2233 Portfolio Manager - Integrated Solutions (multiple posts)

a.            Purpose

The purpose of the position is to develop and implement integrated solutions for sustainable development across the SDGi Center portfolio.

b.            Objective

To ensure results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of the portfolio activities and achievement of planned results.

c.            Background Information

UNDP supports countries to tackle complex development challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through SDG integration. In the context of the its country programme for Serbia for 2021-2025, the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Serbia, through the SDG Integration (SDGi) Center is scaling up its support to the SDG agenda in Serbia through integrated policy and programming as well as innovation and learning. The SDG Integration Center, established in January 2019, highlights the new #NextGenUNDP approach to tackle complex development challenges and accelerate Serbia’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by implementing integrated solutions. The Center works on cross-cutting initiatives covering a broad thematic area and it is devoted to strengthening old and acquire new partnerships – from working with the central government institutions to private sector entities and civil society, academia and media. The Center supported the establishment and integration of the UNDP Serbia’s Accelerator Lab (under the global network of 60 such labs) within the Country Office.

Together with Lab we were involved in developing and implementing an integrated response to today’s complex challenge of depopulation in Serbia and deploying a one-week strategic design Studio to help the Government of Serbia tackle this challenge. As one of the outcomes of the Studio, the Center is now supporting a new program promoting circular migration in Serbia and diaspora-related program activities.

The SDG Integration Center is working closely with central national authorities to help them achieve development results. Some of our main partners are the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Serbia and General Secretariat of the Government and together we are working on issues that include implementing citizen-centric policy measures and interventions, providing support for consolidating Serbia’s official development assistance, as well as supporting the promoting, accelerating and measuring progress on attaining the SDGs.

The Center is devoted to exploring new partnership modalities with the private sector. We are supporting the effective coordination of all the institutions in-charge of attracting FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments), promoting sustainable investments from across the globe, including those arising from the Belt and Road Initiative, embedding the concept of circular economy throughout value chains and supporting companies in contributing to SDGs and building their resilience against regional and global crises.

Finally, the Center supports the entire UNDP Country Office in performing an SDG integrator role. An example is the recent addition of a gender team to the Center, supporting various gender mainstreaming initiatives throughout UNDP and UN. In partnership with the Government and four UN agencies, we are working on developing the social and institutional environment that will contribute to zero tolerance and eradication of violence against women in Serbia by improving legal and policy frameworks, strengthening the prevention system and assistance mechanisms for survivors of violence and improving access to effective protection from violence through sustainable delivery of general and specialist services. Furthermore, the SDG Integration Center is working on reducing the misuse of firearms in the context of violence against women, domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence by further improving legal and policy frameworks to effectively address the complexity of domestic violence, strengthening the prevention system through change of social environment and increasing awareness among men and women on dangers of misuse of small arms and light weapons.

The SDG Integration Center is seeking to expand its work and is searching for individuals who are able to tackle complex issues in their entirety, by designing integrated solutions which focus on obvious opportunities but also those weak signals, which may bring a fresh approach to the issue, yield innovation and learning. Specific skills required for this post are the ability to build and maintain excellent inter-personal relations, build trusted partnerships with Government authorities, private sector and civil society and identify opportunities for integrated actions.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment

Overall responsibilities:  under the guidance of the Team Leader of the SDG Integration Center, the Portfolio Manager is primarily responsible for development of integrated solutions for sustainable development and their day-to-day management and decision-making. The Portfolio Manager's primary responsibility is to ensure that the initiatives within the portfolio produce the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Specific responsibilities include:

Management of the projects/project components within the portfolio of integrated solutions

• Be responsible and accountable for the overall implementation of the projects in the assigned portfolio, and the timely and quality delivery of all portfolio outputs;
• Prepare multiple Project Work Plans and present them to the National Project Director/Project Board for review/approval;
• Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for tracking and evaluating progress against the agreed targets;
• Draft terms of reference for consultants and companies;
• Oversee contractors’ work;
• Lead the portfolio team;
• Identify issues and agree management responses with UNDP office and Project Boards;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
• Prepare an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date; ensure closure of the project is done per the established procedures;
• Participate in recruitment and evaluation panels.

Monitor progress and manage risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed; Report on progress and issues:

• Monitor Projects’ progress to ensure that it is in accordance with the timetable set out in the Project Documents;
• Prepare regular updates to Project Boards on projects’ progress, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems and proposals for necessary remedial actions;
• Collect and manage projects data as required by the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Plans;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensue preparation of budget revisions as necessary; follow up with UNDP programme associate and finance staff on issues;
• Crete, monitor and manage calendar of events;
• Regularly update the Atlas Project Management module;
• Manage the project risks; inform the Project Board on emerging issues and risks update the issue and risk status by maintaining the project logs in Atlas;
• Organize regular Project Board meetings and regularly report on the progress to the Project Board;
• Prepare project progress reports with the frequency and using the template recommended by the UNDP office. Submit reports to supervisor in the UNDP programme team for review and clearance, per the agreed timetable. Share reports with the Project Board;
• Ensure that progress reports meet the donor standards and deadlines;
• Support preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project documents;
• Prepare final project reports;
• Assume responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions.

Networking, provision of advisory support on development of integrated solutions and support to resource mobilization

• Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, projects’ partners and other stakeholders;
• Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs;
• Establish a record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and follow up on partnership related issues;
• Support the partnerships and advocacy activities agreed by the UNDP office;
• Develop pipeline initiatives and support resource mobilization efforts for the portfolio;
• Advise the Government on opportunities for creation and implementation of integrated solutions for human development.

Communication, knowledge management and learning

• Provide policy advice on issues within the portfolio’s scope;
• Regular exchange of information/experience with other project and portfolio teams, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices;
• Ensure that the portfolio has the required communication package;
• Prepare communication materials for dissemination inside and outside the UNDP;
• Capture lessons learnt;
• Participate in internal meetings;
• Participate in training events and communities of practice;
• Facilitate portfolio team’s learning and knowledge sharing;
• Participate in UN Theme Group and other sectoral groups’ work, as required;
• Performing other duties as required.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

• Portfolio delivered within the acceptable tolerances of time, cost and quality;
• Team efforts pursued;
• Integrated solutions developed and implemented;
• Direction and guidance to portfolio team provided;
• Dialogue with relevant ministries, stakeholders and beneficiaries maintained;
• Reports and Workplans developed on time in line with quality standards;
• Sound management of portfolio finances
• Portfolio administered in UNDP Software ATLAS;
• Portfolio’s activities and achievements captured and presented.

• Good application of Results-Based Management;
• Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of portfolio work;
• Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.

Education:

Masters or equivalent in social or natural sciences. Additional informal education in a broad range of topics is considered an asset.

Work experience:

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in a management position, working on a broad range of issues related to human development;
• Experience in partnership building at national, regional and local level; 
• The following specific experiences will be considered as an asset: experienceworking in an international organization; experience in working with authorities in Serbia; experience in working on the attainment of SDGs in Serbia.

Knowledge:

• Excellent understanding of Serbia's socio-economic situation;
• Familiarity with emerging development trends and accelerators for SDG attainment;
• Familiarity with the EU accession process requirements (and its links for attaining SDGs);
• Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems.

Personal qualifications:

• Ability to build and maintain excellent inter-personal relations;
• Ability to build trusted partnerships with Government authorities;
• Ability to identify opportunities for integrated actions;
• Ability to organize and motivate teams, deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
• Ability to work in a team, contributing constructively to team dynamics;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.

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.

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