Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. 

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

 
Background and Organizational Context

The Country Office Support and Quality Assurance (COSQA) team based in the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub in Thailand actively facilitates the 24 UNDP Country Offices in Asia and the Pacific with effective and timely access to high quality advisory services, tools, networks, and resources which enable UNDP, governments and relevant partners to identify and create development solutions to address national and regional development challenges and priorities. 

The Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) has made the enhancement of CO management performance one of its key priorities, strengthening quality assurance and oversight to the formulation, implementation, and closure of programmes. As a member of the COSQA team, the Programme Assistant provides programme and administrative support to the team, with a focus on data collection and analysis to inform management performance oversight and mitigation measures. S/he will support knowledge and data management by maintaining data repository and information management systems to support access to existing management tools, guidance, and learning material. 

To be successful in this role, the Programme Assistant will have experience in UNDP/UN Agencies, programme or operations experience, information of data management and visualization tools, and strong communication skills in English. 


Position Purpose
As a member of the COSQA team, the Programme Assistant provides programme and administrative support to the team, with a focus on data collection and analysis to inform management performance oversight and mitigation measures. S/he will support knowledge and data management by maintaining data repository and information management systems to support access to existing management tools, guidance, and learning material. The Programme Assistant will be responsible for a wide variety of activities in supporting the effective functions of the COSQA team. The Programme Assistant will work with Country Programme Specialists, providing administrative support to the team, with the preparation of mission travels, regional workshops, meetings and ensuring programme information on countries political, socio-economic context is available and organized.
Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports oversight of formulation and implementation of programme strategies and Country Programmes:

  • Collection, analysis, and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation
  • Maintains clusters’ online shared spaces with country specific electronic files, COs’ programme information, countries’ political and socio-economic research, analyses, and events for ease of access for briefing notes, CPD formulation, theory of change exercises, CCAs, etc.

2. Provides effective support to the quality assurance and oversight of the Country Programmes and country offices’ management performance through:

  • Collection, tracking, and analysis of data from corporate dashboards, ERP system, regional platforms, portals, websites, and surveys, to inform the assessment of UNDP COs’ management performance, quality assurance reviews, and root cause analyses
  • Support the team with presentations and visualization of data and information in an accessible and useful format (e.g., reports, pivots, presentations, infographics, pagers, etc.) to support the analysis of country offices’ performance and strategic decision making on corrective actions
  • Support the team to monitor the status of Country Office compliance with corporate policies and requirements, including on information disclosure, financial management, risk management, programme/project management and internal control framework, etc.
  • Prepare background material/briefs for use in COSQA meetings, trainings, discussions, corporate events, and briefing sessions.  Assumes responsibility for preparation of PowerPoint presentations, including research and compilation of materials for country briefs and presentations.

3. Provides administrative services to the cluster:

  • Preparation and processing of travel arrangements and missions, including preparations of e-requisitions, processing claims and asset management for COSQA
  • Maintains a calendar of key events pertaining to country support (strategic planning exercises and missions), absences of senior managers, CO’s key events, and corporate deadlines across all programme and management areas 
  • Manage and maintain appointment, leave schedules, onboarding, and act as leave monitor for COSQA 
  • Organize mission schedules, facilitate meetings for RRs/DRRs and CO staff visiting the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), and when required, provide logistical support to the management of regional workshops, trainings, mentoring, and knowledge events led by COSQA.

4. Supports knowledge building and knowledge management:

  • Support the team in maintaining data and information management systems, with focus on the repository of data on management performance advice and guidance provided by the team, templates, policies, training modules, onboarding material, tools, etc.
  • Participation in trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme
  • Makes contributions to global and regional knowledge networks, peer to peer exchanges, and communities of practice
     
Competencies

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 Development - Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
 

Business Management - Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
 

Business Management - Communication:   Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
 

Business Management - Risk Management:   Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
 

Business Management - Project Management:   Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
 

Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • Secondary Education. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable.
  • Professional certification in financial management (e.g., CPA, CA, etc.) or programme/project management (e.g., MSP, PRINCE-2 etc.) is desirable.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years for Secondary School, or 2 years for bachelor’s degree holder, of relevant experience in administration or programme, project and/or management services at the national or international level is required.
  • Experience of working in UNDP or UN Agencies is desirable.
  • Experience in programme finance or financial management is desirable.
  • Hands-on experience in data collection, management, analysis, and visualization is highly desirable.
  • 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 is required. Experience in data visualization tools (i.e., PowerBI, tableau, etc.) is desirable.
  • Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle Cloud, PeopleSoft, etc. is desirable.
  • Full proficiency in English, both oral and written is required. 
  • Fluency in Thai.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer

 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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 
Scam warning

 
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.