Programme Management Consultant

Background

Background/Context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The UN Women Programme Support Management Unit (PSMU) is established to provide corporate advisory services and direct support for project and programme development and implementation including for the Policy, Programme, and Intergovernmental Division (PPID). The PSMU guides the Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Divisions, Regions, and countries in following best practice to ensure that all projects and programmes maintain a level of standardization, planning, share knowledge, and work collectively towards UN Women’s strategic goals. PSMU is to offer Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs) a range of services, trainings and toolkits that increase their implementation capacity to deliver programmes on time, on scope and on budget. It also supports the implementation of global projects managed by HQs.

Within PSMU, the head of the Programme Management Office (PMO) supports the Chief PSMU in leading the organization’s work on project and programme lifecycle management.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of PSMU, and under the direct supervision of the Head of PMO, the Programme Management Consultant will be responsible for supporting organizational efforts in the professionalization of project and programme management standards, practices, and capacities, specifically related to supporting Donor Reporting, Joint Programming, Strategic Note Direct Funding (SDNF) work and Social and Environmental standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

1. Provide coordination support to Joint Programming Life Cycle

• Provide technical support as part of a joint helpdesk (with legal, finance and PSMU).
• Support the development of a repository for global monitoring of implementation of joint programmes.
• Stay abreast of inter-agency policy developments related to joint programming.
• Lead capacity building efforts on joint programming.

2. Provide Technical Support and coordination to UNW Donor Reporting

• Provide technical support to ROs and HQ Programmes and Projects in relation to donor reporting.
• Lead the global coordination and monitoring of Donor Reporting, in close coordination with regional donor focal points.
• Support review and update on internal systems, procedures and guidances relating to Donor Reporting.
• Lead capacity building efforts on donor reporting.

3. Provide technical Support and coordination of the Strategic Note Direct Financing (SNDF) Implementation

• Monitor the implementation of the SNDF guidance and support development of relevant procedures.
• Lead capacity building efforts on the SNDF implementation.
• Support targeted support and guidance regarding SNDF.

4. Provide technical support in the implementation of UNW Women programming policies and procedures such as the Social and Environmental Standards.

• Monitor the implementation of programming policies and procedures including the social and environmental standards.
• Lead capacity building efforts on programming policies and procedures including the social and environmental standards.
• Support revision and updates to relevant programming policies, procedures, and guidance.

5. Support work around the Project Life Cycle and special assignments as required including provision of technical, and advisory support, as well as capacity building related to the project life cycle.

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 

• Strong coordination and analytical skills
• Strong organizational skills and communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to design, implement, monitor, and report on projects and programmes.
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them.
• Ability to synthesize project, program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of UN project and programme lifecycle Policies, Procedures and Guidances, as it relates to Joint Programming, Donor Reporting and Direct Funding to Country Programmes/Strategic Notes management.
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• PRINCE2® Practitioner and/or Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) Practitioner certification is an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, coordination support is required.
• International development experience preferably focused on, or strongly involving in programme and project management and gender equality at national, regional and/or international levels.
• Technical experience in Donor Reporting, UN Joint Programmes Management and management of Direct and Flexible Funding to Country Programmes/ Strategic Notes is an asset.
• Experience in project/Programme oversight and coordination.
• Experience in the utilization of ERP systems for Project and Programme Management.
• Prior experience in the UN System is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of any other UN official is an asset.