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.
Office/Unit/Project Description
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).
UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter- agency coordination in specific thematic areas. In addition, BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. While ensuring that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes, BPPS also assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. Lastly, BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
In order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Finance Sector Hub, a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work. Please visit the Sustainable Finance Hub website for more information.
UNDP hosts the Secretariat of the Better Than Cash Alliance. The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of 80 governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty, drive inclusive growth and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Billions of dollars in cash payments and transfers are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, remittances, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability, and security, as well as inefficiency. Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash payments are often part of the 1.7 billion excluded from the formal financial sector. This means they are excluded from access to a range of appropriate and affordable financial services to help them save safely, take advantage of economic opportunities, and reduce their vulnerability to risk.
Shifting these payments from cash to digital has the potential to improve the lives of low-income people, particularly women -who are twice as likely to be excluded from the financial system, while giving governments, the development community, and the private sector a more transparent, time and cost efficient, and often safer means of disbursing payments. Digitizing payments can also contribute to women’s economic participation by providing them with more control over family finances, increasing personal security, and improving economic opportunities.
The Alliance Secretariat works with its 80 members to navigate their digitization journeys, by:
Providing advisory services based on member priorities Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning Conducting advocacy at the national, regional, and global levelsThe Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat is hosted by UNDP with a globally distributed team based in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Alliance Management Support Team provides overall management of all operational, and financial aspects of the Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat work in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Team works to enhance the institutional effectiveness of the Alliance Secretariat in its core functional areas of accounts and finance, admin, and travel as well as operations and procurement.
Under the supervision of the Management Specialist of the Alliance Secretariat and the overall guidance of the Managing Director, the Project Management and Operations Analyst provides support in project and operations management, promotes a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach, He/she works in close collaboration with programme and operations and the Alliance teams in the regional offices, COs, and UNDP HQ corporate operations.
Scope of Work
Reporting directly to the Programme Management Specialist, Project Management and Operations Analyst will ensure project support and day-to-day operations and will be responsible for the performance of the following duties and responsibilities:
Ensure Effective Project Management and Coordination:
Ensure day-to-day management of the project in compliance with UNDP administrative requirements. Contribute to the corporate planning, monitoring, and reporting exercises as may be required. Monitor timelines and track progress against project milestones and deadlines. Contribute to the preparation of project reports, including narrative and financial reporting. Coordinate technical inputs for project deliverables, such as reports, knowledge products, and capacity-building materials. Manage correspondence and inquiries from partners and participants. Organize meetings, workshops, and events, including preparing agendas, logistical arrangements, and meeting notes. Support travel arrangements for project staff and stakeholders, including itineraries and expense reporting. Prepare project procurement plans for the Alliance Secretariat and ensure timely and quality submission of inputs and monitoring their implementation. Support project procurement processes including drafting and preparation of technical specification / ToRs, sourcing strategies, inputs to draft bidding documents and evaluation criteria, suggestions on evaluation panels for launching tenders, receipt of quotations and their evaluation for micro purchasing in line with UNDP administrative requirements. Collect and verify necessary information for the creation of Supplier profiles. Maintain data on all procurement contracts and take timely actions for the renewals to ensure proper quality of final result and performance evaluation of contractors Assist the Project Manager in preparing and monitoring annual work plans, deliverables, and budgets. Ensure accuracy in budgets, reports, and documentation for maintaining project integrity in accordance with UNDP business management requirements, with UNDP programme and operations policies and procedures. Review project revenue and expenditures, monitor budget implementation, prepare, and enter project budget revisions as may be needed. Ensure timely preparation and submission of requests for payment while coordinating inputs into the Payment tracker and full alignment with the existing Contracts. Prepare financial authorizations to enable financial transfers/allocations, or other actions as needed to ensure smooth allocation/funds deployment processes, with close focus on any existing LOAs. Review project accounts and initiate corrective actions and resolve issues on exceptional transactions, including budget errors.Partnership management and coordination:
Prepare presentations and materials for internal and external stakeholders. Support in managing partnerships toward the effective, efficient and timely project implementation. Review and provide feedback on project/programme strategies, documents, and workplans as required. Support in strengthening partnerships with UNDP COs and other UN agencies, where the Alliance Team requires support and coordinated efforts, on the ground. Contribute to the project’s knowledge management, strategic communications and partnership development efforts as may be required. Research and prepare, as needed, the Team updates on the use of any new portals i.e. Travel while ensuring full support and guidance throughout the roll out and implementation.
Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communications
Contribute to the project’s knowledge management, strategic communications and partnership development efforts as may be required. Strengthening linkages across SFH teams to ensure leveraging of expertise and partners. Actively promote knowledge sharing and learning culture.The incumbent may also perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Project Management and Operations Analyst will report directly to the Programme Management Specialist.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core 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: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical 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 Operations Management Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the organizations’ business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. Partnership management Relationship management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Administration and Operations Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)
Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Business Development Knowledge GenerationAbility to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or
responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply
existing concepts to new situations, and to develop
new concepts to generate workable solutions and
new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts,
conceptual models, and theories that can be
useful in addressing new situations
Procurement Procurement management The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source Business Direction and Strategy System thinkingAbility to use objective problem analysis and
judgement to understand how interrelated
elements coexist within an overall process or
system, and to consider how altering one element
can impact on other parts of the system
Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies
Minimum Education requirements
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or other related field is required,
OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned field of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in operations, programme support and/or project management at the national, regional or international level.
Required skills
Experience in the use of computers, IT software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Experience in supporting project planning, monitoring and reporting exercises is highly desirable. Experience in project budget management and reporting is desirable. Experience in event management is desirable. Experience in establishing relationships with international organizations and national governments is desirable. Experience in handling Quantum ERP system is an asset. Previous programme/project experience with UN is desired.Required Language (s):
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
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.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.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.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.