UNV Jobs - 59448- Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Bonn, GERMANY

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year initially

Languages Required :

English French

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 Portfolio Team within the Peace and Development Programming Sections is responsible for the implementation of UNV’s programmes, including volunteer management, at global, regional and local levels.

Reporting to the Chief, Peace Programming Section, the Portfolio Manager is responsible for effective strategic planning and programming in a portfolio of countries based on the UNV’s Strategic Framework, building and maintaining relationships with main partners, ensuring effective coordination between HQ and Field Units, monitoring the programme implementation and providing substantive inputs to corporate initiatives related to programming and volunteer management. The Portfolio Manager supervises the overall Portfolio Team, consisting of Portfolio Associate(s) and UNV personnel in Field Units.

In addition, the Portfolio Manager may act as a focal point for one of the thematic focus area for UNV providing substantive programme and policy advice on all matters related to that focus area, determined on the need of the organization. He/She is expected to have and/or develop the knowledge, competencies, skills and networks necessary to support UNV HQ and Field Units on all substantive issues and queries related to that focus area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Perform strategic planning and programming based on the UNV Strategic Framework:

Keep abreast on development challenges and priorities in countries under portfolio to identify relevant entry points for UNV programming and mobilization of volunteers;
Keep abreast and provide substantive guidance or strategic direction on volunteerism in specific focused areas and appropriate programming approaches;
Initiate, formulate and manage projects and programmes in UNV’s priority and conflict countries in line with the Strategic Framework;
Develop innovative programmes and projects to demonstrate the added value of volunteerism in specific thematic/focus areas in consultation with the Programme Coordination Section and the Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section; this includes the provision of guidance and support to other Portfolio Teams in further developing similar initiatives, all of which can be piloted and if successful replicated by other Portfolio Teams in other geographical settings;
Forecast demand for UNV volunteer assignments;
Provide guidance and support to resource mobilization at the local level;
Monitor compliance with periodic volunteer reporting (VRS) with view to extract data for analysis and use in making improvements of portfolio operations and use in corporate documents, advocacy and learning;
Monitor the implementation of joint and UNV implemented projects;
Assess project progress and ensure quality of project reporting;
Perform project management in Atlas for UNV implemented projects, when requested;
Maintain substantive documentation regarding country portfolio, including country profiles and statistical data.

Build and strengthen relationships with main partners within the UN system and external partners on operational and programmatic matters:

Build and strengthen relationships with the UN partners on programmatic matters, as well as with VSOs, CSOs, NGOs, universities, community organizations and other partners;
Ensure strategic use of UNV volunteers modalities in line with UNV’s Strategic Framework;
Promote the work of the UNV Programme and volunteer participation in public events, IVD and other corporate events;
Assist the Section Chief in building partnerships with UN organizations, regional entities and field based organizations to identify programme opportunities and promote UNV;
Plan, negotiate and monitor EoL and budgets in line with agreements with partners;
Provide advisory support on UNV’s programme and mandate to different stakeholders.

Ensure effective coordination between HQ and Field Units for quality programming and volunteer management:

Manage the Field Units’ performance, including directly supervising the UNV Programme Managers of the Integrated Field Units within UN Integrated Missions, and the UNV Programme Offices based in UNDP Country Offices;
Provide guidance to Field Units on volunteer management;
Provide guidance to Field Units on programme design and integration, and on results based management;
Coordinate the recruitment process of selected candidates up to date of arrival in the country of assignment;
Implement different volunteer modalities as per prevailing provision under each scheme;
Implement volunteer management tools;
Ensure timely and accurate processing of UNV contracts and entitlements;
Review and approve Descriptions of Assignments;
Based on programmatic and operational requirements and priorities, organize capacity building events (e.g. regional and local meetings, conferences,workshops, etc.).

Provide inputs to substantive focus area and support to cross-unit and corporate initiatives related to programming and volunteer management activities:

Act as focal point on assigned focus area and provide inputs to project development in that area;
Coordinate and consolidate inputs from projects and programmes in focus area for SG and other reports;
Represent UNV in global meetings and with main UN Agencies working on assigned focus area.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Development Planning:

Knowledge of development planning processes at the national and local level and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Substantive positioning of UNV:

Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes (such as G20 and various UN initiatives), good grasp of UNV’s niche, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions.

Project Management:

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Resource Mobilization:

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.

Sustainable Development:

Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Results-based Management:

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Knowledge Management:

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in social sciences, political science, public or business administration, economics or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience and proven track record in managing and implementing development programmes at HQ and/or field offices;
3-4 years of those should be in an international organization, preferably UNDP/UNV;
Experience in managing volunteer programmes and/or in a development context involving volunteers is highly desirable;
Familiarity with the UN peace-keeping and political missions operating environment is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English and French;
Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Note:

Applications should be submitted on line and include an up to date UNDP Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc; Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document;
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted;
The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment.