Background ย Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย 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 โleave no one behindโ 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.
UNDP has been present in Sri Lanka for 55 years, supporting the nation to achieve sustainable human development on economic, social, and environmental fronts. As it embarks in the effective implementation of the new Country Programme Document (2023-2027) the country office envisages a programme portfolio that (i) responds to national priorities and related opportunities in the current socio-economic context; and (ii) adequately anticipates emerging development challenges and new opportunities for expanding the COโs programme. UNDP Sri Lanka envisions a structure adapted to current and future needs of the country, underpinning its advisory and programmatic offer while at the same time delivering solid implementation support. It also promotes a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners.ย
Through its portfolio, the CO has tailored localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to deploy and escalate them across the country. This strategy requires excellent programme management and an organizational structure that reinforces the entire programming life cycle including planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and efficient operations.ย This also entails engaging in the most pressing and transformational development challenges of the country.
In this context, the Results and Resources Management Team (RRMT) supports CO strategic priority setting, and results planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. It serves as focal point for effective oversight of the programme (CPD) and its contribution to the UNSDF and ensures UNDP Sri Lankaโs corporate policy compliance for projects and programmes, enhances results-based management and evidence-driven practices across the programme, support and strategically monitor decentralized evaluation, guide impact evaluations, facilitate audits, ensure effective and transparent utilization of financial resources including HACT compliance, and integrity of programme financial services.
This team works closely with the communications colleagues to ensure the results and impact focus of the communications and outreach work. The unit further provides cost-efficiency analysis of the country programme delivery and capabilities required, contributes to CO financial planning and financial and resource management performance and undertakes monitoring and addressing issues related to management performance trends.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the RRM Team Leader, the Analyst is responsible for oversight and quality assurance work, including by providing advice to the CO programme and operations activities. S/he will lead on risk management, evaluation processes, result based management and overall management performance, guided by the TL, to enhance the impact and relevance of the country programme.
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.
Programme management and oversight
Ensure guidance to programme and operations teams to proactively identify and address management performance trends against set annual targets and corporate KPIs, recognize root causes and address gaps identified by corporate dashboards, audits, quality assurance reviews and oversight, online performance monitoring tools etc.ย Provides continuous technical advice and reporting to the programme management team and senior management on CO performance. Ensure coordination and monitoring of KPIs and support to Senior Management, working closely with IST TL as well.ย Provides inputs to project design, pre-appraisal and quality assurance reviews of draft project documents,ย with particular emphasis to the Theory of Change, Results and Partnerships, Results Frameworks, Project Quality assurance, risk analysis, resource management, and strong governance and management arrangements. Contribute to the achievement of project objectives and outcomes by carrying out regular oversight review of projects; assess reliability and integrity of information provided in project reports, and the completeness of supporting documents. Ensures that inputs from the advisers and thematic leads such as gender specialist and technical specialist on disability inclusion, are secured early in project design and other processes. the integration of women empowerment and gender mainstreaming in all aspects of programming, including quality assurance of assigned gender markers, as required. Perform other tasks/duties that may be required upon by the supervisor. Implementation of the enterprise risk management policy and procedures, including risk identification, risk assessments, risk analysis for decision making, design and implementation of risk mitigation strategies, actions, risk escalation, etc.ย Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects according to established targets and priorities. Identifying project-level operational issues requiring follow-up especially within the context of management audit requirements and organizing data and analysis in support of fully prepared responses.Risk management and assessments, for risk-informed programmes and operations
