UNCDF Jobs - 62131- Programme Management Specialist

Programme Management Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2016

Application Deadline :

18-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

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

The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) is a Pacific-wide programme helping low income housholds gain access to quality and affordable financial services and financial education. It is jointly managed by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PFIP receives funding from the United Nations, Australian Government and the European Union. The Programme operates from the UNDP Pacific Centre in Suva, Fiji and has offices in Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

PFIP is looking to hire a Programme Management Specialist/Deputy Programme Manager who will be primarily responsible for managing the implementation of programme activities. S/he will be based at the UNDP Pacific Center, Suva, Fiji and will report directly to the PFIP Programme Manager/Pacific Financial Inclusion Adviser.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Programme Management;
Policy Advice and Technical Assistance;
Project Generation and Technical Support to CTAs & FSPs;
Coordination and Collaboration;
Knowledge Sharing and Networking.

Programme Management:

In close consultation with the PFIP Programme Manager, and under the overall guidance of the Programme Investment Committee (IC), the Deputy Programme Manager will support the implementation and management of the programme;
Support the Manager in the daily supervision of various international and national personnel. At present this will include specialists in inclusive insurance, financial education, communications, knowledge management and deputy project manager (operations and finance) located in Suva and up to 4 out-posted technical specialist based in various Pacific countries;
Support the Programme Manager in the preparation of annual work plans with performance targets and budgets to ensure alignment of resources to programme goals for Investment Committee approval. The work plans submitted to the IC will cover both the technical components of the programme as well as its management and administration, and clearly define indicators and targets for activities, as well as input of staff, short-term technical assistance and other resources;
Provide management support for all aspects of programme implementation according to the annual work plan of the programme, ensuring targeted achievement of expenditures, delivery of activities and outputs;
In conjunction with the Project Manager and UNCDF, to prepare and implement a resource mobilization and partnership building strategy to attract non-core funding, including private sector contributions, for programme activities.

Policy Advice and Technical Assistance:

Help identify knowledge gaps and design responses. Provide support and guidance to drafting terms of reference in relation to the different tenders for studies, TA support etc. Assess opportunities within the programme budget to meet capacity development needs;
Provide technical lead in developing and/or reviewing National Financial Inclusion Strategies in those Pacific countries as and when need arises and as requested by the respective Central Banks or Government;
Support the establishment and capacity building of national financial inclusion task forces - including preparation of TORs and provision of training to task force secretariat and working group chairpersons;
Respond to individual governments by reviewing constraints to financial inclusion and recommending solutions or expert advice;
Support the Programme Manager by providing need based advice to undertake and/or commission market and pro-poor financial sector studies to provide evidence-based knowledge and information to policy makers, regulators and FSPs;
During the absence of the Programme Manager, serve as alternate Secretariat to the Investment Committee, ensuring that all required documentation is available to facilitate decision-making, and that performance-based agreements with FSPs are available for signature upon approval by the IC.

Project Generation and Technical Support to CTAs & FSPs:

Engage with and establish strong and binding relationships with existing as well as potential FSP partners and other institutions including MNOs and provide them with the required information on PFIP grant facility;
Provide sound technical advice to FSPs in developing scalable and replicable financial products and services that can be grant supported through the PFIP grant facility;
Assist the Project Manager to provide technical support to partner organizations to develop sound proposals that can be considered under the PFIP grant facility for support;
Actively follow up and provide guidance in developing project appraisal documents to be placed before the Investment committee for approval;
Effective management of approved grants with a view to meeting the targeted outreach and deliverables through regular follow up through the respective CTAs and if required directly with the grantees;
Organize trainings for funded FSPs around issues where common capacity-building is required;
Provide on-site TA to FSPs focused on issues specific to individual FSPs;
Assist recipients to identify appropriate technical assistance providers for specialized areas not within the competence of the programme team;
Advise on the options for partnerships, mergers etc. where these could lead to efficiency gains for FSPs;
Support the Project Manager and the Results Measurement Adviser to monitor progress of recipient institutions by reviewing and verifying quarterly reported results through field visits prior to sharing the progress reports with donors.

