Programme Associate

Background
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
  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.
  Job Purpose and Organizational Context

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 aligning the organizational resources behind its strategy, the Country Office (CO) functional structure comprises three main areas, the management support functions, Programme team and Operations Team. To meet specific country needs and demands, the CO in Brazil has designed a programme portfolio that includes three mutually reinforcing work streams structured around three teams: 

• Inclusive Socio-economic Development: poverty reduction, social policies, livelihoods, public-private partnerships, inclusive markets and growth. 

• Sustainable Environmental 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. 

Under the direct supervision of the Strategic Planning Analyst, the Programme Associate –ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. As such s/he is entrusted with providing analytical and substantive support to programme quality assurance processes including but not limited to strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, dashboard monitoring and contributions to other corporate programme tools. The incumbent also provides inputs to donor reporting and directly supports NIM/DIM Audits and implementation of HACT.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the DRR and Strategic Planning Analyst, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues.

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.

 Key duties:

1. Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs).
   • Provide background information for preparation of CPDs and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT). 
   • Provide information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements. 
   • Support to the CO strategic planning, including the preparation and monitoring of the IWP. 
   • Support the Compliance with corporate guidelines and corporative planning tools and RBM framework. 
   • Quality assurance of project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.  2. Provide effective support to management of the Country Office programme. 
     • Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
     • Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. 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. 
     • Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
     • Make preparations for external and internal programme/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
     • Support implementation of HACT policy, including micro assessments, spot checks and audits.  3. Support implementation of the CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. 
       • Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles. 
       • Track and report on pipeline and mobilized resources. 
       • Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.
       • Support due diligence analysis and approval process. 4.  Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office. 
         • Supports the monitoring of office performance indicators including financial delivery, country programme delivery of results, and risk management (Enterprise Risk Management – ERM). 
         • Supports the preparation of the Results Oriented Annual Report (ROAR). 
         • Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
         • Compile lessons learned and best practices.
         • Provide contributions 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: May supervise support staff in Programme unit   Competencies Achieve Results LEVEL 2:  Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

           Think Innovatively

           LEVEL 2:  Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking  Learn Continuously LEVEL 2:  Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning Adapt with Agility  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process Act with Determination  LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously Engage and Partner LEVEL 2:  Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 2:  Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making  People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

           UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

           Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)  Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Project Management

           • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
             • 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. 
             • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
             • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
             • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Business Development Knowledge Generation
               • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need Business Management Risk Management
                 • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks Business Management Results-based Management
                   • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Finance Budget Management  
                     • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets. Procurement

                       Contract Management

                       • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.   REQUIREMENTS:   Education
                         • Secondary education is required
                         • A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.  Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
                           • A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level. 
                           • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
                           • Ability to review and edit documents, ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions.
                           • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
                           • Ability to review and edit documents, ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions.
                           • Experience in working at UNDP or other UN agencies is considered an advantage.
                           • Experience in working in the areas of Strategic Planning, monitoring and evaluation, audit and knowledge management is an advantage.
                           • Experience in intermediate use of Excel is considered an asset.
                           • Working knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset. Language Requirements
                             • Fluency in Portuguese is required.
                             • Fluency in English is required.
                             • Working knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset. 

                               Important applicant information

                               All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

                               Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.

                               Applicant information about UNDP rosters

                               Note: 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.

                               Workforce diversity

                               UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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