UNDP Jobs - 51693- Regional Programme Support Consultant

Regional Programme Support Consultant

Location :

Home-based, with travel not exceeding 15 days

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated January 2, 2015 – June 30, 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 110 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP-GEF Unit is based in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and is responsible for providing leadership, technical support and implementation oversight to the delivery of GEF Trust Funds. The Unit is organized into a number of substantive technical teams with staff located in both HQs and UNDP's Regional Service Centers in Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Panama, and Bangkok, and with a decentralized structure in terms of financial, operational, and budget managements with authority delegated to respective managers located in HQ or in the region.
Under the overall supervision of the UNDP-GEF (Global Environment Fund) Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) and direct coordination and guidance of the corresponding Regional Team Leader (RTL) in Istanbul Regional Centre, the Programme Support Consultant will facilitate the effective delivery of International waters and Climate Change Adaptation GEF's portfolio in Europe and CIS, by providing support and oversight throughout the development, implementation, monitoring/evaluation and closure of UNDP-GEF projects. This includes an effective portfolio data management and monitoring, to maximize COs' timely compliance with UNDP and GEF requirements. The position demands the ability to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality output while working under pressure, as well as, practical experience with relevant databases and an understanding of the UNDP-GEF Project Cycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisors for International waters and Climate Change Adaptation focal areas and carry out the following activities:

Management and oversight of project processes

Examines, reviews, processes and records all incoming documents relating to project portfolio;
Communicates directly with UNDP Country Offices (COs), and when necessary, UNDP-GEF Headquarters and Regional Coordination Units to support project development and implementation;
Ensures compliance with UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules and the Internal Control Framework;
Provides support to CO’s ensuring that UNDP and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) guidelines are followed for project formulation and implementation;
Coordinates with the UNDP/GEF financial unit and COs regarding operational and financial aspects of project approval and implementation;
Provides quality assurance in the form of organizing and updating project records, as necessary, in PIMS and any other reporting mechanism;
Provides facilitation and oversight of program implementation and development, including processing of approval letters, assistance with technical and financial clearances, securing relevant signatures, and ensuring quality assurance within digital project files;
Provides quality control and corrective/anticipatory feedback regarding project submissions, contributing to quality and accuracy of project proposals and documents.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitor project delivery and submission of progress reports;
Responsible for collection, data completeness and analysis of relevant surveys and questionnaires including Project Implementation Reports (PIR)/Annual Project Reporting (APR), including review of relevant mid-term and final evaluations. Liaise with relevant COs, project team and/or RTA to ensure correction, completeness and quality of every PIR with due consideration of the PIR quality evaluation criteria, which will be provided.

Financial Support

Coordinate review and approval of budget revisions and approval of Authorized Spending Limits of individual projects in close collaboration with Country Offices and UNDP/GEF financial unit;
Analyzes individual project budgets and advises COs on any adjustments that may be needed to comply with Project Documents and UNDP/GEF regulations;
Assist COs with financial clearance of Project documents.

Country Office and Regional Coordination capacity support

Manage information flow among COs, RCUs and HQs;
Advice, provide guidance and training on UNDP-GEF programming and regulations, facilitate understanding of the GEF project cycle, as well as, the development and implementation of projects funded by the GEF.
Key performance indicators (figures will be reviewed during the course of the year, as necessary):
All pipeline and under-implementation projects are recorded and updated in the UNDP-GEF project database (PIMS);
PIF, PPG and CEO approval requests, including Project Documents, are reviewed for data completeness and finalization;
The finalization and signature of PIF-approved and CEO-endorsed projects are secured;
AWPs are reviewed and analyzed to ensure ASL is allocated;
Project Implementation Reports (PIR)/Annual Project Reporting (APR) are collected, reviewed and finalized;

Information on Working Arrangements

Irrespective of his/her location, the consultant will be expected to be available during the regular business hours of the ECIS-based UNDP-GEF team;
The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
A monthly progress report will be required to be shared with the Supervisor, on the Status of the Portfolio;
Due to the demand-driven nature of a number of activities, and the different peak-periods during the 6 months linked to the different Programming Cycles, monthly deliverables will be reassessed and agreed upon with the Supervisor on an ongoing basis;
The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
Payments will be made once a month upon satisfactory submission and acceptance by the supervisor of the monthly progress report against deliverables and detailed time sheet and certification of payment form providing details of time spent on respective deliverables and their timely execution.

Travel

International travel, not exceeding 15 days, may be required subject to discussion with and clearance by supervisor. The purpose of missions will include: Detailed administrative and financial support to country office teams and national stakeholder in order to advance project inception and early implementation and/or participation in inception meetings;
Any necessary missions must be approved in advance and in writing by the supervisor;
The Advance and Basic Security in the Field II courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that s/he has the necessary vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
The incumbent is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
Consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives;
The incumbent will be responsible for making his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies;
All related travel expenses will be supported by the project travel fund and will be reimbursed as per UNDP rules and regulations upon submission of an F-10 claim form and supporting documents.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Planning and Organizing

Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
Ability to set and juggle multiple priorities and work under pressure;
Strong attention to detail within an overall context of high-performance.

Client Orientation

Strong service and client orientation;
Anticipates evolving client needs;
Excellent interpersonal qualities with the ability to put people at ease and to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.

Teamwork

Ability to participate effectively in a highly team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating harmoniously with others;
Willingness and ability to travel as work requires.

Communication

Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and in writing);
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Proven ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor in economics / business administration or other closely related field;
Certification in project management would be desirable.

Experience:

Minimum of five years of experience in financial resources management, budget management, or a project management support functions;
Solid experience with UNDP-GEF processes, project oversight or management;
Knowledge of tools and methodologies to follow-up on projects and project cycle management;
Experience at the national or international level with organizations that manage grants is a plus;
Mastery in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, as a minimum; database management as a plus);

Language skills:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A – Bachelor degree in economics / business administration or other closely related field (max 10 points);
Criteria B - Certification in project management would be desirable (max 5 points).
Criteria C – Minimum of five years of experience in financial resources management, budget management, or a project management support functions (max 15 points)
Criteria D - Solid experience with UNDP-GEF processes, project oversight or management (max 20 points);
Criteria D - Knowledge of tools and methodologies to follow-up on projects and project cycle management (max 5 points);
Criteria E - Experience at the national or international level with organizations that manage grants is a plus (max 5 points);
Criteria F - Mastery in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, as a minimum; database management as a plus), (max 5 points);
Criteria G - Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language (max 5 points).

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs) with exception of travel costs. Travel costs for missions will be paid separately as per UNDP rules and regulations;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.