Noticias de otros medios

Compromiso, coordinación y cooperación, las tres claves de la gobernanza

La primera década de 2000, marcada por un crecimiento económico inclusivo en América Latina, dio paso a una nueva clase media que comenzó a exigir mejores servicios públicos. Un ejemplo fueron las manifestaciones de los brasileños en 2013, un año antes de que se celebrara el Mundial de Fútbol, contra el alza de los precios de los billetes de transporte público y en favor de escuelas, hospitales y otros servicios de mejor calidad. Esta mayor y abierta participación ciudadana es uno de los aspectos destacados en el nuevo Informe Sobre el Desarrollo Mundial (WDR, por sus siglas en inglés), del Banco Mundial, que este año analiza la importancia de la gobernanza para impulsar el desarrollo. El concepto tiene que ver con el proceso a través del cual los grupos estatales y no estatales interactúan para diseñar e implementar políticas dentro de un conjunto dado de reglas formales e informales que dan forma al poder y son moldeadas por él. Según el estudio, la decisión de quién participa (o no) en la mesa de negociación de los procesos de diseño e implementación de políticas públicas puede determinar la mayor o menor eficacia de las soluciones propuestas por las autoridades. Tras una investigación mundial de un año, los autores encontraron que la distribución desigual del poder es una de las principales razones del por qué las políticas de desarrollo, aunque bien intencionadas, a menudo no mejoran la vida de las personas. Tal asimetría puede tener efectos negativos en las instituciones y políticas públicas, entre ellos, llevar al clientelismo, afectar a la prestación de servicios básicos, perjudicar a los pobres e incluso provocar respuestas violentas de los grupos que se sientan excluidos de la toma de decisiones. Asimismo, las "asimetrías de poder" pueden ayudar a explicar por qué las leyes modelo y las agencias anticorrupción a menudo no frenan este flagelo; por qué la descentralización no siempre resulta en mejores servicios municipales; o por qué las políticas fiscales bien elaboradas no siempre generan ahorros a largo plazo. Compromiso, coordinación, cooperación Según el informe, existen tres conceptos básicos para entender lo que genera una mejor o peor gobernanza: compromiso, coordinación y cooperación. El primero tiene como objetivo hacer que la política pública dure sin importar las circunstancias. El segundo promueve acciones conjuntas basadas en expectativas compartidas (a través de normas, parámetros y ajustes). El tercero utiliza recompensas o castigos para limitar el comportamiento oportunista. Este último concepto, en particular, ayuda en gran medida a entender cómo los latinoamericanos se relacionan con el Estado. En los países con alta desigualdad, como son los de Latinoamérica, algunos ciudadanos dejan de usar los servicios públicos porque son de baja calidad. Un ejemplo claro es cuando se eligen colegios privados en lugar de públicos. Cuando la clase media siente que recibe poco del Estado (ya que los impuestos no siempre se utilizan para mejorar los servicios y el mal uso de los fondos públicos rara vez es castigado), su disposición a cooperar fiscalmente (es decir, pagar impuestos) y contribuir a la provisión de bienes públicos se debilita. "Es un círculo vicioso", define el informe. Pero cuando la desigualdad cae – a través del crecimiento y de programas como Bolsa Familia de Brasil y Oportunidades en México – y la clase media se expande, como ocurrió en América Latina en los 2000, las asimetrías de poder disminuyen, lo cual aumenta la presión sobre los políticos. Eso provocó protestas en países como Chile en 2011 y Brasil y Perú en 2013. "Paradójicamente, la reducción de la pobreza aumentó las percepciones de injusticia; por sus contribuciones, la nueva clase media empezó a esperar más que servicios públicos de baja calidad", sostienen los autores del informe.

Honduras: Operations Officer NOB – Honduras Office (only nationals)

Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 20 Feb 2017

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

Support the Head of the Office in the management of operational functions for a small country or sub-office, Accountable for management of cost-effective, efficient and secure operations, in support of management, administration and implementation of the country programmes, consistent with operations of all other country offices in the Region, in strict compliance with the rules and regulations and in accordance with strategy, plans and decisions made by Regional Management Team and Country Programme Management Teams. Collaborate with all other UN agencies to accelerate implementation of the Harmonized Business practices in line within Reform/coherence

