Programme Associate

UNDP is working with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, national partners and the people of Pakistan to help find solutions to persistent development challenges. We work to build lasting institutional capacity, provide technical expertise to improve development outcomes, and help link the Government and people of Pakistan to innovative global solutions in areas such as improved data quality and collection, better environmental management, climate change finance and adaptation, strong and accountable governance mechanisms and capacities to respond effectively to conflict and disasters.

Resilience, environment and climate change is one of the biggest programme portfolios for UNDP Pakistan Country Office (CO). Currently, the programme implementation is funded by various resources including the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund and on average constitutes about a quarter (25%) of the CO’s program delivery targets of around USD 52M in 2021.  It is foreseen that the resilience, environment and climate change portfolio will remain one of the important programme areas in the coming Country Programme Document period from 2023 – 2027 with a shift towards more resilience driven lens focusing on development pathways, economic policy options and approaches, and efforts to operationalize new financial instruments expanding beyond the current focus on the environment.  For more information on programmes and projects please visit UNDP Pakistan website at: https://www.pk.undp.org/

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Assistant Resident Representative, RECCU and close coordination with the Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate provides support to the leadership in the execution of services in the Resilience, Environment and Climate Change Unit, and supports the formulation, planning and management of the UNDP Pakistan programme in the area of resilience, environment and climate change by managing data and facilitating programme implementation. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach 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 programme and finance-related issues and exchange of information.

• Support programme and pipeline management for the Resilience, Environment and Climate Change.
• Ensures effective support to planning, implementation monitoring and timely reporting.
• Support the integration of women empowerment and gender equality considerations into RECC programme portfolio planning, implementation and reporting and support  the Gender Team efforts to uphold the CO Gold Gender Equality Seal.
• Support implementation of business processes quality assurance and oversight of programmes and projects in the area of Resilience, Environment and Climate Change.
• Provides operational and financial management support to the RECCU.
• Facilitate Learning, Knowledge Management Facilitation and Self Development.

Supports programme and pipeline management for the Resilience, Environment and Climate Change  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support to compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system, and follow-up on audit recommendations in respect of programme activities; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented programme financial resources management system.
• Support in collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation and formulation of CCA, UNSDCF, CPD
• Compiling info, development and presentation of background information for the formulation of project documents, work plans, budgets, and proposals within the RECC portfolio. Support the RECC portfolio input to the CO Integrated Work Plan and relevant corporate and donor reporting.
• Analysis of information on donors, collect background information for preparation of donor’s profile including government for cost-sharing arrangements.
• Initial contribution to concept notes, project ideas, funding proposals, etc.
• Upload duly signed financial agreement(s) in the system.
• Support the development of new pipeline projects and input of the pipeline information in the system, tracking and updating the pipeline maturity in consultation with the RECC portfolio team.
• Regular monitoring of contribution agreements milestones and flag potential delays in attainment of milestones for timely corrective measures.
• Input to CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Programme Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Provides effective support to planning, implementation monitoring and timely reporting focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, contributing to the development of project work plans, and day-to-day project management, including project communication and reporting.
• Assistance to assigned projects in the application of results-based management tools/methodology.
• Implementation of effective internal controls, and proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Elaboration of conditions of contributions within the programme resource mobilization efforts.
• Performs assurance function for the RECC portfolio by ensuring that project management is performed timely and correctly in the online ERP systems, maintaining compliance of the portfolio with the PPM policies and procedures
• Supports the planning and monitoring of various programme/project budgetary resources and ensures quality control of financial resources management performed by project staff in the RECC portfolio, flagging any deviations and proposing corrective measures in line with UNDP FRR.
• Monitoring and ensuring timely preparation of reports according to Project Document (progress report, annual reports, field visit reports, donor financial reports, Project Risk Log, Quality Assurance and Social and Environmental Standards, etc.)
• Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports and follow-up on their signing by UNDP and National Counterparts
• Analyzes information related to current obligations and future programme/project budgetary implications in relation to the formulation of the Resource Planning Framework (RPF).
• Reviews Programme delivery in accordance with Authorized Spending Limit (ASL) for TRAC and Trust fund resources and Cash Limit for cost-sharing resources and suggests measures for adequate optional utilization of funds.
• Design project level dashboards and shared project data and delivery, results monitoring, and expenditure forecasting and KPIs establishment and tracking at the unit level .
• Provision of guidance and capacity building to the Implementing Partners on routine implementation of programmes, projects, and/or initiatives in full compliance with POPP on routine implementation of projects.
• Track and report on mobilized resources and support to Management Support Unit in the review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

