Strategic Advisor, Head of Amman Liaison Office

Yemen is facing an unprecedented political, humanitarian, and development crisis. Yemen’s post-Arab Spring transition did not conclude peacefully and broke into a full-blown civil war in March 2015. Despite the continued efforts by the UN to broker a peace deal, Yemen continues to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. An estimated 24 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (80% of the population). Two UNDP studies on the impact of war on development & SDGs published in 2019, revealed that Yemen already wiped out 21 years of developments gains in just four year of conflict. The studies predict that if the conflict persists past 2019, Yemen will have the greatest depth of poverty (11.7 million people into extreme poverty), and second poorest in income inequality of any country in the world.

Since the beginning of the war (2015), UNDP Yemen has received support from central bureaux and departments in different shapes (funding, staffing, reviews and evaluations).  The Country Office "CO" adapted its Country Programme and the Yemen Resilience Programme (YRP) was formulated. The Independent Country Program Evaluation (ICPE) of 2018 lauded the CO for adjusting and responding to the humanitarian crisis, though a comprehensive and integrated medium-term vision and strategy for the CO has yet to emerge. A 2018 Country Office Audit, has pointed to further finetuning of the CO governance and structure and finance and resource management to better respond to the on-going and prolonged crisis.  In this respect, a Country Programme Framework (2019-21) was approved in mid- 2019. UNDP worked under the assumption that as a future peace negotiation will have to include an agreement on decentralized political power, security, and resource management, supporting local authorities that will provide the foundations that make any future peace agreement stick and ensure its implementation. As the programme size continues to expand, resource mobilization and partnership-building play a key role and require dedicated attention. Important parts of UNDP’s project portfolio are anchored in the work of the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen (OSESGY) and the development of other key pieces of the peace process (Resumption of State Institutions or Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration "DDR") will constitute a pillar of UNDP’s engagement post peace agreement. A strategic and regular engagement between UNDP and OSESGY is therefore essential.

UNDP Yemen currently operates in Sana’a (main office), Aden (sub-office), Hodeidah (sub-office) and Amman (liaison office) and is developing its presence in Al-Mukalla and Maarib. In particular, the Amman Liaison Office (ALO) plays an important role in maintaining close relations and coordination with Amman and Riyadh-based partners.  Established the in 2015, following the evacuation of UN Staff from Yemen, the ALO is hosted in the UNDP Regional Hub in Arab States. The ALO plays a key role interfacing with the Amman-based Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen (OSESGY), representatives of donor countries and other partners. It also serves as a back-office and business continuity plan in case of disruption of the UNDP operation in Yemen. Until donors and partners are able to move back to Yemen, the ALO is expected to play a key role in developing and harnessing partnership for UNDP Yemen, in close coordination with senior management, management support unit, program colleagues  and the regional bureau for Arab states.

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Resident Representative, the Strategic Advisor/Head of Amman Liaison Office,  represent UNDP Yemen, its support/offer and added value, in all relevant events in Amman and will advise on positioning UNDP in the dynamic political developments and its role in the peace process and an eventual peace agreement. The Strategic Advisor/Head of Amman Liaison Office will manage the Amman Liaison office and play a key role identifying opportunities and positioning UNDP with key partners and stakeholders.

• Forster partnerships for UNDP Yemen
• Resource mobilization and Strategic Planning
• Strategic partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen.

Key results expected:

- Responsible for fostering partnerships with development partners focusing on achievement of the following results:

• ​Develop and chair Aid Management forum for Yemen in close consultations with the GoY and donors.
• Develop partnership frameworks around the H-D-P Nexus and with the private sector
• Represent UNDP Yemen in meetings with Amman based donors and counterparts, including think tanks, CSOs, INGOs, thematic fora
• Convene discussion around strategic thematic issues relevant to UNDP’s portfolio in Yemen (economic support to the peace process, stabilization; local governance; adaptive management and conflict-sensitive programming, recovery and reconstruction).
• Advise Program Teams on new opportunities for partnerships.
• Ensure support to Amman based meetings and events of projects and programs.
• Work closely with UNDP Regional Hub to ensure all pre-requisites for UNDP Yemen BCP are developed and ready to support.
• Preparatory work for project board meetings and Country Programme Board Review.
• Solicit new partnerships with potential donors, regional organizations and banks.
• Work closely with the RR, DRR(P), Program Team Leaders, and MSU and on the initiation of new projects and programs.
• Advise and work closely with RR DRR(P), Program Team Leaders, and MSU on the development of the Country Programme Document, conflict analysis, and other CO’s strategic planning documents
• Maintain a database with donor intelligence.
• Cultivate new partnerships with non-traditional donors, including the Gulf cooperation council "GCC".
• Chair and convene the Partnership and Resource Mobilization group
• Take the lead in developing, updating and implementing CO resource mobilization strategy
• Explore financing opportunities from regional entities i.e. banks and organizations as well as Islamic financing instruments.
• Negotiate and launch an Economic Policy Dialogue in Yemen with the World Bank
• Work closely with communications team on development of communications products pertaining to donors and partnership events.