Key Expected Results

  • Operations of financial, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative management strengthened and maintained for Country Office.
  • Accurate and consistent interpretation and application of operations policy and procedures implemented to support operations at the country and sub-country levels.
  • Fiduciary responsibility for funds and assets effectively secured and timely executed for optimum utilization by taking appropriate decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements.
  • Effective technical input provided in strategic planning and policy recommendations in the area of operations, taking initiative in improving and implementing operations management systems.
  • Basic office services effectively provided to enhance staff safety and productivity.
  • Operations components of the CPMP and annual work plan of the office timely prepared, as well as all operational reporting requirements fully met for the office.
  • Compliance with all operational systems and procedures effectively monitored and corrective measures taken as appropriate to ensure integrity in all financial and other administrative operations of the office.
  • Staff learning/development for effective operations performance programme developed, implemented and enhanced for capacity building. All implementing partners’ accountability ensured regarding supply and financial assistance
  • Effective coordination, communication, collaboration established and maintained with internal and external partners for efficient operations, advisory function, vision and leadership, policy coordination, consultative and participatory management process, external representation as well as security and emergency operations. UNDG policies and processes for harmonized business practices including on joint offices, commons premises and common services are effectively implemented

    • Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

    Effective operations of financial, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative management

  • Ensure the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the office’s finance, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements. Advise management and assist in establishing new offices. Complying with UN Coherence and Harmonization principles regarding joint offices/common services when relevant.

    • Policy interpretation and application

  • As technical/functional specialist, accountable for providing the correct and consistent interpretation and application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance and administrative functions through the provision of technical expertise and operational support to the country office.
  • Alert and recommend to the Head of Office, the Regional Operations Officer and HQ when deviation from the rules and regulations may be required, and propose alternative solutions to meet office objectives. Contribute to global and regional strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on operational matters as and when necessary.
  • Implement the effective communication, training, roll-out, monitoring and evaluation of new operational initiatives, guidelines and procedures. Provide staff briefing and orientation regarding all of the operational areas.

    • Fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets

  • Safeguard the financial resources entrusted to the office by managing financial assets, financial planning and cash management activities and by recommending improvements to the financial and administrative management systems and procedures. Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets taking decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements. Provide required oversight and support to programme group team to ensure all implementing partners accountability with regard to supply and non supply assistance.
  • Ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches and applications.

    • Leadership in strategic planning and policy formulation in the areas of operations

  • Play a substantive role in strategic planning and decision-making within the UNICEF Operations and provides sound professional input to the development, reform and change of financial, human resources and administrative policies, systems and procedures.
  • Contribute to effctive management process by providing technical support to corporate committees (including PBR, RMTs, CMT, JCC, CRC, PSB, etc.).

    • Office Services

  • Ensure the provision of basic offices services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity. Identifies and proposes appropriate office accommodations, (i.e., ensures maintenance of premises, security of staff, office premises, equipment and supplies) complying with UN Coherence and Harmonization principles as required. Ensures the acquisition of all expendable and non-expendable property (administrative and/or programme supplies), ensuring that procurement is made according to the organization’s rules, regulations and procedures. Controls inventory, its utilization and disposal.
  • Under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Operations Management Team, support approaches for enhancing UN common services to attain efficiencies and effectiveness.

    • CPMP Preparation

  • Contribute to the consolidation and preparation of the finance, budget and administrative components of the CPMP; participate in the review of office structures and operations, and compilation of required job descriptions, prior to budget preparation, in line with the country programme commitment; contribute to the preparation of budget and the accompanying justification and documentation. Participate in the country programme strategy, development, planning and preview/review meetings, to identify staffing and administrative operational requirements.

    • Compliance and Internal Control

  • Monitor and manage budget process. Ensure all other operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office. Monitor compliance with all operational systems and procedures and ensure integrity in all financial and other administrative operations of the office.
  • Serve as the focal person for office management indicators; ensure accuracy, promptness and appropriateness of information, and reports to the Head of Office and HQs; in collaboration with the Deputy Representative,ensure the implementation of agreed audit recommendations; advise on corrective measures to be taken and establish relevant internal controls.

    • Staff Learning and Development

  • Develop training activities to ensure effective operational performance and efficiency. Develop and implement effective staff learning and development programme activities for both programme and operations staff on operational matters for capacity building drawing on knowledge institutions partnership as relevant. Plan and conduct operations workshops for staff’s competency building, staff development, learning and career development. Provide coaching and counselling to the staff on performance enhancement/development.

    • Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

  • Maintain good working relations with government counterparts; Arranges operational facilities and basic cooperation agreements with government authorities, (e.g., customs, visas, protocol, receipt of contributions, security, accommodations, privileges and immunities.). Ensure adherence to financial regulations and rules pertaining to Cash Assistance to Government (CAG) by Government and all implementing partners.
  • Cooperate and coordinate with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including HACT capacity building of IPs, common services and premises agenda, etc.)
  • Assist Head of Office in finance, human resources and administrative matters providing technical advice on all operational submissions for the approval of the Regional Director; brief office staff on financial, human resources and administrative policies and procedures providing authoritative advice; provide technical guidance and oversight to junior Operations staff in country offices and swiftly resolve operational issues.
  • Liaise with the HQ Divisions or the Regional Office to obtain guidance on policy interpretation and applications in the area of operations; advise on the applicability of new policy directives to country operations. Make sound recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning and restructuring and resolution of sensitive issues and problems, taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
  • Establish and maintain all consultative and management committees (e.g. APC, JCP, JCC, CRC, PSB, TRT, PBR and Training); Organize and train or brief committees in compliance with the guidelines.
  • Collaborate with senior Programme Officers and country office staff providing operational solutions in support of programming activities while maintaining sound internal operational controls.
  • Represent the office in meetings with local banks and administrative suppliers; negotiates locally issued contracts as well as in meetings with other UN Agencies to coordinate operational matters and activities, including harmonization of the UN common system.
  • Represents UNICEF in the local salary survey committee and fully participates in all processes of the salary survey review and administration to ensure the methodology is applied correctly throughout.
  • Coordinate promptly with the Regional Office, the Head of Office, Programme Officers and other staff in the country office for security-related issues and emergency operations. Provide operational support to emergency preparedness and emergencies. Inform and update all staff members in the country office on security related issues and emergency operations.

    • Qualifications of Successful Candidate

  • University degree in accounting, business administration, economics or financial management.
  • Two years of relevant professional work experience.
  • Both national and International work experience in office management, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, supply and administration and/or other related fields are considered an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required.

    • Competencies of Successful Candidate

    Core Values

  • Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Integrity

    • Core Competencies

  • Communication
  • Drive for Result
  • Working with People

    • Functional Competencies

  • Analyzing
  • Applying Technical Expertise
  • Following Instructions and Procedures
  • Planning and Organizing

    • Candidates must be citizen of Hondurasto be considered eligible for this post. Please note that the National Officers(NOs) are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

    UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

    How to apply:

    UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=502719

    Colombia: Bean Program Senior Breeder

    Organization: International Center for Tropical Agriculture
    Country: Colombia
    Closing date: 07 Mar 2017

    The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) provides a highly nutritious food, containing protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and micronutrients. As such, beans strongly reinforce food and nutrition security among poor consumers. CIAT bean program bean researchers have a long and successful history of developing varieties by working closely with a wide array of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Europe. Currently, CIAT scientists emphasize tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as low phosphorus, aluminum toxicity, heat and drought. With the aim of further enhancing the nutritional value of beans, CIAT scientists are also engaged in a major effort to raise the content of two critical micronutrients iron and zinc.

    CIAT is looking for an innovative breeder to lead the bean improvement program. The position would be located at CIAT HQ in Cali, Colombia but results will have application across the Tropics with particular emphasis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

    Responsibilities:

    • Enhance bean breeding efforts by raising capacity and output and coordinate the program teams’ activities.
    • Implement novel breeding strategies to accelerate genetic gain.
    • Link with public and private sector research collaborators at the national, regional and global level.
    • Establish productive working relationships with CIAT colleagues, e.g., in plant pathology, entomology, plant nutrition, and nutrition to develop and perfect efficient screening methodologies for key plant traits.
    • To supervise and motivate support personal to ensure opportune completion of tasks.
    • Represent CIAT at meetings of all levels, providing updated information or presentations on project activities.

    Requirements and Qualifications

    • PhD in plant breeding with at least 10 years of experience in crop improvement. Experience with bean or other legumes breeding would be an advantage but is not essential.
    • Strong background in plant breeding and applications of molecular tools where relevant to enhancing the efficiency of bean improvement research.
    • A demonstrated ability to elaborate high quality publications meeting international standards.
    • Good knowledge of statistical analysis.
    • Familiarity with bean crop improvement.
    • Familiarity with breeding for abiotic stress tolerance.
    • Strong communication skills, both written and oral, in English.
    • Spanish language skill.

    Leadership and Role Competencies

    • Results Orientation: focused on improvement of scientific results.
    • Innovation: Willingness to learn new research approaches integrating traditional and novel tools.
    • Change Leadership: transforming and aligning a team through its people to drive for improvement in new and challenging directions. It is energizing a whole team to want to change in the same direction.
    • Collaboration and Influence: working effectively with, and influencing those outside of, your functional area for positive impact on business performance. Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team across institutions.
    • People and Organizational Development: developing the long- term capabilities of others and the team as a whole, and finding satisfaction in influencing or even transforming someone’s life or career.

