Programme Specialist in Honiara, Solomon Islands(Only Nationals)

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives.

This position is located at the UNDP Pacific sub-office in Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia which was established in October 2021. This office is set up to serve the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The office will work closely with the UNDP Pacific office in Fiji to deliver the UNDP multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) in these five countries.

UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. 

The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace. Following a strategic review process which was completed in June 2022, UNDP Pacific office structure is aligned to the emerging priorities of the office. In this regard, the programme portfolio will include mutually reinforcing work streams crafted around two clusters (i) Resilience and Climate Change; and ii) Inclusive growth and Effective governance, supported by a policy and innovation team, Operations team, Management and Oversight team that provides strategic guidance on  results Management  and compliance entrusted with the corporate alignment, programme finance management and quality assurance,  and strategic communications  team that provides knowledge management and communication support to all programme interventions.

On the ground in Solomon Islands since 1999, UNDP has earned a reputation of a trustworthy development partner in the collective effort of supporting Solomon Islands in achieving shared objectives. In a rapidly changing global environment, UNDP Solomon Islands' work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2016 – 2035, and sector strategies.

As part of the MCO, UNDP Solomon Islands contributes to a range of initiatives, including peacebuilding, access to justice, local governance, anticorruption, prevention and elimination of gender-based violence, youth and women’s empowerment, climate change and disaster risk management. While a key international organisation in the country supporting governance, resilience and sustainable development and protection of environment, UNDP is also building its profile in other areas including policy level initiatives, including on the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, digital transformation, formalisation of the informal economy and others.Within the Pacific Office Multi-Country Office (MCO), the Programme team has a responsibility of developing, providing oversight and ensure adherence to the quality standards of UNDP’s projects and programmes in full alignment with the priorities set out in the MCPD and CF. During the design, implementation, and closure of projects and programme. Programme Staff high level advice to all PICs supported by UNDP on programming, technical issues covered under the MCPD, advocate for UNDP Corporate messages and engage partners including governments, private sector, development partners, civil society organizations, UNDP corporate bodies including regional and Headquarters to coordinate and catalyze knowledge, lessons learning and partnerships to design effective and innovative programmes. Programme team further oversees effective implementation of the multi-country programme and its outcomes and strategic direction of UNDP, contribution to UN cooperation framework. It also plays important role in strategic planning in close consultation with the Management and oversight unit, target-setting, and results monitoring/reporting. The team further ensures that quality principles as per the UNDP policies and guidelines are adhered to during the entire cycle of programming and across management of portfolios. Strategic partnerships support resource mobilization and identify strategic programme areas of cooperation for new initiatives, including joint programming opportunities. Programme team is responsible to maintain effective partnerships with relevant development partners and government, UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society in the designated support areas.

Position Purpose:

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative in Solomon Islands and  in matrixed supervision of the Team Leader, Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth based in Fiji, the Programme Specialist acts as advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Sub-Office (CO) programme in the area of Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth. S/he works in close collaboration with other policy and programme portfolios and the Operations Team to ensure a collaborative and harmonized joint UNDP programme. Cross-cutting coordination with CO Communications, Gender and other relevant experts will be required to increase the impact of the development interventions. The Programme Specialist leads in policy development, capacity building and strategic planning for new programme areas while ensuring consistency of MCPD priorities together with the advancement of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization and expansion of the country portfolio. The Programme Specialist develops innovative solutions while ensuring oversight and compliance of projects for enhanced partnership building and resource mobilization.

The Programme Specialist ensures effective oversight of programme/ portfolio management, accountability, and achievement of the MCPD results within the assigned outcome, and supervises staff assigned within the unit. The incumbent works in close collaboration with Bangkok Regional Hub, UNDP HQ, staff from other UN Agencies and national partners from the Government, civil society, and donors through multilateral and/or bilateral arrangements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides strategic direction and effective management of the sub-office programme, focusing on the area of inclusive governance and economic growth:

• Leads programme/ project design with development partners, UN Agencies and implementing partners for the portfolio, ensuring robust articulation of Theory of Change and results from framework linking inputs and activities to programme outputs and outcomes, supported with evidence to report on the Strategic Plan and MCPD indicators. 
• Contributes to the analysis of the political, social, and economic situation in the country and ensures collaborative and coordinated preparation/revision of CCA, UNSCDF, MCPD, annual business planning, Integrated Work Plan and results reporting, project documents, policy briefs, briefing notes and other programmatic documents.
• Identifies and analyzes strategic programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities and operationalization of CPD with the Government and other partners of UNDP.
• Promotes and facilitates innovation as well as identification of innovative development solutions to the delivery of results. 
• Leverages innovative approaches, resources, and collaborative efforts to enhance programme and project impact.
• Ensures regular monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely adjustment of programme, measuring of the impact of the projects, and that results, and lessons learned to inform analysis, policy and programme, and project work.
• Ensures that women empowerment and gender mainstreaming aspects are integrated and applied 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. 
• Ensures effective application of results-based management tools and high-quality reporting of results for internal and external audiences.
• Participates and contributes to the CO and Inter-Agency (if applicable) thematic focal teams actively making sure that the responsible activities under the respective plans are delivered successfully. 
• Facilitates robust monitoring of key performance indicators and risks of the portfolio and leads the direction and implementation of corrective strategies and management measures based on risk-informed analysis and trends.
• Ensures effective monitoring of pipeline management system, programme delivery and applies appropriate actions for delivery acceleration measures.
• Applies UNDP’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework in the assigned portfolio, including the application of the Social and Environmental Standards in each project and ensures adequate safeguards measures. 
• Manages team(s) and ensures that the team-specific enabling actions are included in the annual plans and implemented to meet the set targets contributing to the CO’s performance in corporate and regional KPIs.
• Coordinates UNDP’s support to development institutions working towards addressing national development priorities in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Contributes to portfolio development and ensures cross-cutting collaboration between projects under the entrusted portfolio, stimulates synergies and aggregates data for portfolio reporting.