Coordination and Collaboration:

Support the Project Manager in the management of the Grant facility and in other day to day activities directed towards achieving programmatic results;
Collaborate with the Results Management Adviser in the preparation of annual reports, by providing documentation and feedback for programme monitoring and evaluation, including specific information on challenges and achievements (this includes programme aspects related to gender, achievement of targets, etc.);
Monitor and support the work of the PFIP country teams, ensuring staff outputs are on target and aligned with the objectives of the annual work plan and overall PFIP programme;
Coordinate and act as a bridge between country technical specialists and regional technical specialists in ensuring timely and effective programme delivery;
Support the Programme Manager to strengthen the strategic direction of PFIPs implementation based on lessons learned;
Support the Programme Manager in maintaining strong and professional relationships with donors and investors with a view to increasing resource mobilization;
Regularly engage with and maintain strong & strategic relationship with the regional central, governments and regional organizations including active engagement with the AFI Pacific Islands Regional Initiative;
Represent PFIP in meetings of the UNDP Pacific Office, ensuring coordination of PFIP activities with other UN programming in the Pacific.

Knowledge Sharing and Networking:

Regularly engage with and maintain strong & strategic relationship with the regional central banks and Governments;
Support the regional and country teams in developing relevant knowledge products. Coordinate with the knowledge management and communications specialists in generating regular publications and their dissemination to stakeholders;
Provide lead in organizing knowledge management events at local and regional levels either directly or in partnership with other agencies like ADB, IFC, FDC etc.;
Oversee the planning of the bi-annual Pacific Microfinance Week to ensure optimal learning and networking outcomes for regional and international participants;
Coordinate and prepare the annual reporting on the Money Pacific Goals and other regional commitments to the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting and the South Pacific Central Bank Governors Meeting;
Engage with global and regional institutions like Alliance for Financial Inclusion, CGAP, to share and learn from best practices in financial inclusion and integrate into PFIP work.

Impact of key results/key performance indicators:

Programme outputs are produced on time and financial and human resources managed well to achieve the intended results of the programme;
FSPs supported to design and implement financial products, use of new delivery channels and new institutional models to serve low income and rural clients;
Use of ICT-enabled solutions for financial intermediation piloted to demonstrate potential model to deliver financial services to remote and isolated rural communities in the Pacific;
Constraints removed at macro, meso and retail levels through the provision of well-targeted policy advice and technical assistance;
Strengthened commitment by donor, regional and national partners to adopt best practices for creating inclusive financial sectors.

Nature of interactions:

Active and continuous engagement with FSPs to generate viable pro-poor financial services projects which can be supported by the programme;
Frequent travel to countries to meet with policy makers, regulators and industry actors to promote the programme, identify partnerships and programme support opportunities and to conduct monitoring of projects supported by the programme;
Build strong working relationships, supported by an effective communications strategy, with members of the Investment Committee;
High level substantive engagement with policymakers and regulators, FSPs and Telecommunication companies to identify policy advice and technical assistance needs to address specific constraints and to capitalize on opportunities;
Build strong networks with international regional and national institutions and programmes involved in financial services research, advocacy and development;
Engage with UNDP and other UN Agencies active in the Pacific region.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation;
Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
Leadership;
Ability to persuade others to follow;
People Management;
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
Communication;
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
Delivery;
Ability to get things done;
Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Technical/Functional Competencies:

Primary:

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Programme;
Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
Establishes clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities; manages them accordingly;
Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.

Results Orientation:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

Partnering and Networking:

Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the Programme;
Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links;
Innovation and Judgment;
Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of entrepreneurial initiative to deal with challenging situation;
Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in finance, management or economics.

Experience:

Have a minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the financial sector and/or microfinance, microinsurance, digital financial services etc.;
Documented deep technical knowledge and experience in financial inclusion good practices for industry building, and development of inclusive financial systems and products in emerging markets;
Previous experience of working with Central banks or Government in developing National Financial inclusion strategies, facilitating formation of apex coordinating bodies (eg: National financial inclusion task force and working groups);
Adequate experience and working knowledge of supporting development of pro-poor rural financial services like Savings groups;
Previous experience of leading or supporting financial inclusion related research and field studies, preferably in the Pacific region;
FSP management experience at senor levels is an advantage, with demonstrated experience with product development for rural, women and low income clients and micro-entrepreneurs;
Previous work experience in the area of inclusive finance within the UN preferably in least developed countries (LDCs);
Familiarity with UN/UNCDF rules and procedures is an advantage;
Prepared to travel frequently throughout the Pacific region.

Language:

Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing skills

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