- Responsible for developing the strategic partnerships and coordination with UN bodies outside Yemen focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead on coordination as interface with the OSESGY
• Advise and accompany the OSESGY in operationalizing Confidence Building Measures
• Channel technical support and lessons learned to OSESGY to key sectors and processes during the peace talks and negotiations, in coordination with program team leaders.
• Advise on UNDP positioning in UN strategic planning processes (UN Development Framework, Mission Planning, Humanitarian Response Plan).
• Identify opportunities and Advise the RR on UNDP added value and role post agreement context, reconstruction and recovery framework, including economic aspects pertaining to the peace process.
• Work closely with RR, DRR(P) and Governance and Rule of Law "GROL" Team Leader, Economic Recovery Team leader, and Peace Operations Support "POS" Team Leader during the conceptualization of programmatic support to OSESGY political talks
• Develop partnership with ESCWA, Emerging and Conflict Related Issues Division (ECRI), regional risk framework and annual Arab Development Forum, and shaping Yemen’s road map for the decade of action
• Work closely with OCHA, OSESGY, and other partners on development of an economic action plan for the peace process.

- Responsible for leading on developing UNDP Yemen’s knowledge products focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead UNDP Yemen’s positioning as a thought leader in developing Yemen future development agenda anchored in the SDGs.
• Generate Lessons Learned from UNDP’s programing in Yemen with a focus on the H-D-P.
• Lead After Action Review on UNDP’s support to the peace process in Rule of Law and Security; response to COVID19 in Yemen.
• Conceptualize and manage policy papers on the UN’s position on post conflict recovery and reconstruction, including stabilization.
• Conceptualize and manage the next Yemen Human Development Report.

- Responsible for effective Office management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensures strategic planning and smooth running of the Sub-Office and other relevant hubs, builds an effective ALO team, promotes team work and an environment that is conducive to delivering results;
• Ensures full responsibility for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the Sub-Office by tracking use of financial resources, ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations. Continually finds ways to systematically identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations of the ALO;
• Approves contracts and ATLAS transactions under written delegated authority from the Resident Representative has ATLAS manager rights as delegated. Responsible for the management of the ALO staff, monitors their performance, completing performance assessments where necessary;
• Builds capacity of the office staff by identifying capacity needs and establishing training/learning programmes.
• Ensures timely and regular reporting;
• In collaboration with the DCD and the Field Security Specialist, ensures that the security needs of office and projects are met and is responsible for efficient implementation in UNDP of security measures agreed in the Senior Management Team "SMT" and for compliance with security policy, including Minimum Operating Security Standards "MOSS".
• by proactively designing reduction measures in collaboration with the Security Advisor;
• Ensures support from the UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States to the UNDP Yemen ALO in form of provision of common services.

- The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that 

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

Education:

• Master degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environment or related areas.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the area of inclusive and sustainable development (focusing on livelihoods) including extensive field experience in leadership positions (proven track of substantive development policy and management expertise required);
• Knowledge of UN/UNDP policies, programming frameworks and procedures, proven ability to design and facilitate complex development interventions in crisis setting;
• Experience working within conflict and post-conflict settings; in particular in relation to early recovery working with local governments, civil society, and development partners;
• Strong analytical judgment, with proven efficiency and results-orientation in a multi-tasking environment and excellent management capabilities;
• Proven networking and partnering skills with a demonstrated successful resource mobilization record;
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions; ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrated public relations, communication and advocacy skills;
• Excellent teamwork skills, cross-cultural and gender sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in the execution of functions, and competence in protocol;
• Proven ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource. 

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of Arabic desirable. 

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.

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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.

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