More Job Announcements: LRDC Seeks Pillar Technical Advisers

Wednesday, 23rd February 2011

Background:

The LRDC structure was organized with the intent of providing the President a means of 1) coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the national reconstruction and development agenda through the Cabinet and Heads of autonomous agencies and 2) enhancing coordination with external partners, thus assuring key senior officials and partners are consistently on the same development agenda.

The current Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), captures succinctly, national priorities structured around the Four Pillars; Security, Governance and Rule of Law, Economic Revitalization, and Infrastructure and Basic Services. It provides a framework to guide interventions in the reconstruction and development efforts in Liberia. It defines expected results agreed upon by partners and government and ensures accountability by identifying the party responsible for producing the defined results.

Through the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the Government of Liberia (GoL) has set a national strategy aimed at achieving growth, reconstruction and development over the next three years (2008 – 2011). Similarly, each of the fifteen counties of Liberia has set its development goals and priorities through the formulation of the County Development Agenda (CDA) for a five years period (2008 - 2013.) As outlined in the PRS, each Pillar identified a list of priority interventions (ranging from operational programs, policy formulation and capacity development) to be delivered within a specified timeframe. These deliverables, not only reflect the national interest, but also, county specific measurable indicators and targets to be achieved. Both the PRS and CDA are therefore tools that coherently articulate priorities, and at the same time guide implementation, delivery and monitoring of county specific as well as overall national development goals.

In order to strengthen the coordination and monitoring of PRS implementation, one LRDC Pillar Technical Advisor will be hired, responsible for the ERC Pillar.

Scope of Work:

The Technical Advisor will work closely with the Pillar Chair, members of the Pillar, and the County Development Planning Specialists, the LRDC National Program Specialist and the Sr. Policy Advisor to ensure implementation of policy decisions agreed at LRDC. The Technical Advisors will report directly to the Pillar Chair daily but will be supervised by the National Program Specialist and will be subject to quarterly and final evaluations by the LRDC with input from the Pillar Chairs.

Working closely with the Pillar Chair, the LRDC National Program Specialist, and LRDC Sr. Policy Advisor, the Governance and Rule of Law Pillar Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following within their Pillar:

i. Provide advice to ensure that Ministries and Agencies are in fact working together and coordinating relevant policy projects.  Work to improve collaboration on projects in which Ministries are not working together effectively.  Identify areas where line Ministries and Agencies may need particular additional assistance and expertise.

ii. Provide objective evaluation of polices proposed by line Ministries and agencies.  Analyze policy proposals by Ministries and Agencies to assess their consistency with government policy.  Provide analytical support to the government’s strategic planning and approval process.

iii. Monitor and guide policy development process from the Pillar level to ensure that individual line Ministry and Agency activities fit into a broader strategic context.
 
iv. Ensure that PRS indicators are duly transmitted to all stakeholders and assist each Pillar ministry, autonomous line agency and public corporation in drafting their respective results matrix from PRS goals and objectives.

v. Support the role of the Pillar Chair in reporting on monitoring the implementation

vi. Ensure that Pillar WC and all sub-WCs give proper attention to all cross-cutting issues in the implementation of interventions;

vii. Supervise Program Assistants to ensure that: Pillars are functional, meetings are held regularly, full records of the proceedings of the Pillar WC Meetings maintained, citations issued, and all stakeholders informed  on a regular basis;

viii. Serve as Pillar Focal Point in providing aid information as it relates to the development agenda to the Pillar and to LRDC when requested.

ix. Liaise with the County Development Steering Committee through the CDOs to ensure the collection of information/data from implementing agencies, to ensure the timely preparation of relevant reports for the LRDC;

x. Prepare a Pillar Feedback matrix detailing status of implementation challenges indicated at national and county levels to be communicated through LRDC as required and quarterly.

xi. Participate in the design and development of medium & long-term GOL strategic planning in close collaboration with the LRDC Secretariat.

xii.    Support the development of the National Growth Strategy and the National Vision process

xiii. Supervise and provide support to the ERC program assistant.

xiv. Perform other duties and responsibilities relating the implementation of the Lift Liberia agenda as may be assigned by the National or Deputy National Coordinator.

