UNDP Jobs - 59726- Programme Associate

Programme Associate

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

15-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

16-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year (Renewable subject to good performance and availability of funds)

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

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Team Leader, and working in collaboration with staff of the Inclusive Growth team and inter-agency teams such as the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI), the Programme Associate provides support services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Programme Associate is an integral part of the Regional Inclusive Growth team, providing services to implementation of the Regional Programme and associated projects and initiatives such as the PEI programme, and to the Policy and Advisory functions of the team.

The Programme Associate can supervise clerical and support staff of the team. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in BRH, the COs and UNDP HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support to effective and efficient functioning of the Regional Programme and Associate project;
Support to management of the Regional Programme and Associate projects;
Administrative and financial management support to Programme/Projects;
Implementation of operational strategies, including the RBAP Regional Programme;
Financial management of the PEI Asia-Pacific programme and associated initiatives;
Administrative and logistical support to the Inclusive Growth Team and associated project units;
Support to resource mobilization;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Supports formulation and implementation of the RBAP Regional Programme and associated projects, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of Regional Programmes and associated projects, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets;
Presentation of background information for formulation of regional programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements;

Provides effective support to management of the Regional programme and associated projects focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Creation of a project in Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial close of a project;
Provision of guidance to country offices and the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects;
Presentation of information for audit of regional projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations.

Provides administrative and financial management support to the Programme Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Review of project Financial Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
Creation of requisitions in Atlas, register of goods receipt in Atlas;
Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers;
Work in close collaboration with the Sustainable Development Cluster in HQ, Global Centres such as the Poverty Environment Facility in Nairobi, relevant units in Country Offices, other UNDP units and donors to ensure consistent collation of information and inputs into BRH, BPPS, donor and other reporting formats and platforms for administrative and operational processes;
Prepare Team and Project shadow budgets and expenditure records, and support project managers on budget management, and review and monitoring of project budgets;
Lead on budget management for PEI, including prepare budget authorizations, budget revisions and budget corrections, verify cumulative expenditure status, support UNDP country office on financial management and reporting, and ensure financial reports and budget revisions are in order for signing and timely submission to donors and the Poverty Environment Facility;
Prepare and monitor budget authorizations to Country Offices in line with approved workplans;
Assist budget managers with contract requests (Individual Contracts, Institutional Contracts, Contract for Professional Services, LTAs) and processing;
Ensure that supporting documentation needed for contract files is obtained and provides relevant forms to vendors;
Follow up on approvals for payment requests and ensure that performance evaluations are completed.

Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile;
Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on projects managed by the Unit;
Provide guidance and training to other colleagues on administrative matters as required;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
Maintains databases of donor information
Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
Responds positively to new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
Maintains database of project files
Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences

Client Orientation

Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
Self-development, initiative-taking
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
Creating synergies through self-control
Managing conflict
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Informed and transparent decision making

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language requirement:

Fluency in English and language of the duty station.

Remuneration:

Starting Baht 850,565 net per annum.

Remark:

This position is open for Thai nationals only.