Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:
• SME Finance
• Sub-National Finance
• Digital Finance
UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.
From 2019 to 2023, UNCDF in Mozambique supported the implementation of the Building Local Climate Resilience (MERCIM) programme funded by the European Union. The overall objective of MERCIM is to support local governments efforts in reducing climate vulnerability by building their capacity and delivery of climate resilient and quality public services to their citizens/rural communities, and to enhance the resilience of local livelihoods that are affected by climate change. The MERCIM+ initiative will be articulated at the global level with the LOCAL+ revamped programme. In this programmatic framework, MERCIM+ will come in to reinforce local government fiscal capacities to promote resilient infrastructure which shall come to complement the blended finance strategic tools within the LOCAL+ programme.
Therefore, the successful implementation of MERCIM interventions, where 26 resilient infrastructures were deployed in 04 districts in Zambezia and Nampula provinces, an upscaling of the programme (MERCIM+) was agreed the Government, EU and UNCDF. MERCIM+ will be implemented from 2026 to 2029 and will cover 10 territories in 04 provinces: i. Sofala (Machanga and Buzi); ii. Zambezia (Mopeia, Morrumbala and Pebane); iii. Nampula (Mossuril, Memba and Larde) and iv. Cabo Delgado (Pemba Municipality and Mecufi).
The position announced here Programme Associate-NPSA6, will be part of the National Programme Team supporting the overall Government led management of MERCIM+ programmatic objectives as demand arises. The position supports UNCDF's programmatic interventions at the national, provincial, and local levels, strengthening the provincial government's capabilities in close coordination with other development partners. The implementation of the Programme's actions will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs: 2015- 2030), with emphasis on the following:
• SDG 1 – Eradicate poverty;
• SDG 3 – Quality health;
• SDG 4 – Quality education;
• SDG 5 – Gender equality;
• SDG 6 – Drinking water and sanitation;
• SDG 7 – Renewable and accessible energy;
• SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure;
• SDG 13 – Climate action.
She/he will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UNCDF’s operational policies and procedures. She/he will also make a crucial contribution to the efficient and effective management of MERCIM+ Portfolio as well as providing strategic and technical contributions to the initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Associate will report directly to the UNCDF Programme Manager overseeing the LoCAL Mozambique programme She/he will be based in Maputo, at the Ministry of Finance office in Maputo city.
The Programme Associate will provide regulatory and technical advice to the national counterparts, local councils in mainstreaming climate change and environmental sustainability into public planning and budgeting systems at sub-national level and will provide technical support for the overall Government led management of MERCIM+ initiative, including overall gender-sensitive planning, oversight and monitoring of project implementation and substantive and financial reporting.
The roles of Programme Associate NPSA-6 are to support the MERCIM+ interventions in Mozambique, the overall management, monitoring, and to providing technical support for the effective deployment of activities. As well, this role is expected to contribute actively to resource mobilization and outreach of the activities on an ongoing basis
The Programme Associate will be responsible for:
1) Programme management;
2) Technical advice to government counterparts and key stakeholders;
3) Monitoring and Evaluation;
4) Knowledge management and communication;
5) Networking and partnership building.
1) Programme Management:
• Support the Programme Manager in the overall supervision of the day-to-day implementation of selected development activities of the MERCIM+ initiative, ensuring alignment with UNCDF rules, regulations and priorities;
• Plan, elaborate and follow-up of a reporting strategy, based on donors’ agreements, UNCDF’s corporate requirements for reporting schedules for the programme;
• Support effectively and efficiently the partnerships at the operational level with national counterparts and local governments;
• Support the preparation and timely submission of comprehensive technical reports in line with contractual agreements including semi-annual reporting;
• Enhance timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled;
• Ensure financial reporting and compliance with donor reporting arrangements;
• Support audits and decentralized evaluations;
• Provide effective and efficient use of Quantum and Quantum+ in line with project cycle.
