Background

The adoption of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, underlines the implementation of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change challenges by 2030. The Agenda 2030 is underpinned by a strong commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ and to reach the furthest behind first. As implementation of the 2030 Agenda unfolds, the demand for effective national institutions, systems, policies as well as reliable quality data emerges. Thus, underscores the importance of building capacities to enable countries to plan, implement, monitor and report on their National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is committed to the implementation of the Global Development Agenda 2030 as reflected in the Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty III (MKUZA III). However anecdotal evidence has revealed limited capacities for coordination and reporting of both the SDGs and MKUZA III in Zanzibar. It is within this context that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is committed to strengthen its national systems and institutions to facilitate coordination, implementation and reporting of SDGs. There is also a challenge in responding to greater demand for reliable and disaggregated data, required to inform policy and decision making, coordination of routine activities as well as monitoring implementation of the SDGs and development plans. The situation therefore, calls for further strengthening of RGoZ’s capacities to facilitate coordination, monitoring and reporting the results of SDGs and MKUZA III as well as in responding to the increasing demand for data.

In that regard, UNDP is supporting the Zanzibar Planning Commission to implement a project on ‘Capacity Building for Coordination and Reporting of the SDGs and the Zanzibar MKUZA III’. The aim of the project is to enhance institutional capacities and facilitate coordination, monitoring and reporting of the SDGs and MKUZA III in Zanzibar. It seeks to put in place essential capacities that enable the formulation and implementation of conducive policies and regulations as key ingredients and enablers of sustainable development.

The project will focus on enhancing institutional capacities of the Zanzibar Planning Commission (ZPC) - an SDG secretariat - with responsibilities for coordinating the implementation of MKUZA III and the SDGs. Support will also be provided to strengthen the capacities of the national statistical system, including the OCGS and other key sectoral MDAs. The project will capitalize on data revolution to bring about a shift in the way data is collected, analysed and used. Initiatives towards more sophisticated and innovative approach to data production, use, analytics, visualization, and communication will be implemented. Emphasis is also placed on strengthening partnerships and south-south knowledge sharing networks; facilitating implementation of various global and regional plans of action for sustainable development, creating public awareness, engagement of CSOs and other stakeholders in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the Africa vision 2063.

Given the limited institutional and technical capacities at the ZPC in addition to supporting other activities there is a need for technical expertise to enhance ZPC’s Coordination and M&E capacity. To this effect, the UNDP, will engage an SDG Coordination Specialist to facilitate and fast track the coordination and implementation of the SDGs and MKUZA III in Zanzibar.

Duties and Responsibilities

The SDGs Coordination Specialist shall support the Zanzibar Planning Commission in putting in place capacities, systems, policies and strategies for coordination, implementation and reporting results of the SDGs and MKUZA III implementation. The Specialist shall conduct the following specific functions:

Project Oversight

S/he will be the technical expert responsible for oversight as well as coordination and reporting of SDGs and MKUZA III. The specialist will:

Provide technical guidance in the delivery of project results to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and budget. As such, s/he will guide and collaborate with the National Project Coordinator and other responsible parties in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project results;
oversee and ensure timely submission of project reports including implementation progress reports, special technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and others as may be required by ZPC, UNDP and other partners;
Undertake quality assurance of consultants assigned to do specific tasks. Support the preparation of terms of reference, coordinate the work of consultants; as well as review their deliverables;
Lead the development and implementation of the SDGs Roadmap.

Provide policy advice on SDGs

Facilitate the SDGs Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) consultation process;
Contribute to policy advice through preparation, launch and follow-up of national policy briefs, position papers and global approaches to development and promote mainstreaming the SDGs into national and sector specific plans and strategies;
Keep abreast of regional and global socio-economic trends and issues and analyse their implications for the realization of the SDGs in Zanzibar;
Facilitate policy dialogue and coordinate organization of forums on SDGs related topical issues to inform policy choices;
Support mainstreaming, specific global and regional policy instruments and services into national development initiatives, notably the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, AU Agenda 2063 as well as Human Development Approaches;
Identify areas for continued Government and UN support and engagement in the implementation of MKUZA III, Agenda 2030 as well as other regional, national and sector development plans.

Facilitate capacity development and knowledge management in support of national priorities, focusing on achievement of the SDGs and MKUZA III results:

Collect, analyse and synthesize SDG-related information and best practices emphasizing on gender disparities, people with disabilities, the youth and other vulnerable groups, and share with concerned personnel in Zanzibar with the view of leaving no one behind;
Identify capacity gaps and propose capacity development options for relevant actors in the implementation of the SDGs and MKUZA III;
Identify data gaps impeding sound and timely data analysis for policy, planning and monitoring and evaluation;
oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned within the framework of south-south cooperation and knowledge networks;
organize capacity development opportunities for Government officials in the formulation of SDGs-consistent policies, plans and programmes, including appropriate reporting frameworks;
support partnerships and engagement of CSOs and other stakeholders in the implementation and monitoring of MKUZA III, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Agenda 2063;
promote outreach, awareness raising, and community mobilization initiatives on SDGs.

Impact of Results

The key results specified below, will have an impact on the overall success of the project. They will reinforce the visibility of UNDP’s contribution to Zanzibar’s development strategies and priorities. The results will also enhance Zanzibar government’s capacity in the coordination and reporting of the SDGs and MKUZA III as well as achieving national development strategic objectives and priorities. The key outputs include:

Draft Zanzibar SDGs Voluntary National Review (VNR) report prepared.
Project reports including project implementation reports, technical reports, and other reports as may be required by ZPC, UNDP and other partners.
SDGs Roadmap for Zanzibar prepared.
At least two policy dialogues per year organized.
Documentation of key knowledge products emanating from the policy dialogues.
Analysis of key policy implications for upstream advise and mainstreaming to local policies, plans and strategies.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level

5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

Development Effectiveness

Demonstrates substantive technical knowledge to meet the responsibilities and the post’s requirements with excellence

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Corporate Competency

Demonstrates commitment to United Nations System’s mission, vision, values and ethical standards.

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Strategic Management

High level strategic thinking and analytical skills.

Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Professionalism

Demonstrates professional competence as well as understanding and knowledge of Agenda 2030 as well as regional development agenda

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to promote knowledge management and a learning environment

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Economics, Political Science, Development Economics, Statistics or any related field. Strong emphasis on economic analysis and quantitative skills preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of 9-years relevant experience at the national or international level in providing technical expertise and advisory services on national development and poverty reduction strategies, policy formulation and analysis, as well as monitoring and evaluation of development programmers and projects;
Experience with United Nations/UNDP or International Organizations will be positively considered;
Experience in working on SDGs in developing countries is an added advantage;
Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Excellent writing and presentation skills including writing of policy briefs, position papers and technical reports.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English;
Working knowledge of Swahili is added advantage.

Other:

The SDGs Coordination Specialist shall be based at the Zanzibar Planning Commission, under the overall guidance and management of the Executive Secretary. On a day to day basis, s/he shall work closely