UNCDF Jobs - 52513- Programme Management Specialist (UNCDF)

Programme Management Specialist (UNCDF)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Bujumbura, BURUNDI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

02-Feb-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English French

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 Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) invests in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Investments are targeted to help LDCs reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In 2014, UNCDF invested in 33 LDCs, including the Republic of Burundi, in the areas of local development and microfinance. The purpose of local development finance at UNCDF is poverty reduction through sustainable, inclusive and equitable local development. Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) programmes mobilise, allocate, invest and make accountable these increased flows through improved and strengthened local public and private institutions. UNCDF seed capital and technical assistance is applied towards this end. The term “capital” is applied in its wider sense, encompassing its multiple definitions as: a factor of production; an accounting term in public finance (i.e. not a recurrent cost); a large scale fiscal or financial flow; an income generating resource; and finally a valuable and / or expendable resource. LDFP seed capital leverages these flows to the local level, promoting poverty reduction through local development. The performance grants referred to above are a form of this seed capital.

UNCDF works in strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, mainly through a joint programme within the United Nations system and other joint programmes. In the Burundi, UNDP and UNCDF are currently working in two programmes in the field of local development, respectively. The combined budgets of these two programmes are approximately US$13 million.

The UNDP Country director represents UNCDF in its official relations with the Government. In view of the substantial UNCDF investments in the Burundi, the Fund maintains a presence in the field through the UNCDF Programme Management Specialist assigned to the UNDP Office in Bujumbura. The Programme Management Specialist’s work is fully integrated into the UNDP Office and comes under the direct supervision of the Regional Head office of UNCDF/Local Development. In terms of output expectations and competencies, the performance management of the Programme Management Specialist (goal-setting, performance review, development plan) will be done in consultation with the UNDP and UNCDF.

The direct responsibilities of the UNCDF Programme Management Specialist include serving as the spokesperson of UNCDF within UNDP, assisting the Country Director in representing UNCDF in the country, day-to-day programme management of UNCDF in the local development and Microfinance sector, participation of UNCDF in joint programming within the United Nations system, promoting the visibility of UNCDF through dialogue with national authorities and other national partners as well as with technical and financial partners, and participation of UNCDF in strategic partnerships and resource mobilization activities.

The Programme Management Specialist has an approval level of “Manager 1” in ATLAS. The incumbent works in close collaboration with colleagues in the UNDP Programme team and receives operational support from colleagues in the Operations teams of UNDP (Country Office) and UNCDF (Headquarters and region), particularly in matters of finance, procurement and human resources.

For the preparation of purchase orders in the ATLAS system for UNCDF, the incumbent works with the UNCDF regional buyer.

The Programme Management Specialist works closely with UNCDF LDFP Advisers in Local Development Finance, who provide technical advice and to whom he reports on progress made on the annual work plan. The incumbent also monitors technical projects in collaboration with project heads. He receives advice from the Regional/Local Development Portfolio Manager and support on matters concerning programming and joint programmes as well as on the management of financial resources and performance management.

The incumbent receives from UNCDF, New York, a strategic global vision, advice on operational matters and on the specific rules and procedures of UNCDF regarding both the audit plan of the Operations Division of UNCDF and the tools and relevant information from the Resource Mobilization and External Relations Unit.

The incumbent develops and maintains a partnership with the national authorities, bilateral and multilateral organizations and with civil society and the private sector organizations with a view to promoting advocacy activities, the coordination of action in the various sectors, the sharing of knowledge and experiences and the mobilization of resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Ensures programme management for UNCDF and UNDP in the field of local development finance;
Performs certain specific tasks to promote coordination between UNCDF and UNDP in the field of local development finance, in collaboration with the UNCDF Local Development Finance Practice area;
Promotes the contribution of UNCDF to the accomplishment of the major goals of the United Nations system in Burundi;
Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with key actors at the national and subregional levels to ensure the coordination of action and to mobilize resources for joint UNDP/UNCDF programmes;
Promotes the visibility of UNCDF and UNDP and the replication of programmes through the documentation and dissemination of experiences and a dialogue on policies with national authorities and other national partners as well as with technical and financial partners;
Manages the programme support budget of UNCDF and provides support for the global initiatives of UNCDF;
Contributes to UNCDF-LDFP Global approach to Food security through implementing the approach in Burundi through the current program;

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor (first supervisor) and the Country Director Representative for UNDP Programme in Bujumbura (second supervisor), the Programme Management Specialist is responsible for:

Programme Management (65%): Supervises, in close collaboration with UNDP, the management of joint UNDP/UNCDF local development programmes, mainly through ongoing monitoring of progress towards achieving the development results for (all joint) UNDP and UNCDF interventions and financial and budgetary management aimed at achieving the following results:

Opportunities for new programmes identified through ongoing monitoring of the external environment within the country in the two areas of intervention; contribution in the design phase and approval of new programmes, as well as in he launching of programmes after approval;
Annual work plan for projects reviewed and expected results clearly established; support as necessary for the execution of annual project work plans;
Effective use of ATLAS in the project cycle; the Programme Management Specialist is responsible for the budgeting of annual work plans and for budget revisions; the incumbent has level I approval authority in ATLAS and advises project teams on the proper use of ATLAS, on the work processes of UNDP and UNCDF, and on the rules and procedures of UNCDF and UNDP;
Effective and comprehensive oversight of the financial, operational and substantive aspects of projects to facilitate quarterly linkages between expected results and resources expended as well as the holding of annual tripartite meetings;
Reporting of project results that are part of the annual reporting system of UNDCF and UNDP, using the appropriate tools (ATLAS, etc.); financial reporting ensuring adherence to the reporting modalities for non-core resources received from financial partners;
Support for the organization of evaluations and audits; oversight of the implementation of the recommendations made in these evaluations and audits;
Operational and financial closure of projects in a timely manner.

