Background

The UNDP DRC’s Country Programme is conceived as a holistic one, targeting beneficiaries at their localities in a vast country of 2.350.000 Km2. In order to meet programme results, UNDP Kinshasa is operating 3 provincial Offices in North Kivu (Goma), Equator (Mbandaka), South Kivu (Bukavu).

To ensure proper resources and results management and preventative oversight, the UNDP Country Office intends to recruit a resident oversight  and compliance specialist with programmatic and Operations profile directly attached to the Deputy Country Director / Operations in support of optimal results and resource management, transparency, accountability, client orientation.

In order to develop and reinforce its own accountability in the implementation of a complex post crisis programme intervention, the UNDP office in Kinshasa is therefore recruiting, for an initial period of 12 months to be cost shared by programme resources and administrative resources. The specialist shall work in coordination with the NIM/DIM projects, the Operations Management Unit, the Resource Management Unit and under the overall authority of the Country Director with direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director /Operations.

 S/he will provide adequate and continuous feedback to the Senior Management on the quality, relevance and efficiency of Programme and Operational implementation in the field and adherence to UNDP’s zero tolerance for corruption, in addition to and independently from the monitoring carried out by Provincial and Kinshasa Offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director/Operations, the Oversight and Compliance Specialist is responsible for the ongoing oversight and review of programme and Operations management, in conformity with UNDP regulations and rules framework. In that capacity, the incumbent will more specifically be in charge of the following functions:

  • Ensure adequate and consistent application of UNDP procedures as well as administrative; programmatic, contractual, financial rules in daily operations;
  • Prepare an annual Management Oversight Plan and ensure its implementation;
  • Review the overall programme portfolio to confirm compliance with standard practices guidelines and UNDP requirements and determine concrete measures for adherence;
  • Conduct special management reviews and assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendation and follow up matrix, provide feedback on the status to the Deputy Country Director/Operations;
  • Ensure through spot checks and appropriate systems that relevant procedures and supporting documents are exhaustive and consistent;
  • Assess the internal control framework on a risk-based approach for the main office in Kinshasa and sub offices. Recommend actions to address shortcomings identified, strengthen internal controls and improve business processes;
  • Contribute to the development of the insurance plan of the Country office and serve as resource person for updating the control tools of the HACT. Provide substantive support to the training of spotcheckers and ensure quality control of spot  check reports;
  • Undertake all other Oversight and Compliance activities within the framework of the set responsibilities of the duties;
  • Provide regular briefing to the CO Senior Management regarding programmed/operational matters and general systems control;
  • Any other tasks given by the supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Promoting organizational change and development

Assisting the individuals to cope with change

  • Develops communications and programmes to assist business units in their adaptation to changing environment;
  • Provides counseling and coaching to colleagues who are dealing with change Assists in the development of policies, communications, and change strategies;
  • Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation.

Strategic alignment of management practice

Adapting best practice and building capacity

  • Knows the objectives and outputs of organizational units and their human resource, financial and technological capacities and links them to appropriate management policies and services;
  • Forms partnerships with managers and staff providing advice and solutions that integrate various management areas to enable them to meet their needs;
  • Adapts best management practices to the requirements of the organization and/or organizational units to facilitate the achievement of strategic objectives;
  • Builds capacity for management practice in organizational units throughout the organization by providing appropriate tools and advising and coaching managers;
  • Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation;
  • Conducts system assessment to improve development of systems design and operation.

Job knowledge/Technical expertise

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;
  • Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
  • Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
  • 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;
  • Ready to work under extremely hazardous conditions and in a stressful environment;
  • Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
  • Cultural sensitivity, inter-personal skills and ability to work smoothly under pressure.

Client orientation

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;
  • Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
  • Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
  • Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Promoting accountability and results-based management

Input to the development of standards and policies

  • Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management;
  • Develops and applies tools and techniques in assessing the application of programme and/or administer the policies and procedures;
  • Undertakes ad hoc analysis of issues emanating from policy application reviews.

Promoting organizational learning and knowledge sharing

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;
  • Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters Degree or equivalent in auditing, development planning, social or political sciences, Economics or in a similar discipline.

Experience:

  • A Minimum of 5 years professional experience in managing large projects or programmes, including financial management (particularly developing and implementing financial control systems) and audit management within the private sector or International NGOs;
  • Excellent knowledge of project management, audit track, accounting and budgetary procedures and techniques, procurement of goods and services, stocks and assets control as per UN regulations and rules;
  • Excellent knowledge of computer standard applications, information system analysis, database etc.;
  • Excellent knowledge of issues pertaining to multi-donors funding, related reporting systems, especially within the context of large fiduciary funds administered by the United nations or UNDP more specifically;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of local working conditions in a Post Conflict situation.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent command of written and spoken French and good working knowledge of English.