Programme Associate

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    2 months ago
  • Category:
    Project Management
  • Deadline:
    17/03/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.
For 40 years, UNDP Argentina has been working hand in hand with the three levels of government throughout the country, the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches, civil society, and the business sector, generating positive impacts on development and strengthening human and institutional capacities. Our contribution is based on our programmatic and operational capacity. We have a highly trained team with experience in diverse areas, which allows us to address complex challenges and design local solutions. Our work focuses on three areas: inclusive development, democratic governance, environment and sustainable development, with a gender equality approach.
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. 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.
The Inclusive Development Area advocates for investing in human capital to broaden opportunities for individuals, thereby enhancing their income and well-being. These initiatives embrace a holistic approach, taking into account life cycles and focusing on two crucial pillars: a) social protection and access to essential services, and b) inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Position Purpose
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate provides operative and technical support for the execution of services in the CO Programme Unit and supports the design, planning and management of the country programme. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and project teams in the CO, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, UN Agencies, government partners, and internal specialists to exchange information and resolve programme/complex finance-related issues and information 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Ensure effective management and implementation of programme strategies and policies and adapt processes and procedures.
  • Provide thoroughly researched information for preparation of Country Program Documents (CPDs) and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT).
  • Gather and synthesize data and evidence to inform future programming decisions.
  • Presentation of thoroughly researched information to facilitate the preparation of CCA, MECNUD, CPD, CPAP, ensuring the effective utilization of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC). Establishment of the mechanisms to track use of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database.
  • Presentation of information/ reports for identification of areas for support and interventions.
  • Support implementation of CO resource mobilization strategies and partnerships, preparation of reports.
2.) Provide effective support to management of the Country Office programme.
  • Support formulation of programme and projects, work plans, initiation of a project, entering project into the system, and preparation of required budget revisions.
  • 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 project and programme implementation, across the data lifecycle.  Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, and preparation of reports. Implement 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.
  • Provide support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of financial reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
3.)  Support implementation of Country Office partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
  • Collect information on donors, prepare donor profiles and maintain donor database.
  • Track and report on mobilized resources.
4.) Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office.
In assigned programme areas:
  • Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
  • Compile lessons learned and best practices.
  • Provide sound contributions and support to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
5.) Provides administrative support to the Programme Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of NIM and DIM, including projects Financial Reports.
  • Follow up the internal expenditures control system.
  • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
  • Control of voucher in regards to eligibility and consistency of expenditure (in NIM and DIM projects).
  • Review and approval of requisitions.
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
Core Competencies
  • ACHIEVE RESULTS – LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • THINK INNOVATEVELY – 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 Competencies
  • 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.
    • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
    • RISK MANAGEMENT: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
    • RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
    • KNOWLEDGE GENERATION: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Technical Competencies

  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

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:

  • Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with university’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.

Desired Skills/Experience:

  • Experience providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in any of the following areas of specialization Social Protection, Health, Productive Development and Labor are desirable.
  • Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset.
  • Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is desirable.

Languages:

  • Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Disclaimer

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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