Location:

Zurich, Switzerland
Salary:

$171,831 - $210,599 / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

4 months ago
Category:

Management and Strategy
Deadline:

09/09/2024

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.

Central Africa is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been sufficient to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development.

On this basis, a coalition of willing donors – Norway, European Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, and South Korea – together with Central African partner countries – Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Gabon – have entered in 2015 into a collaborative partnership to establish in partnership with the United Nations, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). The objective of this initiative is to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. This objective will be attained through the implementation of country-led, national scale REDD+ and Low Emissions Development (LED) investment frameworks that include policy reforms and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable development.

The CAFI Trust Fund is the principal means to implement the Central African Forest Initiative. It is administered by the MPTF-Office (http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/AFI00). As per the updated Fund Terms of Reference and the direct cost Secretariat project document, the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) is hosting the CAFI Secretariat providing the secretariat administrative services under the oversight of the CAFI Executive Board and other participating UN organizations (UNDP, UNCDF, FAO, UN-Habitat, UNFPA, and UNEP).

The management of the CAFI Trust Fund is carried out at three levels:

The Executive Board (EB), supported by the Secretariat, is responsible for overall coordination with CAFI Partner Countries and decisions regarding the allocation of resources from the CAFI Fund;
UNDP MPTFO is responsible for administering the CAFI Fund; and
UN agencies, the World Bank, bilateral cooperation agencies and international non-governmental organizations serve as Implementing Organizations to assist CAFI Partner Countries to implement NIFs that have been endorsed by the CAFI Board

Position Purpose:

The Chief of Programming will coordinate CAFI’s strategic programing efforts in the six partner countries from both a country and regional perspective, through networks with government, development partners and non-state actors. The Chief will work to leverage the funding allocation strategy vis-à-vis the expected results from CAFI’s Result Framework and in line with the strategy defined by the Executive Board. The Chief of Programming will coordinate a comprehensive unit and set of processes ranging from technical support, monitoring & evaluation, reporting and communication, innovation, amidst others. The Chief of Programming will ensure that funds are properly channeled, accounted for, that results are being monitored and reported accordingly and towards the expected results.

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

Lead the development of the CAFI programmatic portfolio, to secure available funding and demonstrate the need for additional funding.

Identify and assess needs and priority areas for investment.
Identify, propose and implement results-based operational approaches.
Plan and implement the programing team’s contributions to the programming process (programme development and implementation oversight).
Oversee the drafting of guidance notes and terms of reference for calls for expressions of interest/proposals, ensuring achievement of the deliverables and milestones defined in the letter of intent signed with CAFI.
Establish criteria for evaluating EOIs and program proposals.
Establish criteria, guidelines and operational systems to increase the accountability of executing agencies for achieving results and delegating implementation to operators, including national operators.
Coordinate the technical review of bids so that i) bidders have recommendations for improving their bids, ii) the Executive Board can make a robust and informed assessment of bids and make informed decisions on program approval.

Lead the overall quality assurance and oversight of the CAFI portfolio (including the existing FONAREDD portfolio funded by CAFI), by developing results-based management systems.

Develop and oversee a spatial management and monitoring system, and the use of technology for efficient operational modalities and systematize results monitoring
Ensure that agencies comply with the CAFI results frameworks and that conditions of disbursements are monitored and met.
Ensure CAFI Sec participation in the steering committees of the portfolio’s projects, ensure the production of quality PTBAs and monitor their implementation.
Identify and alert CAFI EB on delays in program implementation, as well as risks of not meeting programmatic LOI milestones, proposing appropriate corrective actions and mitigation measures to reduce them.
Oversee the regular conduct of independent evaluations of projects (TORs, recruitment of experts, quality control of deliverables, follow-up on recommendations, etc.).
Oversee the monitoring of projects and support the consolidation of the Fund’s annual activity and performance reports. Consolidation of program and global reports to be submitted to the MPTF as well as semi-annual program reports.
Oversee the provision of technical content for the LOI implementation milestone monitoring matrix.

Support the executive management of the CAFI Secretariat and ensure liaison with other sub-teams within the CAFI Secretariat such as Operations, M&E, Policy Dialogue/partnerships, Communications

Contribute to risk management (owner of all programme related risks) of the CAFI interventions and support the CAFI risk management plan.
Advise the CAFI communications team on defensive and proactive programming related communications.
Oversee the development and presentation of programming related topics to the Executive Board during its meetings.
Provide input and identify resource mobilization strategies and opportunities led by the Head of Secretariat.
Consult and advise policy dialogue team on programming priorities and programs and obtain input from policy dialogue team for programming.
Other activities as necessary and within the scope of the job description.

Knowledge management and sharing

Ensure capacity to produce in-depth technical analysis and advice to stakeholders, mobilizing the necessary expertise (supporting consultants, roster, etc).
Analyze and synthesize lessons learned and stimulate the adoption of best practices and knowledge, including the development of guidelines and other knowledge material.
Stimulate knowledge management on results-based implementation approaches based on existing and operational experiences, as well as lessons learned from the portfolio.
Contribute to the development of knowledge products on relevant technical issues.
Peer review, comment on and seek to improve the technical quality of programs/projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and others.
Respond to questions about project progress, impacts, and lessons learned.

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:

The Chief Programming will supervise the Programming Unit, which includes 6 P4 Technical Specialists

Competencies

Core – CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Achieve Results:

Level 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact

Think Innovatively:

Level 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight

Learn Continuously

Level 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all

Adapt with Agility

Level 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes

Act with Determination

Level 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence

Engage and Partner

Level 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co- creation

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

Level 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

People Management:

UNDP People: Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking

Ability 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

Business Management – Portfolio Management

Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness – Effectiveness

Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness – Effectiveness

RBM standards and practices for programming.

2030 Agenda: Planet – Nature, Climate and Energy

Climate and Forests: National REDD+ Strategies and Processes

2030 Agenda: Planet – Nature, Climate and Energy

Climate and Forests: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

2030 Agenda: Planet – Nature, Climate and Energy

Climate and Forests: REDD+/UNFCCC and access to emission reduction results-based payments (GCF or carbon markets)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences, Environment or any related field is required, or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree

Experience:

Minimum 10 years (with Master´s degree) or 12 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience at the international level in the development and management of large-scale programs/projects on land use, natural resource management, agriculture, environment.
Demonstrated experience in sectoral, if possible national, land use issues: spatial planning dynamics, land access and use, forest management, agricultural practices, etc is an asset.
Extensive theoretical and practical experience with the political dynamics of Central African countries is an asset.
Experience with development aid coordination is required.
Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of large-scale programs is an asset.
Demonstrated knowledge of the management and programming modalities of United Nations organizations, the World Bank and bilateral cooperation is desired.
Demonstrated experience and solid technical knowledge in climate and forest area in Central Africa is an asset.
Field experience in programme management in at least 3 of the CAFI countries is required.
Experience with political engagement with government counterparts in more than one CAFI countries required.
Experience with leading staff in international settings required.

Language requirement:

Fluency in English and French are required

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

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.

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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