JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. In the Pacific, UNDP provides regional and country support to 10 countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu).

UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the pacific with an extensive portfolio growing over time. The UN SDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs).  UNDP Pacific Office’s next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace.

Within the Pacific Office Multi-Country Office (MCO), the Programme team is responsible for developing, providing oversight, and ensuring adherence to the quality standards of UNDP’s projects and programmes in full alignment with the priorities set out in the MCPD and CF. During the design, implementation, and closure of projects and programme. Programme Staff high-level advice to all PICs supported by UNDP on programming, and technical issues covered under the MCPD, advocate for UNDP Corporate messages and engage partners including governments, private sector, development partners, civil society organizations, UNDP corporate bodies including regional and Headquarters to coordinate and catalyze knowledge, lessons learning and partnerships to design effective and innovative programmes. The Programme team further oversees the effective implementation of the multi-country programme and its outcomes and strategic direction of UNDP, contribution to the UN cooperation framework. It also plays an important role in strategic planning in close consultation with the Management and oversight unit, target-setting, and results monitoring/reporting. The team further ensures that quality principles per the UNDP policies and guidelines are adhered to during the entire cycle of programming and across the management of portfolios. Strategic partnerships support resource mobilization and identify strategic programme areas of cooperation for new initiatives, including joint programming opportunities. The Programme team is responsible for maintaining effective partnerships with relevant development partners and government, UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector, and civil society in the designated support areas.

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representatives in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, and Solomon Islands and under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the Programme Specialist/Team Leader will lead the Programme Pillar of Resilience and Climate Change to ensure coherence in providing strategic support to all Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) under the MCO. S/he will provide a strategic overview of the programmatic pillar and integrate cross-cutting issues across the programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction and effective management of the country programme, focusing on the area of Resilience and Climate Change:

Leads programme/ project design with development partners, UN Agencies, and implementing partners for the portfolio, ensuring robust articulation of Theory of Change and results from framework linking inputs and activities to programme outputs and outcomes, supported with evidence to report on the Strategic Plan and CPD indicators.
Ensures effective pipeline management system and programme delivery monitoring and applies appropriate actions for delivery acceleration measures.
Contributes to analyzing the country’s political, social, and economic situation and ensures collaborative and coordinated preparation/revision of CCA, UNSCDF, CPD, annual business planning, Integrated Work Plan and results reporting, project documents, policy briefs, briefing notes, and other programmatic documents.
Identifies and analyzes strategic programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities, and operationalization of CPD with the Government and other partners of UNDP.
Promotes and facilitates innovation and innovative approaches and identification of innovative development solutions to deliver results.
Leverages innovative approaches, resources, and collaborative efforts to enhance programme and project impact.
Ensures regular monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely adjustment of programme, measuring of the impact of the projects, and that results and lessons learned to inform analysis, policy, programme, and project work.
Ensures that women empowerment and gender mainstreaming aspects are integrated and applied in all programmes/projects from the design to implementation.
Ensures effective application of results-based management tools and high-quality reporting of results for internal and external audiences.
Participates and contributes to the CO and Inter-Agency (if applicable) thematic focal teams, ensuring the responsible activities under the respective plans are delivered successfully.
Facilitates robust monitoring of key performance indicators and risks of the portfolio and leads the direction and implementation of corrective strategies and management measures based on risk-informed analysis and trends.
Applies UNDP’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework in the assigned portfolio, including applying the Social and Environmental Standards in each project, and ensures adequate safeguards measures.
Manages team(s) and ensures that team-specific enabling actions are included in the annual plans and implemented to meet the set targets contributing to the CO’s corporate and regional KPIs performance.
Coordinates UNDP’s support to development institutions working towards addressing national development priorities in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.

Ensures accountability, quality control and effective oversight of the projects:

