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.

Office/Unit/Project Description: 

The UN Secretary-General established the UN SDG Action Campaign to inspire people and organizations from all backgrounds and every part of the world to take actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while holding decision-makers to account for progress society-wide. The UN SDG Action Campaign is hosted and supported by UNDP and is based in Bonn (Germany) with a lean team that marshals rapid support for new initiatives as opportunities arise and provides partners with on-demand strategic creative services that inspire SDG action with an engaged community of activists and concerned individuals.

The UN SDG Action Campaign is working closely with cities and local governments to showcase how they are actively contributing to implement Agenda 2030, accelerating transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for all, and everywhere. The UN SDG Action Campaign, together with the office of UNDP in the Sierra Leone are supporting the Freetown City Council to implement its development plan and showcase how it contributes to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

Freetown has experienced a significant increase in population due to migration from rural areas, especially after the 11-year civil conflict. The impacts of climate change have further accelerated this growth. Over the past 25 years, the population of Freetown has more than doubled, and it now accommodates approximately 15% of the national population on less than 0.1% of the national landmass. The city is projected to gain another half a million residents over the next decade. Unfortunately, the Freetown City Council has historically lacked the necessary urban management tools to utilize urbanization for economic growth and improved service delivery. The consequences of rapid population growth without proper land use planning and building controls are devastating for the natural environment and the quality of life for residents.

In its 2019 -2023 development plan, the Freetown City Council aimed to address various challenges through Transform Freetown eleven priority sectors, including environmental management, revenue mobilization, education, and sanitation. Together, the Council, its residents, and a group of technical experts identified 19 targets and 37 initiatives to be implemented. A wide range of projects were initiated, including setting up waste management micro-enterprises, yearly flood mitigation interventions, establishing early learning centers for children of market women in two markets, and launching the Freetown Fashion Design and Creative Arts Network.

The Transform Freetown—Transforming Lives Plan (Transforming Lives, for short) is Freetown City Council’s development plan for 2024 – 2028. It builds on the progress made during the previous five years of the Transform Freetown initiative. Transforming Lives aims to be inclusive and data-driven in addressing Freetown’s challenges and creating job opportunities.

The plan focuses on four priority sectors:

• Climate change
• Heritage tourism
• Digital economy
• Human development

These priorities directly relate to the Sustainable Development Goals and align with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Medium-term National Development Plan. In May 2024, the Freetown City Council engaged extensively with the community to identify the interventions that need prioritization. Approximately 4,800 residents from 48 wards representing various stakeholders, including youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and religious leaders, were involved in the engagement process. Feedback from the communities emphasized the need for improvements in critical public service delivery, including water access, health facilities, education and skills development, and waste management.

The Delivery Unit Specialist will oversee the successful implementation Transforming Lives Plan. The Specialist will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of projects within the Transforming Lives Plan, will collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, manage resources, and maintain alignment with strategic goals and objectives. Acting as the primary point of contact for the Plan, he or she will oversee program delivery, manage budgets, and foster effective communication among all stakeholders.

Scope of Work

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define program scope, deliverables, risks, and resources needed for successful program execution.
• Ensure programs remain within scope, meet budgetary and scheduling requirements, and maintain high-quality standards.
• Provide regular program status updates to stakeholders, addressing feedback and concerns as needed.
• Develop and monitor program budgets and staffing requirements, ensuring adherence to legal requirements.
• Plan, schedule, monitor and report on program activities.
• Establish key project metrics and develop control procedures to manage changes effectively.
• Lead status review meetings, resolving technical and operational issues as required.
• Train, manage, and motivate the program team, resolving conflicts and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Provide thought partnership and strategic advisory support to City leaders and policy makers.
• Assess existing capacity gaps and support project teams to build capacity and effectively implement program goals.
• Establish new partnerships and maintain existing relationships with strategic partners.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary forthe efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

This position reports to the Advisor, cities and local governments, UN SDG Action Campaign, UNDP Executive Office. The Specialist will be based at the Freetown City Council, under the International Implementation Modality, and will directly support the Mayor of Freetown and the City´s Chief Administrator.

Expected Demonstration of 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 & Technical Competencies

Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Mitigation: Sustainable Infrastructure.

Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of the work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

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

Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authorites, area of expertise and resources.

Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Risk management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactivelly managing risks.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social or Political Sciences, Public Policy and Administration or a similar relevant discipline 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

Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of progressive work experience,  in project development and project management is required.

Required skills

• At least 5 years or  more experience working with local and regional governments, preferably in Africa;
• Experience in leadership roles, cutting across government, governance and delivery;
• Proven track record of effectively managing multiple stakeholders including communities, international partners and national government;
• Proficiency in MS Office products (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word;
• Proven experience in translating strategies into concrete and implementable plans;
• Proven track record in resource mobilization for development projects.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex challenges;
• Demonstrated experience in organizational, multitasking, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience in high quality communication, drafting and presentation skills;
• Experience in strong project development and management.

Languages

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

Disclaimer

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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