UNCDF Jobs - 53900- Re-advertisement - Regional Technical Advisor, FIP

Re-advertisement - Regional Technical Advisor, FIPA, UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

10-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and inequality first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s). To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

By the end of 2015 the international community is expected to endorse a new and, probably, single and universal sustainable development agenda that will replace the existing Millennium Development Goals. This will likely be accompanied by a new financing framework to be adopted at the next UN Financing for Development summit. This new framework faces a rapidly changing development finance landscape that is characterized by an increased diversity of: providers and sources such as DAC and non-DAC donors (e.g. India, China and Brazil), philanthropic foundations, high net-worth individuals, crowd-sourced donations, remittances and other private sector providers – such as the emerging impact investing industry; and, types of funding including traditional ODA, loans, risk mitigation, equity and blending instruments, as well as innovative financing mechanisms and the increasing use of ODA to leverage private finance including from domestic sources.

Against this backdrop, UNCDF/FIPA (Financial Inclusion Practice Area) provides seed capital and technical support through Inclusive Finance programmes to ensure that more households and small business gain access to financial services that expand opportunities and reduce vulnerabilities. Its ability to provide risk capital directly to the private sector is helping bring new financial products to underserved and hard to reach markets and spurring innovations. Through flexible grant and loan instruments, UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. FSPs, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies, and mobile networks operators) and financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payment services, remittances).

Post Context - Under the guidance and supervision of the Practice Director, FIPA (Financial Inclusion Practice Area) and in coordination with the Senior Regional Advisor (primus inter pares) and other FIPA and LD colleagues, the Regional Inclusive Finance Technical Advisor (RTA) will provide technical leadership and managerial support to the inclusive finance/microfinance programs of UNCDF and UNDP in the regions listed. While focusing primarily on LDCs, s/he will also provide support to UNDP in non LDCs whenever feasible. S/he will collaborate closely with the Country Office in design, implementation, and monitoring of microfinance programs. The RTA will also develop a list of Technical Service Providers (TSPs) including individuals and institutions that could be contracted on a long-term basis to provide technical assistance to Country Office programs. The RTA will be responsible for identifying key sources of financing (grants, loans, equity) in the region and developing strategic partnerships with these sources in close consultation with PPCU to assure that national strategies and action plans to build inclusive financial sectors can mobilize the resources required to achieve results.

The RTA is accountable to assure and track quarterly reporting and inform management (Regional Bureau, UNCDF Practice Leader) on overall performance including where inadequacies are found. The RTA will ensure that all programming is accurately reflected in UNDP’s results based management framework and accurately captured in financial expenditure reporting. The RTA will develop a list of Technical Service Providers (TSPs) including individuals and institutions that could be contracted on a long-term basis to provide technical assistance to Country Office programmes.

The incumbent is accountable for the identification and implementation of Cross-Practice collaboration with LDFP and the sound articulation of country-level strategies and opportunities related to UNCDF mandate while ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF. In doing so, she/he must translate corporate strategy into country programming and regional positioning, ensuring the development of synergies of technical/programme support and relationships with LDCs through a sound collaboration with UNDP and the UNCT at the regional and country levels. This programme positioning is also to be ensured through the conception and formulation of country / regional programmes embedded in the UNDAF and national priorities.

In close collaboration with the UNCDF Directorate and the PPCU (Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit) the incumbent should actively contribute to the development and implementation of UNCDF strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, Post 2015 and other potential joint programming opportunities at HQs and at the global, regional and country office levels.

RTAs, CTAs and GTI Managers (Global Technical Initiatives) will work together, with one RTA designated as the primus inter pares who will facilitate inter alia regional integration, partnership outreach and business development, UN representation, technical collaboration, and on-site prioritization (as needed) of the work of local support staff. While RTA/GTI staff will continue to report to their respective Practices (and operations support staff to MSU), work processes and incentives (including through performance assessment) will be put in place to drive active engagement, dialogue, and prioritization for country engagement so as to gain coherence, optimize resource use, and facilitate greater flow of information.

The UNCDF Directorate will nominate an RTA as primus inter pares. She/he will be accountable in ensuring the establishment of “cross-practice, cross-programme” collaboration and synergies through increased communication flows and exchange of knowledge and information. He/she will be expected to establish stronger links between practice, country, and organizational positioning and business/partnership development. RTAs with inter-practice coordination roles will lead strategic corporate synergies between UNCDF practices and UNDP at the Regional and CO levels and liaise with UNDP Regional Programmes and RSC for technical advisory support. All RTAs will be accountable for participating and constructively supporting this coordination role.

