Background
In December 2006, UNDP and the Government of Spain signed a major agreement to programme €528 million through the UN development system towards key MDG and related development goals. The UNDP-Spain MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) seeks to accelerate progress towards attainment of the MDGs in participating countries by supporting policies that promise high impact, scaling-up of successful models, and innovations in development practice. The Fund operates through UN Country Teams and actively strives to strengthen inter-agency coherence and effectiveness. Substantively the MDG-F focuses on the eight thematic windows including: Democratic governance; gender equality and women’s empowerment; youth employment and migration; private sector and development; environment and climate change; conflict prevention and peace building; children, food security and nutrition; and culture and development. A robust results monitoring and evaluation framework and strategy were developed in order to track and measure the overall impact of this historic contribution to the MDGs and to multilateralism. The Fund has financed 128 joint programmes in 49 countries for US$700M.The MDG-F Secretariat is the operational coordination unit for the Fund and services the MDG-F Steering Committee. The Secretariat sits in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy of UNDP headquarters. The Secretariat is delegated by the Steering Committee to ensure policies and strategies decided by the Steering Committee are implemented and adhered to. The Secretariat manages the Fund’s overall monitoring and evaluation strategy.
The Programme Analyst is responsible for supporting the Programme Adviser and the programme team with an emphasis on targeted support to monitor non-performing joint programmes. The incumbent will be part of the programme team that includes 4 portfolio managers. He/she reports to the Programme Adviser/Deputy of the Secretariat.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:- Support to key/common initiatives/exercises of the programme team
- Coordination of strategic partnerships and partners
- Ensures targeted monitoring of “non-performing joint programmes”
- Secretariat planning processes and operational activities;
- Develops and maintains a monitoring tracking table for all joint programmes, and pro-actively raises issues and solutions;
- Reads monitoring reports, follows up the submission of monitoring reports and updates joint programme information for the website, factsheets, etc. in collaboration with portfolio managers;
- Contributes to portfolio analyses and consolidates inputs for inclusion in the Secretariat’s reports; and
- Ensures completeness of final report and liaise with Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office on signature of programme closure requirements by participating UN agencies.
- Supports the Programme Adviser/Deputy of the Secretariat in building and maintaining strategic partnerships and partners including administrative support in the preparation of letters, memorandums of agreement, minute taking and related events.
- Building on the generic tracking table, reviews progress and raises issues and suggests solutions; and
- Prepares follow up correspondence and submits for approval to corresponding portfolio manager.
- Contributes to the preparation of the Secretariat’s annual retreat; and
- Consolidates the annual work plan and monitor its implementation.
Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness of the MDG-F Secretariat in the management and monitoring of joint programmes.
Competencies
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness; displays cultural sensitivity; shows strong corporate commitment; honest and complies with UNDP rules, regulations and code of conduct.
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills. Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally.
• Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability. Ability to work under pressure
• Problem-solving skills.
• Strong inter-personal skills: Ability to motivate and inter-act with colleagues at all levels within the organization as well as with inter-agency partners.
• Results Oriented: Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results in accordance with time and budget targets.
• Problem Analysis and Decision-Making: Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Planning and Execution: Elaborates work plans that prioritize action steps, set timelines and monitor performance.
• Encourages the use of new technologies and strives for high standard of professional work.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences.
- 2 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in international development issues.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation with a background in the analysis of socio-economic issues and related policy matters.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English, French and Spanish.