Local Community Development Associate

Job Title: Local Community Development Associate

Organization: UNDP

Job Identification: 12654

Location: Accra, Ghana

Apply Before: 8/11/2023, 05:48 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

Grade: NPSA-6

Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area” Governance

Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience: Bachelor's Degree - 3 year(s) experience

Required Languages: English

Desired Languages: Local Languages of Ghana

Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks

Job Description

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 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.
The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) is a mechanism to integrate climate change into local authorities’ planning and budgeting through the regular intergovernmental fiscal transfer system using performance-based grants in a participatory and gender sensitive manner, increase awareness and capacities to respond to climate change at the local level including through ecosystem-based solutions, and increase the quality and number of local investments that address climate change. LoCAL combines performance-based climate resilience grants (PBCRGs), which ensure programming and verification of change expenditures at the local level, with technical and capacity-building support. It uses the grants and demonstration effect to trigger further flows for local climate action including global climate finance and national fiscal transfers. LoCAL also aims to support private finance for small and medium businesses and municipal finance and public-private partnerships. LoCAL is currently active in 17 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, with another 13 countries preparing to join (at the design stage).
UNCDF is bringing its expertise in promoting a green and climate resilient local communities and economies for returnees, youth and women to support job creation in regions of departure, transit and return in Ghana, creating local ecosystems that facilitate the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enabling the transition of local economies to green and climate resilient development under the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project, funded by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa. This intervention is being implemented in 10 MMDAs. This project contributes to addressing the root causes of irregular migration through green and climate resilient local economic development and improving future prospects of beneficiaries, by creating employment and enterprise opportunities in selected sectors and regions (Ashanti and Western). The action aims at supporting job creation in regions of departure, transit and return of Ghana, creating local financial ecosystems that facilitate the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enabling the transition of local economies to green and climate resilient development.   

 UNCDF is also implementing under the project, Promoting Green and Climate Resilient Local Economies in Ghana – Applying circular economy (CE) and climate smart agriculture (CSA) principles and solutions to local development pathways in 6 MMDAs. The objective of the Action is to contribute to build green and climate resilient local economies in Ghana, applying circular economy and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) principles and solutions to local development pathways with funding from the Government of Norway.
In whole, UNCDF’s interventions are expected to achieve the overall objective through increasing selected District Assemblies’ access to climate finance to plan and implement locally led green and climate resilient public investments, while consolidating a country-based and internationally recognized mechanism to channel climate finance for local action through the performance-based climate resilience grant (PBCRG) system.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Scope of Work
As part of the project team, the Local Community Development Associate will specifically contribute to the effective delivery of the projects’ activities in the target Districts under the intervention, promoting climate resilience whilst applying CE and CSA principles and solutions, using the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) approach. The participating District Assemblies for Year 1 include Efutu Municipal, Fanteakwa North and Ada East District Assemlies. The project in Year 2 will onboard 3 additional District Assemblies that had been supported under the EU TF GrEEn project.
Summary of key functions:
1. Support the implementation and results-based monitoring of the LoCAL’s field activities
2. Provide programme support to subnational government counterparts and key stakeholders
3. Administrative support to the implementation of project activities
4. Support effective mainstreaming of gender equality and community participation
5. Support facilitating knowledge sharing and communication

Support the implementation and results-based monitoring of the LoCAL’s field activities

• Support implementation of LoCAL activities in the field in line with AWP and support the preparation of periodic technical and financial reports on the implementation of LoCAL activities and undertake regular monitoring of the activities, including through field visits.
• Assist target Local Governments (LGs) to understand LoCAL’s objectives and effectively support them in the management, implementation and monitoring of the performance-based climate resilience grants and activities/interventions/investments and propose improvements through reviewed work plans; 
• Support the preparation, participate and contribute to the annual performance assessment of target LGs; 
• Regular monitoring of the progress of target LGs in implementation of the LoCAL and its PBCRGs, in line with Design Document and applicable government’s regulations and procedures.