Duties and Responsibilities

PORTFOLIO/UNIT MANAGEMENT: for Inclusive Finance Programming in the regions listed above. Provides portfolio management for the microfinance programme and projects within the respective region; and in areas of joint investment between UNCDF and UNDP, matrixed management of the Inclusive Finance project staff in the region, focusing on achieving the following results:

Development and approval of sector assessments and programme documents, ensuring soundness of technical design and strategy;
Funding and implementation modality negotiated and resolved with UNDP, donors and governments;
Integration of regional Inclusive Finance activities into the annual work plan of the UNDP Regional Centre;
Review of work plans of country project teams, ensuring clear performance targets are established;
Effective management of all financial, performance and operational aspects of portfolio, including facilitating project implementation according to annual work plan of the project, ensuring achievement of outputs;
Assure and track quarterly portfolio reporting and inform management (Regional Bureau, UNCDF policy advisor) on a quarterly basis on overall performance including where inadequacies are found;
Reporting of project achievements, delivery and other areas of accountability to Inclusive Finance Unit for input to regular performance monitoring and ROAR; financial reporting and reporting arrangements for non-core resources to donors;
Effective and efficient use of ATLAS in line with project cycle; Atlas approval authority at Level 2;
Management of decentralized evaluation.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP/POLICY ADVICE: Provides technical leadership and policy advice in the area of microfinance/inclusive finance to key stakeholders in the region and country office networks, focusing on achieving the following results:

Technical leadership and support to the microfinance/inclusive finance portfolio within the region;
Effective and innovative programme strategies, formulation and design, involving sector assessment, dialogue and negotiations with key regional stakeholders, including donors and other investors, government officials, UNDP country offices, central banks and the microfinance industry, building on UNCDF and UNDP’s comparative advantages and furthering UN goals and objectives;
Technical support to design of national policies, strategies and programmes, for development of enabling regulatory and legal frameworks and capacity-building of central banks. Serve as a key resource for policy advice to Governments and Central Banks in the region on how to create an enabling environment for inclusive finance and analyzing policy environments to identify and remove existing policy constraints;
Responsible for technically clearing all existing microfinance/inclusive finance and each new microfinance/inclusive finance programme prior to approval and certifying its compliance with UNDP microfinance policy prior to approval. Based on policy guidance from UNCDF, the RMTA will have the authority to provide waivers to specific elements of UNDP microfinance policy as it relates to particular country programming;
Develop a list of Technical Service Providers (TSPs) including individuals and institutions that could be contracted on a long-term basis to provide technical assistance to Country Office programmes;
Technical guidance to Programme Officers and country teams on programme preparation and implementation, and technical monitoring and follow-up of their work plans;
Technical leadership, advice and support to UNDP country office management to improve quality of UNDP’s microfinance programme; effective regional coordination with relevant practice areas of technical support to countries; Advice on policy issues emerging from design and implementation of micro finance projects at the country office level;
Will assume the role of Team Leader for Africa coordinating FIPA’s work in IF in Africa. Will work closely with the FIPA RTA based in Dakar and will co-supervise (with FIPA Director) his/her work;
Will develop strategic partnership with regional initiatives / programs active in the area of FI in Africa.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Provides regional leadership in applying business development strategies, tools and intelligence, to build and maintain strategic partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and enhance resource mobilization for microfinance in the region, focusing on achieving the following results:

Expanded support to more countries in the region to develop financial infrastructures that will provide improved financial services to clients;
Identification of promising investment opportunities for UNDP and UNCDF in the region that meet established investment criteria;
Identification of key sources of financing (grants, loans, equity) in the region and developing strategic partnerships with these sources to assure that national strategies and action plans to build inclusive financial sectors can mobilize the resources required to achieve results. Strong regional partnerships with major multilateral and bilateral organizations for business development and cost-sharing, and increases in partner co-financing of microfinance projects for in the region;
Strong partnership with UNDP country offices and regional policy practitioners to support governments, central banks donors and other key stakeholders in the region to establish national strategies, policies and interventions to develop an inclusive financial sector;
Advice to the Regional Director, UNCDF Partnerships and Communications Advisor and the Advisor of the Regional Centre on development of resource mobilization and communications strategies that meet needs of microfinance programmes;
Effective working relationships with governments, central banks, the Bretton Woods Institutions and regional development banks, civil society and the microfinance industry;
Dialogue and outreach to key internal and external constituencies and partners, including UNDP regional and country office management, to increase visibility and awareness of UNCDF and UNDP comparative advantages and strategic niches in microfinance.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Provides regional leadership in the active acquisition and sharing of business-sensitive knowledge in Inclusive Finance, focusing on achieving the following results:

