Graduate Programme Officer at Federal Ministry of Youth Development

Federal Ministry of Younth Decelopment - Following the approval of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and in line with youth empowerment programme thrust under the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invite applications from suitably qualified young Nigerians to participate in the Junior Professional Officers’ Programme (JPO-P). Copied from: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

The Junior Professional Officers’ Programme (JPO-P) was established in 1963 to provide young professionals pursuing a career in development with hands-on experience in multilateral technical cooperation. It is funded with donations from donor countries. Currently, there are 19 sponsors comprising 16 countries from Europe and 3 from Asia. The programme is administered by the JPO Service Center in Copenhagen. Denmark and initially for one year with possibility of extension for another one year, depending on satisfactory performance making a total of two years objective of the programme

Job Title: Programme Officer

State of Origin: Kaduna State
Agency: UNDP
Sector of assignment: Socio-Economic Development Cluster: Capacity Development
Country and Duty Station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Duration of assignment: One Year Renewable based on satisfactory performance

General Information
Sector of assignment: Socio-Economic Development Cluster: Capacity Development
Country and Duty Station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Duration of assignment: One Year Renewable based on satisfactory performance

Content and methodology of supervision:
a) Physical Location
The JPO staff will work in the Socio-Economic Development Cluster which is based in the UNDP Malaysia Country Office based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

b) Supervisor and Linkage to Country Work Programme
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative (Programme), the JPO staff will be responsible to analyse the Malaysian political, social and economic trends and participate in the project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned UNDP projects in the thematic area of Socio-Economic Development in line with the Country Programme Action Plan 2013-2015. Malaysia is increasingly playing a leading role among middle income countries in supporting the development of Africa, of developing countries within the OIC, NAM and ASEAN, as well as in sub-regional growth triangles. UNDP thus supports South-South Cooperation for Development efforts in a wider context to include the promotion of good governance, gender, poverty reduction and crisis prevention and recovery. He/ she is expected to be able to work independently with significant levels of autonomy and responsibility in his/ her work. Copied from: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

In consultation with the Assistant Resident Representative (Programme), the JPO staff will be required to prepare an Annual Work Plan with clear key result areas for each year against which performance will be measured through regular feedback sessions. The Annual Work Plan will require the written approval of the Resident Representative.

c) Operational Interactions and Feedback Platforms
The interaction with the supervisor will take place on a regular basis, thus allowing continuous performance monitoring and avenues for learning and discussions. Bi-weekly meetings (as required) will be held with the JPO staff and other unit members to ensure adherence to agreed results targets and provide support and feedback on the job. A Programme Cluster meeting is also held on a monthly basis and the JPO staff is expected to share the assigned projects' results or any challenges faced during the briefings/ discussions.

d) Annual Performance Appraisal
The performance appraisal will be as per applicable standard UNDP procedures and through the Performance Management and Development (PMD) process that was introduced in UNDP since January 2013. The JPO staff's performance plans will be integrated with the unit and office's plans, and it will be part of the regular work planning and review processes.

Dialogue will be undertaken at each stage of performance planning and assessment and will form the basis for clarity about expectations. The dialogue between the Assistant Resident Representative (Programme) and the JPO staff will define result areas, identify competencies, support JPO staff development and outline prospective career goals. The performance will be assessed in the middle and the end of each year against the annual PMD cycle.

e) 1stWeek of Arrival and Reporting for Duty
Upon arrival, the JPO will receive:

• An initial briefing and orientation by the UNDP Human Resources Manager on the organisational set-up, roles and responsibilities, entitlements, and relevant administrative procedures;
• A detailed briefing by the Assistant Resident Representative (Programme) on the linkage between UNDP Malaysia's Country Programme Action Plan 2013-2015 and UNDP's Strategic Plan 2014-2017 to Malaysia's medium and long term development agenda; framework of typology of services provided by the UNDP Country Office, as well as the various project design, planning, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes to be undertaken by the JPO staff during the period of assignment. A briefing on the proposed assignment and the various other projects implemented by the country office will also be scheduled;
• An initial briefing and orientation by the UNDP Assistant Resident Representative (Operations) on the administrative and financial procedures necessary to adequately carry out the assignment;
• An initial briefing and orientation by the UN Department for Safety and Security on the security status in Malaysia and general rules and regulations to be followed during the course of the assignment;
• An introduction meeting with the Resident Representative on the strategic direction of the UNDP country office and expectations on the role and responsibilities of the JPO staff.

Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
The JPO staff will be required to support the UNDP CO Programme Cluster Workplan for the year by effectively supporting key project outputs implemented by the UNDP Country Office and in line with UNDP Corporate's Annual Business Plan. Key specific task and percentage of time devoted to each tasks is outlined below:

1.) Support to UNDP Malaysia's Technical and Policy Advisory Services to the Government (30%), focusing on the achievement of the following:

• In line with the substantive technical and policy advisory support provided by UNDP Malaysia to the Government of Malaysia (notably the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department), the JPO staff member is required to backstop and support UNDP Malaysia's Programme Manager's technical support in the assessment of the Government's implementation of the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015) and substantive input for the design of the Government's 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020);
• Keep abreast of the Malaysian government's development policies, strategies, action plans and programmes pertaining to the inclusive growth and South-South Cooperation and conduct thorough analysis and research for the preparation of substantive inputs, reports and project concept notes as input for the design of appropriate development initiatives in partnership with national and regional counterparts. Copied from: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

2.) Development of Strategic Programmes and Projects (20%), focusing on the achievement of the following:

• Identification and analysis of relevant national policy-related issues directly linked to UNDP's national policy strategies and engage with national counterparts through constructive policy dialogue on strategic areas of socio-economic development and in consultation with the supervisor, identifies specific roles for CO programme development and support;
• Initiate and facilitate the design of an appropriate project which leads towards the cross practice linkage between socio-economic development cluster and the energy and environment cluster in addressing a national development agenda.
• Specific tasks involves drafting terms of reference, identifying consultants and funding, arranging their recruitment, substantive backstopping of their work and finalizing project/programme documents including work plans and budgets.
• Explore areas for South-South Cooperation especially focusing on accelerating global MDG achievement by 2015 by facilitating the Government of Malaysia's contribution to and learning from the global development community and enhancing capacities of national governments in developing countries in macro socio-economic policy development, monitoring, and evaluation.

3.) Programme Management, Implementation, Monitoring And Reporting (20%), focusing on the achievement of the following:

• Efficient management of project financial resources by planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of project funds and ensuring successful financial project delivery;
• Continuous monitoring of the progress and required management actions for projects/programmes under his/her responsibility. This includes assisting national implementing partners in problem-solving and implementing corrective measures, undertaking of scheduled monitoring visits, organizing and participating in Technical Review meetings for programme/projects assigned under his/her responsibility and also compliance and timely submissions of Annual Progress Report and Mid-Year Progress reports;
• Preparing correspondences and technical/ financial reports as required with UNDP Headquarters, national implementing partners on programme/project implementation under his/her responsibility;
• Maintaining efficient working relationship with national government counterpart agencies, for monitoring and implementing UNDP supported programmes/ projects under his/ her responsibility.

4.) Strategic Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Representational Roles (20%), focusing on the achievement of the following:

• To establish new strategic partnerships and support the CO's resource mobilization strategies in line with the relevant CPAP 2013-2015 Outcomes by specifically undertaking analysis and research of information on development partners, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
• Represent the office in official meetings, workshops, seminars and public forums and perform other related duties as assigned by the Resident Representative or Assistant Resident Representative (Programme).

5.) Knowledge Development, Sharing And Management (10%), focusing on the achievement of the following:

• Provide inputs towards the development of CO communications and advocacy products including CO website and RBAP bulletin/updates;
• Assist the national implementing partners in developing the necessary in-country knowledge sharing seminars and workshops;
• Preparation of briefs/speeches and other background information required by the Country Office senior management on areas related to socio-economic development.

Qualifications and Experience
Education (only Master's degree or equivalent):
A recognized relevant post graduate degree in any of the following areas: Development Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations or relevant development oriented discipline.

• Age: Must not be more than 32 years on the date of application
• Information Technology skills, including word processing, database application (excel) presentation software (power point) and internet appreciation.
• An interest in adapting to varied physical environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds;
• Evidence of ability to think strategically, work independently and demonstrate a sense of self-assuredness.
• Respect for the UN principles of the United Nations Charter and the participating UN organization’s mission statement

Work Experience (at least 1 to 2 years relevant work experience):
Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience and successful track record at the national or international level in the areas of socio-economic development or South-South Cooperation. Experience in project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation is a strong asset required for the assignment.

Key Competencies of the assignment:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity andadaptability to a wide range of stakeholders (government, private sector, international and national non-governmental organizations).

Functional Competencies:

a. Project Management

• Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Strong coordination and analytical skills especially in undertaking monitoring and evaluation related tasks.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.

b. Organizational Management

• Ability to take initiative and work independently with limited supervisionin a multicultural team environment and able to prioritize and multi-task;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities and able to support implementation of new business process re-engineering activities and related change management strategies for staff behavioral/attitudinal change.

c. Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes and contributes to a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

d. Communications

• All official documents developed by the office are in English and as such strong written and spoken English skills is a strong prerequisite;
• Communicates clearly and effectively and seeks to understand the ideas of others;
• Delivers oral/written information in a timely, effective and easily understood manner;
• Expert IT skills proficiency in the use of the internet and PC applications, including Microsoft Office applications.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note:  All Vacancies sorted by State (Applicants are to apply for vacancies in their state of origin)


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