UNDP Jobs - 59746- Policy Support Associate

Policy Support Associate

Location :

Kingston, JAMAICA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

02-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

GS-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year renewable

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 of the DRR and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Policy Services), the Policy Support Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Policy Support Associate is the policy support member of a team of 5 in the Programme Unit who work in synergies to deliver results to the CO under an integrated program approach.

The Policy Support Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support to formulation of policy strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Action Plan in an integrated approach;
Policy support to management of the CO integrated programme;
Administrative support to the Programme;
Support to resource mobilization;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Supports formulation of policy strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Action Plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC);
Presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements;
Research and analysis of information related to effective policy support to the CO;
Drafting Concept Notes and TORs for policy-related consultancies and initiatives.

Provides effective policy support to management of the CO programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Support to the management of the office in facilitation of policy dialogue on development issues with the Government, private sector, civil society and donors;
Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects in an integrated programme;
Presentation of information for audit of NEX projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations.

Provides administrative programme support to the CO focusing on 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;
Review of NEX projects Financial Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects;
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 for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas;
Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.

Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assistance to UNDP in resource mobilization by preparing analytical papers documentation for donor and consultative meetings;
Analysis and research of information on donors; preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
Assistance in creation of strategic partnerships by preparing notes, speeches and statements for UNDP officials and consultative meetings;
Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas;
Support in the creation and nurturing of strategic partnerships;
Conduct research on trends to assist in determining collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors;
Ascertain potential opportunities to strengthen resource mobilization in new or crosscutting thematic areas.

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 programme;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme;
Provision of capacity building support on economic issues to office staff;
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.

Maintain Strategic Partnership:

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:

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.

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;
Prince2 training and certification.

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:

Fluency in English.