Background
As all countries around the globe are seeking new ways to address complex and interconnected challenges such as shocks from crises, economic stagnation, inequality and poverty, providing access to clean and affordable energy, protect the environment, or mitigating and adapting to climate change, UNDP aims to develop integrated responses to these issues.UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to multi-lateral and bi-lateral partnerships, UNDP provides countries with specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme/project formulation and implementation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.
The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government and supports national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society by strengthening democratic institutions, improvement of governance effectiveness, reduction of poverty and inequalities and addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.
In this context, to meet specific country needs and demands, the CO in Brazil has designed a programme portfolio that includes three mutually reinforcing work streams crafted around three teams:
- Inclusive Socio-economic Development: poverty reduction, social policies, livelihoods, public-private partnerships, inclusive markets and growth.
- Environmentally Sustainable Development: nature-based solutions for development, climate change, energy efficiency, management of chemical substances, among others.
- Governance and Justice for Development: prevention of violence, justice, transparency, anti-corruption, human rights, local capacity development.
The Governance and Justice for Development team works in an integrated manner with the Environmentally Sustainable Development and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development teams in anchoring UNDPโs programme portfolio in Justice, Public Security, Human Rights, Democratic Governance and Disasters Risk Management areas by providing thought leadership and enabling innovation and cross-cutting development solutions that are amplified by UNDP knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Governance and Justice for Development), the Programme Assistant provides programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work; and works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the CO and UNDP HQ, as required, to exchange information and support programme delivery.
The Programme Assistant backstops colleagues in the Programme Unit during temporary absences or according to exigencies of service.
The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the ARR(P) and Programme Specialist, the Programme Assistant provides programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.
The Programme Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and project staff in the CO, and UNDP staff in HQ and Regional Hubs to exchange information and support programme delivery.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
1.) Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs).
Example of Duties:
โข Collect, analyze and present information for preparation of CPDs and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT).
โข Collect information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements.
2.) Provide effective support to management of the Country Office programme.
Example of Duties:ย
โข Create project in ERP, prepare required budget revisions, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.ย
โข Provide support to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Assist in managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDPโs digital standards.ย
โข Assist in ensuring that data generated in the programme implementation is managed effectively across the data lifecycle. Support the follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.ย
โข Communicate programme related bottlenecks and possible solutions.ย
โข Support preparation for external and internal programme/project audits and implementation of audit recommendations.ย
โข Provide administrative support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
3.) Contribute to implementation of the Country Office resource mobilization strategies. Example of Duties: โข Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP. 4.) Provide input to knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office
Example of Duties:ย
โข Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.
4.) Provide input to knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office
Example of Duties:ย
In assigned areas:ย
โข Support organization and delivery of training for relevant programme and operations personnel.ย
โข Provide input to lessons learned and best practices.
โข Contribute to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
Achieve Results
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Business Development - Knowledge Generation:
โข Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:
โข Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
โข Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
โข Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
โข Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management - Project Management:
โข Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management - Risk Management:
โข Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management - Results-based Management:
โข Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Finance - Budget Management
โข Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Procurement - Contract Management:
โข Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
โข Secondary education is required;
โข A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
โข Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management experience is required at the national and/or international level.
โข A post-graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is desirable.
โข Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
โข Ability to review and edit documents and produce meeting reports identifying key actions is required.
โข Previous experience working with government counterparts is desirable.
โข Previous experience in the areas of Justice, Human Rights, Public Security, or related subjects will be considered an asset.
โข Previous experience in the United Nations System is desirable.
Languages:
โข Fluency in Portuguese is required;
โข Working knowledge of English is desirable.
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย 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.
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