Programme Specialist/Effective Governance Cluster Lead-UNDP Moldova CO

Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Programme Specialist acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of UNDP country programme in the area of Effective Governance, covering thematic sub-areas of effective and accountable governance, rule of law, justice, human rights, gender equality and institutional capacity development.

The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads planning, formulation, management, monitoring and evaluation of country programme activities within his/her portfolio, as well as provides strategic policy advice support in the thematic sub-areas of Effective Governance, while maintaining consistency with the UN Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018-2022(UN PFSD) and CPD (2018-2022) priorities.

The Programme Specialist provides policy and programmatic guidance to the members of other Clusters of UNDP Country Office, especially regarding cross cutting issues, such as gender equality and institutional capacity development as well as rights of vulnerable groups and constituencies. Overall, the Programme Specialist pursues active collaboration and coordination with other Clusters in UNDP Country Office to ensure integrated programmatic and policy response and inter-Cluster coherence. 

The Programme Specialist must have an excellent capacity to engage a diverse stakeholder base and effectively network for solid partnerships and joint programming (public-private, civil society, South-South, etc.), including with UN agencies, Government, civil society, donors, IFIs, DFIs, and other relevant partners to successfully implement the UNDP country programme.

The Programme Specialist leads and provides management and oversight of the Effective Governance Cluster team, including Project Managers and project staff, as well as substantive backstopping to senior management as required. The Programme Specialist also engages in collaborative policy discussions under the oversight of senior management, with the entire Effective Governance Cluster team to ascertain emerging needs and opportunities in the thematic area and sub-areas, to capitalize on new or innovative programme strategies and approaches and to ensure coherence of UNCP country programme.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Develops programme strategies in the thematic area of Effective Governance and its sub-areas.
• Ensures effective management and implementation of Effective Governance country programme portfolio and management of the Effective Governance Cluster team.
• Ensures strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
• Provides top-quality policy advice to the Government and facilitates knowledge building and management.

Develops programme strategies in the thematic area of Effective Governance and its sub-areas, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Develops tools for thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to UNPFSD, UNDP CPD and other documents.
• Identifies areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
• Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNPFSD, UNDP CPD, AWPs and other documents.
• Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation to address development challenges and opportunities through formulating portfolios of projects.
• Operationalization of UNPFSD and UNDP CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
• Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in UNDP Country Office.
• CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Effective Governance Cluster.

Ensures effective management and implementation of Effective Governance country programme portfolio and management of the Effective Governance Cluster team, focusing on the following results:

• Design and formulation of country programme within thematic areas of responsibility, translating UNDP corporate priorities into local interventions. Coordination of country programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
• Effective monitoring of results and impact of the country programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the country programme environment, timely re-adjustment of programme.
• Mainstreaming of a gender perspective across all functional units in UNDP Country Office.
• Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
• Clearance of donor reports prepared by Effective Governance Cluster team members.
• Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by UNDP CO to projects in close collaboration with the Operations Manager.
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
• Management of initiation of a project, presentation to PAC, Atlas finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Specialist performs the functions of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval, participates as Hiring Manager in the recruitment processes for Effective Governance Cluster projects.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects and follow up on audit recommendations. Tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Organization of regular Effective Governance Cluster meetings.
• Review of individual and teams’ performance and provision of required coaching, guidance, mentoring and empowerment.

Ensures strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implementation of the UNDP Country Office partnership and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme results.
• Creation and coordination of partnerships with Government, public institutions, UN Agencies, IFI’s, DFIs, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society, etc.
• Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP Country Office, country needs and donors’ priorities.
• Leading the relevant thematic UN coordination groups in the Effective Governance Area.
• Ensuring UN and UNDP active role among the donor community by leading and/or actively engaging in thematic coordination groups.
• Preparation and analyses of donor intelligence, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

Provides top-quality policy advice to the Government and facilitates knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to country policy goals.
• Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country development challenges and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners.
• Provision of policy advice to senior national stakeholders and institutions.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Contribution to trainings for the operations and projects staff on programmatic issues.

Core

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Creates effective advocacy strategies
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Contributing to results through provision of information
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships
Identifying and building partnerships
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Resource Mobilization Implementing resource mobilization strategies
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Developing tools and mechanisms
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates comprehensive 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
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level  

Core Values:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
• Building support and political acumen
• Building and promoting effective teams
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Education:    

• Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Economics, Law, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:  

• Master’s Degree with 5 years or Bachelor’s with 7 years of relevant experience in development work at the national level with international exposure desirable in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.
• People management experience is required.
• 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 and ERP financials.

Language Requirements:    

• Proficiency in English, Romanian and Russian.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

Other:

• Describe any additional qualifications:

Non-Smoking environment

UNDP is an employer devoted to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both women and men.
UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Online applications can be submitted by registered users only. Self-registration link is available at the next page and requires candidates to provide a valid email address.