Programme Specialist

The UNDP office in Jamaica is a multi-country office which covers a total of five (5) small island developing states (SIDs):  Jamaica, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. 

Under the supervision and guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and a matrix reporting to the Assistant Resident Representative, the Programme Specialist (Policy Services) acts as a manager and advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of CO programme policy across all programme practice areas under an integrated programme approach.

The Programme Specialist is the lead policy specialist in the Programme Unit who works in synergies to deliver results to the CO under an integrated programme approach. His/Her main role is to directly manage the country programme under a policy lens, while bringing together diverse technical inputs to conceptualize the programme. In doing so, the Programme Specialist must be creative and must have innovative capacity to support the CO in strategic planning and policy. The Programme Specialist also identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNMSDCF/CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Programme Specialist (Policy Services) is responsible for the day-to-day programme implementation in close collaboration with the Operations team in the CO, 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 to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

The Programme Specialist (Policy Services) will also support senior management in the promotion of effective partnerships and resources mobilization efforts. Thus, s/he must have an excellent capacity to engage a diverse stakeholder base and to effectively network for solid partnership building (public-private, civil society, South-South, etc.).

The Programme Specialist will be required from time to time to represent UNDP in several internal and external meetings/engagements as well as serve in the capacity as Officer-in-Charge. 

The Programme Specialist is responsible for supervision of UNDP programme staff, promotes work environment in the UNDP Country Office that is conducive to innovation and engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders and ensures cross-unit cooperation, coordination, teamwork, inclusion, and the empowerment of staff and of counterparts.

He/She also ensures a client-oriented approach and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations and good management practice.  All managerial/leadership functions are performed in line with the established UN and UNDP management norms, rules and regulations, and in conformity with UNDP’s internal accountability framework for senior managers which emphasizes, inter alia, the highest standards of ethics, integrity and accountability in the personal and professional domains.

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Policy advice to the integrated CO programme
• Effective development and implementation of the CO programme
• Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization
• Provision of quality in the Advocacy and Awareness of UNDP mandate, advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

1. Provides policy advice to the integrated CO programme focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNMSDCF, CPD, CPAP, AWP and other documents.
2. Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation.
3. Operationalization of UNDAF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
4. Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of programme management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
5. Analysis of the development policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc.
6. Support to the senior management of the office in facilitation of policy dialogues with the Government, private sector, civil society and donors.
7. Provision of capacity building support on policy issues to office staff.

2. Ensure effective development and implementation of the CO programme focusing on programming from formulation to implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring and reporting of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approvals.
2. Advise senior management on how to strengthen existing areas of work and identify new areas of opportunities and entry point for UNDP, especially in the new cycle of the Country Programme Document (CPD)
3. Assist the Assistant Resident Representative in identifying and addressing programmatic challenges and bottlenecks.
4. Advise senior management on methods to accelerate programme implementation.
5. Provide advice on matters that could be seen as a reputational, organizational risk to UNDP project implementation and make recommendations for corrective actions.
6. Support the Assistant Resident Representative in crisis management.
7. Implement programme assurance activities related to the implementation of the Country Programme and assessment of national capacity in financial management and procurement of goods and services.
8. Supervise the preparation of donor reports and other programme related reports, as required.
9. Apply lessons learned from audit and evaluation exercises to programme development.

3. Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with other Teams focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Elaboration of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes.
2. Creation and coordination of partnership with the UN Agencies, International Finance Institutions (IFI’s), government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc., advocating for South-South and Triangular Cooperation
3. Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
4. Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

4. Quality in the advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission, advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, and other Agendas for Human Development and equitable economic growth.
2. Support in the development of CO knowledge products (Annual Report, Op-eds, blogs, etc).
3. Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
4. Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning.
5. Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
6. Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
7. Ensure professional growth through active learning.

Education:

Master's degree in social policy, public policy, political science, environment, economics, development studies, business administration or other related areas or its equivalent. 

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing policy advisory services, hands-on experience in design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; establishing inter-relationships and coordination amongst a diverse group of stakeholders including government agencies, donors, private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations at national, regional and international levels.
• Strong understanding of results-based monitoring is required.
• Experience in leading/managing a team.
• Experience in crisis management and recovery desirable.
• Good working knowledge of Operations (Finance, Human Resources, Procurement) is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN System or international organization is an asset;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably Oracle/PeopleSoft.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (both written and oral). Knowledge of other official UN languages desirable.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS/NO categories are subject to local recruitment.

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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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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