UNDP Jobs - 58143- Re-advertisement - Programme Specialist (Poverty)

Re-advertisement - Programme Specialist (Poverty) - (Open to Botswana Nationals Only)

Location :

Gaborone, BOTSWANA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

22-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with a possibility of renewal

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 guidance and direct supervision of the DRR (P/O), the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the Economic diversification and poverty thematic areas. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advisory services.

The Programme Specialist supervises and leads projects’ staff, and national consultants including UNDP technical advisors and experts. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP Economic Diversification and Poverty programme delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents;
Identification of areas for support and interventions within the Economic diversification Poverty reduction thematic area;
Support implementation of corporate strategic initiatives such as HACT and other reporting obligations.

Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the Economic diversification and poverty reduction thematic area focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievements of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the poverty area, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions;
Coordination of programme implementation with the Executing Agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
Initiation of projects, presentation of the projects to LPAC, entering projects into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budgetary re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through reviews. Participates in recruitment and procurement processes for projects.
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects.
Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Resource Mobilization Committee/staff member of the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, Government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in poverty thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor 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, active contribution to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization.

Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and, facilitation of knowledge building and management on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

Effective contribution to the Delivering as One initiative and provision of substantive inputs to the UN Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Component Coordinating Group:

Effective participation in the UN Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Theme Group and provision of substantive inputs to the Theme Group's work.
Identification of joint interventions programming in the poverty areas
Support to ongoing M&E processes within the framework of DaO
Collaborative preparation and/or revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents.
Contribute in the working sessions of the UN Thematic Groups (TG) and serves as the secretariat of the TG as necessary.
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices from programmes

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda.

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Contributing to results through provision of information

Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Developing new approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization

Implementing resource mobilization strategies

Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

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.

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;
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.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

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;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Prince2 training and certification, RMG.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics or Development Economics.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the poverty, development economics and project management areas. Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels. Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and national language of the duty station.