Chief Technical Advisor (Water Management, Food Security and Social Protection)

Tiered Approach - This position is open to all Tiers Open to internal and external applicants In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 80 percent of Yemen’s population is estimated to need humanitarian assistance, and more than 2.5 million Yemenis have become IDPs. The ongoing conflict has destroyed much of the institutional ability of key ministries, governorates, and local authorities to deliver essential social services to citizens. Public service restoration is also essential for a smooth transition to recovery, as a political agreement is being negotiated. Combining communities’ own efforts with whatever limited state institutional capacity remains are needed to both curtail further humanitarian deterioration and the political ramifications of total state collapse. Yemen is one of the most food insecure countries in the world. Around 20 million people (70 percent of the population) are facing hunger, a 13 percent increase from 2017. The current conflict has led to a decline in the national economy. Gross Domestic Product was cut in half since 2015, and more than 80 percent of the population living below the poverty line. The fighting around the country’s seaports and the ensuing suspension of commercial imports and supply shortages, the depreciation of the Yemeni riyal, which is now worth barely a third of 2015 level, have combined to push the food prices up. Only half of health facilities are functioning, and many Yemenis in need of critical treatments especially for malnutrition are too poor to access the ones that are open. Beyond those at risk of famine, many millions with only emergency food assistance to survive, face a collapse in their immune systems – especially children and the elderly – increasing their vulnerability to malnutrition, cholera and other diseases. Chronic water shortages exacerbate food insecurity and risk of famine in areas where people depend on agriculture for food and income. This heightened crisis is calling for scaled-up support to address the immediate needs while also leveraging and enhancing national capacities and systems for resilience-building for populations in Yemen with increased vulnerabilities that can complement a largely insufficient humanitarian response and at the same time for the need to maintain the existing capacities and mechanisms at local and national level to maintain the foundation for future reconstruction and recovery. The World Bank funded projects aim to Improve access to food and, nutritious diets, social protection, economic opportunities, food security and effective management of water sector in Yemen. This is done through several activities including infrastructure rehabilitation, support to improve agriculture production and quality by reducing post-harvest losses and improving climate resilience and access to markets While ensuring direct support in a fragile context, UNDP, in partnership with the WB is also strategizing to ensure that short term benefits are translated into longer term development impact. Position Purpose UNDP is seeking to recruit a Chief Technical Advisor to manage three World Bank funded projects. S/he shall work under guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative for Programme, and shall provide strategic advice and technical oversight for the projects under his/her responsibility to ensure that all outputs are of high quality and consistent with the delivery of results according to the Project Documents and Project Result Frameworks and will provide coordination and technical guidance to projects team consisting for successful implementation of the outputs and activities. He/she shall engage proactively with Yemeni institutions partners and provide guidance on further engagement and programme development. The Chief Technical Advisor shall keep abreast of good international practices in the area of projects under responsibility and integrate/build similar practices within the projects, build and manage partnerships, facilitate knowledge management and sharing and support and facilitate the elaboration of other initiatives of UNDP. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. UNDP is an implementing partner for the World Bank for a number of projects. This CTA will work as a senior advisor to management and all project managers on partnership with World Band and will be responsible for the management of three WB Projects: • Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project which aims at improving the availability of and access to food and nutritious diets, both in the short and medium term, for targeted households Yemen’s capacity to respond to food insecurity. UNDP is responsible for implementing component 1 of the project on Improving agricultural production infrastructure and building climate resilience • Yemen Emergency Social Protection Enhancement and COVID 19 Response Project which aims at providing immediate relief to food insecurity and malnutrition while also increasing resilience to food insecurity and malnutrition in the future, through providing cash assistance and much-needed services for vulnerable households that are most at risk of malnutrition (Cash for Nutrition), creating employment opportunities for vulnerable populations, improve productivity, strengthen social cohesion, and respond to the anticipated effects of climate change (Cash for Work), and building valuable socio-economic assets for local communities that help improve access to key services and small infrastructure. • Yemen Improved Water Management and Irrigation for Sustainability and Efficiency in Yemen aiming at strengthening climate resilience and water security for people in selected water basins in Yemen through enhancing resilience of beneficiaries to climate risks ,and provide them with water, sanitation, and/or hygiene, that is safely managed Duties and Accountabilities 1.) Lead Results-based project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. • Establish the work plans, activities, targets, budgets, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations; • Ensure the achievement of outputs in line with the approved Annual Work Plans through the day to-day planning, management and implementation of activities; • Lead and provide support to the project teams and the Responsible Parties on the achievement of specific results of the project as per the AWPs; • Prepare regular and timely progress and impact reports as per agreement with the WB for the projects; • Participate in all internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the projects; • Manage and monitor identified project risks and issues and update the risk status and issue in Quantum; • Plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals; and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results; • Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation procedures are instituted and ensure proper monitoring of projects’ progress against annual and quarterly work plans and budgets; • Supervise and guide the Third-Party Monitoring Agent to undertake monitoring visits; • Facilitate proper monitoring of project inventory, attendance records, filing system; • Ensure timely management and recruitment of project staff in accordance with UNDP guidelines; • Ensure both projects are implemented according to UNDP and WB Safeguards standards and policies and according to the project Environment and Social Mgt Framework (ESMF) and related actions agreed with the WB; • Ensure grievances and incidents related to the UNDP Safeguards standards