    Terms of employment

    This internationally recruited position will be based at CIAT Headquarters in Palmira, Colombia, reporting directly to the Area Research Director. The initial contract will be for up to three (3) years, subject to a probation period of six (6) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

    CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

    How to apply:

    Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All correspondence should be addressed to the CIAT Human Resources Office to Andrea Linares (z.a.linares@cgiar.org ) and should clearly indicate “Bean Program Senior Breeder”.

    Peru: Regional Thematic Advisor, Latin America

    Organization: Save the Children Sweden
    Country: Peru
    Closing date: 20 Feb 2017

    Scope or role

    Provide thematic support, technical assistance and programmatic guidance to Save the Children Sweden’s (SCS’) country and regional programmes in Latin America. Assure the quality of SCS supported regional and country programmes throughout the whole programming cycle (planning, implementation and evaluation/reporting). Be responsible for building and strengthening the knowledge, competence and capacity of relevant functions of partners and the SCI offices on thematic and programmatic areas. Contribute to the global thematic and policy development.

    How to apply:

    Please apply at the latest by February 20, 2017 through the link below:

    www.raddabarnen.se/about-us/work-with-us

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    Banco Mundial apoya innovación pesquera y acuícola en Perú

    WASHINGTON D.C., 27 de enero 2017 – Con el propósito de hacer de la pesca industrial y artesanal del Perú una actividad más sostenible y aumentar la productividad y la diversidad en su acuicultura, el Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial aprobó hoy un préstamo de US$40 millones. A través del Programa Nacional para la Innovación de la Pesca y la Acuicultura, la financiación buscará  mejorar las cadenas de valor de la pesca y la acuicultura peruanas y promover menor dependencia de la pesca de captura. El Perú se encuentra entre los principales productores de pesca en el mundo gracias a su ubicación geográfica que le permite capturar cerca del 20 por ciento de la captura mundial de peces, principalmente especies pequeñas como la anchoveta. Dicha pesca es de vital importancia para la economía nacional, representando en la última década un promedio del 7 por ciento del total de exportaciones del país. Este proyecto está alineado con los dos grandes objetivos paralelos del Gobierno del Perú. El primero es desarrollar el sector pesquero y de acuicultura al reorientar la estrategia de explotación de pesca marina hacia el incremento relativo de otras especies que no sean anchoveta mientras se garantiza la sostenibilidad de la masa biológica marina. El segundo objetivo es expandir el sector acuícola marino y de agua dulce al promover la inversión a través de las cadenas de valor de manera que incremente los ingresos, genere empleo y mejore la nutrición de la población, especialmente la de más bajos recursos. “Este programa contribuirá a promover la innovación y la sostenibilidad del sistema pesquero y acuícola en el Perú,  apoyará los esfuerzos del Gobierno para impulsar el desarrollo del sector, lo que generará más empleo, ingresos económicos y opciones de alimentación para una gran parte de la población”, afirmó Alberto Rodríguez, Director Regional del Banco Mundial para Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Perú y Venezuela. El proyecto beneficiará de manera directa a más de 12 000 individuos, grupos de productores y empresas artesanales involucradas en la pesca y acuicultura, procesamiento y distribución de especies acuáticas. Igualmente, trabajará con cerca de 10 mil instituciones, organizaciones no gubernamentales, asociaciones comunitarias, agencias gubernamentales e internacionales que desarrollan actividades de innovación en el área pesquera. Al aumentar la competitividad y sostenibilidad del sector, el proyecto busca reducir la pobreza extrema proporcionando nuevas fuentes de empleo e ingresos para los pescadores de bajos recursos y los productores de acuicultura. También busca fortalecer   la gobernanza del sector mediante mejores sistemas de monitoreo y seguimiento, así como mayores capacidades analíticas para la formulación de políticas. El proyecto tiene cuatro componentes: la promoción de la innovación en el subsector de pesca, la promoción de la innovación en el subsector acuícola, el fortalecimiento del Sistema Nacional de Innovación en Pesca y Acuicultura además de las instituciones y las políticas para mejorar la gobernanza de la pesca y la acuicultura; y el fortalecimiento de la capacidad institucional y organizativa del Viceministerio de Pesca y Acuicultura dentro del Ministerio de Producción (PRODUCE), necesaria para la exitosa implementación del Proyecto. El costo total del programa asciende a US$120.90 millones,  de los cuales el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas aportará US$ 80.90 millones. El cierre del proyecto está previsto para el 2022. El préstamo es reembolsable en un plazo de nueve años y medio, incluyendo un periodo de gracia de cinco  años y medio. — Para conocer el trabajo del Banco Mundial en América Latina y el Caribe visite: www.bancomundial.org/alc Visítenos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundial Manténgase informado via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC Nuestro canal de YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC

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