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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. The Global Fund – Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.

In Nepal, UNDP is the co-Principal Recipient (PR) of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) grant for three diseases. For effective implementation of the GF resources, UNDP Nepal has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsiblefor theday-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems. The GF resources are implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the national partners, including Ministry of Health and Population, disease entities, other relevant line ministries/departments, Non-Government Organizations (NGO)s, Civil Society Organizations (CSO)s, communities, technical partners and UN entities and the GF (Local Fund Agent) and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

Position Purpose

The Programme Manager will report to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), with a secondary reporting line to the Resident Representative (RR) and will be responsible for the overall management of the GF grant. S/he will be responsible for providing overall leadership of the Project activities, ensuring that they are consistent with the signed Project Document and approved Annual Work Plans. The Programme Manager will lead the Project Team through planning, implementation and management of the delivery of activities approved in the Project document and annual work plans to assure: i) the achievement of planned targets and ii) the effective and transparent execution of the financial resources of the project. 

The Programme Manager provides technical leadership to the implementation of the grant, in collaboration with Government, UN Agencies, donors and other partners, to ensure that the implemented project contributes to the broader national strategy. The Programme Manager will initiate, nurture and cultivate relationships with key project partners. S/he will work closely with the Strategic Engagement Advisors (particularly with Governance), Portfolio Manager, Communication, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analyst. S/he will provide leadership for overall coordination for effective programme implementation in collaboration with the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), National TB Control Center (NTCC), Sub-Recipients (SRs) and other stakeholders. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the Programmme management and supervise the Programme team focusing on quality assurance and risk management of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation.

• Take lead in overall timely planning and implementation of HIV, TB and Malaria programme to achieve the desired results.
• Ensure adherence to the programme work plan in line with the Project Document, prepare revisions if required, and ensure synergies with other donor funded initiatives. 
• Ensure conformity of results with the Programme Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project.
• Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the Government, namely Ministry of Health and Population, NCASC, NTCC, EDCD, National Public Health Laboratory, SRs and other strategic partners.
• Lead the design and implementation of UNDP’s capacity development interventions to strengthen national capacities to take on a full-Principal Recipient (PR) role, in coordination with other partners.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Ensure timely planning and implementation of the envisaged surveys project evaluations to inform project level planning and decision making.
• Ensure timely submission of progress update in line with reporting schedule, as well as any other reports requested by UNDP, donors, Government and or other stakeholders.
• Monitor the project expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the programme budget lines and take lead in programme budget revisions in accordance with and cooperation with UNDP’s QUANTUM[1] system including the reporting on programme funds and related record keeping. 
• Supervise the development, implementation and review of the risk management matrix for the Grants. 
• Lead on the GF grants’ audits and ensure timely follow-up on audit recommendations and developed action plans.
• Ensure timely recruitment and procurement of quality services and equipment and implementation of programme activities in line with applicable rules, regulation and standards.
• Represent UNDP in forums and meetings as advised by DRR/RR, in coordination with the Country Office (CO) Portfolio Manager and Adviser.
   

Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

• Take lead in fostering a learning environment among team members, which will encourage innovation and sharing of ideas across the organization. 
• Contribute written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.
• Formulate a framework for data sharing among stakeholders, for project implementation.
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learnt generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products. 
• Constantly monitor and ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products).
• Contribute at the national level in development of strategy, protocols and guidelines on intervention related to HIV and AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. 
   

Establish and maintain strategic Partnership, Communications and Resource Mobilization:

• Lead the national strategic planning processes for the Grant, based on evidence gained during implementation.
• Maintain close co-ordination between the Grant with other health initiatives in the country to ensure and promote continuity, partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities.
• Oversee the development of communication strategies with national and international stakeholders. 
• Contribute to the development of new concept notes and project documents as necessary. 

Ensure Gender Equality and Social inclusion (GESI)

• Ensure that GESI is mainstreamed in all disease specific targeted interventions planned and implemented in all modules. 
• Provide strategic guidance to the team members to establish a system to collect gender disaggregated data, impact stories and results benefiting male, female, sexual minorities, people with disabilities and marginalized groups and risks and challenges associated for their meaningful participation in decision making and community members engagement. 
• Ensure GESI is adequately captured in project progress reports, survey/studies and final project evaluation.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Ensure the principle of Leave No One Behind and Human Rights Based Approach, the national level GESI policy/strategy of is taken into consideration in the implementation of the programme. 
• Collaborate with CO team and with PMU team members and particularly with Community Rights and Gender Analyst for ensuring that GESI is addressed throughout the project interventions. 
• Create a culture within the PMU to respect cultural, social, and religious diversity and ensure zero tolerance for harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse at workplace.
• Collaborate with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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: The Programme Manager will supervise the PMU staff/personnel.

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 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.

Business Management – Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management – Partnerships Management: 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.

Business Management – Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. 

Business Management – Resource Management: Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.

2030 Agenda: People – Inclusive Growth: Social Inclusion 

2030 Agenda: People – Health: Promoting Effective and Inclusive Governance for HIV and Health 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Policy/Administration, Rural Development, Capacity Development and Change, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant areas is required OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in development project or programme management, in the field of governance / health sector governance.
• Strong experience at the national and/or international level in providing management or substantive advisory services, with hands-on experience in design, and implementation of development projects is required.
• Knowledge and experience in people /team management is desired. 
• Prior experience of managing Global Fund projects shall be an advantage.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of the projects is desired.
• Experience in identification of operational and financial problems / Risks, development of solutions is desired.
• Experience in coordination and dialogue among different stakeholders such as citizens, elected representatives, CSOs, ministries etc. for policy dialogues and advocacy to promote inclusive federalism is desired.
• Experience at national level in development of strategy, protocols and guidelines on intervention related to HIV and AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis is desirable. 
• Experience in development of communication strategies with national and international stakeholders is desirable. 
• Knowledge of and familiarity with UNDP policies and procedures and any other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) would be desirable.
• Experience of working in Nepal or South Asia will be desirable.

Experience

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

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

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