Programme Manager, UNV – P3

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 Field Units (FU) are mainly accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development, and humanitarian needs.  The UNV Field Units represent and position UNV in the respective countries and bring UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society, and private sector.  

Reporting to the Portfolio Manager, Regional Office, Asia and Pacific, under the guidance of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Senior Management, and in close collaboration with the UNAMA Chief of Mission Support (CMS) and the Chief, Human Resources Officer (CHRO) as well as UNDP Country Office management, the Programme Manager is responsible for the oversight and management of the UNV presence in UNAMA.  

The UNV Programme Manager is responsible for the work and expected deliverables of the Field Unit.  He/she provides oversight and strategic guidance to the UNAMA UNV Field Unit and is mainly accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized in the context of the UNAMA.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. UN Volunteer mobilization and management  

• Provide oversight and manage the UNAMA UNV Field Unit to ensure an understanding of UNV’s mandate, key offers and the added value that UN Volunteer assignments bring in support to the achievement of their respective mandates.
• Identify volunteer placement opportunities and present UNV value proposition and volunteer modalities with the objective of maximizing international and national volunteer presence, including collaboration in the preparation of descriptions of assignment, with UNAMA and other partners.
• Ensure that incoming and outgoing UN Volunteers are adequately briefed and debriefed and extend personal support and guidance to UN Volunteers serving in the country.
• Work closely with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Field Security Officer and provide support to the UN Designated Official to ensure a detailed understanding among UN Volunteers on all security-related issues.
• Monitor the well-being and performance of serving UN Volunteers through routine field visits.
• Manage and ensure administrative and corporate backstopping to the UN Volunteers in the UN Mission (which includes contract management, payroll monitoring leave and attendance monitoring, provision of induction briefings, ensuring appropriate working, living and security conditions, etc.), while ensuring UN Volunteers in the UN Mission are managed on an equal footing with other Mission-associated personnel, and in accordance with the stipulations of the Global MOU concluded between UNV and the United Nations Secretariat;
• Oversee and approve UN Volunteers’ entitlements as delegated, authorized, or required.
• Provide overall management and administrative support to UN Volunteers.
• Manage efficiently the training budget of the EOL (i.e.: mission budget) – in coordination with the UN Mission’s Training Unit – and the budget provided by UNV HQ for the promotion of volunteerism.

2. Advocacy, partnership building, and UNV programme integration

• Promote UNVs’ field efforts in close collaboration with the UNV Programme Coordinator, ensuring key results and delivery of the Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• In collaboration with UNV Regional Office, liaise and develop regular contacts with relevant partners and UNV staff at the sub-regional, country and, if required, headquarters level, to strengthen existing collaboration and promote/identify new opportunities for UNV in the areas of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and crisis prevention and recovery activities.
• In line with DPPA/DOS policies, position UNV as a partner that can assist the UN Mission in its national capacity development efforts in both substantive and technical support roles.
• Position UNV as a reliable programmatic and implementing partner in the UN Mission’s quick impact projects (QIPs) when relevant.
• Identify, pursue, and develop inputs to DPPA/, UNDP, UNV news stories and other publications and working documents for programme development purposes. This includes the preparation of case studies, best practice guidelines, briefing notes, etc., on UNV’s work in peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and electoral support in the country.
• Participate in DPPA, UNDP and UNV corporate and country level discussions and planning, including the preparation of portfolio summary reports, contributions to UNV business plans, volunteer advisory services related inputs, project appraisal committees, and routine preparation of briefing and advisory notes.
• Identify, design and implement volunteer activities/events/projects (including the annual celebration of International Volunteer Day on 5 December), including exploring funding opportunities, in close coordination with local volunteer associations and UN partners.
• Contribute to the creation of a corporate identity for the UN Volunteers and to the promotion of volunteerism through the UN Volunteers in the country.
• Identify opportunities for the use of Online Volunteers and promote the online volunteer services with partners.

 

3. Management of UNV field operation in UNAMA

• Develop and manage the implementation of the UNAMA UNV Field Unit’s annual work plan, including management and reporting on UNV support funds and budget.
• Manage any UNV assigned personnel within the UNAMA UNV Field Unit including supervision, performance assessment and capacity development;
• Establish and monitor implementation of the UNAMA UNV Field Unit’s annual work plan and set performance indicators.
• Manage learning activities, including establishing the UNAMA UNV Field Unit’s Learning Plans and ensure that personnel supervised meet their development needs as set in the PMD.
  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the UNV Field Unit and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 2 UNVs

 

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 

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.

Knowledge generation

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

Results-based Management

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

Digital Awareness and Literacy  

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns

Relationship management 

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, humanitarian, international relations/development studies, law, human resources, or other related fields is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience at the field level, preferably with UNDP/UNV, or in the areas of humanitarian relief, electoral assistance, special operations environment.
• Work experience with UNV, preferably in a field location, is an asset.
• Strong recognition of UNV values and ability to identify fully with the program is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Scam warning
 

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