Coordinator of Development Partners Group (DPG) Secretariat

Job Posting Organization:
The United Republic of Tanzania has experienced significant economic growth, maintaining an annual growth rate of 6-7% over the past decade. The country achieved lower Middle-Income Country (MIC) status in 2020 and has attracted substantial foreign investment. The development agenda is guided by the Five Year Development Plan (FYDP III) and the Zanzibar Medium Term Development Plan (ZADEP), aligned with Vision 205

• In response to declining global and national Official Development Assistance (ODA), Tanzania is transitioning from aid dependency to self-reliance through tax expansion and innovative financing methods such as green and blue bonds, blended finance, and impact investments. In 2017, the Government of Tanzania and Development Partners adopted a Development Cooperation Framework (DCF) to enhance dialogue, explore financing opportunities, and improve mutual accountability. The Development Partners Group (DPG) Secretariat, hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, coordinates and harmonizes development partner policy priorities to support Tanzania's growth and poverty reduction goals, facilitating strategic dialogue between development partners and the Government of Tanzania, primarily through the Ministry of Finance. The DPG is co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and a bilateral development agency on an annual rotational basis.

Job Overview:
The Coordinator of the Development Partners Group (DPG) Secretariat is responsible for providing strategic guidance and technical advice to the DPG and its Co-Chairs. This role involves offering analytical inputs to strengthen DPG engagement with the Government of Tanzania under the DCF, facilitating high-level policy dialogues, and supporting the Co-Chairs in preparing briefing notes, presentations, and reports. The Coordinator will organize DPG and working group meetings, ensuring timely preparation and circulation of agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions. Additionally, the Coordinator will advise the Ministry of Finance on strategies to enhance development effectiveness and provide technical support to the Joint DPG-Government Secretariat. The role also includes promoting mechanisms for mutual accountability and policy coherence, liaising with Zanzibar advisors for coordinated development cooperation, and ensuring effective project oversight and management for the strengthening of the Secretariat. The Coordinator will support the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team by providing analytical and strategic advice on UN engagement in development cooperation, assisting UN agencies in aligning the implementation of the UNSDCF to support the development effectiveness agenda in Tanzania, and contributing to knowledge management activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Coordinator of the DPG Secretariat will perform the following duties:

• Provide strategic guidance and technical advice to the DPG and its Co-Chairs.
• Offer analytical inputs to strengthen DPG engagement with the Government of Tanzania under the DCF.
• Facilitate high-level policy dialogues and support the Co-Chairs in preparing briefing notes, presentations, and reports.
• Organize DPG and working group meetings, ensuring timely preparation and circulation of agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions.
• Advise the Ministry of Finance on strategies to enhance development effectiveness.
• Provide technical support to the Joint DPG-Government Secretariat.
• Promote mechanisms for mutual accountability and policy coherence.
• Liaise with Zanzibar advisors for coordinated development cooperation.
• Ensure effective project oversight and management for the strengthening of the Secretariat. 1
• Lead and manage the day-to-day functions of the DPG Secretariat, including coordination, planning, and delivery of the annual workplan. 1
• Provide analytical and strategic advice on UN engagement in development cooperation. 1
• Assist UN agencies in aligning the implementation of the UNSDCF to support the development effectiveness agenda in Tanzania. 1
• Strengthen UN capacity and positioning on development effectiveness. 1
• Offer strategic advisory support on related issues. 1
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals. 1
• Interact frequently with Development Partners, senior UN officials, representatives and officials in National Government, technical staff in relevant Secretariat units, and international organizations. 1
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with a master’s degree or 7 years with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, or a related field. Experience in development management, including coordination and effectiveness, is required, as is experience working with donors and government counterparts. Familiarity with work processes in Ministries of Finance and government planning institutions is also required. Desired skills include familiarity with the UNSDCF and joint UN initiatives, as well as experience in global and national debates related to the use of national systems to enhance aid and development effectiveness.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a master’s degree or 7 years for those with a bachelor’s degree. Candidates should have professional experience in Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, or a related field, with a focus on development management, coordination, and effectiveness. Experience working with donors and government counterparts is essential, as is familiarity with work processes in Ministries of Finance and government planning institutions.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Swahili is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage in a multilingual environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, within the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO). The Coordinator of the DPG Secretariat will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator (RC) and is expected to provide technical and advisory support to the DPG co-chairs and DPG secretariat. The role involves coordinating activities and implementing the DCF, enhancing communication and information-sharing among development partners and between development partners and the Government of Tanzania, and contributing to strategic dialogue and policy alignment efforts. UNDP is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where it operates. The organization does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse of authority. Selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for other similar positions.