Ensures accountability, quality control and effective oversight of the projects:

• Provides strategic planning and oversight of the assigned portfolio of programmes/projects and ensures their compliance with programme and operations policies and procedures (POPP) and quality assurance standards.
• Ensures annual work planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of assigned portfolio in line with requirements (e.g., budget revisions, approval of CDRs, etc.).
• Provides quality assurance of the entire cycle of programming and management of portfolios. Performs project assurance function in projects and serves as Quality Assessors.
• Facilitates and quality assures the project documentation prior to final approval by the Senior Management and ensures proper document management and update in the corporate systems and regional platforms (CPS, Quantum, Vital Signs, etc.) 
• Exercises transaction approval for development projects as delegated in line with the established internal control framework, and ensures appropriate separation of duties is in place and maintained throughout the project cycle. 
• Implements Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) framework covering micro assessments, assurance plans and assurance activities, carries out programme/monitoring visits, ensuring appropriate remedial actions are implemented; and ensures the establishment of the tracking mechanism for cash transfers to Implementing Partners/Responsible Parties in accordance with UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations and HACT policies.
• Performs clearance measures (incl. tracking of NIM advances/reimbursements, liquidation of NIM advances, clearance of FACE forms, escalating and advising the CO Management on timely remedial actions required).
• Facilitates assessment of barriers and opportunities to enable private sector engagement and participation and quality assures all required capacity and risk assessments, including private sector due diligence.
• Provides strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Ensures compliance with a cost-recovery system for the services provided in close collaboration with the operations colleagues.
• Ensures adherence to the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) as well as established MCO business processes and internal controls, contributes to design of the Standard Operating Procedures on programme and project management.

Ensures establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships and leads resourcesmobilization efforts in the area of inclusive governance and economic growth:

• Identifies strategic opportunities and leads engagement on potential joint programming with other UN Agencies and entities.
• Ensures development and implementation of CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to achieve country programme outcomes related to inclusive governance and economic growth. Contributes to effective pipeline development in the Office. Ensures effective and timely pipeline management through timely and accurate update of the pipeline management module in UNITY (corporate ERP system).
• Supports deployment of partnership strategies and related actions with a focus on programme portfolio development and the identification of sustainable and predictable funding mechanisms for the implementation of the country programme.
• Leads and maintains strong partnerships with relevant development partners and government, UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society in the designated support areas.
• As part of the overall MCO partnerships and communications strategy and action plans, develops new project concepts to ensure project documents and financing agreements are developed with high quality and in line with UNDP corporate rules and procedures. 
• Ensures the preparation of analysis and research of information on partners, donor profiles, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing and initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall CO efforts in resource mobilization.
• Leads engagement, networking and mobilization of experts of the international development community, government partners, UN Agencies, and prominent think tanks.
• Leads development of strategies for government cost-sharing in the inclusive governance and economic growth area.
• Ensures quality and timely donor reporting and adherence to the conditions and requirements of partnership agreements by programme teams and projects.

Leads provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitates knowledge building and management:

• Integrates evaluation findings, real-time monitoring data, and applied learning to adaptive programme and project management and policy advisory work.
• Ensures capacity building of national counterparts for effective management and compliance with funding partner’s requirements within UNDP projects.
• Maintains effective network with development partners and Government at the national level and sub-national level and where necessary links up with the corporate Global Policy Network of UNDP and other international development actors.
• Leads the implementation of awareness building and advocacy around UN/UNDP events and supports strategic communications work and knowledge management initiatives. 
• Provides sound and proactive contributions to corporate, regional and MCO events, knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Writes and communicates on best practices and lessons learned linked to programme and policy goals.
• Facilitates knowledge building and management especially between the programme and projects and facilitates training for the UNDP staff and personnel and national counterparts on relevant programme issues.
• Contributes to development of training materials and organizes workshops, as required by the supervisor.

Performs other duties within the functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• The Programme Specialist will be responsible for the supervision, performance management and development of the Programme Associate and relevant project-funded personnel.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively -  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously -  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility -  LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination -  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration 
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion -  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

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 Management – Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication.
• Business Management - Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Business Management - Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Business Management - Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organisation programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
• 2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Inclusive Growth: Multidimensional Poverty and Human Development.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Master's Degree in International Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Economics, Economics, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field, or
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the above-mentioned fields with additional 2 years relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s Degree.
• Professional Certification in programme or project management (e.g., PRINCE-2, MSP etc.) is a distinct advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience at the national or international level in providing policy and/or management advisory services.
• At least 2 years of the above experience should be in providing oversight and advisory services to multiple complex development projects in the area of inclusive governance and economic growth.
• Managerial experience in a supervisory role for at least 2 years is a requirement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills is a requirement.
• Understanding of policy development processes is an advantage.
• Demonstrated multi-stakeholder facilitation and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability in people management and working with diverse teams is an advantage. 
• Prior experience in a UN Agency and/or international organizations is an advantage.
• Experience working with high-ranking officials is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Fluency in English is a requirement, local language is an added advantage.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.