Assistant Resident Representative – Programme and Operations (Nationals only)

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.

 

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, the Assistant Resident Representative covers a broad range of issues from programme formulation to delivery, monitoring of UNDP programmes and operations, representation of UNDP in Country Programme Development (CPD) in the context of the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Caribbean (UNMSDCF), formulation and delivery of joint programmes and resource mobilization. The Assistant Resident Representative supports the Resident Representative in positioning UNDP as a strategic partner for sustainable development within the Agenda 2030 framework, steers strategic planning, programme formulation and creative responses to emerging complex challenges, design of UNDP’s policy and programmatic offer, signature services and partnership engagement mechanism. The Assistant Resident Representative ensures that the UNDP programme and services are consistent with the national development priorities of the host country government, and supportive of the UN’s development efforts in the country in line with the UNMSDCF and CPD.
 

 

Position Purpose

The Assistant Resident Representative represents UNDP when requested by the Resident Representative. When authorized by the Resident Representative, the Assistant Resident Representative serves in the Officer-in-Charge capacity.

 

The Assistant Resident Representative is responsible for supervision of UNDP 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. The Assistant Resident Representative 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.

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Under the supervision and guidance of the Resident Representative, the Assistant Resident Representative is responsible for coordinating and advising on formulation and risk-informed management and delivery of UNDP programme:

Advise and participate in the CCA/UNSDCF process including promoting thematic and sectoral synergies and coordination of programme activities and execution; identify relevant areas where UNDP can assist the Government in achieving the national development goals and priorities.

Advise the Resident Representative on the strategic focus of the country programme, the allocation of resources, implement country programme development and delivery, identify innovative approaches and modalities to achieve development targets.

Support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda including through articulation of the integrated nature of poverty eradication, the acceleration of structural transformations for sustainable development through innovation and resilience to crises and shocks in critical dialogues with partners and stakeholders that builds evidence for informed policy design and implementation. In addition, provide support to ensure UNDP’s role as integrator of SGDs across different sectors and through close collaboration with other UN Agencies.

Advise the Resident Representative on the contribution of UNDP to UN coherence and ensure close working across the humanitarian, development and peace domains as may be required in the country context. S/he ensures this is reflected in the UNDP country programme as appropriate.

Support inter-agency collaboration and joint programming with other UN agencies in line with UN system priorities established in the UNCT.

Advise the Resident Representative on innovative approaches and modalities of the UNDP programme to achieve development targets including through modalities such as country-level integrated support platforms (as appropriate), which facilitate partnership building, engagement of diverse stakeholders, financing solutions, and external communication.

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.

Continuously assess and advise the RR on the political and socio-economic situation and trends in the country to ensure that UNDP policy support, programmes and services are relevant and responsive to emerging priorities and needs.

Ensure follow-up on thematic and program evaluations to ensure continuous improvement on development impact. Apply lessons learned from audit and evaluation exercises to new management efforts and program development.

Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning.

Review the proposed project’s quality and the capacity of the implementing partner to deliver, including the risk management (including cost) and mitigation measures/strategy.

Support the RR in maintaining oversight of high-risk projects and portfolios, and risks of high severity emanating from projects and the various risks assessment tools, to ensure necessary and timely follow up action.

 

2.) In consultation with the UNDP Resident Representative, the Assistant Resident Representative is responsible for support to general Country Office management:

Office management: The Assistant Resident Representative monitors UNDP’s commitments within the UNSDCF Results Matrix, ensures effective application of corporate performance and planning tools, and monitors achievement of results, management targets and other benchmarks.

Financial resources management: The Assistant Resident Representative has Senior Manager rights in Quantum and ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations. The Assistant Resident Representative establishes and supervises implementation of adequate internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial transactions and systems. The Assistant Resident Representative monitors and supervises the implementation of the integrated planning, budgeting and utilization of resources in line with established policies and procedures; applies UNDP cost recovery policy.

Human Resources management: The Assistant Resident Representative is responsible for implementation of the people management systems and supervision of UNDP personnel to motivate and promote organizational excellence. They will ensure talent alignment with business strategies, leveraging the entire workforce of the CO and foster people engagement.

Procurement and General Administration: The Assistant Resident Representative oversees and is responsible for implementation of procurement processes and methods; CO travel, logistics, premises management.

ICT: The Assistant Resident Representative maintains a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT.

Audit: The Assistant Resident Representative is responsible for effective follow-up and implementation of all audit issues; ensures full compliance to audit requirements and recommendations.

Enterprise Risk Management: Assists the RR in identification, costing, management and mitigation planning and as required escalating country-level risks, and the implementation of the risk management strategy in order to deliver country programme results and achieve impact.  She/he works closely with the CO team to ensure risks are accurately costed and risk treatments are up to date, implemented and on track.

 

3.) The Assistant Resident Representative ensures UNDP support to common services, other Agencies and Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) as well as UNDP safety and security compliance:

Coordinate and supervise the effective provision of services including financial, human resources, procurement and logistics, reviews with UN counterparts service requirements; ensure full cost-recovery for provision of services. 

Ensure that common services and joint arrangements benefit UNDP in its objective to provide efficient and economical support services to the implementation of the country programme.

The Assistant Resident Representative supports the Resident Representative in ensuring UNDP MOSS compliance and efficient implementation of the day to day UNDP safety and security matters.

The Assistant Resident Representative represents UNDP in SMT if requested by the Resident Representative and is responsible for efficient implementation in UNDP of security measures agreed in the SMT and for compliance with security policy.

The Assistant Resident Representative ensures that Business Continuity Planning is in place and tested to ensure operability of UNDP in all circumstances.

 

4.) Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the Assistant Resident Representative coordinates partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP:

Support the RR in the implementation and coordination overall resource mobilization and ensures that UNDP mobilizes the support needed.

Advise the Resident Representative in designing and driving the partnerships, resource mobilization, marketing and external communications strategy at country level, and for directly engaging local development partners, resulting in concrete contributions to results and enhanced financing for the SDGs in the host country.

Support the Resident Representative in building and deepening partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders, fostering strategic partnerships with the Government, private sector, NGOs, donor community, international financial institutions and other UN entities.

Advocate for UNDP and catalyze advocacy activities and information sharing.

Strengthen UNDP’s visibility with potential stakeholders through conventional media as well as digital and social media channels and provide efficient communication to all partners in relation to local programme and project implementation.

 

5.) Quality advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.

Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning.

Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Organize training for the operations/projects staff on programme issues.

Ensure professional growth through active learning.

 

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:  Supervise and manage UNDP Country Office staff.

 

 

Competencies

 

Core Competencies

 

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

 

 

Cross-Functional Competencies

 

Technical Competencies

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

 

Experience:

 

Desired Skills/Experience:

 

Languages:

 

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

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

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

 

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.

 

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

 

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