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Sample of Manager Interview

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - Management Adviser.


Interviewing for a Management Adviser position at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) involves a thorough assessment of both your technical and interpersonal skills. The role typically demands expertise in project management, strategic planning, and development policy, as well as the ability to navigate complex international environments. Here are some sample interview questions that might be asked for a Management Adviser role at UNDP, along with strategic tips on how to answer them effectively.

Sample Interview Questions for a Management Adviser at UNDP

1. Can you describe a time when you had to develop and implement a strategic plan for an organization? What was your approach, and what were the outcomes?

  • Tip: Highlight your strategic thinking process, your ability to align strategic plans with organizational goals, and your skills in engaging stakeholders. Focus on a specific example, detailing the challenges faced and the measurable outcomes achieved.

2. How do you ensure the projects you manage are aligned with international development goals?

  • Tip: Discuss your familiarity with global development agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Explain how you integrate these goals into project planning and management to ensure relevance and impact.

3. What strategies do you use to manage and lead diverse teams, especially in a multicultural environment like the UNDP?

  • Tip: Emphasize your interpersonal and communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and any specific leadership training or experiences. Discuss how these strategies have helped improve team performance and project outcomes.

4. Describe an instance where you had to negotiate or manage a particularly challenging stakeholder relationship.

  • Tip: Provide a detailed account of your negotiation skills, your approach to conflict resolution, and your ability to maintain professionalism under pressure. Mention any specific techniques or methodologies you employ in stakeholder management.

5. How do you handle the monitoring and evaluation of development projects? Can you share an example of a project you evaluated and how your findings influenced project strategy?

  • Tip: Talk about your systematic approach to M&E, the tools and methods you use for data collection and analysis, and how you ensure accountability and continuous improvement in project execution.

6. In your view, what are the biggest challenges facing international development today, and how can UNDP address these challenges?

  • Tip: This question tests your knowledge of current global development issues and your vision for UNDP’s role. Discuss relevant challenges like climate change, inequality, or political instability, and suggest innovative solutions or strategies UNDP could implement.

7. The UNDP often works under tight budget constraints. Describe a time when you had to deliver a project with limited financial resources.

  • Tip: Share specific strategies you used to optimize resources and maximize impact. This could include reallocating resources, engaging partners for additional support, or innovating more cost-effective methods of project delivery.

8. How do you stay informed and continue learning in your field to ensure you are bringing the most current and effective practices to your role?

  • Tip: Highlight your commitment to professional development, continuous learning, and staying updated with the latest research and trends in management and international development. Mention specific courses, seminars, networks, or publications you rely on.

Preparation Tips

  • Research UNDP’s Focus Areas: Understand the priorities and strategic areas of focus of the UNDP, such as poverty reduction, democratic governance, energy and environment, and crisis prevention and recovery.
  • Review Relevant SDGs: Familiarize yourself with the Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the role you are applying for, as UNDP’s projects often align with these goals.
  • Prepare Success Stories: Have a few key stories prepared that showcase your skills and achievements in areas relevant to the role, particularly where you have made a significant impact.
  • Understand the Role and Context: Be clear about the specific responsibilities of the Management Adviser position and how they fit within the broader context of UNDP’s work.

By preparing thoughtful, specific responses to these questions, you demonstrate not only your qualifications but also your commitment to the values and goals of UNDP.

1. What is your interest in applying for this position? Please provide examples from your professional career that illustrate your skills in maintenance of protocol procedures, management of information flows.

2. The position you applied for implies working with the Head of Mission senior management by supporting formulation and drafting UN Mission strategy documents including legal advice. Please give us examples from your professional career when you by yourself have drafted strategic document and/or legal advice.

3 Could you please give us a three-minute brief on the conflict and how it affects Government's relations with its neighbors and the EU?

4. Please tell us briefly what you know about UN Serbia (history, mandate, main goals and objectives).

5. Provide an example of strategic advice that you have been recently provided to your supervisor/senior management. Can you give us an example of when you have provided advice to a foreign governmental official/body?

6. Give us an example of time on the job when you disagree with your boss or a higher level management. What were your options for setting the conflict? Why did you choose the option you did? Were you able to get your point across? How successful were you in setting the conflict?

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7. Describe a time when you had to work in effective team. How do you identify yourself in a team?

8. Give an example of time you had to juggle a number of projects and priorities. What were they? How did you manage to juggle them?

9. Give us an example of when you had to explain something difficult to someone who did not have your background/knowledge.

10. Briefly enumerate the three strongest skills you would bring to this position that may convince us to hire you. What are the professional areas in which you feel you would need some improvement?


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Steven White, CEO Uncareer.net

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