Programme Associate

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Last update: Dec 27, 2023 Last update: Dec 27, 2023

Details

Deadline: Dec 30, 2023 Deadline for applications has passed

Location: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Organization: United Nations Development Programme (Sri Lanka)

Sectors:

Administration, Finance & Accounting

Job type:Contract, 12 months +

Languages:

English

Work experience: Min 3 years

Date posted:Dec 15, 2023

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Description

Background and Organizational Context

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 on 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 CO’s programme. UNDP Sri Lanka envisions a new office structure adapted to the 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.

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. Particularly, in the context of the ever-evolving risk profile of the country due to the ongoing socio-economic crisis and the climate & environmental vulnerabilities, there is an acute need to accelerate structural transformations towards green development to address the climate crisis and overarching environmental issues under three core thematic areas: Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Natural Resource Management, and Sustainable Energy & Waste Management. With this background, UNDP Sri Lanka is providing the Government of Sri Lanka, with technical and policy assistance to implement projects, facilitating a greater preparedness for climate-related extreme weather events and reducing the loss of lives, social assets and losses and damages in critical climate-sensitive rural production and service sectors of communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. Moreover, the CET is in the process of developing a comprehensive pipeline portfolio to acquire new funding and partnerships towards operationalizing catalytic development interventions that forward transformative impacts on the ground.

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.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Quality and Design Analyst, Climate & Environment, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programme by supporting programme implementation and oversight consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Projects staff in the CO and UNDP Regional Hub, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues.

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.

Key Duties and Accountabilities
1) Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs) as it relates to the CET portfolio.	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. Effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC). Presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
2) Provide effective support to management of the CET’s programme and projects, including administration, quality assurance and oversight functions.	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. Support oversight of CET-specific emphasis on vertical fund projects in line with UNDP POPP and donor guidelines. Make preparations for external and internal programme/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations. Provide administrative support to the programme unit by maintaining the 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. Support to project asset management including acquisition, verification and disposal of projects’ physical assets in accordance with policies and procedures. Oversight of disposal of items and accuracy of inventory data.
3) Support implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategies.	Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles. Track and report on mobilized resources. Prepare up-to-date pipeline for the unit. 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
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:	N/A

Requirements:

Education

Secondary education is required, with specialized administrative and financial/accounting training.
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, Knowledge, and Skills

A minimum of 6 years (with a 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 working in the thematic areas of environment, climate change, and energy and/or experience with vertical fund projects is an asset.
Experience in development programme work in the UN system, multilateral and/or bilateral organizations highly desirable.
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.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Sinhala/Tamil) is required for local staff.
Other official language of the UN will be desirable.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Achieve Results : LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively : 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 & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
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.
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Business Management	Risk Management	Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
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.