UNDP Jobs - 52114- Management Specialist

Management Specialist

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 United Nations Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. BoM is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BoM supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners. BoM also ensures policy adherence in operations management, safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis Member States and other stakeholders.

The Directorate of BoM consists of a small team advising and supporting the Assistant Administrator/Director and Deputy Directors of BoM on a wide range of management issues with significant corporate implications. The Directorate is also responsible for integrating and coordinating activities of 9 BoM Units. The Management Specialist is part of the Directorate and reports to the Chief, BoM Directorate, with frequent contacts and assignments directly with the Assistant Administrator/Director and Deputy Directors.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent works with a high degree of independence to ensure that BoM operates in an integrated and coordinated manner. S/he provides advice to the Assistant Administrator/Director of BoM and his/her Deputies on relevant management policy and programme implementation matters. In particular, the incumbent plays an active role in developing integrated BoM strategies and approaches, bringing BoM units together to work on shared results, and maximizing synergies within the Bureau. The function has a particular focus on UN coherence/coordination matters, and involves frequent interaction with other UN agencies.

Integration and planning:

Coordinates strategic planning processes in support of UNDP’s Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness agenda, including the preparation of the BoM results frameworks, plans, and budgets;
Represents the BoM policy agenda in inter-bureau working mechanisms and negotiates and coordinates follow-up on specific deliverables with senior managers of BoM and other HQs units to ensure their quality and timely delivery;
Leads the development of BoM’s scorecard with a robust set of indicators and measures of performance. Ensures BoM-wide results monitoring and reporting, and proposes appropriate management actions;
Analyzes BoM clients’ needs and develops and implements innovative ways to deliver integrated services in line with corporate policies and the BoM service model;
Provides advice and guidance to BoM units on result-based management and corporate planning matters;
Develops key corporate initiatives in direct support of the Assistant Administrator and Director of BoM or his/her Deputies.

Policy development and quality assurance:

Keeps abreast of major trends and events across the UN System and advises Directorate staff accordingly;
Prepares policy and position papers, guidance notes and project documents, especially on cross-cutting management issues;
Reviews, analyzes and quality assures key policy documents prepared by BoM Units before their submission to internal and external governance bodies. This includes submissions to the Executive Group (EG) and Organizational Performance Group (OPG);
Conducts analysis and research on opportunities for improving effectiveness and efficiency using data and business analytics.

Partnerships and service delivery to clients:

Strengthens BoM relationship with regional and central bureaus, country offices and other clients, enabling them to fully benefit from integrated holistic responsive management support services;
Act as Liaison Manager in the Directorate on issues related to cross-cutting services by BoM;
Works with the Assistant Administrator and Director of BoM in his/her role as a member of the CEB High Level Committee for Management and relevant UN Development Group mechanisms in the development of UNDP positions on inter-agency matters.

Management of Directorate:

Manages specific project on behalf of the Directorate and serves as Manager Level 1 approver for all Directorate projects;
Acts as a focal point for corporate clearances which require cross-unit action/analysis (e.g. change management processes, partnership agreements, DIM approvals, etc.);
Supports the Assistant Administrator and Director of BoM when s/he acts as the Officer-in-Charge of UNDP;
Performs other duties, as assigned by the Chief, BoM Directorate.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Team player and individually competent.

Functional Competencies:

Managing complexity and delivering on results

Strong organizational and management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines;
Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback.

Leadership and people management

Proactively sets and rises to challenging goals for self and others;
Demonstrate integrity and probity with an ability to work with the utmost discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters.

Personal impact and effectiveness

Excellent oral and written communications skills;
Capacity to contact and interact openly, honestly, and professionally.

Relations management and political acumen:

Manages external relationships for both tactical and strategic purposes;
Comfortable working in matrix arrangement and able to work across BoM units and across UNDP units.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or advanced university degree in public administration, business administration, social sciences or other relevant degree.

Experience:

Extensive working experience (minumum 7 years) progressively in policy advisory roles internal to UNDP/UN system or prior external experience;
Experience in the field of development, at least part of which should be in the UN System;
Experience of country or regional office work is an asset;
Solid experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Analytics and ERP systems, etc.) required.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English; and
Knowledge of another UN Languages is an asset.