Background

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).   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.

UNCDF is growing rapidly and the trend is expected to continue. In order to sustain this growth while ensuring a better planning of resources toward UNCDF’s goals and an increased impact in its intervention a Programme Management Support Unit under the oversight of the Deputy Executive Secretary. The PMSU team is expected to drive corporate programme management practices and systems/tools while providing important internal programme oversight and have an assurance role vis-à-vis UNCDF accountability for results and for the appropriate use of resources, including corporate rules and regulations and performance targets against the IRRM.

Post Context - The RBM Specialist is an integral part of PMSU team and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary UNCDF in close collaboration with the Practice Team Leaders and the Chief MSU.  She/he is entrusted with the execution of supporting services contributing to the improvements in system wide coherence  in results through all the phases of the programming cycle; enhancing aid effectiveness by providing strategic and operational guidance to implement  UNCDF results-based management strategy and contributing to supporting the results-oriented focus of UN Reform through the design and management of an adequate system to measure system-wide reform process results and development results.

Incumbent will support practices in planning, reporting and budget management and she/he will support Directorate in corporate results reporting / management reporting and EB Reporting as well as collaborate with PPCU (Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit) in the application of contracts in line with results frameworks.

The RBM Specialist will liaise with other UNCDF and UNDP Units as well as other UN agencies to ensure an integrated approach to results based management and the development of a monitoring system of programme activities.

Within the context of UNCDF programme activities, the staff member is ultimately accountable for achieving the key results summarized above. These results in turn provide senior management with critical inputs in making decisions on resource allocations; confirming the alignment of resources with results; providing corporate monitoring; and assessing performance.

The RBM Specialist work in matrixed collaboration with the Programme Finance Specialist and the Regional Programme Specialist, Bangkok, ensuring the accurate reporting of corporate financial data while driving the development of corporate planning systems, tools, and standards. The RBM specialist is able to assume Programme Finance Specialist responsibilities as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Ensure the measurement of UNCDF programme processes and development results;
• Ensure the application of Results-Based Management in the Delivering as One Initiative;
• Knowledge networking and partnership building for RBM.

Ensure the measurement of UNCDF processes and development results for UNCDF and coordinate the realignment with tools and corporate procedures utilized by UNDP

• Lead the migration of RBM tools and the creation of a UNCDF Atlas “Dashboard to enhance the implementation and monitoring of UNCDF activities as per the Results and Resources Framework (RRF);
• Ensure UNCDF RBM database is aligned with corporate UNDP requirements and provide analytical reports on the status and trends of UNCDF interventions. In this light provide feedback to the Directorate and Team Leaders of Practice Areas on the impact of these interventions and provide strategic advice on new emerging opportunities for programme work;
• Provide guidance and advice on the design and conduct of evaluations of UNCDF projects and programmes including GTIs (Global Technical Initiatives). In this context ascertain whether interventions have had an impact whther on advocacy efforts or within agreed baselines;
• In conjunction with Finance Specialist provide guidance leading to the preparatory process of the annual reviews and provide inputs in the consolidation of Annual Reports;
• Prepare and disseminate results-oriented reports, as well as briefing documents and other publications relating to the UNCDF programme implementation and delivery in LDC countries.

Ensure the application of Results-Based Management in UNCDF with a view to strengthening UNCDF programmes and projects.

• Advise on enhancing RBM for evidence-based decision-making in planning, programming, budgeting and resource allocation within UNCDF;
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the Practice Area Team Leaders in the area of annual planning, performance monitoring, reviews and reporting; 
• Provide guidance and develop initiatives to enhance RBM knowledge and skills of UNCDF staff;
• Based on programmatic evidence, identifies opportunities in the development and operationalization of joint programming with other UN agencies as well as the financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and the development of solutions;
• In conjunction with Finance Specialist, PMSU acts as focal point for audits and follow up on audit recommendations;
• Prepare aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes as well as donor reports;
• Provides guidance to UNCDF staff in the planning process towards the assistance in capacity building of staff and senior management on RBM.

Knowledge networking and partnership building for RBM 

• Develop plans to enhance knowledge networking, sharing best practices and technical expertise within the UNCDF with a view to fostering an integrated approach of the two practice areas;
• Identifies corporate financial planning tools and coordinates and facilitates learning sessions to familiarize UNCDF staff on their use;
• As Facilitator of the RBM focal point for UNCDF, coordinate the RBM/WG in providing technical guidance and assistance in M&E, fostering dialogue amongst the UNCDF staff and developing concrete suggestions to further the objectives of the fund;
• Prepares periodic updates/briefings/presentations to the Partnerships and Communications Teams;
• Contribute in supporting the measurement of perceptions of partners, stakeholders and staff well-being through surveys; Provides analytical reports in this regard.

Impact of Results

The impact of this positon contributes to a sound resource based management of UNCDF Programme and project initiatives providing an enhanced quality and better monitoring of UNCDF interventions in LDCs. During the transition to a corporate UNDP RBM platform, the incumbent’s work will be crucial in strengthening a common corporate RBM base while providing a strategic input to UNCDF practices at HQ and in the field. This will have an impact in UNCDF’s visibility, better planning and overall efficiency.

Within the context of UNCDF programme activities, the staff member is ultimately accountable for achieving the key results summarized above. These results in turn provide senior management with critical inputs in making decisions on resource allocations; confirming the alignment of resources with results; providing corporate monitoring; and assessing performance.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:             

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Creates effective advocacy strategies;
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNCDF’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Promotes UNCDF’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 2: Developing new approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNCDF Goals

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

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. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparentdecision making; calculated risk-taking;
• Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics or Development Economics.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the poverty, development economics and project management areas. Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels. Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential.

Language Requirements:

• Fluent in English;
• Another UN official language is an asset.

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.