Partnerships, Coordination and Results Management Specialist

Under its new Country Programme (2023-2027),within the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)UNDP’s work in Nepal focuses on developing the capacity of government agencies (federal, provincial, and municipal level), civil society and community groups to jointly pursue development activities to foster sustainable and inclusive economic transformation, enhance people’s participation and inclusion in governance in the context of federalism, and promote environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change and natural hazards. 

Over the past four years, Nepal has undergone profound changes on account of the political reforms including the new federal system, earthquake and most recently the pandemic, which has impacted livelihoods, health systems, and has at times slowed down development progress. At the same time, the overall trend of Nepal’s GNI has been one of growth, with graduation from LDC status planned for 2026.  

For UNDP and for Nepal, this important transition will require different models of development cooperation and partnerships, as traditional sources of development finance – particularly grants – are expected to decline.  Ten years after the adoption of a new constitution, UNDP is also looking to take stock of the progress made and challenges faced in the implementation of federalism, and implications for UNDP’s operating model and partnerships.

Against this backdrop, the new Country Programme 2023-2027 is a strategic opportunity for UNDP Nepal to reposition strategically its contributions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals – with a focus on integrated solutions and expand its collaboration with national and international development partners, in line with the signature solutions and enablers identified in UNDP’s global Strategic Plan 2022-2025.   This exercise will be complex and will involve significant analytical input, as well as a comprehensive consultation effort. 

Partnership Purpose

The Partnerships, Coordination and Results Management Specialist will contribute to the work of 

• the Partnership and Results Team (results areas 1 and 4 above), and
• the Strategic Engagement Team (result areas 2 and 3). S/he will share in the management, leadership and outcomes of the country office.  S/he models the commitment to creative collaboration and team accountability in the service of Nepal’s challenges.

S/he promotes client-oriented approach while having strong networking savvy and political acumen performing her/his functions in collaboration with Programme team leaders and CO senior management to continuously reflect on how UNDP engages with its partners and stakeholders to truly fulfill UNDP’s strategic position and value proposition.

• support the alignment of UNDP interventions and results with strategic UNDP and national priorities 
• contribute to the analysis and initial development of new partnership models and opportunities, in support of integrated development solutions 
• foster coordination with key development stakeholders, UN agencies and development partners; 
• provide knowledge management, lessons learning, and networking support to the team, and 
• contribute to the implementation of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion strategy.

• Supports alignment of interventions and results of the new Country Programme Document (CPD) with SDGs and other international commitments, UNDP Strategic Plan, Nepal development strategies, and UNSDCF; 
• Participates in reviews of current UNDP interventions and in the design of new interventions, with a view to ensure alignment with the strategic directions and results outlined in the CPD.
• Acts as a resource person within the office for the development of project-level theories of change, in line with the CPD theory of change and with the UN Strategic Development Cooperation Framework. Quality assures this component of new/redesigned interventions.
• Supports the collection and production of analytical material that informs the CPD and UNSDCF priorities and monitoring.
• Acts as a focal point for the initial compilation and drafting of the Results-Oriented Annual Reporting exercise, and for the review / update of project and programme risks, under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, and in collaboration with the RBM Analyst.

Analysis and initial development of new partnership models and opportunities, in support of integrated development solutions

• Conducts analysis and research to support the fine-tuning of UNDP’s value proposition and positioning in an evolving development financing and partnership context, in collaboration with other members of the strategic engagement team; ensure these value propositions are relevant and well within the key strategic engagements namely international commitments, SDGs and Nepal development priorities.
• Supports the engagement and partnership effort of the CO, with a focus on strategic business development.
• Continuously scans opportunities to strengthen integration of UNDP’s interventions and service offers, in support of integrated development solutions.
• Act as a resource person within the office for the strategic development of portfolio approaches.
• Supporting contract negotiations, business development pitches, and proposals for UNDP’s value added in leveraging domestic resources and other innovative financing instruments for development.
• Support management in the area of communications and development results analytics to ensure UNDP’s offers are well packaged, tailored, and visible by the right audiences.
• Design terms of negotiations and UNDP costing requirements accessible and attractive to prospective clients. 
• Working closely with the Communications team, ensure the communication of partnership modalities that create an amplification effect for UNDP and development partners.
• Provide technical leadership in contract negotiations, in collaboration with other members of the Strategic Engagement and Partnership and results teams. 
• Support senior management to develop partnership proposals and pitching materials for strategic alliances and partnerships, including compelling analytics.
• Provides backstopping support to specific programmatic engagement on which UNDP’s positioning rests, such the Technical Assistance to the PLGSP.

Coordination with UN agencies and development partners

• Provide technical support to the engagement of UNDP through the International Development Partner Group (IDPG) platform, with a particular (but not exclusive) focus on working groups focused on Governance and Human Rights; Federalism; Integrity and Accountability; and Human Rights and Elections.
• Provides technical support to ensure UNDP meets its responsibility under the agreed UNDAF/UNSDCF Outcome Working Groups (OWG) standing structure, including contribution to Joint Work Plans, with specific attention to groups chaired / co-chaired by UNDP (governance and resilience outcomes in particular).

Knowledge management, lessons learning and networking 

• Supports trainings for the CO staff on programme, portfolio approaches, theory of change and shares knowledge on business development strategies.
• Identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice, and to the effective dissemination of UNDP Nepal success stories and lessons learnt.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)

• Ensures that GESI is well captured and mainstreamed throughout the initiatives s/he is involved in.
• Works closely with the GESI focal team, GESI Specialist and RBM analyst to ensure quality planning and reporting on GESI related results.
• Promotes work life balance, gender equality and respect for diversity.
• Ensures prevention of sexual harassment and abuse of authority and any form of discrimination in the work place. 
• Contributes to the Gender Equality Seal process.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  None

• 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.

• Cross Functional and  Technical Competencies:

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 Direction & Strategy-Portfolio management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as 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 optimizing return on investment.

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. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management-Working with evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.