Identification, documentation and incorporation of lessons learned from Inclusive Finance experience in the region, as input into portfolio management and planning at regional level, as input into Inclusive Finance Unit for enhancing policy and programme support to microfinance and for knowledge management collaborations with key partners, particularly CGAP;
Identification and development of new products, tools and processes in UNCDF and UNDP niche areas to better employ comparative advantages of UNCDF and UNDP in the sub-region to serve targeted clients; review of existing products, concepts and tools in Inclusive Finance to ensure continued effectiveness and to increase awareness of these products, tools, etc. among key stakeholders, adapting them to changes in circumstances and requirements in the region;
Collaboration with key partners and microfinance practitioners in the region for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches to sharpen delivery of Inclusive Finance products and services in order to better achieve UNCDF Business Plan objectives and UNDP (MYFF, Strategic Plan, RPD) corporate strategies and MDG goals; sharing of experiences with key partners and stakeholders in the region;
Development and contribution to knowledge-sharing networks on microfinance initiatives globally;
Participation and contributions to UNDP sub-practice in Inclusive Finance and small/medium enterprises. Serve as the primary resource for knowledge management and cross-country learning in their region through active participation in the UNDP knowledge networks. The RTA will ensure that country offices posting queries on semfin receive a reply within four (4) working days that assists them on established good practice and useful global and regional experiences.

CORPORATE SUPPORT: Provides support to Inclusive Finance Unit and UNCDF management on corporate initiatives and activities, focusing on achieving the following results:

Advice from regional perspective to support annual and cumulative Unit and UNCDF and UNDP ROAR analyses; substantive inputs into Unit work plan and UNCDF Business Plan;
Support to development of Inclusive Finance Unit and UNCDF programme and business strategies and to annual reviews;
Advice to UNCDF and UNDP senior management on technical issues and business development opportunities, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports;
Advice on technical issues, knowledge management and business development opportunities having inter-regional and corporate relevance on Inclusive Finance and/or UNCDF/UNDP programme;
Preparation of material related to the RBA Inclusive Finance portfolio for UNDP participation in the CGAP SMART Aid index.

IMPACT OF RESULTS:

Results of the work of the Regional Inclusive Finance Technical Advisor have major impact on the overall effectiveness, efficiency and growth of UNCDF and UNDP’s Inclusive Finance programme in the region, as reflected in the ROAR, financial delivery, business development and resource mobilization, especially of non-core resources. It has a direct impact on the success of the Inclusive Finance Unit in achieving Unit and UNCDF Business Plan objectives, results expected in the UNDP and UNCDF SRF and, finally, on achieving the MDGs;

Results have a major impact on UNCDF and UNDP’s reputation as a preferred partner in Inclusive Finance and center of excellence within the region, and its success engaging key actors in strategic partnerships and joint programming for Inclusive Finance projects in the region. Finally, results have a significant impact on resource mobilization (non-core).

Competencies

Functional Competencies for Level 3 (P5 positions): working under the strategic leadership of the Practice Director and/or Deputy Executive Secretary

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 3: Influencing the public policy agenda

Builds consensus concerning UNCDF’s strategic agenda with partners on joint initiatives;
Dialogues with national counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 3: Achieving results through programme design and innovative resourcing strategies

Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach;
Makes use of a variety of resources within UNCDF to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches;
Ensures the full implementation of country programme and Financial Resources to obtain results.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 3: Building strategic alliances

Makes effective use of UNCDF’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 3: Fostering innovation in others

Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources;
Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations).

Level 3: Developing resource mobilization strategies at country level

Contributes to the development of resource mobilization strategies at CO level;
Actively develops partnerships with potential donors and government counterparts in all sectors at country level;
Strengthens the capacity of the country office to mobilize resources.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 3: Participating in the development of policies and innovative approaches and promoting their application throughout the organization

Promotes UNCDF as a learning/knowledge sharing organization

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 3: Expert knowledge of own discipline

Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures;
For managers: applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments;

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNCDF’s Goals

Level 3: Influencing global and national initiatives

Advocates for increased priority given to human development issues internationally and in national planning frameworks;
Advocates for increased resources at international and national level.

Client Orientation

Level 3: Meeting long-term client needs

Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNCDF programmes and operations.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence,creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNCDF & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparentdecision making; calculated risk-taking;
Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in planning, economics, public administration, political science or related field

Experience:

At least 10 years experience in microfinance, inclusive finance, or related field of finance, development, research, or policy development;
At least 5 years of management experience. Experience working within a Central Bank a plus;
Demonstrated strong technical knowledge in field of Inclusive Finance;
Proven practical knowledge of Inclusive Finance especially as applied in LDC context at both local and national levels;
Familiarity with UNDP and UN system and role of key institutions in the field of Inclusive Finance. Knowledge of UNDP field level organization;
Comprehensive understanding of the project management cycle and managing for results;
Knowledge of programme framework;
Knowledge of Atlas at level required for the position.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English and French.

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 fromhttp://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx Completion of all the fields is required.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.