Programme Assistant (PR&SD)

According to UNDP´s Strategic Plan 2014-2017, UNDP is expected to address development issues as they actually exist - complex, multi-dimensional and often unique to each society to effectively contribute to eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP proposes to concentrate on three substantive areas of work, which are focused on a) How to adopt sustainable development pathways; b) How to build and/or strengthen inclusive and effective democratic governance; c) How to build resilience. UNDP is adopting an issues based approach to development needs and priorities in all of its areas of work. When applied together in an integral manner, the areas of work are expected to contribute to the achievement of expected development outcomes. In case of Colombia, the three prioritized outcomes in its Country Programme for 2015- 2019 are:

1) Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded;

2) Countries have strengthened institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services;

3) Early recovery and rapid return to sustainable development pathways are achieved in post-conflict and post-disaster settings;

UNDP´s approach to development considers the importance of being guided by national ownership and capacity, recognizing the intrinsic value of the body of economic, political, social, civil and cultural rights established by the United Nations, utilizing sustainable human development to guide our contributions, reflecting the pivotal significance of gender equality and women’s empowerment, ensuring participation and voice in pursuit of equitable access to development opportunities and gains across the population, advancing South-South and triangular cooperation and assisting countries to play an active role as global citizens. By adhering to universality, UNDP offers over 170 programme countries access to the services of UNDP and, through the effective exercise of UNDP’s coordination function, to those of the United Nations Development System.

Under the overall guidance of the Sustainable Development Programme Specialist, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation 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 HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

The programme associate should be in constant communication with national counterparts for providing clear and timely guidance on finance and administrative issues to secure an adequate project implementation.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Support to formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Action Plan
2. Support to management of the CO programme
3. Administrative support to the Programme Unit
4. Support to resource mobilization
5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Supports formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Action Plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation. 
• Promotion of Human Rights and Gender based approach and his/her level of competency
• Presentation of background information for formulation of, draft project documents, work plans and budgets.

2. Provides effective support to management of the CO programme focusing on the achievement of the  following results:

• Creation of a project in Atlas, preparation  of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial close of a project.
• Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects.
• Presentation of information for audit of NIM and DIM projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations.

3. Provides administrative support to the Programme Unit  focusing on achievement of the   following    results:

• Review of NIM and DIM projects Financial Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
• Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.
• Preparation of vouchers, requisitions for development projects 

4. Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile.
• Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Functional Competencies:            

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 1.1: Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
• Maintains databases of donor information
• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.1: Implementing processes and uses products

• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Responds positively to new approaches

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 1.1: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Maintains database of project files
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.1: Research and analysis

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences

Client Orientation

Level 1.1:  Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 3: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others

• Actively engages teams and encourages dialogue within and across teams 
• Determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solutions

Communication and Relationship Management

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 3: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

• Proactively expresses insights and/or questions in order to contribute to clarity, accuracy, and focus in one’s work
• Speaks on behalf of team with professionalism and integrity consistent with UN values

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 3: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs

• Interprets policies and guidance within context and applies with judgment
• Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions
• Continually seeks improvement and agility in service delivery  
• Collaborates to improve methods and delivery

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction 

Level 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

• Seeks and values other’s initiatives and expertise
• Supervises teams with consistent direction and drives team engagement

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 3: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

• Demonstrates commitment to clients and quality
• Works to agreed goals dealing with challenges constructively
• Responsible for project implementation and/or team deliverables
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in delivering services and supervising teams

Education

• Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics,  would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experiencie

• 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level. 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.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Spanish.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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