Programme Manager – P4  

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 UNV Regional Offices (RO) provide oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV Field Units and their respective geographical assignments and are mainly accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for UN partners focused on peace, development, and humanitarian needs.

The position of Programme Manager is fully integrated in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and provides full administrative and operational support to the serving UN Volunteers into the UN Mission’s function structure.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, and with day-to-day operational oversight of the Mission Chief, Operations and Resource Management (CORM) and in coordination with the Field Unit responsible for agency, funds and programmes, the UNV Programme Manager is responsible for the effective strategic planning, programming, advocacy and overall management of the day to day operations of UNV’s programme activity within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination and provision of administrative, operational and programme support to UN Volunteers 

• Manage and coordinate the UNMISS Unit and its personnel to ensure maximum efficiency and output of UNV involvement in UN activities in field locations, including the administrative and corporative backstopping to the UN Volunteers in UNMISS;
• Promote gender balance/gender mainstreaming; human-rights based approach and capacity development and transfer of know-how to national staff/counterparts among UN Volunteers;
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to the UN Volunteers assigned to locations outside Juba;
• Constantly monitor the security situation in the country, liaising with the UNDSS officials (PSA) and the Security Staff and efficiently oversee security / safety of UN Volunteers;
• Manage and oversee project and programme budgets for all peacekeeping related to UNV activities in the country. This includes regular financial reporting, preparation of project budget revisions and financial tracking of resources external to UNV/HQ, when applicable;
• Manage the efficient documentation of UN Volunteers’ contributions to give visibility to their results and achievements in support of the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Manage efficiently training and capacity building activities in coordination with the UN Mission’s Training Unit – and the budget provided by UNV Regional Office for the promotion of volunteerism;
• Demonstrate leadership in the implementation of the Digital Transformation process that is currently being rolled out within the organization.

Strengthening UNV programme positioning within the UN system in the country

• Maintain regular contact and coordinate activities with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP South Sudan to ensure a coherent and coordinated programmatic positioning of the UNV programme in line with the UNV Strategic Framework, and in the context of strategic reviews and planning in UNMISS;
• Develop regular contact with numerous partners at the country and, if required, headquarters level, in order to strengthen existing collaboration and promote/identify new opportunities for UNV in the areas of peacekeeping, peacebuilding, crisis prevention and recovery activities;
• Where appropriate, develop and follow up on leads and planning exercises with key partners at the field level, with the view to support UN Volunteers’ involvement in the thematic focus areas of peace building and peace keeping. This includes regular short and long-term programme analysis, preparation of official correspondence, preparation of programming advisory notes, programme strategy papers, and project documents;
• In collaboration with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP South Sudan, contribute to the corporate identity of the UNV Programme and to the promotion of volunteerism through the UN Volunteers in UNMISS and in the UN agencies, funds, and programmes and across the country.

Support advocacy efforts and visibility of the UNV Programme and promote volunteer activities in the country

• Promote the visibility of UNV’s contributions to a wide range of audience (within UNMISS, UN Agencies, Department of Peace Operations (DPO) Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and  UNV HQ);
• Ensure volunteer participation in public events such as the international celebration days, with particular emphasis on the International Volunteer Day, and UNMISS/UN corporate events;
• Identify, pursue, and develop inputs to DPPO, UNMISS, UNV publications/websites/social media networks;
• Prepare working documents for programme development purposes. This includes the preparation of Strategic Country Profiles, UNMISS-specific case studies, best practices, briefing notes, etc., which capture UNV’s activities/contributions in peacekeeping, early recovery, and peacebuilding in the country;
• Identify, pursue, and develop news stories, case studies, and briefs for publication in DPPO, UNDP, UNV and other publications. This involves close consultation with UNV Communications team;
• Provide advisory support on UNV programme and mandate to different stakeholders in UNMISS and in the whole country, in collaboration with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP South Sudan.

Integration of UNV programme and volunteerism into corporate and country-level strategic planning and reporting documents

• Develop innovative approaches to demonstrate the added value of volunteerism in specific country focus areas, as it pertains to UNMISS’s mandate;
• Participate in UN system wide (esp. UNMISS) and UNV corporate and country level discussions and planning, including the preparation of Regional Office reports, contributions to UNV regional work plans and routine preparation of briefing and advisory notes.

Managerial functions

• Represent the UNV Programme with UN partners, including senior UN officials, with Government and with civil society and other partners;
• Manage the recruitment, performance and career management of the UNMISS Field Unit personnel to motivate and promote organizational excellence;
• Manage learning activities, including establishing Unit learning plans and ensure staff supervised meets their development needs while meeting the needs of the Mission.

Competencies

Core competencies

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility 

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• 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

Knowledge Generation   

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context or responsive to a stated need

Project Management   

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

Results-Based Management   

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Partnership Management   

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

UN System Affairs   

• Knowledge of intergovernmental bodies (General Assembly, ECOSOC, UNDESA, etc.), including respective mandates, ways of working, and negotiation processes

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

• Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, public administration, humanitarian, international relations, or development studies
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) 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 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience at the HQ and/or field level preferable with UNDP/UNV, or in the areas of humanitarian relief, electoral assistance, special operations in UN peace keeping environment and communications;
• Work experience as UN Volunteer, UNV Country Coordinator or UNV Programme Officer in a field location is an asset;
• Fluency in English;
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. 

Disclaimer

Note:

• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted;
• The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment;

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost). 

• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support. 

• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.): 

  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility. 

  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​