, contracted by CIDP in the framework of Socio-Economic Development Unit to deliver a task related to the public service project, and prepare certificates of performance to make a payment as per the contract.

11) Provide timely inputs to the CIDP communication, analytical units for the preparation of quarterly and annual progress reports as well as final reports to donors, CIDP management and UNDP.

12) Cooperate with and assist other CIDP colleagues in the implementation of related activities.

13) Maintain proper electronic and paper filing systems.

14) Perform other duties as assigned by the Management.

10. Impact of Results

The key results emerging from the fulfillment of the above mentioned functions will directly impact on the overall performance of the Socio - Economic Development Unit (1) and success in the implementation of the programme strategies. Accurate analysis, data entry and timely presentation of information will be essential features of the post holder’s work to ensure effective programme implementation.

11. Reporting structure

The post holder will be required to monitor progress of programme activities and to regularly report to the Head of Unit and Rural Economic Development Specialist on them.

12. Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

1) Quality of work;
2) Relations with colleagues;
3) Initiative;
4) Technical Skills;
5) Knowledge of required procedures;
6) Team player;
7) Communication and listening skills;
8) Partnering and networking;
9) Creativity.

13. Competencies

1. Ability to display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

2. Ability to actively work towards continuing personal learning, act on learning plan and apply newly acquired skills.

3. Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.

4. Ability to work under pressure and remain calm, in control and good humored.

5. Ability to demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

6. Affinity with the United Nations and its mandate.

14. Qualifications

1. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable.

2. 2 to 3 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

3. Fluency in English, Russian and Ukrainian languages.

All interested candidates must submit a completed Personal history form (P-11) till June 15, 2009 and send to [email protected]. Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for application rejection, termination of appointment, should it have come into force or contract been signe.