Team Leader, Strategic Planning, Partnership and RBM

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

Under the direct supervision of the DRR, the Team Leader – Strategic Planning, Partnership and RBM (SPPRBM), will be responsible for the corporate planning and reporting (ROAR, IWP, IRRF) and implementation of the UNDP monitoring and result-based management policies and strategies and management and the CO compliance with corporate partnership procedures. The specific tasks include establishing and maintaining an integrated planning and monitoring system, supporting results-based management of the country programme, management of the country programme evaluations, and provision of management support services to the CO senior management, programme and operations units.

The management support services include corporate monitoring and evaluation processes, capacity development for results-based management and programme support services such as resource planning and management, annual target setting, budgeting, delivery/expenditure reporting, and cost recovery.

The Team Leader leads the quality assurance of the partnerships and RBM components of the programme as well as the reporting and supervision of the Programme finance Analyst (NOA) and the Programme Associate. S/he also works with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors. S/he is entrusted with ensuring the quality of donor reporting and contributes to the identification of evidence based good practices and business emerging opportunities in the CO. Likewise the incumbent will endeavor to build capacities of implementing partners on quality assurance and M&E mechanisms, when applicable.

The incumbent directly underpins country office high performance extending the reach and rigor of quality, ethical and client facing management practices to programme and operations support activities, including continuous team learning, and models an approach to support services characterized by technical excellence, pride in accountability and high regard by users and clients.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensures management of country programme and projects strategic planning, monitoring and reporting systems and processes.
Management and follow up on the country programme reviews and evaluations
Ensure results-based management of Country Office programmes and projects in accordance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures
Manage the capacity development of programme and project staff in RBM and other quality assurance systems.
Support partnership development and resource mobilization through the management of evidenced based systems and reporting.

1. Management of country programme and projects strategic planning, monitoring and reporting systems and processes

Develop monitoring policy, protocols and tools for the country programme and projects
Develop an integrated, web-based programme and project monitoring system in line with UNDP corporate tools and international best practices
Manage the implementation of the country office monitoring system through training and back up support to programme and project teams
Establish a system to ensure regular project monitoring and spot checks and follow up on the implementation of recommendations by the programme and project teams
Prepare CO Result Oriented Annual Reports and other periodic reports for the government and stakeholders

2. Management and follow up on the country programme reviews and evaluations

Develop and support the implementation of the CO Evaluation Plan
Provide advisory services to programme and project staff on project evaluations, including through review of terms of reference, evaluation methodology and draft reports
Design, commission and manage CO programme/outcome evaluations and contribute to UN joint reviews and evaluations
Establish a system to follow up on the implementation of evaluation findings and recommendations with programme and project managers

3. Ensures results-based management of Country Office programmes and projects in accordance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures through effective management and supervision of the SPPRBM team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
Contribution to the design and formulation of CO programme.
Contribution to strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.
Support the implementation of follow up on audit recommendations.
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
Support CO management decision making and compliance with corporate programming and reporting requirements by preparing and sharing programme quality dashboards.
Review project Annual Work Plans and Progress Reports and ensure consistency with country programme and UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures Support planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of projects, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
Advise and lead programme and project teams on the implementation of UNDP National Implementation Manual and UNDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers to Government and Non-Government implementing partner.
Coordinate the preparation of HACT and implementation of assurance plan
Monitor the implementation of HACT and recommend solutions to challenges in implementing HACT
Conduct spot checks with Implementing Partners and report on findings

4. Support capacity building of programme and project staff in RBM and M&E and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Maximize the use of RBM tools and M&E systems through training sessions and need-based guidance and support to the programme and project teams
Enhance impact and beneficiary monitoring at the project level
Promote knowledge sharing for development and organizational effectiveness of the CO
Create cohesion and synergies between Programme and Operations Teams, as well as between the CO and projects identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Trains office and IP staff members as appropriate on HACT implementation
Prepare an operational guide for Implementing Partners on the Implementation of HACT.

5. Support the strengthening of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy through evidence-based systems and reporting in collaboration with senior management and the programme team focusing on the achievement of the following:

Manage the research and analysis of evidenced-based good practices, emerging priorities and innovation in UNDP programme activities in the country.
Management of donor’s contracts and MOUs in support of programme team leaders.
Strengthen partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society through timely reporting and the development and implementation of systems for results-based management.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Competencies

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

Development Planning and Monitoring
Ability to develop business and planning processes at the national and local level and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Data Measurement
Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Strategic Planning
Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Building Strategic Partnerships
Ability to maintain and establish networks of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up to date on partnership related issues.
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Risk Assessment
Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and ability to determine degree of risk and apply to strategic and/or practical situation
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-based Management
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Monitoring and Evaluation
Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Facilitation
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's or Bachelor’s degree in economics, business management, social policy, public policy, politics, development studies or a related area.

Experience:

Master’s with 2 years or Bachelor’s with 4 years of relevant experience in working with quality assurance instruments and results-based management models required.
Experience in programme management and multilateral development stakeholders
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages,
Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft (Atlas).

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Ukrainian.