Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the Programme Specialist provides advice to senior management and manages the UNDP CO programme as it relates to the thematic areas of Governance. As such, the Programme Specialist has a pivotal role in forging strong partnerships with academia and governmental institutions to support the programme country towards the achievement of MDGs and monitoring its advances in human development.

The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio. He/she contributes to policy dialogue with the authorities providing policy advisory services and identifying national and international talent and expertise with whom to complement this advisory role.

The Programme Specialist supervises and leads programme support staff, as well as coordinates activities of the projects’ staff in the area under his/her responsibility. He/she works in close collaboration with UNDP´s programme staff, the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensuring the strategic direction of the UNDP CO programme in the area of Governance;
• Management of the CO programme on thematic areas of responsibility;
• Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the CO resource mobilization strategy within the thematic area assigned;
• Provision of top quality advisory services on the thematic areas as well as leadership in the management and sharing of knowledge products;
• Supervision and Management.

 Description of Responsibilities:

Ensures implementation of  programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country conducts the preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other technical documents;
• Collaborative preparation/revision of key corporate programme management Tools;
• Identification of strategic areas of intervention in relation to UNDP’s support for Democratic Governance social development and poverty reduction activities;
• Operationalization of UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming;
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned;
• COCO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.

Ensures effective development, management and oversight of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned  focusing on quality control of programming from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
• Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
• Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the  programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Management Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval;
• Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme within the area of responsibility and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment in order to perform a timely readjustment of the programme if needed;
• Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to the PAC, entering project into Atlas ( in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, and closure of projects through review;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development and implementation of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects;
• Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports;
• Timely cost-recovery for the services provided by the CO to programmes in close collaboration with Country Office Finance team.
• Active collaboration with the Programme Support Unit to ensure timely and quality delivery of development support services;
• Active identification and promotion of programmatic collaboration between the Country Office’s programme thematic focus areas;
• Ensure the availability of inputs and updates from strategic partners leading to the eventual preparation of a NHDR (National Human Development Report) and the monitoring and analysis of indexes at the national, departmental and local levels.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
• Identification and development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
• Development and establishment of strategic partnerships with academia and governmental institutions to ensure a consistent monitoring of advances made by the programme country as it relates to the MDGs and national human development report.

 As a senior technical expert, ensures proactive provision of top quality advisory services to government and  facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Key partners receive technical and policy advice related to Democratic Governance, Social Development and Poverty Reduction;
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Quality and strategic contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. He/she also builds and maintains external networks to access and expand knowledge;
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues as well as counterparts on organizational tools and mechanisms for knowledge sharing;
• Development of specialized policy advisory papers, white papers, analysis  and high level technical knowledge products;
• Facilitation and coordination of development of policies that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Facilitation of the generation of knowledge products by the Programme team;
• Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Active participation in strategic advisory groups in the country;
• Trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme;
• Active collaboration with UNDP/UN policy networks, advisors, centres and development of specialized technical networks;
• Active contributions to the Country Office’s Advisory Group and close collaboration with the Country Office’s senior advisors to maximize the relevance and quality of the policy advisory services.

Supervision and Management:

• Establish and Monitor annual unit’s workplan and RCA, provides guidance, supervises and coaches staff placed under her/his supervision;
• Supervise and lead programme support staff and coordinate activities of projects’  staff;
• Represent UNDP at official meetings and functions and undertake all other delegated tasks under those functions.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

 Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:

• Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means partiocularly in the achievement of the MDGs;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.

 Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate;
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

 Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.

 Resource Mobilization:

• Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities;
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

 Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

 Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Client Orientation:

• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider. In this light works closely wwith governement counterparts and CSOs towards achieving development targets;
• Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively.

 Core Competencies:

 Ethics & Values:

Promoting Ethics and Integrity/Creating Organizational Precedents

• Creates a culture that fosters the highest sense of integrity by actively promoting UN/UNDP values within the organization and with all stakeholders and holding staff accountable for abuse of power and inappropriate behavior.

Organizational Awareness:

Building support and political acumen

• Builds and maintains alliances and networks of partners, colleagues and interest groups inside and outside of the organization to achieve results.

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

Building staff competence,  Creating an environment of creativity and innovation

• Delegates appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making to staff and respects delegated authority.

Working in Teams:

Building and promoting effective teams.

• Recognizes opportunities to meet organizational priorities through team work, inspires and motivates staff to achieve them collectively encouraging them to think and act co-operatively, openly and honestly.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication

• Creates an environment for open communication and encourages others to be diplomatic and use tact and sensitivity in dealing with colleagues and partners.

Self Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Creating an emotionally intelligent organization.

• Demonstrates a genuine passion for the work, and leverages political forces and tacit knowledge to support the achievement of organizational goals and priorities.

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements:

Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards

• Acts as a role model for positive handling of potentially situations of conflict to others inside and outside the organization.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning

• Promotes knowledge sharing and management practices within his/her area of responsibility.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making:

Fair and transparent  decision making; calculated risk-taking

• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field;
• Prince2 training and certification if appropriate, RMG.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Portuguese,  both oral and written, is required;
• Working knowledge of another UN official language or other language at the duty station is an asset.

Note

Please note that this post is only for Angola Nationals only.