Project Coordinator at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Coordinator - Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB-5
Duration of Initial Contract: One year, renewable.

Background

• This position is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG).
• The incumbent will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project “Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria”.
• S/he will be under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Country Representative, who will be supported by the Programme Management Officer / Head of Programme.
• S/he will maintain close consultation with UNODC HQ, in particular with the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East, Integrated Programming and Oversight Branch and with relevant substantive sections.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation, evaluation and overall management of the project according to approved project document/revisions, the Contribution Agreement with the European Union (EU), other donor funding agreements, if any, United Nations policies and financial rules and regulations, and costed work plans.
• Provide specialized substantive expertise in the area of criminal justice, justice sector reform, coordination and policy development and support efforts of relevant stakeholders in Nigeria in these areas at federal and state level; coordinate legislation reviews, state of justice assessments, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies, and direct project assistance to judicial bodies such as the Body of Attorney Generals and the National Association of Prosecutors; oversee the organization and conduct of workshops, seminars, dissemination of public information materials, on justice sector reform.
• Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary in the project logframe for the achievement of expected results based on the performance parameters and indicators, programme performance reports and inputs for results-based budgeting and results-based management.
• Liaise effectively with counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders with a view to facilitating the delivery of technical cooperation inputs to Nigerian authorities while avoiding overlap and duplication with the actions of other assistance providers; make project achievements known and identify areas of new assistance.
• Coordinate activities related to budget and funding; supervise project expenditures and utilization of funds related to the project; ensure compliance with United Nations financial rules and regulations and initiate project and/or budget revisions.
• Identify procurement needs (goods and services) in coordination with the Operations Manager, responsible for procurement in CONIG and contribute to managing human resources allocated to the project by coordinating the work of and guiding subordinates in project development, implementation and assessment; participate in the selection and recruitment process of international and local staff as required.
• Constantly monitor project’s risk log, and draw UNODC’s Representative and projects’ stakeholders’ attention to emerging issues with potentially negative impact on project implementation.
• Provide substantive support to UNODC Representative in identifying and implementing maximum strategic visibility for project counterparts, donors/partners and UNODC, in particular as regards European Union visibility in line with respective rules and guidelines.
• Prepare new project concepts supporting the result areas of the project in line with UNODC strategic frameworks.
• Directly implement activities under Outcome 1 of the project, pertaining to the enhancement of the coordination and sector policy development of the justice sector, with support from other project staff.
• Undertake other duties that may be required for effective and efficient project implementation

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Senior governmental counterparts, project Focal Points at federal and state level within targeted key beneficiary institutions, NGOs and CSOs, national and international consultants, officers and technical staff in relevant UNODC units and field offices, and other Entities (including the European Union).

Results expected:

• Develops, implements, evaluates, and provides effective leadership and management of the project and project team; demonstrates timely delivery of outputs in accordance with overall objectives and policies.
• Plays a lead role in identifying and providing direction and sound and innovative advice on significant issues.
• Ensures effective delivery of programmes and a proactive response to changes in the context of the country.
• Maintains an overall compliance with UN financial and staff rules and regulations. Delivers thorough, well-reasoned contributions and outputs, e.g. self-evaluations, budgetary documents and financial analysis, etc.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Deep knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal justice and justice sector reform. 
• Good knowledge of institutional support to judicial entities and means to foster coordination among these entities.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of problems.
• Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery on justice sector reform matters; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Leadership:

• Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
• Drives for change and improvement;
• Does not accept the status quo;
• Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
• Thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks;
• Meets timeframes for delivery of goods, transportation requests, or services to client.

Managing Performance:

• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others; ability to make timely decisions; ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced university Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Law, Criminology, Political or Social science, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field.
• A first level-university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the field of criminal justice or justice sector reform processes in a national, international organization or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting.
• Three or more of these years should be at managerial level with responsibilities of similar size and complexity.
• UN operational experience, experience in implementing projects funded by the European Union and working or living experience in challenging and diverse environments are an asset.
• Working experience with financial databases and electronic reporting facilities and managerial tools and in complex developing countries is an asset.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online