Programme and Operations Management Specialist – P4

Background

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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.

Guyana is located on the North-Eastern Coast of South America and has an estimated population of 746,955. About 90% of the population is concentrated on the 459 km long coastal strip. The remaining 80,000, mostly Indigenous Peoples, live in difficult to access hinterland and remote communities. UNDP Guyana Country Office (CO) provides support to the Government of Guyana and other stakeholders in achieving the development priorities of the country. With a core staff of 13 Fixed Term Appointments (FTAs), 6 Personal Service Agreements (PSAs) and 4 UN Volunteers (2 local and 2 international), the CO is headed by the UNDP Resident Representative (RR). Aligned to existing national development priorities and challenges, the CO’s programmatic priorities for 2022-2026 are focused on 1) Enhancing Governance and Poverty Reduction; 2) Citizen Security, Justice/ Social Cohesion, Gender Based Violence; 3) Environment, Extractive Industry and Energy. 

Following elections held in March 2020, the current government (People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was installed five (5) months later in August.  The Government has been constantly reviewing the national development agenda and new priorities have been defined. Currently there are significant delays in the CO’s programmes and projects, especially the two Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund (GRIF) projects valuing USD 27.8 million combined. While having capable and knowledgeable professionals, the CO still has some capacity gaps, including the absence of a permanent Deputy (DRR) or Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) to support the RR in the strategic management of the CO. 

In an effort to assist the Guyana Country Office to boost programme implementation, grow the programme in line with the new sustainable development needs and priorities set by the Government of Guyana and reflected in the UNDP CPD 2022-2026 and address other challenges as well as to support the RR, RBLAC senior management has decided to provide a Program and Operations Management Specialist to the Office for a minimum period of twelve months, noting as well, the upcoming general and regional elections of Guyana being scheduled for November 2025

 

Position Purpose

Under the supervision and guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Program and Operations Management Specialist covers a broad range of issues from programme formulation to delivery, monitoring of UNDP programme and operations, representation of UNDP in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) process, formulation and delivery of joint programmes and resource mobilization. The Program and Operations Management Specialist 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 Program and Operations Management Specialist 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 UNSDCF and CPD.

The Program and Operations Management Specialist is responsible for supervision of UNDP staff, promotes a work environment in the UNDP Country Office that is conducive to innovation, engages with a diverse set of stakeholders and ensures cross-unit cooperation, coordination, teamwork, inclusion, and the empowerment of staff and of counterparts. The Program and Operations Management Specialist 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.

The Program and Operations Management Specialist represents UNDP when requested by the Resident Representative. When authorized by the Resident Representative, the Program and Operations Management Specialist serves in the Officer-in-Charge capacity. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision and guidance of the Resident Representative, the Programme and Operations Management Specialist is responsible for coordinating and advising on formulation and risk-informed management and delivery of UNDP programme:

1. Advise and participate in the CCA/UNSDCF process including promoting thematic and sectoral synergies and coordination of programme activities and execution vis-à-vis UNCT Results Groups; identify relevant areas where UNDP can assist the Government in achieving the national development goals and priorities.
2. Advise the Resident Representative on the strategic focus of the country programme (including identifying solutions for addressing critical bottlenecks), the allocation of resources (including for accelerating programme delivery), implement country programme development and delivery, identify innovative approaches and modalities to achieve development targets.
3. Advise and 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.
4. In addition, provide support to ensure UNDP’s role as integrator of SDGs across different sectors and through close collaboration with other UN Agencies.
5. 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.
6. Advise and support inter-agency collaboration and joint programming with other UN agencies in line with UN system priorities established in the UNCT.
7. 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.
8. Monitor the implementation of 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.
9. 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.
10. Ensure follow-up on thematic and programme evaluations to ensure continuous improvement on development impact. Apply lessons learned from audit and evaluation exercises to new management efforts and program development.
11. Promote knowledge management to ensure access to best available expertise and facilitate organizational learning.
12. Review the new project proposals and proposed project’s quality and the capacity of the implementing partner to deliver, including the risk management (including cost) and mitigation measures/strategy.
13. 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, together with relevant Programme personnel, to ensure necessary prevention, and timely follow up action.

In consultation with and under the leadership of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Programme and Operations Management  Specialist performs the following:

1. Office management: 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.
2. Financial resources management:  Ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations; stablishes and supervises implementation of adequate internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial transactions and systems; 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;
3. Human Resources management: Provides technical guidance and advisory services to the RR on matters relating to the overall management of the CO, in particular on people management and the 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.
4. Procurement and General Administration: Oversees the implementation of procurement processes and methods, CO travel, logistics, and premises management.
5. ICT:  Oversees secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT.
6. Audit: Supports the effective follow-up and implementation of all audit issues; ensures full compliance to audit requirements and recommendations.
7. 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 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.

 

The Programme and Operations Management Specialist ensures UNDP support to common services, other Agencies and Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) as well as UNDP safety and security compliance, including:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Support the Resident Representative in ensuring UNDP MOSS compliance and efficient implementation of the day-to-day UNDP safety and security matters.
4. Represent UNDP in SMT if requested by the Resident Representative and monitors the efficient implementation in UNDP of security measures agreed in the SMT and for compliance with security policy.
5. Ensure that Business Continuity Planning is in place and tested to ensure operability of UNDP in all circumstances.

 

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the Programme and Operations Management Specialist coordinates partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP:

1. Advise and support the RR in the implementation and coordination overall resource mobilization and ensures that UNDP mobilizes the support needed.
2. Advise the Resident Representative in designing and driving the partnerships, resource mobilization, marketing and external communications strategy at country level, and engaging local development partners, resulting in concrete contributions to results and enhanced financing for the SDGs in the host country.
3. Advise and 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.
4. Advocate for UNDP and catalyze advocacy activities and information sharing, providing overall advice on matters that could be seen as a reputational/organizational risk to UNDP and make recommendations for preventative and/or corrective actions.
5. 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.

 

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

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.

 

People Management

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

 

Cross 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 possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy – Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

 

Business Direction & Strategy – Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.

 

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 Management – Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s 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.

 

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

 

Partnership management – Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies, business administration or a related area is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Master´s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of development experience in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting; working with national, regional and international entities.
• At least three or more years of experience with management responsibilities of similar size and complexity is an advantage.
• Proven experience and knowledge of Operations functional areas (HR, Finance, Procurement, etc) is required.
• Membership in the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative pool is a distinct advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

 

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 

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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