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.
UNDP multi-country office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society.
In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing the 12th Malaysia Plan, which is anchored around three key themes namely resetting economy, strengthening security, wellbeing, and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country.
The Inclusive and Development Growth Team within the Programme Unit of UNDP in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam is implementing a portfolio of multidimensional poverty, inequality and exclusion, social protection, urbanization, business digitalization, entrepreneur development and solutions related initiatives and projects with resources mobilized from donors, multilateral entities, financial institutions and private sector.
Specifically, the thematic area of sustainable economy management focuses on relevant policy and governance for inclusive, innovative and sustainable economy, green and digital economies including through expanding opportunities for youth, B40 households, micro entrepreneurs and workers in the informal sector. Details may be referred on UNDP website at http://www.my.undp.org/.
The position is under the direct supervision of the Head/Team Leader of Inclusive and Development Growth in UNDP Multi-Country Office (CO) in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, the incumbent will be primarily responsible for programme/project management including development and execution of initiatives/projects related to sustainable economy management; and provision of policy/technical advisory services. The incumbent will also work closely with the CO Partnership team to mobilize resources for the successful implementation of Country Programme(s) and initiatives/projects.
He/she works in close collaboration with other Programme teams and Operations Unit to deliver on country programme results and successful Country Office’s performance with accountability and compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures.
The Programme Analyst will also manage and supervise project teams to ensure that project personnel, experts and service providers operate effectively and efficiently for the successful implementation and timely delivery of programme/project results.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Programme/Project Development and Management
Contribute to the development and effective management of Country Programme(s) and initiatives/projects in the area of inclusive and sustainable economy focusing on quality control from formulation to the implementation of Country Programme(s) and initiatives/projects.
- Contribute to the design and formulation of the Country Programme Document and Country Programme Action Plan within the thematic area of expertise including subsequent review and update where applicable.
- Design, develop and formulate initiatives/projects that are aligned with programme priorities in the Country Programme, strengthen existing partnerships and form new partnerships.
- Manage and implement initiatives/projects where UNDP is the main implementing/delivering partner.
- Provides thematic leadership, technical guidance, oversight and quality control of programme/project management cycle from annual work planning, budgeting to implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting to project teams/partners, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plan, UNDP policies, rules and regulations, and donor’s requirements.
- Ensures effective application of results-based management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results, as part of quality assurance, CO performance, Results-Oriented Annual Reporting, and other forms of results-based reporting and/or dashboard, etc.
- Monitor and manage programme/project risks and apply adaptive management including corrective and adaptive measures in programme/project implementation.
- Conduct periodic programme monitoring visits and prepare programme monitoring visit reports as required.
- Draft terms of reference and specification for procurement of goods and/or services.
- Support audit and evaluation exercises and follow up on the implementation of management responses/actions to the audit and evaluation recommendations.
Policy & Technical Advisory Support
Ensure effective provision of policy and technical support services focusing on the achievement of Country Programme results.
- Conduct research and analysis of sustainable economy management related policies, legislation, institutions, strategies/action plans, practices and procedures to keep abreast of the environmental, social and economic trends, priorities and impacts in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
- Conduct background analysis and summary of policy and scientific research related to inclusive, innovative and sustainable economy.
- Provide technical support to the development and preparation of knowledge products on inclusive, innovative and sustainable economy, etc.
- Prepare thematic fact sheets/papers/reports/policy briefs, etc. to inform targets groups such as government, civil society, private sector, etc.
- Prepare substantive inputs including situation analysis on inclusive, innovative and sustainable economy in the country into the proposals and project documents for sustainable economy related and/or cross-cutting projects.
Resource Mobilization
Ensure resources are mobilized for effective programme/project development and management for the achievement of the Country Programme(s)’ results and to ensure financial sustainability of the Country Office.
- Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders, advocate UNDP comparative advantages with corresponding programme, initiatives and projects; and ensure visibility.
- Assess programme interest and priorities of key donors and development partners, support to the development and/or update of CO Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy.
- Identify opportunities and areas for UNDP support, and mobilize resources from the Governments (national, sub-national and local), bilateral or multilateral donors, development partners, financial institutions and private sector.
Knowledge Building and Management
Ensure effective facilitation of knowledge building and management, guidance to all stakeholders on programme/project management, operational and technical matters focusing on the achievement of Country Programme(s) and Country Office’s performance.
- Document lessons learned and best practices in Country Programme/project development, management, implementation and/or oversight.
- Raise awareness of and train project teams and personnel on UNDP corporate strategic issues, plans and initiatives to maximize highest impact and performance effectiveness.
- Conduct regular exchange of information/experience with other programme teams and initiatives/projects to ensure synergies and integration; promote cross-portfolio and cross-programme learning and sharing.
- Access UNDP’s worldwide and regional knowledge, distil best practices and facilitate their dissemination within CO and to counterparts and partners.
- Access global best practices and share them with local and international stakeholders and ensure their incorporation into the thematic area of climate change and environmental management and project design process.
- Participate and contribute to communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge.
- Prepare communication and awareness materials, and knowledge products for policy advocacy, knowledge sharing and strategic partnership.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies:
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
People Management competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction and 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.
- 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 possible ways forward look like for UNDP
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 on improved performance and demonstrable results.
- 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
- Project management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Partnership
- Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, or other Social Sciences or other closely related field, is required or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing advisory/technical support services, and managing and implementing initiatives/projects in the area of inequality and exclusion and/or urbanization and/or digitalization and/or entreprenuerships/MSME and/or economic development, labour
- Experience with the international organizations or government or private sector or research institutions/think tanks/civil society organizations.
- Ability to lead and manage outputs and activities in all phases of project management involving multiple partners and stakeholders, and in conflict settings.
- Proven field experience in sustainable economy management initiatives/projects
- Experience in collaborating and partnering with government agencies, private sector, communities and/or international organizations.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- UN/UNDP work experience
Required Languages:
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
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