Background

The United Nations Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA.

The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) supports management for development results. It provides operational solutions, strengthens the ability of UNDP to achieve programme and development results, keeps pace with the evolving needs and expectations of development partners and at the same time safeguards the organization’s accountability vis-à-vis United Nations member states. BMS provides advisory and transactional services and support to UNDP and UN agencies in its core functional areas. BMS develops management policies, Regulations and Rules prescriptive content, management networks, other management and strategic leadership. BMS oversees policy adherence, safeguarding UNDP and Administrator accountability. It manages cross-cutting functions linked to change management and acts as the operations unit of Headquarters, providing operational services for implementation of UN Reform initiatives.

The Directorate of BMS consists of a small team of professionals bringing together years of experience in managerial and expert positions in UNDP, other parts of the UN system, public and private sectors. This team provides advice and support to the Assistant Administrator/Director of BMS on a wide range of management issues with significant corporate implications. The BMS Directorate's services delivery model is based on close engagement with and customized approach to all clients. It often includes the co-development of specific solutions together with the client to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency. The Directorate is also responsible for integrating and coordinating activities of BMS Units. The Directorate is BMS’ "one-stop shop" for management expertise, policy advice, implementation support, and innovative operations solutions to unique business needs of its clients - UNDP Country Offices and HQs units and UN Agencies.

The Management Specialist is part of the Directorate and reports to the Chief of Directorate, with frequent contacts with the BMS Director/Senior Managers. The Management Specialist collaborates with Central and Regional Bureaux, Independent Offices, Country Offices and UN clients. The key results of the Management Specialist have an impact on the quality of results and services of the BMS Directorate and the overall achievement of the BMS workplan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of Directorate, the Management Specialist provides support to relevant management policy and programme implementation matters. In particular, the incumbent plays an active role in supporting the implementation of the BMS Directorate Service Delivery Model, including approaches, services and solutions, supporting BMS to work on shared results, and maximizing synergies within the Bureau.

Main responsibilities based on the BMS Service Delivery Model: 

• Strategy and Policy Development;
• Corporate Management Oversight;
• BMS Services to Corporate Clients;
• BMS Directorate Partnership Functions.

Strategy and Policy Development:

• Provides substantive inputs and supports the development of policies, procedures, position papers, guidance notes and project documents, especially on cross-cutting management issues;
• Contributes to the development of management strategies, polices and solutions on the delivery of combined services to UN agencies;
• Coordinates reviews, analyses and quality assurance of key policy documents prepared by BMS Units before their submission to internal and external governance bodies. This includes submissions to the Executive Group (EG) and Organizational Performance Group (OPG).

Corporate Management Oversight:

• Coordinates the implementation of BMS’ annual forward policy agenda by tracking the progress of planned management policies, procedures and papers for submission and approval by the Organizational Performance Group (OPG) and the Executive Group (EG); Tracks the implementation of OPG/EG decisions;
• Contribute to the completion of the BMS Integrated work plans (IWP’s) and completion of performance reports including the ROAR. Coordinates Products Services Surveys and Joint Inspection Unit of the UN System reports and the Annual Report of the Administrator to the Executive Board on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit;
• Provides advice and guidance to BMS units on result-based management and corporate planning matters.

BMS Services to Corporate Clients:

• Coordinates strategic planning processes in support of UNDP’s Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness agenda, including the preparation of the BMS results frameworks and plans;
• Represents the BMS policy agenda in inter-bureau working mechanisms and negotiates and coordinates follow-up on specific deliverables with senior managers of BMS and other HQs units to ensure their quality and timely delivery;
• Develops key corporate initiatives in direct support of the Directorate;
• Serves of BMS CAP Secretary, designated focal point for the Executive Office, member of the Partnerships Review Group and designated corporate focal point for the Joint Inspection Unit of the UN system.

BMS Directorate Partnership Functions:

• Undertakes BMS-led specific projects to meet outcomes of BMS service delivery areas in close coordination with respective management teams of other BMS units;
• Serves as designated focal point for corporate clearances which require thorough review, analysis and provides inputs and comments in cooperation with other cross functional units prior submission to BMS Senior Management for final clearance and approval;
• Performs other duties, as assigned by the Chief, BMS Directorate and/or the Assistant Administrator/Director.

Competencies

Core:

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.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Relationship Management:

• Ability to engage with other parties and forge productive working relationships.

Operational Efficiency:

• Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

Quality Assurance:

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled

Stakeholder Management:

• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and balance often contradictory expectations, building and maintaining relationships.

Secondary:

Internal Reporitng and Accountability:

• Ability to create internal reporting and accountability processes and standards.

Knowledge Management:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:         

• Master’s degree or equivalent in business administration, development studies or other relevant degree.

Experience:         

• 5 years of relevant work experience in programme/project management, partnership building, and operations management in the United Nations system, NGOs, public and private sector organizations;
• Experience in a UNDP Country Office is an asset;
• Proven knowledge of the UNDP policies, procedures and systems;
• Skills and experience in working in multi-national/multi-cultural setting;
• Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages;
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), preferably with ATLAS (PeopleSoft) is desirable.

Language:           

• Fluency in English is a must;
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.