Cooperant Assignment - Director, Program Support Unit

Country:

Canada

City/Locality:

Foreign

Notice/Contract Number:

can:154676

Publication Date:

Jul 23, 2008

Deadline:

Aug 8, 2008

Buyer:

Canadian International Development Agency Agence canadienne de développement international

Original Language:

English

Address:

YASUI, David
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau , QC K1A 0G4
Canada

Telephone:

(819)000-0000

Fax:

(819)997-0945

Email:

Click here

Cooperant Assignment - Director, Program Support Unit - Colombo, Sri Lanka

INVITATION

To qualified candidates to register with the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Cooperant Database in anticipation of a competitive recruitment process for a cooperant assignment in Colombo, Sri Lanka. You must be registered with the Cooperant Database in order to be considered for this assignment. Please see "Application Instructions and Deadline" at the end of this document.

Eligibility: to be eligible to register as a Cooperant, you must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status, be living in a permanent residence in Canada, and have at least three years of relevant experience in your professional, project management or technical areas of expertise.

Individuals already registered with the Cooperant Database will be considered for this assignment if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Note: as per an internal policy, CIDA employees will not be considered for this assignment. Only contractors will be considered.

Cooperant assignment: Director, Program Support Unit (PSU)
Length of posting: two (2) years
Post rating: Sri Lanka IV
Language requirements: English Essential
Starting date: October 2008

1. Background

Sri Lanka's protracted ethnic conflict is the defining development issue confronting the government, from which most other issues arise or by which they are exacerbated. Over the last twelve (12) years, CIDA has largely focused on supporting key Sri Lankan institutions to help them address the political, social and economic causes of the conflict which it has done through a bilateral program based mainly on partnerships with NGOs. Specifically, it has sought to:
- promote key institutions which can improve policies related to economic reforms and
- promote human rights and democratic values;
- strengthen community level institutions, and support programs promoting economic activity, employment creation and provision of basic social services among those whose unfulfilled aspirations have fuelled the conflict; and
- assist in reconstruction and rehabilitation in the areas afflicted by the conflict.

The Sri Lanka Project Support Unit (PSU) assists CIDA in implementing its projects efficiently and effectively. The PSU provides professional, technical, administrative and logistical support services to CIDA and its programs. This includes development of projects and implementation, administration and financial management of a variety of funds. The PSU provides services to CIDA funded activities, including CIDA missions, Canadian Executing Agencies (CEAs) monitors, visiting consultants, non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka on CIDA programs and Canadian private sector representatives supported through CIDA's Industrial Cooperation program.

2. Purpose

The key purpose of the Director will be to manage the overall operations, including the achievement of approved objectives of CIDA's Program Support Unit (PSU).

3. Responsibilities

The CIDA Cooperant will:

a) Ensure the provision of professional, financial, technical and administrative advice required for management and ongoing monitoring of the program and projects.

b) Plan, organize, direct and monitor the quality of the work of the PSU.

c) Develop, implement, monitor and/or update the financial management system of the PSU in accordance with the PSU Guidelines and the Financial Management Framework for PSUs and the Accounting and Financial Reporting Requirements for PSU Projects.

d) Manage PSU contracted personnel and other human resources needed to carry out the Workplan, in accordance with the applicable laws in the country of assignment and the approved internal human resources policies and procedures.

e) Ensure compliance with PSU Guidelines and with CIDA principles and standards of sound financial management when managing local costs related to the execution of projects administered in the field.

f) Ensure effective relations with the partners in Sri Lanka, Canadian cooperants, Canadian executing agencies, Canadian visitors in connection with professional activities, representatives of other donors, and government political authorities.

g) Perform all other duties related to the general mandate which are not described specifically in this Statement of Services.

In relation to work production and reporting, the CIDA Cooperant will:

a) Prepare the Annual Workplan in February for approval in March of each year, in consultation with the CIDA Head of Aid, CIDA Headquarters and other professionals based at the PSU.

b) Implement the PSU Annual Work Plan in accordance with the mandates, time frames and priorities defined in said work plan.

c) Develop and/or update a databank of professionals and local consultants able to meet the program's needs in the various specialities required, and establish the standing offers required for the timely use of their services.

d) Submit to the Head of Aid, on a frequency agreed to by the Head of Aid, regular activity reports which briefly summarizes the activities of the period in question, highlighting the results achieved, the difficulties encountered and recommendations, and including an update of the Annual Work Plan for the next period.

e) Submit to the Head of Aid on a quarterly basis or more frequently if agreed by the PM, financial reports covering the use of funds and including budget forecasts for disbursements for the subsequent period in accordance with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Requirements for PSU Projects.

f) Submit to the Head of Aid, by June 30 of each year, an Annual Project Report, comprised of the Annual Audited Financial Report and the Annual Progress Report on Results.