2) Technical advice to government counterparts and key stakeholders :
• Provide technical advice on climate change issues and environmental sustainability to government counterparts at national and sub-national levels;
• Provide technical advice and capacity building support (“learning by doing”) for the piloting and establishment of a national local information system for local climate risk assessments (including projections and mapping) addressing hazards, vulnerabilities and exposure of local councils in relation to climate change including desk review, data collection, preliminary design of the system, analytical writing, piloting, consultation and validation and gradual deployment of the local climate information system;
• Provide technical advice and capacity building support (“learning by doing”) for the integration of environment and climate change issues in the local government development and investment plans;
• Provide technical advice and capacity building support for the adequate integration of environment and climate considerations (e.g. specifications) in the investments delivered in the context of the program;
• Support the technical dialogue and provision of technical advisory services to national and local government counterparts in relation to climate change information and assessments, climate mainstreaming and climate finance.
3) Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Support the assess impact, and make data-driven recommendations to the Programme Manager and the project teams;
• Enhance country teams report on time and take care of consolidation of data at programme level to inform the Programme Manager and provide input to programme level reporting, such as to donors.
• Report on project achievements for input into regular performance monitoring and Integrated Results and Resources Matrix (IRRM).
• Support the annual corporate reporting, support data collection and ensure quality assurance before entering data in Quantum, and in the donor’s reporting systems as and when required (e.g. EU OPSYS).
4) Knowledge management and communication:
• Support the key knowledge constraints and organize learning, knowledge exchange, training, workshops, etc. to build the awareness and capacities on relevant themes (i.e. climate change, local climate risk assessments, environmental sustainability, mainstreaming, in support of women and youth employment, etc.);
• Reinforce the implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan of the Programme, in collaboration with Project team, partners and technical consultants;
• Identify, collect and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from the Programme in areas of specialty;
• Support the process of convening national and regional stakeholders to share lessons learned on selected themes.
5) Networking and partnership building
• Support the close working relationships with the Ministry of Finance (MF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP) and other key stakeholders at various levels to support the quality of the execution of the PBCRGS and its key results areas;
• Reinforce consultative meetings, seminars and workshops to drive analytical and policy work of the Programme;
• Act as a UNCDF technical focal point in working groups and steering committees on the issue of environment and climate change and related sectors and provide inputs for conducive policy and regulatory environment.
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 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 :
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Management | Results Based Management: | Ability to manage programme and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results |
| Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals | |
| Communication | Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. | |
| Business Direction and Strategy | Strategic Thinking | Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNCDF’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. |
| 2030 Agenda: Peace | Governance | Public Administration and Local Governance |
| 2030 Agenda: Planet | Nature, Climate and Energy | Climate Change Adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions |
| Partnership management | Relationship Management | Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Secondary education is required, or
• A Univesity degree (Bachelor´s Degree) in environmental management, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction political science, international development, economics, statistics, human rights , Development or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
• A minimum of six (6) years (with High school degree) or three (3) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in progressively responsible positions in the implementation and monitoring of development projects in climate change.
Required skills:
• Experience in providing technical advice to public sector bodies in aspects of planning, management and execution of civil, agricultural, water and sanitation construction projects;
• Experience in developing materials and methodologies and organizing training;
• Experience with the Mozambican rural context regarding planning and management of public works;
• Proven/demonstrable networking skills and ability to associate with a range of actors (partners and multi-actor, multi-level and multi-dimensional actions, such as: central and local governments; political decision-makers; development partners and donors, local communities, women's groups and young people), with a view to building highly desirable relationships and facilitating engagement;
Desired skills:
• Experience working with local actors, in particular local governments and local communities, and in addressing gender equality as a Program objective and/or cross-cutting issue is desirable;
• A strong awareness of key and emerging issues related to climate change and adaptation is highly desirable;
• Experience of working with UNCDF or other UN agency in Mozambique is an asset;
• Experience in project cycle, budget/financial management and coordination is desired.
• Proven cross-cultural communication, able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment and manage a team consisting of multiple nationalities is desired
Required Language(s):
• Fluency in in English and Portuguese are required.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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