The UNDP Country Office in Nigeria is implementing the 7th Country Programme agreed and signed in November 2008 with the Federal Government of Nigeria. The 7th CP runs from 2009 – 2012 and includes the following cross cutting programmes; Economic Governance, Capacity for Governance,
Private Sector Development and the Sustainability and Risk Management Programmes. These are implemented within the context of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework II for Nigeria through several Federal agencies, 14 States and other Nigerian partners.

The Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) is part of a larger agenda to reduce poverty by facilitating entrepreneurial activities, enhancing human development and promoting the MDGs in Nigeria. The PSDP is a deliberate attempt to nurture growth in the non-oil sector of the economy using the ‘inclusive markets’ approach to create opportunities and enhance security of the poor. In particular, activities will aim at promoting enterprises (MSMEs, SMEs, e.t.c.) thus allowing the private sector to make a greater contribution to growth, employment and income generation associated with economic opportunities and securities of the poor.

The Programme Specialist (PS) will act as manager for the PSDP and will work under the guidance of the Country Director and the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director Programmes.  S/he will provide quality advisory services to the senior management on all aspects of poverty reduction. The PS will work with others to translate programme documents into robust and innovative strategies to achieve measurable programme results. S/he will be a specialist especially in the field of Private Sector Development with explicit experience in poverty reduction. S/he should bring to the CO international expertise and knowledge of best practices. Also, s/he is expected to build up the capacity of national staff and government counterparts in the course of her/his work.

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:

Policy and programme advisory services
Facilitation of knowledge services and capacity development
Building of strategic partnerships
Project implementation and management
1. Policy and Programme Advisory Services.

Provide intellectual and/or substantive programme leadership to enhance the development of the private sector as an engine of growth for poverty reduction;
Lead and guide programme and project formulation and support development and implementation of effective PSD strategies and policies;
Facilitate partnerships between private companies and UNDP Nigeria’s country office through a combination of advisory and capacity building services, thus creating an opportunity to strengthen national capacities for the creation and continuous improvement of a business environment;
Provide support to and be directly involved in the programmes’s capacity building efforts;
Promote convergence between the different development interventions in private sector development and coherence with the work of other development agencies;
Identify opportunities to enhance cross team working to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support;
Provide top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management particularly in the areas of PSD issues.
2. Facilitation of knowledge services and capacity development.

Undertake knowledge capture at national, regional and global levels in the areas of private sector development and produce knowledge-based products as relevant;
Research and analyze case studies of inclusive markets development in northern and southern countries especially, donor programmes for intervention in Nigeria’s private sector areas as necessary;
Provide knowledge building and policy advisory services on international best practices in private sector development issues;
Develop the capacity of national project staff and government counterparts in the development and implementation of programmes that target private sector development.
3. Building of strategic partnerships.

Mobilize and network with the experts of national and regional offices of the UN System, international development organizations, sub-regional and regional associations, affiliations and bodies (inter-governmental, non-government or private sector) and prominent private sector organizations;
Undertake national and international networking with government ministries, departments and agencies, donors and development agencies, national and international NGOs, academic institutions and civil society organizations to promote and improve knowledge of private sector development in Nigeria;
Undertake coordination functions with on-going and proposed projects that directly or indirectly benefit private sector development planning in Nigeria.
4. Programme implementation and management.

Provide supervisory, technical support, advice and capacity building to programme team members and the various project teams;
Ensure consistency of the CO PSD programmes with UNDAF/CPAP  priorities;
Provide inputs into the preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans, result frameworks and reports as endorsed by the management;
Provide support to the preparation of progress reports, briefings etc;
Undertake coordination functions with on-going and proposed projects that directly or indirectly benefit private sector development planning.

Impact of Results

The position will strengthen UNDP Nigeria’s contributions to national policy dialogue, visioning and strategic improvement and contribution to private sector development in Nigeria. The team leader will ensure that its policy, programme, capacity development and knowledge work is responsive to Nigeria’s need and priorities in the areas of private sector development.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues
Established track record of delivering strong analytical products with policy relevance
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Management and Leadership

Ability to interact with policy officials at the highest levels of society
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
Good interpersonal skills
Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration and other social science and/or related discipline.
Experience:

Minimum 5 years relevant experience at national or international level.
Desirable At least 10 years experience in private sector development and planning at national and/or international level with focus on inclusive growth of asset base of the poor.
Preference for those with direct experience of working on private sector development programmes.
Demonstrated ability to engage at the highest levels with donors and development agencies, government officials and UN Agencies.
Knowledge of international best practices and policies in the fields of private sector development
Proven capacity development experience.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting.
High-level computing skills in word processing, spreadsheets, power point, and preferably web pages;
Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
Fluency in one National language is essential

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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