Provides strategic planning and oversight of the assigned portfolio of programmes/projects and ensures their compliance with programme and operations policies and procedures (POPP) and quality assurance standards.
Ensures annual work planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of assigned portfolio in line with requirements (e.g., budget revisions, approval of CDRs, etc.).
Provides quality assurance of the entire cycle of programming and management of portfolios. Performs project assurance function in projects and serve as Quality Assessors.
Ensures that women empowerment and gender mainstreaming aspects are integrated and applied in all planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as reporting efforts in line with and using the corporate gender equality commitments, tools, and strategies.
Facilitates and quality assures the project documentation prior to final approval by the Senior Management and ensures proper document management and update in the corporate systems and regional platforms (CPS, Quantum, Vital Signs, etc.)
Exercises transaction approval for development projects as delegated in line with the established internal control framework and ensures appropriate separation of duties is in place and maintained throughout the project cycle.
Implements Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) framework covering micro assessments, assurance plans and assurance activities, carries out programme/monitoring visits, ensuring appropriate remedial actions are implemented.
Ensures the establishment of the tracking mechanism for cash transfers to Implementing Partners/Responsible Parties in accordance with UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations and HACT policies.
Performs clearance measures (incl. tracking of NIM advances/reimbursements, liquidation of NIM advances, clearance of FACE forms, escalating and advising the CO Management on timely remedial actions required).
Facilitates assessment of barriers and opportunities to enable private sector engagement and participation and quality assures all required capacity and risk assessments, including private sector due diligence.
Provides strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
Ensures compliance with a cost-recovery system for the services provided in close collaboration with the operations colleagues.
Ensures compliance with donor agreements in terms of timeline of reporting and required documentation to ensure instalments are received on a timely basis.
Ensures adherence to the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) as well as established CO business processes and internal controls, contributes to design of the Standard Operating Procedures on programme and project management.

Ensures establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships and leads resources mobilization efforts in Resilience and Climate Change: 

Identifies strategic opportunities and leads engagement on potential joint programming with other UN Agencies and entities.
Ensures development and implementation of CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to achieve country programme outcomes related to Resilience and Climate Change. Contributes to effective pipeline development in the Office.
Ensures effective and a timely pipeline management through timely and accurate updates of the pipeline management module in UNITY (corporate ERP system).
Supports deployment of partnership strategies and related actions with a focus on programme portfolio development and the identification of sustainable and predictable funding mechanisms for implementing of the country programme.
Leads and maintains strong partnerships with relevant development partners and government, UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society in the designated support areas.
As part of the overall CO partnerships and communications strategy and action plans, develops new project concepts to ensure project documents and financing agreements are developed with high quality and in line with UNDP corporate rules and procedures.
Ensures the preparation of analysis and research of information on partners, donor profiles, substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing and initiation of new projects, and active contribution to the overall CO efforts in resource mobilization.
Leads engagement, networking, and mobilization of experts of the international development community, government partners, UN Agencies, and prominent think tanks.
Leads development of strategies for government cost-sharing in Resilience and Climate Change areas.
Ensures quality and timely donor reporting and adherence to the conditions and requirements of partnership agreements by programme teams and projects.

Leads provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitates effective knowledge management:

Ensure regular assessments of the strategic and implementation plans. Identify areas of emphasis to guide programme improvements and future strategic development plans.
Integrates evaluation findings and real-time monitoring data and applies the  lessons learned to adaptive programme, project management, and policy advisory work.
Ensures capacity building of national counterparts for effective management and compliance with funding partner requirements within UNDP projects.
Maintains effective network with development partners and Government at the national and sub-national levels and, where necessary, links up with the corporate Global Policy Network of UNDP and other international development actors.
Leads the implementation of awareness building and advocacy around UN/UNDP events and supports strategic communications work and knowledge management initiatives.
Provides sound and proactive contributions to corporate, regional, and CO events, knowledge networks, and communities of practice.
Writes and communicates on best practices and lessons learned linked to programme and policy goals.
Facilitates knowledge building and management, especially between the programme and projects, and facilitates training for the UNDP staff, personnel, and national counterparts on relevant programme issues.
Contributes to developing training materials and organizes workshops, as the supervisor requires.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The Programme Specialist will be responsible for supervision, performance management and development of the Programme Analyst(s), Programme Associate(s), other relevant staff, and personnel.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results-LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively-LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously-LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility-LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination-LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner-LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion-LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy-Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Management-Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management-Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organisation programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.

2030 Agenda: Planet-Nature, Climate, and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation: concepts and advancing resilient development.

2030 Agenda: Planet-Nature, Climate, and Energy: Climate change Mitigation: concepts and application.

2030 Agenda: People-Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in climate change, energy, environmental sciences, economics, business or public administration, social sciences, or related disciplines OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:

Minimum of 7years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience providing policy advice and programme support in the general area of climate change, energy, environmental sciences, economics, business or public administration, social sciences, or related disciplines.
Experience working in developing country settings is required.
Experience in SIDS and/or Pacific Islands contexts is an asset.
Demonstrated experience in portfolio/programme/project management in relevant fields (see above educational requirements) is required.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in leading a diverse team is a requirement.
This position will be required to travel to countries within the MCO for up to 30% of the time.

Language:

Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN language preferably relevant to the region in which this position is based is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements