UN-World Bank Liaison Specialist

Nairobi

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Banking and Finance
Closing Date: 2024-11-26

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.

The UN – World Bank partnership in Somalia has grown significantly since the World Bank’s re-engagement in 2012. Since 2017, a dedicated UN – World Bank Liaison function has supported an increasing strategic, operational and analytical partnership. The UN-WB Liaison Specialist has successfully advanced areas of joint interest focusing on state- and institution-building processes, including the advancement of humanitarian and development collaboration in the context of multiple shocks and the establishment of strategic partnership priorities across UN and World Bank.

Since IDA re-engagement in March 2020, the UN and the World Bank have increased their operational partnership. The ‘hybrid implementation model” allows the government to contract UN agencies for service delivery in World Bank financed operations. The UN – World Bank Liaison Specialist has supported World Bank Country Management, task teams, the government as well as UN agencies throughout the operational engagement, in the context of multiple shocks, such as flood and drought response. This includes advice on contractual aspects, risk management and monitoring of this operational partnership. To date, about US$450 million has been committed by Government to UN agencies across six projects, with additional contracts that are forthcoming.

UN and World Bank leadership continue to reaffirm their commitment to the partnership and cite the liaison function as global best practice to support an effective partnership between both organisations. In the context of the growing strategic, analytical and strategic partnership, expanded support for a strategy and operations position is part of a larger proposal aimed at strengthening the UN-WB partnership in Somalia, building on progress to date.

Position Purpose

The UN-World Bank Liaison Specialist supports UN and World Bank leadership in advancing the strategic and operational UN-World Bank partnership in Somalia. The Liaison Specialist will support the alignment, coherence, and complementarity of country engagement frameworks between the FGS, UN and the World Bank to support complementary support to state- and institution-building. The Specialist will enhance risk management across UN and World Bank operations and lead the development of knowledge management of the UN-World Bank partnership.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational UN-WB partnership service

Advance the strategic & operational partnership in a post-HIPC environment to continue the joint support to state- and institution-building functions.
Provide liaison support across the UN and World Bank at both strategic and technical levels.
Facilitate regular discussions between UN-WB leadership on the partnership at country level, including an annual review of commitments on agreed priorities for the partnership.
Produce analytical products and updates on operational UN-WB partnership to inform country level leadership.
Advise UN and World Bank leadership on transition arrangements to Federal Government of Somalia in UN implemented, World Bank financed operations.
Promote collaboration and innovation between the UN and World Bank on cross-cutting issues, notably youth inclusion, gender equality and women’s empowerment, resilience and recovery, and the environment and climate change.
Strengthen the complementarity of geographic and household level targeting, including regarding gender inclusivity and inter-operability of different response modalities, especially for cash-based assistance.

Provide advisory support for the alignment, coherence and complementarity of country engagement frameworks between the FGS, UN and the World Bank

Advise and support UN, World Bank and Government in the formulation and implementation of country engagement documents including corporate and national assessments and plans, including for inclusion of gender perspectives (NDP, Country Partnership Framework, UNSDCF etc.).
Advise and support government, UN, WB and donor community with the development and monitoring of joint priority framework following HIPC completion (such as the Mutual Accountability Framework) with substantive preparations for high level policy forums.

Advise and support risk management across UN and World Bank operations

Monitor and report on challenges across the operational portfolio and suggest solutions if and where possible.
Advise UN and World Bank leadership, UN agencies and World Bank Task Teams on best practice on risk management for UN implementation contracts in World Bank financed operations.
Strengthen risk management approaches specifically regarding targeting, monitoring and implementation related risks in World Bank financed operations with UN implementation support.

Lead the development of knowledge management within the UN-WB partnership

Produce analytical products and updates on operational UN-WB partnership to track progress and inform coordination efforts at both a strategic and technical level. These should also be shared at country and global level to inform global policy dialogue.
Promote information sharing and dialogue across the UN-WB, with government and the Somalia Donor Group.
Develop lessons and good practice on operational engagement as well as challenges requiring further action.

Advise and support the UN on the “Use of Country Systems.”

Advise and support development and monitoring of UN commitments on the ‘’Use of Country Systems’’ (UCS) through a dedicated roadmap.
Promote strengthening of and improved UCS from “on plan” to “on treasury.”
In collaboration with Risk Management Unit, support the annual reporting of UN contributions “on budget” and
Advise and support monitoring of capacity support to government and advance the use of country systems for UN-led capacity strengthening.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:

Partnership management - Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Direction & Strategy -Systems 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 Management - Partnerships Management: 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.

Business Management - Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Partnership management - Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Economics or related disciplines is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience with bilateral or multilateral organisations dealing with issues related to humanitarian, development and peace in fragile contexts is required.
At least three years of field experience with International Financial Institutions, UN Agencies, Funds, Programs or comparable international organization is required.
At least two years of experience in working with both the United Nations and the World Bank in fragile, conflict and violence affected countries is required.
Field experience in thematic advice and support to country management and operations on analysis and strategic planning across humanitarian, development and peace action in fragile and preferably UN mission contexts is required.
Experience in developing strategic planning frameworks (e.g. UN Cooperation Framework, Humanitarian Response Plan, National Development Plans) is required.
Experience in supporting the ‘’Use of Country Systems’’ is highly desirable.
Experience in developing knowledge management products is highly desirable.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN language desirable

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

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