In relation to the Administration and Financial Management of the PSU, the CIDA Cooperant will:

a) Manage and report on the financial aspect of the PSU in accordance with the Financial Management Framework and the Accounting and Financial Reporting Requirements for PSU Projects.

b) Periodically develop and/or update a Manual of Operating Procedures for the PSU, including fee analyses and submit it to the Head of Aid for approval.

c) Manage the PSU's expenses in accordance with the budget as approved and in accordance with Canadian government regulations for procurement of goods, materiel and services.

d) Manage the use and inventory of property placed under the PSU Director's responsibility and establish management and control mechanisms and procedures for its effective use and eventual disposal.

e) Manage the hiring of employees, contract workers, and other human resouces necessary to implement the PSU Annual Work Plan.

In relation to the Administration and Financial Management of projects other than the PSU as approved in the PSU Annual Work Plan, the CIDA Cooperant will:

a) Develop, implement and monitor and/or update a set of administrative and financial management policies and procedures in accordance with CIDA principles and standards of sound financial management.

b) Assist in monitoring and, if needed, managing the expenses budgets for individual managed projects, in accordance with the procedures defined in each project.

c) Submit to the Head of Aid for his approval, on a quarterly basis or more frequently if agreed by the Head of Aid, a financial report covering the use of funds and including operating and capital budget forecasts for disbursements for the subsequent period all in accordance with the PSU Guidelines and the procedures defined for each project.

In relation to the Human Resources Management, the CIDA Cooperant will:

a) Manage PSU staff and consultants, and if needed, any other human resources needed to carry out the work program as approved, in accordance with the applicable laws of the recipient country and the procedures established in the Manual of Operating Procedures.

b) Allocate professional or other resources in accordance with the mandates, time frames and priorities defined in the Annual Work Plan.

c) Manage or assist in the recruitment of professionals or consultants from Canada and Sri Lanka who are required to execute the cooperation program, especially projects which are managed in the field.

d) Prepare descriptions of work, issues competition notices, prepare evaluation grids, conduct examinations and interviews to assess and select the best candidates and contract or recommend them to CIDA.

e) Evaluate, at least annually or in accordance with the practices stated in the Manual of Operating Procedures, the performance and aptitudes of PSU staff and consultants and take steps to keep or replace staff where necessary and appropriate.

The PSU Director will report to the Country Program Manager for Sri Lanka Program via the Head of Aid in Colombo.

4. Qualifications and Professional Experience

Education

Graduation from a recognized university with specialization in commerce, business administration, economics, international relations, development studies, or other relevant field.

Language Requirements: English essential

Experience
- Experience in managing the operations of a project support unit
- Experience in dealing with senior officials in Canada and abroad
- Experience in policy analysis
- Experience in managing international developing programs/projects
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation of international development projects.

Knowledge
- Knowledge of Government of Canada contracting regulations
- Knowledge of Government of Canada Financial Administrative Act as it applies to the management of international development programs and projects
- Knowledge of Government of Canada procurement procedures
- Knowledge of general economic conditions and issues in developing countries

Abilities
- Ability to manage staff, including contracted resources
- Ability to manage budgets and financial systems
- Ability to analyse and evaluate problems and issues for recommended action to senior management
- Ability to implement results-based management and an accountability framework
- Ability to analyze complex geopolitical issues at the national level, to work as part of a team to develop a strategic vision to development assistance and contribute towards the effectiveness of aid
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

Personal Suitability
- Effective interpersonal relationships and teamwork
- Initiative
- Judgement
- Reliability
- Able to work under pressure

5. Application Instructions and Deadlines

The successful applicant will be chosen from the Cooperant database. To view eligibility requirements and application procedures for the database, please to to CIDA's website www.acdi-cida.gc.ca Employment/Opportunities in international development for Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents/Work in a developing country as a cooperant on contract with CIDA.

Candidates must be registered in the Cooperant database by August 8, 2008.

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Cooperant Assignment - Director, Program Support Unit - Colombo, Sri Lanka

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