Background
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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.

Burundi developed its National Development Plan (NDP) that was adopted in 2018 and a programme for Peace Consolidation, Social Stability, and Promotion of Economic Growth (PNCP-SS-PCE) formulated by the government. The NDP vision is “a democratic, united and prosperous nation, through structural transformation of the economy for a new strong growth trajectory and profoundly reducing social inequalities, rural and urban poverty."

Considering this national vision, the United Nations country team and Government of Burundi developed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2023-2027, with the objective of contributing to a more prosperous, inclusive and resilient Burundian society by 2027 through five linked outcomes: (i) population benefits from inclusive and sustainable food systems; (ii) the Burundian population, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from an improved governance system and more diversified and inclusive economy, including through regional integration; (iii) the population, according to age groups, especially the most vulnerable, use an adapted social protection system; (iv) the Burundian population, especially youth, women and the most vulnerable, have equitable and quality access to basic social services appropriate to the phase of the life cycle, and (v) everyone benefits from improved environmental and natural resource management practices, including adaptive capacities and effective systems of preparedness and response to shocks.

In this context, UNDP developed its Country Programme Document, CPD 2024-2027, which reflects its comparative advantage to contributing to the achievement of the NDP’s vision through UNSDCF outcomes. In effect, UNDP leads two outcomes’ groups related to structural transformation and governance, and disaster risk reduction (DRR), environmental and natural resource management. UNDP also co-leads on agribusiness with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Therefore, UNDP positions itself on outcomes 1, 2 and 5 of the UNSDCF. Under Outcome 1, UNDP will support the prevention of land degradation, land policy including digitalization of land certification to benefit food production by focusing on developing inclusive and sustainable food systems since agriculture is a significant GDP contributor and considering the impact of climate change on production. Under Outcome 2, UNDP aspires to strengthen governance systems and promote a diversified and inclusive economy through regional integration. UNDP will target strategic structural reforms to reinforce accountability and transparency in public administration at all levels, with a particular focus on local development. Under outcome 5, UNDP will focus on environmental and natural resource management where UNDP will promote best practices that augment national system capacities for mitigating, adapting, and responding to shocks.

It is in the framework that the CPD 2024-2027 has three strategic priorities namely, priority 1 is related to transformative governance, while priority 2 is related to sustainable, inclusive growth and opportunities. Priority 3 is related to resilience to shocks and environmental protection. The country office is recruiting a Portfolio Specialist to facilitate the Systems thinking and Portfolio approach as a strategy to the CPD rollout, support the design, and dynamically manage the portfolio on inclusive growth. 

Position Purpose

Under the authority of the Resident Representative, the Portfolio Specialist, as lead of the inclusive growth Portfolio, will report directly to the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and work in close collaboration with the Programme Specialist for inclusive growth and sustainable development. S/he will also be part of the CO senior management team.

He/she oversees the implementation of the portfolio, leads and supervise the portfolio team in strategic planning, reporting and complying with the portfolio quality insurance requirements, and identifies new programming opportunities while ensuring consistency with United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDCF) and UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) priorities and providing innovative responses to new and emerging challenges and opportunities.

The function requires strong political sensitivity, and diplomatic skills, as well as the aptitude to manage complex processes with strong relationship-building and problem-solving abilities. The incumbent leads the programme priorities of the Portfolio and contributes to the implementation of shared office priorities.

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 policy advice and support to UNDP and CO management, programmes and projects on economic and development issues.
  • Provide oversight, intellectual and strategic guidance, and ensure that portfolios design incorporates required management features and promotes efficiency and effectiveness within the parameters of new and emerging systems.
  • In close collaboration with the team leaders and other technical specialists, and relevant internal and external stakeholders, identify and recommend to senior management new opportunities for policy advisory directions and roles in the area of inclusive growth.
  • Collaborates with team leaders and portfolio managers on the development of other thematic portfolios in support of economic transformation.
  • Actively collaborates and coordinates with the relevant country office units regarding the external communication on the portfolio through website postings, periodic publications, and public meetings.
  • Create networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations to enhance portfolio development, capitalization, and implementation.
  • Raises awareness amongst Government, donor community and UN agencies of the value in using system thinking and portfolio approach in dealing with substantive and policy issues.
     
Provide strategic advice for dynamic management of portfolio (Generating intelligence & shaping of the portfolio).
  • Support the designing and the running of bi-weekly sessions, the documenting of strategic insights and make recommendations for possible adjustments in portfolio implementation (incl. resourcing, stakeholder engagement, etc.)
  • Supervise the preparation of intelligence reports for monthly meetings with senior management. Promote bi-annual portfolios and cross-portfolios sensemaking sessions, with internal and external stakeholders
     

Supports Country Office Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Advocacy efforts

  • Play a pivotal role in forging strong alliances with academia, governmental institutions, and other national and international development partners to support the country office in tackling complex issues.
  • Maintain strong working relationship with Innovation Specialists at the RBA Regional Service Centre and the Strategic Innovation Unit of BPPS.
  • Mobilize, foster, and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant bodies.
  • Maintain and build a country office portfolio financing pipeline with a view to mobilize resources and partnerships.
  • Seek and identify partnership and funding opportunities; and oversee the preparation of funding proposals, donor briefings and presentations in support of resource mobilization efforts.
  • Contribute to country office resource mobilization and partnership strategy.
Knowledge Management
  • Identify and articulate lessons learnt on the implementation of the portfolio and contribute to the formulation of guidelines and procedures that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of portfolio knowledge networks and practices, and development of knowledge products.
  • Manage the process of collecting and sharing lessons learned to build knowledge and capacity of partners and stakeholders.
  • Ensure the independent lessons-learned and review exercises relating to the design and implementation of portfolios are properly carried out and appropriate follow up actions are taken.
  • Actively seek and promotes innovative methodologies and leads the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing.
  • Identify areas of improvement by applying best practices/lessons learned, using corporate monitoring tools and corporate reports.
  • Ensure regular assessments of the strategic and implementation plans. Identify areas of emphasis to guide portfolio improvements and future strategic development plans.
  • Design and implement institutional and individual capacity development activities to enhance skills and knowledge in results-based management, results based budgeting and systematic quality assurance;
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:

  • Providing high-quality guidance and supervision to the Staff in the portfolio and to UNDP technical advisory staff embedded within government offices.
  • Make sure the Performance Development Goals (PMD) of the staff meet organizational expectations and behavior – and their learning targets are set and supported.
  • Ensure that responsibilities are assigned among the team so that all projects within the portfolio are updated on the QUANTUM/ PPM platform.
  • Ensure that team has sufficient capacity to deliver the strategy and work plan including achieved through efficiency gain.
Competencies
  • Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

  • Cross Functional and  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.
Partnership Management - Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives 
Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
Business Management - Client Satisfaction/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 Management - Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management - Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as 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 optimizing return on investment.
 
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Social or Development Sciences, Public Administration, or related field is required. OR
  • A Bachelor’s degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master's degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in the area of sustainable development, inclusive growth, livelihoods and durable solutions in international development and with international organizations is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in management of portfolios is highly desired. 
  • Proven experience with excellent corporate platform knowledge (Quantum) is an asset.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.
Language:
  • Proficiency in oral and written French Language is required.
  • Knowledge of English is desirable.

**Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest UNCS Performance Evaluations (if applicable).**

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