Joint Programming (10%):

Strengthens the contribution of UNCDF to the achievement of the major goals of the United Nations system in Burundi, mainly by taking into account its mandates, priorities and activities in strategic planning and joint programming:

The CCA, UNDAF and the CPCP are effectively integrated into the areas of joint intervention by UNCDF and UNDP (local development and microfinance) and provide appropriate details about the results expected and the level of funding allocated by UNCDF and UNDP;
The results of UNCDF programmes and projecs integrated into the programme activities of UNDAF are taken into account in the UNDAF monitoring and evaluation process;
Management of Partnerships (10%): Facilitate collaboration and dialogue between the two organizations in operations in the Burundi as well as dialogue with other partners:
Ensures effective communication between the UNDP Bujumbura Office on the one hand and the Regional Bureau and UNCDF Headquarters on the other;
Ensures the participation of UNCDF in the dialogue with partners in the decentralization and local development programme;
Contributes to the resource mobilization efforts undertaken by the UNDP Bujumbura Office and UNCDF (Regional Bureau and Headquarters).

Knowledge building and advocacy (10%):

Promote the visibility of UNCDF and UNDP and the replication of programmes through the documentation and dissemination of pilot experiences and active participation in policy dialogues with national authorities and other national partners as well as with technical and financial partners with a view to achieving the following results:

Contribution to the identification, documentation and dissemination of lessons of lessons learnt from pilot projects;
Promotion of the visibility of UNDCF and awareness of the Fund’s strategic niche in its two investment areas;
Advocacy with national authorities and other national and local partners as well as with technical and financial partners to promote the replication of pilot projects and further the dialogue on decentralization policies and access to financial services;
Contribution through its networks and through the UNCDF website to greater awareness of UNCDF and UNDP;
Contributes to UNCDF Global Program on Food security local finance by implementing the approach and providing information on the Burundi program.

Corporate support (5%):

Manage the UNCDF Programme Support Budget and provide support for the global initiatives of UNCDF.

Efficient management of the budget and of human resources allocated to UNCDF within the Office;
Support where needed for the global initiatives of UNCDF and for subregional initiatives.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Programme Management Specialist have a major impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the joint UNDP/UNCDF programmes in the Burundi. They also have an impact on the achievement of the long-term objectives set for the activities of UNDP/UNCDF in Burundi, as reflected in UNDAF, CPAP, the UNCDF Business Plan and the organizational goals set out in the Balanced Scorecard of UNDP and UNCDF. The results have a major impact on the reputation of UNCDF as a reliable partner in Burundi in the fields of local development and microfinance, and the capacity of UNDP and of UNCDF to mobilize resources for their joint programmes.

Competencies

Corporate:

Demonstrates integrity and impartiality;
Displays cultural sensitivity and sensitivity to gender issues;
Strives to promote the global vision and objectives of UNCDF and UNDP.
Ability to mainstream Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women into the programme cycle.

Managerial and Behavioural:

Behaviour

Focusing on the impact and results for the client;
Taking initiatives and calculated risks.

Managing Relationships

Establishing solid relationships with clients and with other outside actors;
Communicating clearly and persuasively.

Managing Complexity

Effective management of projects;
Thorough analysis of problems before making practical recommendations based on the available information.

Knowledge acquisition and sharing

Sharing knowledge and experiences with colleagues;
Acquiring in-depth knowledge in one or several fields.

Learning and development

Ensuring constructive supervision and feedback;
Fostering an environment conducive to learning.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree at the Master’s level in economics, finance, public administration, political or social sciences or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

At least five(5) years of practical experience in the field of economic and social development; experience in the United Nations system an asset;
Practical experience in project management is required;
Sound technical knowledge in the areas of local development and microfinance will be a distinct advantage;
Proven success in the management of partnerships and in mobilizing resources;
Proven experience in fiduciary management.
Demonstrable knowledge of development issues, specifically in the areas of poverty reduction, local development and inclusive finance;
Deep understanding of the programming cycle of projects and of results-based budgeting;
Ability to disaggregate data through the gender lens;
Knowledge of the field organization of UNDP and knowledge of the United Nations and UNDP rules and procedures an asset;
Very good computer application skills (in particular Excel and databases); familiarity with the ERP system an asset.

Language requirements

Fluency in French, working knowledge in English is required.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx. Completion of all the fields is required.