Programme Manager

In this regard, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced professionals for the post of International Programme Manager.  The incumbent will be primarily responsible for the successful management of the EU4Recovery programme and also other related area-based UNDP interventions in the conflict-affected areas of Ukraine. 

Area based development (ABD) is an approach which offers an integrated, participatory, and inclusive methodology to advance sustainable human development in specific geographically defined target areas that face distinctive complex challenges or vulnerabilities.  UNDP experience has shown that it makes most sense in post-conflict environments, where the sheer complexities of the challenges call for comprehensive, integrated multi-agency, multi-sector and multi-level responses, and above-all flexibility, to adequately respond to sometimes rapidly changing conditions.

An ABD approach, in which multiple strands of programming are implemented in the same place, and at the same time, allows complex challenges to be addressed, and links up  to UNDP R4 Recovery Framework which presents a multi-dimensional nexus programming, aimed at reconstruction and socio-economic recovery, durable solutions for IDPs and refugees, and accelerated return to development pathways

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Programme Manager will directly manage the group of area-based projects implemented in the conflict-affected areas of Ukraine and contribute to the efforts of the UNDP Country Office in the respective programmatic area. S/he will also supervise the team, coordinate the joint implementation with participating UN Agencies, and ensure the program’s success through planning, implementing, and managing innovative policies and practices, capacity building, project monitoring and assurance, advocacy, and knowledge services. The incumbent will oversee the joint implementation of the UN multi-agency recovery efforts in partnership with national and regional governmental authorities, serving as the key focal point for all related coordination and implementation tasks.
• The incumbent will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) and day-to-day collaboration with the portfolio manager of the Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peace Building portfolio (IDRPB) in the UNDP country office. S/he will lead the provision of substantive advice on all aspects of area-based programming, inclusive and sustainable recovery, and participatory local governance and other related areas to the Senior Management Team and liaise closely with other project managers and portfolio managers on pertinent development topics to ensure a multi-sectoral integrated development solutions approach for the conflict-affected areas of Ukraine.
• The Programme Manager will prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment within all implementations and promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance for any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Impact of results: 

• The key results have a significant impact on the overall success of the UNDP’s programming and UNDP Strategic positioning to support the Government and the war conflict affected oblast and hromada administrations’ priorities such as increased access to quality public services, increased community security, maintained social fabric. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and implementation of the UNDP area-based programme.
• 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.

Key duties and accountabilities:

Lead strategic direction of UNDP in area-based programming in Ukraine and lead and contribute as needed to UNDP work at subnational level:

• Provide strategic analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the immediate response context and provision of strategic advice to CO Management and any partnering UN agencies;
• Identification of strategic opportunities and potential recovery programme areas of cooperation, including opportunities for joint programming with UN agencies and other development partners (IFIs, INGOs etc.);
• On behalf of UNDP participates in any coordination forums for the target area and represents UNDP in inter-agency and humanitarian efforts as required;
• Ensure alignment and coordination of recovery programme with UNDP corporate Strategic Plan, Country Programme Document in Ukraine and efficient linkages to other programme activities of the CO as well as those of any UN Agency implementing partners and capitalizes on synergies consistently;
• Ensure mainstreaming of cross-cutting priorities in recovery programmes, in particular environment, gender, human rights and disaster risk reduction;
• Develop relevant strategies to ensure the effective programmatic and operational interface and complementarities between humanitarian, transitional, and recovery interventions of UNDP with an essential focus on concretizing the humanitarian development peace nexus (HDPN) in the (most) war-affected communities in Ukraine.
• Provide solutions and manage strategically and with agility project multiple strands of complexities
• Connect the project to the wider  resilience and recovery  agenda at subnational level

Leads effective management of the project(s) and supervision of the related team focusing on responsive programming from formulation to implementation:

• Provide leadership and effectively manage the programme team.  Ensure proper training, guidance and coaching opportunities for personnel.
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results;
• Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the Programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Performs the function of Project Manager as per Internal Control Framework;
• Effective monitoring and evaluation, continuous analysis of the environment and timely readjustment of programme;
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Donor reports in accordance with cost-sharing agreements with all donors, are prepared and submitted within deadlines;
• Apply the internal web-based integrated monitoring and reporting platform (IMRP), conduct oversight over reporting, ensure quality data entry, monitor progress and performance of activities, outputs and outcomes, take necessary actions to improve performance of project delivery and impact results;
• Organization of cost-recovery system in close cooperation with the CO Finance Unit and Operations Manager for the services provided by the CO to projects.
• Provide needed strategic guidance, and technical accompaniment to project teams in social inclusion, digitalization , administrative service provision, among other project areas to ensure complementarity and contributing to UNDP value proposition at subnational level.
• Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with national and target oblast authorities, for the programme;
• Identify strategic opportunities and potential new areas of cooperation, including joint programming with UN agencies and other development partners. Actively coordinate with other stakeholders on the subject matter and contribute technical expertise to related work in regions of Ukraine.
• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Undertakes advocacy for and strengthening of national capacity for planning and coordination of the recovery effort.
• Provide policy advice and participate in peacebuilding and development corporate efforts
• Provides of quality policy and strategic advice to the regional and local authorities and Government counterparts on HDPN  and implementation of recovery policies and strategies;
• Ensures the identification, sharing and application of international best practices and lessons on recovery related issues relevant to the country’s recovery needs and goals;
• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Provides capacity building for country office staff (programme and operations).
• Supervise outsourced research and dissemination of research findings.
• Promote innovative programme areas and good practices in thematic area.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Provide policy advice and contribute to upstream policy work for UNDP Ukraine including to participate in recovery and development corporate efforts.

Other Duties:

• 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:  

• Manages and supervises Project personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field is required. Or.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• Minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 year (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience, at the international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in relevant thematic areas; and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments is required.
• At least 5 years of relevant project/programme management experience in countries in transition, conflict or post-conflict situations is required.
• Extensive experience in implementing recovery programming at local level, with specific focus on nexus programming and advancing Build Back Better (BBB) and Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principles is desired.
• Extensive experience in providing advisory services to central and local authorities in the areas of local governance, sustainable recovery and institutional reform, and proven track record in establishing and nurturing relationships with national and international stakeholders is an asset.
• Experience in providing advisory support on EU accession process is desirable.
• Previous experience in programmes/project management within UN system is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of web-based management systems is required.

Languages: 

• Fluency in oral and written English required.
• Knowledge of another UN language will be an asset. Knowledge of Ukrainian is a plus.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19311