Support the integration of women empowerment and gender equality considerations into RECC programme portfolio planning, implementation and reporting and support the Gender Team efforts to uphold the CO Gold Gender Equality Seal:

• Support integration of gender considerations in all programmes/projects from the design to implementation, including planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as reporting in line with and using the corporate gender equality commitments, tools and strategies.
• Support integration of gender consideration in RECC programme related documents such as: technical briefs, analytical reports, assessments, communication strategy, terms of references, call for proposals, request for proposals etc.
• Participates and contributes to the CO gender focal teams actively supporting the implementation of activities under the respective plans. 
• Support the achievement of programmatic indicators targets in line with CO’s Gold Gender Equality Seal requirements. 

Support implementation of business processes quality assurance and oversight of programme and projects implementation in the area of Resilience, Environment and Climate Change:

• Support in ensuring that business processes are followed by projects/programmes within the RECCU in line with the UNDP regulations and rules and the UNDP internal control framework.
• Support in ensuring that submissions for the RECCU Head of Unit and Senior Management review are prepared in line with the UNDP standards, regulations and rules.
• Monitoring of Risk logs for all Projects within the RECCU, ensuring that they are regularly updated by Projects.
• Assist in quality assurance for the project AWPs in accordance with UNDP’s policies and procedures, as needed.
• Serves as the Unit focal point for internal and external audits of the CO.
• Presentation of information for audit of NIM projects, supports the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Ensures accountability and compliance with organizational policies and procedures. Supports implementation of audit recommendations.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) assurance plans and assurance activities. ( Macro and Micro)
• Ensure compliance with the respective operational policies and procedures of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT).
• Support the Implementation of NIM oversight measures (incl. oversight of NIM advances, documentation of capacity assessments, etc.)
• Maintainance of NIM project audit reports and action plan in the UNDP CARDs system.
• Provides operational and financial management support to the RECC Unit focusing on the achievement of the   following    results:
• Review of financial/expenditure reports; preparation and submission of payment and other project-related requests for development projects; recommendations of corrective actions and ensure implementation in line with POPP
• Supports the planning and monitoring of various programme/project budgetary resources and ensures quality control of financial resources management performed by project staff in the RECC portfolio, flagging any deviations and proposing corrective measures in line with UNDP FRR.
• Timely follow up on corrective actions in the system.
• Review of project budget and budget revision to ensure matching with available resources in the project.
• Monitor and ensure timely operational closure of projects within the portfolio
• Undertake quality assurance for projects’ annual procurement plan and monitor to ensure the implementation of the plan in accordance with UNDP’s policies and procedures, as needed.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, and transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
• Entry of data of new grants/contributions related to the programme into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) including relevant GMS rates and their distribution, monitoring of AWPs status.
• Enter project budgets (AWPs) into UNDP ERP in line with available programme financial resources in the relevant projects and established expenditures targets.

Facilitate Learning, Knowledge Management Facilitation and Self Development focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assists the programme unit in evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials.
• Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of projects, practices, guidelines, and the like.
• Organization/conduct of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on project financial management in the Atlas / Quantum environment.
• Provision of guidance to implementing partners on project management and implementation, administrative procedures, oversight, and reporting in compliance with POPP PPM.
• Capacity building for national counterparts on project management and implementation, administrative procedures, oversight, and reporting in compliance with POPP PPM
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Programme Finance.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

Core:

• 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

Business Direction & Strategy-Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management-Results-based Management                      

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management-Resources Management              

• Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business Development-Development and Operational Effectiveness       

• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported; Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems; Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work; Good knowledge of financial rules and regulations and Results Management Guide, accounting; Strong IT skills, Atla; Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system

Finance Financial -Plannign and Budgeting          

• Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting

Ethics-UN policy knowledge - ethics       

• Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity

• Secondary Education is required or
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences, Environment and Climate Change or other related fields will be given due consideration
• Specialized certification in Accounting and/or Finance is an advantage
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Longlisted candidates may be required to take the UNDP Finance and Accountancy Test (AFT) if they do not meet the above requirement.

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible administrative, finance or programme experience is required at the national or international level.
• Proficient user of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Certification in programme/ project management (e.g., Managing Successful Programme, Project Management Professional, etc.) is required for this function which is at a senior administrative level.
• Knowledge and experience of handling Enterprise Resources Planning platforms such as PeopleSoft is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of UNDP’s policies and procedures on programme or project finance is desirable.
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Finance Accounting and Management Accounting is desirable.
• Fluency in English and Urdu is required.