Programme Associate
JOB DETAIL
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.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
UNDP invests in improving access to rights and services through strengthening effective, inclusive and accountable governing institutions, promoting a transparent, gender-sensitive and digitalized public administration with innovative solutions. UNDP focuses on the advancement rule of law and access to justice and facilitates people’s meaningful participation – in particular, women and youth – in decision-making to promote equality and social cohesion at local level.
As the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP serves as the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.
The UNDP in Suriname has had decades of successful development cooperation in the country. Currently, UNDP focuses on three areas as per the CPD 2022-2026: i) democratic governance, ii) social development and iii) environment, climate change and natural resource management. Gender equality and digital transformation are cross cutting priorities in all interventions. Annually, UNDP delivers over 4m$ in development projects.
The environment and climate change portfolio dominates UNDP’s work in Suriname, and constitutes almost 90% of the total programme. UNDP enjoys strong partnership with the national and local level government institutions as well as community-based organizations, including those focusing on the issues affecting Indigenous and Tribal Communities. UNDP Suriname has close cooperation with the vertical funds (GEF), the EU, UN SDG Fund, bilateral partners as well as regional and global organizations and international financial institutions. UNDP also works with various civil society groups, academia and private sector organizations to advance the national development agenda and the SDGs.
The UNDP Programme Unit works to support achievement abovementioned 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 as well as global climate deteriorating conditions.
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.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Environment, Climate Change, Resilience), the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the Country Office (CO) programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
She/he works in close collaboration with the operations, programme, strategic management and projects’ staff in the CO, Panama Regional Hub, UNDP HQ and GSSC (in relation to clustering services) as required for resolving complex issues and exchange of The Programme Associate will also work with United Systems (UN) Agencies and participate in UN Country Team initiatives. Collaboration is also required with project partners in government, civil society and donor institutions.
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. 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.
2. Provide effective support to management of the Country Office Programme.
- Create project in ERP, prepare required budget revisions, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.
- 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.
- Provide administrative support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
3. Support the implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategies.
- Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles.
- Track and report on mobilized resources.
- Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.
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 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.
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 DEVELOPMENT
- KNOWLEDGE GENERATION: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
- BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- 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.
- 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 on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Technical Competencies
- OPERATIONS
- FINANCE – BUDGET MANAGEMENT: Ability to support budgetary aspects of the 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.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- 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.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Knowledge of Environment and Climate Change thematic area, and the climate financing instruments (GEF, GCF, IFIs) is an asset.
- Knowledge of UNDP Financial Management, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures is an asset.
- Experience in supporting the formulation, implementation and oversight of programmes/projects is desirable.
- Familiarity with Knowledge Management, Results Based Management and Risk Management tools and platforms of UNDP is an advantage.
Languages:
- Fluency in Dutch and English is required.
- Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable.
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.
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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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