Background
Under the guidance and direct supervision of Assistant Country Director (ACD)/ Head of the Sustainable Development Cluster, the Programme Analyst is responsible for the management of UNDP programme within the Sustainable Development area, particularly focusing on Disaster Risk Management (DRM). The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides support to policy advice formulation.The Programme Analyst supervises and leads programme support staff and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP Regional Center in Bangkok and HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, project staff, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful Country Office (CO) programme implementation.
The Programme Analyst will be the UNDP focal point to ensure fulfillment of UNDP’s role as co-convener of the UN Programme Coordination Group on Natural Disasters and Emergencies (PCG 10).
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:- Implementation of programme strategies
- Management of the Disaster Risk Management portfolio of the UNDP Country Office (CO) Programme.
- Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
- Provision of top quality advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management
- Ensures effective implementation of programme strategies and coordination mechanisms: (20%)
- Contribute to achievement of a key Outcome of the One Plan of the UN in Viet Nam, namely “Viet Nam has adequate policies and capacities to effectively reduce risks of, and vulnerability to, natural disasters”;
- Actively participate in and contribute to UN system co-ordination and programming, including: PCG-10, UN One Plan and through the UN Development Assistance Framework; Ensure coordination of UN assistance to the Government of Viet Nam (GoV) in respect to DRM (disaster preparedness, mitigation, relief/ rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction);
- Update the UN Disaster and Pandemic Response Plan, the UN Country Team Capacity assessment (2008) and other relevant documents;
- Coordinate with UN agencies and partners both in and out of the country to promote international standards in disaster response and humanitarian reform principles;
- Serve to ensure that a prompt, effective and concerted response by the UN system is made at country level in the event of a disaster;
- Build a solid understanding of and thorough analysis the Vietnamese context (political, economic, social, cultural and historical), government policies, priorities and programs that would influence/affect UNDP assistance in Viet Nam and provide substantial inputs in addressing this context;
- Work in partnership with government counterparts and donor partners to identify needs for UNDP CO interventions, programmes or projects; Design and formulation of UNDP CO programme in the area of disaster risk management, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions;
- Serve to ensure that a prompt, effective and concerted response by the UN system is made at country level in the event of a disaster;
- Contribute to UNDP CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Sustainable Development Cluster;
- Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme impacts.
- Effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones;
- Provide National Execution (NEX) support and NEX coaching to programme and project implementation and ensure that programme/project implementation follows agreed upon NEX regulations with transparency. This includes proper planning, guidance, supervision and M&E to ensure effective project management and implementation for quality results;
- Initiation of new projects, presentation of the project to Local Project Appraisal Committee (PAC), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions;
- Ensure effective implementation of the DRM projects; Coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and voucher approval, participates in recruitment and procurement processes for projects;
- Carry out periodical review and assess work plans and budgets prepared by executing/implementing agencies and make recommendations for approval or adjustments;
- Analysis of the situation in programme: financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems that would affect the implementation of projects and discuss and propose corrective measures;
- Review and monitor all aspects of programme/project progress following result-oriented approach;
- Participation in audit of NEX projects, follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
- Provide quality and timely briefing on progress and results of the implementation of the programmes/projects to stakeholders; Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes.
- Ensure regular communication with donors, preparation of donor reports for donors, and final reports;
- Reach out to all stakeholders to advocate for UNDP's goals and disaster risk management thematic focus. Preparation of documents/speeches/ briefing notes for UNDP contribution at important events;
- Help to ensure the provision of quality advisory services to the GoV and projects and the facilitation of knowledge building and management;
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Collect, analyse and share lessons learnt internally and externally and make suggestions to incorporate those lessons in programme/project monitoring and in policy dialogue. This could include briefing notes or concept papers in collaboration with project staff;
- Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
- Share information with donors (and multilateral, bilateral, NGOs) working in the same area with a view to co-coordinating activities and maximizing synergies of the projects;
- Act as a resource person in thematic discussions/working group and workshops; draft speeches for the office management;
- Prepare periodical Situation Reports in the aftermath of a disaster.
- Participate in the discussions to assess the need for the formation of Joint Rapid Assessment Teams to affected provinces and take part as a member if deemed appropriate; provide PCG 10 funding as required;
- Contribute to deepening analytical and knowledge base of cross-unit programmes, and improving the quality of products of UNDP through active participation in UNDP and UN practice/working groups;
- Provide regular inputs and success stories for dissemination by the UN communication team;
- Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including PCG-10, DMWG, CCWG, and other appropriate networks;
- Development of partnerships with UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok, UNDP HQ, UN Agencies, International Financial Institution’s (IFI’s), government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the disaster risk management based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, new sources/windows of funding;
- Participate in the UNDP and UN practice/working groups as well as work as a focal point in GoV-Donor Partnerships that are related to the disaster risk management portfolio;
- Support UNDP Country Director to fulfil the responsibilities of a co-leader of the Early Recovery cluster and the coordination cluster meetings;
- Facilitate PCG-10 on regular basis acting as facilitator of the group and ensuring compliance with guidelines provided by the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO);
- Participate, on behalf of UNDP and PCG 10, in other disaster related working groups and partnership such as the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG) and the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG);
- Support UNDP Country Director in fulfilling responsibilities of the Natural Disasters and Emergency focal point; act as critical staff in case of emergency in the revision and update of the UNDP business continuity plan, and ensure continuity of programmatic support in event of disasters;
- Liaise with the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery as well as United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Regional Office Asia-Pacific (ROAP) and World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Office when needed;
- In addition to formal training, the PO will be expected to participate in UNDP networks and be encouraged to share experience with colleagues and other country offices to develop his/her skills and knowledge of development issues and best practices. This learning and skills development should be directly applied to the work performed.
The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of disaster risk management. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.
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:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Office
- In-depth knowledge on development issues
- Ability to advocate and provide advice
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources.
- Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Demonstrate strong team spirits, shows team building skills and conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Master’s Degree or equivalent in crisis prevention and recovery/ Disaster Risk Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Social Science or related fields.
- 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
- Fluency in English and Vietnamese.