and policies are followed up in terms of timely investigations and reports. • Undertake any other duties as may be required by counterparts and UNDP. 2.) Ensure effective financial management and reporting • Ensure accountability for, and efficient use of project funds; • Manage and monitor requests for financial resources and ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; • Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment and ensure monthly delivery updates to the Programme Officer on financial delivery performance; • Provide leadership in overseeing effective provision of services to counterparts including fair and transparent procurement process, efficient logistics and sound financial management; • Liaise with the Responsible Parties and other UNDP project staff on financial management of the project activities, including monitoring project financial expenditures and transactions; • Ensure the integrity of financial system and overseeing the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities; • Ensure smooth audit of national partner institutions; • Ensure integrity of financial systems and consistent application of UNDP Internal Control • Framework (ICF), rules and regulations 3.) Promote Strategic Partnerships and Resources Mobilization • Engage in a constructive dialogue with partners in Yemen, the World Bank, and other stakeholders, especially to maximize consistency and synergy between the various support components, as informed by the priorities of the project document. • Establish and maintain dialogue with government counterparts, both local and national, civil society, partners, donors and communities to provide knowledge and understanding while ensuring accurate interpretation of the project objectives • Promote linkages, synergistic, relationships, networking and teamwork between counterparts, donor community and UN system; • Create tools and communications materials to promote project objectives, establish contact as a focal person for project in support to the UNDP CO cooperation with the World Bank and other donors; • Maintain relationships between the project and the WB through the review meetings and Project Steering Committees and present a clear analysis of how their financial support has contributed to the results they requested and promote the institutional development efforts to new donors. 4.) Provide top-level coordination support to World Bank Projects in Yemen • Provide support and advice to other portfolios managing World Bank projects, to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to WB projects • Advise senior management and all project managers on WB strategic issues and corporate compliance requirements and procedures • Ensure coherent and coordinated responses and messages to WB on strategic and operational issues • Promote cross-unit teamwork between WB teams to ensure similar approaches to WB communications, fiduciary and safeguards reporting • Ensure Third Party Monitoring effectiveness across all WB projects • Supervise the UNDP call center and all grievance redress mechanisms for effective use by all UNDP Projects in Yemen 5.) Lead Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and knowledge management and capacity building • Supporting gender mainstreaming throughout the project life cycle including design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation • Ensure coordination and partnership with national gender mechanisms, women-led organizations, academies, networks, forums, etc.; • Support the institutional and technical capacity of the project team and stakeholders on gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as social safeguards aspects; • Support the implementation and reporting of gender-responsive actions, and allocating the required resources; • Contribute to the country office communication, and knowledge management system on gender equality and women’s empowerment. • Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. • Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project. • Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends. • Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement. 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: The CTA will be supervising five positions as follows: 1. National Coordinator 2. Operation Analyst 3. Sr. National Coordinator ESECR 4. M&E Specialist - Oversight all WB Projects 5. Social & Environmental Safeguards Specialist Education Requirements: • Advanced University degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in relevant areas such as Economics, Social Protection/Development, Livelihoods, Food Security, Natural resource management, Business Administration or related Social Science fields is required, or • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: • Minimum ten (10) years (with master´s degree) or seven (12) years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience working in managing large-scale projects in a conflict setting and complex operational environment, with emphasis on economic recovery, social protection, food security and support to conflict war-affected populations is required. • Experience in planning and consensus building, strong analytical skills combined with good judgment, ability to handle planning and budgeting or multiple concurrent projects/activities is required. • Experience in reasoning in dealing with sensitive matters; ability to independently solve complex and challenging problems is required. • Strong project operational management experience, with demonstrated knowledge of UNDP project management procedures and policies, including experience with Quantum (Resource Management System), detailed working knowledge of human resources, procurement, ICT, financial management (for large-scale projects), asset management and logistics, and work planning is desired. • Demonstrated experience in successful delivery and implementation of large-scale projects in fragile/crisis contexts is required. • Experience applying UNDP Safeguards policies and standards and practical application in crisis contexts is desired; • Experience in gender and conflict sensitivity mainstreaming in programming is required. • Proven experience in partnership building and networking is required. • Experience using computers and relevant software and other applications is required; • Previous experience of working with World Bank projects is desired. • Experience in remote management (including Third Party Monitoring is desired; • Fluency in English is required. • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Expected Demonstration of Competencies • Core: Achieve Results: LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes • Act with Determination: LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy System 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 2030 Agenda: Planet Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management 2030 Agenda: Planet Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management 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 Risk Management Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks Business Management Resource Management Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity Business Management Operations Management Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Probation For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period. Right to select multiple candidates 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. Use of AI by candidates Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. 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