Provide programme support to subnational government counterparts and key stakeholders

• Under the guidance of the Techincal Assistance support provided and through other deconcentrated and decentralized government institutions, support target LGs to collect and interpret climate-related data and information, to update their local climate risk assessments, and to mainstream climate change into their local public planning and budgeting systems;
• Under the guidance of the Technical Specialist (Local Government Finance) and MLGDRD, support capacity building (“learning by doing”) and preparation of local government development and investment plans and budgets that foster inclusive and climate resilient local economies and communities.

Administrative support to the implementation of project activities

• Participate in planning and organization of trainings/events facilitating the wide representation and full participation of local and regional stakeholders by following UNCDF rules and regulations and ensuring gender equality;
• Assist in the organization of field visits, missions, conferences and other logistics arrangements;
• Support LGs to collect and compile narrative, expenditure reports and other related financial documents, as required;
•  Arrange meetings and draft routine correspondence, minutes including preparing background materials for discussions and briefing sessions;

Support effective mainstreaming of gender equality and community participation

• Support LGs in ensuring gender equality and participation of communities throughout the PBCRG cycle, in particular during the local adaptation planning and cash for work selection processes;
• Ensure that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to programme, are gender disaggregated.

Support facilitating knowledge sharing and communication

• Support and facilitate consultation and exchange of information, synergies, learning and know-how at the local level, in particular in relation with partners and stakeholders involved with LoCAL expected results
• Support the knowledge and communication efforts of LoCAL in Ghana (i.e. LoCAL stories, news articles, photos, videos, social media presence, country webpage and web presence, as appropriate) with support and guidance from Lead LoCAL Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist;
• Perform any other related duties as required by supervisor/ management

Additional information on LoCAL can be found here    https://www.uncdf.org/local/homepage 

Institutional Arrangement
The Local Community and Development Associate will be based in Accra, Ghana and will support the MMDAs with the overall implementation of the PBCRG mechanism at the sub-national level.
The Local Community and Development Associate will have direct report to the Tehcnical Specialist (Local Government Finance), NOC based in Accra, and works under the overall coordination of the LoCAL Global Facility Manager, P-5, based in Kampala, Uganda as well as works in close collaboration with other Local Transformative Finance and LoCAL colleagues in the global, regional office or HQ based in country and across the region.
In carrying out his/her work, the Local Community and Development Associate will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization an Rural Development (MLGDRD), the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the target MDAs and other LoCAL  stakeholders.  

Competencies
Core 

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

Act with Determination:
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
 

Thematic Area  Name  Definition  External Relations & Advocacy  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  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 objective  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  Business Management  Monitoring   Abilit to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme  performance and results  2030 Agenda: Peace  Governance  Local Governance  2030 Agenda: Planet  Nature, Climate and Energy  Climate Change Adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions  2030 Agenda: Planet  Nature, Climate and Energy  Climate Change Adaptation: Embedding adaptation into development policy/planning/decision making

Required Skills and Experience

• Practical knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Practical knowledge with performance-based grant systems, planning and budgeting processes, preferably with local government authorities and/or communities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Practical experience with training and capacity building activities.
• Collaborative work approach and strong teamwork skills.
• Good negotiation and facilitation skills.
• Computer literacy (Word, Internet, Excel, PowerPoint).
   

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• English
• Fluency in local languages is required.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies or related discipline with knowledge on sustainability related fields, will be given due consideration.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years (Bachelor’s degree) of continuous years of experience with local and community development, climate change and/or environment related issues, of which at least one (1) supporting local governments and/or communities.”

Travel:
The incumbent is expected to travel and engage the LoCAL implementing Disttirct Assemblies in Eastern, Central and Greater Accra regions and would therefore involve travel out of duty. 

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him/herself to be suitable for the position. 

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. 

Scam warning 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Apply Now