Qualifications

i. Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Economics or Financial Management, Project Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area;

ii. At least 5 years of work experience with capabilities in policy or strategy development, public sector reform, legal reform, conflict management, peace building, and monitoring and evaluation;

iii. Understanding of the legal and governance structures in place in Liberia, the reform processes currently being undertaken in the country, some of the various actors in the area of governance and the rule of law, and their respective roles and mandates.

iv. Knowledge of the PRS/CDA processes and the expected goals as they relate to governance and the rule of law.

v. Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills;

vi. Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

vii. Prepared to undertake lots of local travel to the counties.

OPERATIONAL SKILLS

i. Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions.
ii. Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in a multicultural environment.
iii. Excellent writing skills to draft reports for submission to the LRDC Secretariat.
iv. Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural and political sensitivity to effectively interact with a cross section of government officials, members of donor organizations, international and national NGOs, civil society representatives, etc.
v. Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
vi. Strong inter-personal skills with ability to promote participation and teamwork.
vii. Ability to undertake field travel in order to achieve objectives.
viii. Active commitment to promoting the interest of marginalized people.
ix. Highly motivated, flexible, and capable of working under pressure.

E-mail application to this vacancy should be sent to LRDCemployment@mopea.gov.lr.  Please insert Vacancy Announcement Number in the Subject of the email or written application.  Applications without the Vacancy Announcement Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Announcement Number will not be accepted.  Attach photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates and academicals) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position.


Post Title: Pillar Technical Advisor- Peace & Security
Organizational Unit:
MPEA/Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee (LRDC)
Duty Station: Monrovia, Liberia
Duration: 9 months
Start Date: Immediately
Date of Issue: February 21, 2011              
Closing Date: March 8, 2011
Vacancy Number: LRDC-SEC 0002

This vacancy is open to Liberian applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates.

Background:

The LRDC structure was organized with the intent of providing the President a means of 1) coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the national reconstruction and development agenda through the Cabinet and Heads of autonomous agencies and 2) enhancing coordination with external partners, thus assuring key senior officials and partners are consistently on the same development agenda.

The current Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), captures succinctly, national priorities structured around the Four Pillars; Security, Governance and Rule of Law, Economic Revitalization, and Infrastructure and Basic Services. It provides a framework to guide interventions in the reconstruction and development efforts in Liberia.  It defines expected results agreed upon by partners and government and ensures accountability by identifying the party responsible for producing the defined results.

Through the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the Government of Liberia (GoL) has set a national strategy aimed at achieving growth, reconstruction and development over the next three years (2008 – 2011). Similarly, each of the fifteen counties of Liberia has set its development goals and priorities through the formulation of the County Development Agenda (CDA) for a five years period (2008 - 2013.) As outlined in the PRS, each Pillar identified a list of priority interventions (ranging from operational programs, policy formulation and capacity development) to be delivered within a specified timeframe. These deliverables, not only reflect the national interest, but also, county specific measurable indicators and targets to be achieved. Both the PRS and CDA are therefore tools that coherently articulate priorities, and at the same time guide implementation, delivery and monitoring of county specific as well as overall national development goals.

In order to strengthen the coordination and monitoring of PRS implementation, four LRDC Pillar Technical Advisors will be assigned to each of the Pillars.

Scope of Work:

The Technical Advisor will work closely with the Pillar Chair, members of the Pillar, and the County Development Officer (CDO), the LRDC National Program Specialist and the Sr. Policy Advisor to ensure implementation of policy decisions agreed at LRDC. The Technical Advisor will report directly to the Pillar Chair but will be supervised by the National Program Specialist and will be subject to quarterly and final evaluations by the LRDC with input from the Pillar Chairs.