Ensure effective mechanisms for follow-up to the HACT/DIM and CO audits, analyze audit findings across projects and prepare audit follow up plan, facilitate regular monitoring of audit follow up and preparation of capacity development activities for all projects. Ensure quality reviews of the Country Office risk registers and advise programme teams to ensure that quality of risks are of good quality and adequately assessed and escalated if need be.ย Facilitate implementation of anti-fraud mechanisms and anti-money laundering and countering finance terrorism (AML/CFT) policies and proceduresย Facilitate effective application of the Social and Environmental Standards and facilitates oversight of adequate establishment of safeguards at country level. Coordinates the functions of Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) with the required actions by programme and operations staff. Coordinates office business processes mapping and development of risk-informed SOPs; identifies opportunities for converting business processes into web-based systems to enhance efficiency, accountability, and risk management.Facilitateย results-based management performance of the country office
Coordinate CO level integrated planning, monitoring, and results and donor reporting processes.ย Conceptualize new approaches to better track results and measure impact, revamping how the CO builds and uses its evidence base for stronger results reporting. Facilitating programme teams in developing and implementing M&E plans for all projects. Assisting the programme teams in quarterly/ annual reporting, providing necessary guidance and quality assurance.ย Providing comprehensive mentoring and ensure full familiarization of all staff with UNDP corporate M&E policies and Oversight Policy. Sharing information on relevant corporate M&E tools for easy understanding and implementation by programme team colleagues.ย Undertake comprehensive project reviews in the field. Review evaluation reports and assist in the preparation and follow up of management responses.Knowledge Facilitation
Leads the country office-wide practice of utilizing results monitoring and analysis to inform continuous learning activities and internal dialogues leading to regular adaptation of support services.ย Consolidation, sequencing and prioritizing inputs from internal sources for various reporting requirements including donor reportsย Conduct learning seminars and lead discussion groups for the team on relevant subjects. Support training and effective knowledge dissemination across the office and projects to ensure colleagues have easy access to resources and tools. Conducts analysis of COsโ data and case evidence to distil relevant lessons on programme and project management and implementation. Contribute to CO capacity building efforts and the planning and delivery of workshops and learning events. Contribute to cross unit coordination in terms of inputs for the enhancement of quality overall from design, implementation to M&ELeads the country office-wide practice of utilizing results monitoring and analysis to inform continuous learning activities and internal dialogues leading to regular adaptation of support services.ย ย Consolidation, sequencing and prioritizing inputs from internal sources for various reporting requirements including donor reportsย Conduct learning seminars and lead discussion groups for the team on relevant subjects. Support training and effective knowledge dissemination across the office and projects to ensure colleagues have easy access to resources and tools. Conducts analysis of COsโ data and case evidence to distil relevant lessons on programme and project management and implementation. Contribute to CO capacity building efforts and the planning and delivery of workshops and learning events. Contribute to cross unit coordination in terms of inputs for the enhancement of quality overall from design, implementation to M&E.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
CompetenciesCore Competencies:
Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationยCross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
Business Management โย Result-basedย Management
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.Business Management โย Resourcesย Management
Abilityย toย allocate andย useย resources inย aย strategicย or tacticalย wayย in line withย principlesย ofย accountabilityย andย integrity.Business Management โ Risk Management
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.2030 Agenda: Engagement& Effectiveness โ Effectiveness
Projectย Qualityย Assurance. Required Skills and Experience ย Education: An advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Project Management, International Development, Public Administration, or a related field is required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Up to 2 years (with Masterโs degree) or 2 years (with Bachelorโs degree) ย of relevant experience in working with quality assurance instruments and results based management models.ย Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required. Prior experience and knowledge of ERP platforms (PeopleSoft, Oracle Cloud, etc.) is required. Certification in programme/project management (e.g., PRINCE, MSP, PMP, etc.) and/or accounting/audit areas will be an advantage. Demonstrated experience in programme/project management or programme finance or operations management is advantageous. Work experience within UN or other multi-lateral organizational settings in Sri Lanka will be an advantage. Demonstrated knowledge of UNDP Enterprise Risk Management policy, Accountability Framework, programme and project management policies and procedures is advantageLanguage:
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Sinhala/Tamil) is required for local staff.NOTE: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable). Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters ย Note: 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.
Non-discrimination ย UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ย ย ย UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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