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.

 
Job Purpose and Organizational Context

As all countries around the globe are seeking new ways to address complex and interconnected challenges such as threats to democracy, disinformation and biased digital transformation, shocks from national and global crises, economic imbalance, increasing inequality, wide-spread poverty, climate change, deforestation, environment and biodiversity loss, and the use of high carbon emission energy, UNDP aims to develop integrated responses to these emergent and urgent issues.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to multi-lateral and bi-lateral partnerships, UNDP provides countries with specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme/project formulation and implementation, capacity development, (Policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation of oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government and supports national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society by strengthening democratic institutions, improvement of governance effectiveness, reduction of poverty and inequalities and addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.

In aligning the organizational resources behind its strategy, the Country Office (CO) functional structure comprises three main areas, the management support functions, Programme team and Operations Team. To meet specific country needs and demands, the CO in Brazil has designed a programme portfolio that includes three mutually reinforcing work streams structured around three teams:

• Inclusive Socio-economic Development: poverty reduction, social policies, livelihoods, public-private partnerships, inclusive markets and growth.

• Sustainable Environmental Development: nature-based solutions for development, climate change, energy efficiency management of chemical substances, among others.

• Governance and Justice for Development: public security, justice, transparency, anti-corruption, human rights, capacity building and democratic governance.

The Inclusive Governance and Justice for Development team works in an integrated manner with the Environmentally Sustainable Development and Inclusive Socio-economic Development teams in anchoring UNDP’s programme portfolio in the Public Security, Human Rights, Democratic Governance, transparency, capacity building, Justice reform and Risk Management areas by providing thought leadership and enabling innovation and cross-cutting development solutions that are amplified by UNDP knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice. Further, the Inclusive Governance and Justice for Development team works in close collaboration with the South-South Cooperation and Gender and Race units to enhance cross fertilization.

Position purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ARR(P), the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of the Governance and Justice unit. Develops programme strategies by adopting multidisciplinary approaches and seeking integration among different areas in CO programme. The Programme Officer provides analyses on political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services. 

The Programme Specialist also supervises and leads programme support staff as coordinates activities of projects’ staff. 

The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensuring successful UNDP Governance and Justice for Development Unit projects implementation.

The Governance and Justice for Development Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic 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 ,  focused on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, as defined by the SDG16 in the scope of the 2030 Agenda. 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.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Under the guidance of the ARR(P), the Programme Specialist serves as advisor to Senior Management and a coordinator of a major programme portfolio in the CO of Brazil Programme management responsibilities include leading the Governance and Justice for Development Unit in strategic planning, identifying new projects and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, and monitoring of programme implementation to ensure consistency with CPD priorities.

The Programme Specialist heads and supervises a Governance and Justice for Development Unit and works in close collaboration with the Senior Management, other Units from Programme, Operations and other areas in the CO, , Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors and experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

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. As a member of the Country Office management team, ensure the formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies within one or more thematic areas. 
  • Contribute to the thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
  • Ensure that programme strategy formulation considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
  • Operationalize UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
  • Establish relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of CO business processes. Oversee workflows and ensure cross collaboration in the Programme Unit.
  • Review and sign-off on proposals at programme level.
  • Analyze, present, and implement UNDP policies in the CO.
2.Effectively manage the Governance and Justice for Development Unit and supervise the Governance and Justice for Development Unit team focusing on quality assurance and risk management of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation.  
  • Design and formulate Governance and Justice for Development Unit, and translate UNDP priorities into local interventions. Oversee projects implementation with the implementing partners. 
  • Provide strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the  Governance and Justice for Development Unit  as well as tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
  • Ensure the effective use of data in projects implementation, across the data lifecycle, and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on projects impact.
  • Constantly monitor trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming; track achievement of strategic results, and effectively apply results-based management tools.
  • Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
  • Ensure aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes, including preparation of donor and corporate reports.
  • Provide guidance and orientation to the Governance and Justice for Development Unit team,  building a collaborative and trustful work environment, building capacity,  promoting motivation to growth and creative thinking,  managing performance and ensuring accountability
3.)  Establish and maintain strategic Governance and Justice for Development Unit partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts to achieve programme outcomes. 
  • Implement CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. 
  • Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society in assigned programme/thematic areas.
  • Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and ensure due cost recovery.
  • Lead development of Governance and Justice for Development Unit pipeline and portfolio that includes designing Project documents, concept notes, proposals and cross-sectoral coordination to bring resources for projects.  

4.)  Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

  • Identify and synthesize best practices, lessons learned and policy-driven issues directly linked to Governance and Justice for Development Unit.
  • Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.  
  • Coordinate and ensure integrated support in development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
  • Support policy advisory services that contribute to democratic governance in all its aspects, including inclusive societal digital transformation and take digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
  • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
  • Organize and deliver training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters.
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:  Supervision and performance management of Governance and Justice for Development Unit.
Competencies

Core : 


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

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 
 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition
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:
  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in relevant thematic areas; and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments. 
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
  • Work experience in the UN/UNDP, other international organizations, or similar entities will be an advantage
  • Previous work experience providing advisory services/support related to public policy implementation related to Governance will be an advantage.
  • Ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, civil society and academia) is an asset
  • Programme and Project management will be considered an asset.
  • Excellent coordination, negotiation and communication skills in managing big and diverse teams will be an advantage.
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in English and Spanish is required;
  • Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff;
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
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