Working closely with the Pillar Chair, the LRDC National Program Specialist, and LRDC Sr. Policy Advisor, the Peace and Security Pillar Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following within their Pillar:

i. Provide advice to ensure that Ministries and Agencies are in fact working together and coordinating relevant policy projects.  Work to improve collaboration on projects in which Ministries are not working together effectively.  Identify areas where line Ministries and Agencies may need particular additional assistance and expertise.

ii. Provide objective evaluation of polices proposed by line Ministries and agencies.  Analyze policy proposals by Ministries and Agencies to assess their consistency with government policy.  Provide analytical support to the government’s strategic planning and approval process.

iii. Monitor and guide policy development process from the Pillar level to ensure that individual line Ministry and Agency activities fit into a broader strategic context.
 
iv. Support the development of appropriate legislation working together with relevant line ministries and agencies following Cabinet endorsement of policies.

v. Ensure that PRS indicators are duly transmitted to all stakeholders and assist each Pillar ministry, autonomous line agency and public corporation in drafting their respective results matrix from PRS goals and objectives.

vi. Support the role of the Pillar Chair in reporting on monitoring the implementation process (in line with the M & E Framework) to the LRDC Steering Committee;
  
vii. Ensure that Pillar WC and all sub-WCs give proper attention to all cross-cutting issues in the implementation of interventions;

viii. Ensure that the Pillars are functional and holding regular meetings and maintain  full records of the proceedings of the Pillar WC Meetings, issue citations, serve as a clearing house on LRDC Pillar  information and inform all stakeholders on a regular basis;

ix. Serve as Pillar Focal Point in providing aid information as it relates to the development agenda to the Pillar and to LRDC when requested.

x. Liaise with the County Development Steering Committee through the CDO to ensure the collection of information/data from implementing agencies, to ensure the timely preparation of relevant reports for the LRDC;

xi.    Consolidate and distribute monthly and quarterly reports from the counties to the Pillar to ensure timely response and corrective action to project and program implementation at county level. Prepare a Pillar Feedback matrix detailing status of implementation challenges indicated at county level to be communicated to counties through LRDC as required and quarterly.

xii. Participate in the design and development of medium & long-term GOL strategic planning in close collaboration with the LRDC Secretariat.

xiii. Perform other duties and responsibilities relating the implementation of the Lift Liberia agenda as may be assigned by the National or Deputy National Coordinator.

Qualifications

i. Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, International Relations, Peace Studies, or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area;

ii. At least 5 years of work experience with capabilities in policy or strategy development, public sector reform, legal reform, conflict management, peace building, and monitoring and evaluation;

iii.    Understanding of the legal and governance structures in place in Liberia, the reform processes currently being undertaken in the country, some of the various actors in the area of governance and the rule of law, and their respective roles and mandates.

iv. Knowledge of the PRS/CDA processes and the expected goals as they relate to Peace and Security.

v. Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills;

vi. Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

vii. Prepared to undertake lots of local travel to the counties.

OPERATIONAL SKILLS

i. Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions.
ii. Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in a multicultural environment.
iii. Excellent writing skills to draft reports for submission to the LRDC Secretariat.
iv. Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural and political sensitivity to effectively interact with a cross section of government officials, members of donor organizations, international and national NGOs, civil society representatives, etc.
v. Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
vi. Strong inter-personal skills with ability to promote participation and teamwork.
vii. Ability to undertake field travel in order to achieve objectives.
viii. Active commitment to promoting the interest of marginalized people.
ix. Highly motivated, flexible, and capable of working under pressure.

E-mail application to this vacancy should be sent to LRDCemployment@mopea.gov.lr. Please insert Vacancy Announcement Number in the Subject of the email or written application.  Applications without the Vacancy Announcement Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Announcement Number will not be accepted. Attach photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates and academicals) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for a written test followed by an interview.

Please forward all written applications to:

Attention: HR Unit
Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs
Executive Mansion Grounds,
Monrovia, Liberia

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