Project Specialist – 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.

 

Organizational Context

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 
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. 
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDPBelize.
UNDP has been engaged in Belize for over 40 years.  The Country Office is led by a Resident Representative based in Jamaica with the Deputy Resident Representative functioning as the Head of Office.  The UNDP CO has two substantive programmatic portfolios (i) Energy and the Environment and (ii) Inclusive, Growth, Digitization, and Governance. This specific project falls under the Inclusive, Growth, Digitization, and Governance portfolio led by Programme Analysts and an Operations team led by an Operations Analyst.
To effectively deliver on its national sustainable development agenda, the Government of Belize has recognized the need for accurate and timely data/ information as a means of informing its decision making and supporting its monitoring of its development agenda. Belize’s Medium-Term Development Strategy 2022-2026 has defined a road map for development for the country of Belize with objectives consistent with SDG target realization. The strategy is accompanied by an implementation plan which prioritizes monitoring, evaluation and learning, intended to increase “agility, efficiency, effectiveness and resilience” of national programming for results. This Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework also provides for accountability as an obligation of good governance and is dependent on a robust structure for data gathering, analysis and management, and is critical to ensuring the effective implementation of Plan Belize Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS). The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) and the NSS is mandated to produce high quality statistical indicators that are required for the monitoring and evaluation of the Plan Belize MTDS.
The Statistical Institute of Belize established in 2007 (SIB Act, 2006) is the autonomous national statistical agency of Belize, authorized to collect data from any individual or agency for purposes of producing official national statistics, and mandated to serve as coordinator for the National Statistics System (NSS) and provide oversight and guidance for all activities with statistical implications carried out by agencies within the NSS. The Belize National Statistics System (BNSS) refers collectively to the network of agencies that generate various national statistics, either as an end product or as a by-product of administrative functions.
The project supports the strengthening the of the national structure for data/ statistical management as contribution to the fostering of a national enabling environment that is supportive and responsive to national priorities associated with: 

• Improving/ modernizing data collection and management systems,
• Implementing effective strategies for data share as a response to “siloed” data,
• Fostering collaboration across data systems
• Upgrading and improvements to the BNSS portal
• Capacity building for SIB and BNSS partners in areas where there are significant data gaps

On March 12th, 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an arrangement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to strengthen Belize’s national infrastructure and institutional capacity for data and statistical management. With a total project budget of USD$3.4 million, the “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System” project, which is part of a larger Record of Discussion Arrangement with the Government of Belize, will be implemented from 2024 to 2027 and is a joint initiative involving six (6) Government ministries and five (5) United Nations (UN) agencies with coordination support from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.  To this end, UNDP Belize is seeking a Project Specialist to support the implementation of the “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System” Project and be responsible for ensuring the delivery of project outputs within the timeframe and budget of the project as well as support resource mobilization for the Governance Programme.

 

Job Purpose

The project will establish a Project Management Unit headed by a Project Specialist to be hosted in the UNDP CO.

The Project Specialist will be accountable and report to the Programme Analyst Governance, Inclusive Growth and Digitization, and work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative. The Project Specialist will be responsible for providing managerial leadership to the project, manage and support the day-to-day activities and resources of the project, with special emphasis on coordination and networking, management, and mobilization of resources.

The Project Specialist will undertake his/her duties in close consultation with the Statistical Institute of Belize and other participating agencies as well as Participating United Nation Organizations (PUNOs). S/he will also liaise on a regular basis with SIB’s National Statistical System Officer.

The Project Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst Governance and will be responsible for drafting terms of reference for the consultancies as described in the Project Document, participating in short listing and interviewing candidates, give oversight to the narrative and financial reports prepared by the Project Assistant  who directly reports to the Project Specialist, generating innovative ideas to assist with the development of project knowledge products and deliverables and accountable for the reports.
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. 
Impact of Results 
The key result expected is the successful contribution to the implementation and attainment of the overall targets of the “leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy, including coordination with/reporting to all stakeholders, and donors. Successful implementation will position UNDP as a strategic partner to assist member states and regional bodies to leverage data and digital innovations to meet the SDGs.
Summary of key functions:

1.    Lead the implementation and project operational management of the “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System”.
2.    Ensure effective management of financial resources and programme delivery. 
3.    Lead and initiate financial and operational donor reporting requirements, focusing on narrative and financial reporting of programme funds. 
4.    Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relative to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Lead the implementation and project operational management of the “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System”.

The Project Specialist will manage the “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System” Project and be responsible for ensuring the delivery of project outputs within the timeframe and budget of the programme as well as be responsible for resource mobilization for the Citizen Security/Social Cohesion Programme. Specific responsibilities will include: 

• Managing the delivery of project outputs. This includes ensuring a 90% delivery rate on project activities as outlined in the Annual Work Plan (AWP).
• Managing the project’s financial resources.
• Managing donor relations.
• Supervising consultants and ensuring the quality of their deliverables.
• Ensure all consultants are hired and milestones achieved.
• Providing logistical support to associated consultancies.
• Providing planning direction and input to the Project Steering Committee, Statistical Institute of Belize, Participating United Nations Organizations and UNDP’s Programme Team.
• Collecting information, producing and disseminating reports and documents as required.
• Maintaining daily communications and working relationships with the Statistical Institute of Belize, other National counterparts, civil society stakeholders and international partners.
• Liaising with the donor on reporting and communication including the preparation of all reports.
• Communicating successes and new developments to Government stakeholders, key donor partners and actively brief them on opportunities for cooperation.
  Develop and strengthen relations for effective CSO networks, donor coordination and Government partnerships.
• Managing the mainstreaming of gender in project implementation in collaboration with UNDP.
• Managing responsible parties responsible for the implementation of project activities.
• Supervise the Project Assistant in preparing and monitoring development project budgets.
• Identifying operational and financial problems and proposing solutions.
• Review and provide feedback on project/programme strategies, documents, and workplans as required.
• Review, update, and report on the annual workplans, project monitoring plans, disbursement delivery, project risks, and other key areas of accountability.
• Work closely with the national partners and PUNOs as well as SIB’s National Statistical System Officer. Project Specialist will also supervise the Project Assistant, who will manage budget revisions, reporting and analysis.

2.    Ensure effective management of financial resources and programme delivery.

• Provide financial and business planning, forecast resources and tracking delivery, helping problem-solve financial, operational and implementation issues to ensure project is on track with its targets.
• Support the review and finalization of agreements and legal documents (including Letters of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, Grant Agreements, and Project/Programme budgets).
• Oversee business processes using a web-based enterprise resource management, planning, and sharing system (Quantum) for the smooth and effective implementation of the project, as well as maintaining effective coordination between national implementing partners).
• Ensure consistent and quality programme, finance and operations delivery at the country level, fostering a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with the UNDP rules and regulations.

3.    Lead and initiate financial and operational donor reporting requirements, focusing on narrative and financial reporting for programme funds. 

• Review draft proposals prior to submission to Partner UN Agencies and partners to ensure budgets are aligned to, working together all stakeholders.
• Plan and follow-up reporting strategies based on donors’ agreements and corporate requirements for reporting schedules for both programmes and projects. Ensure all reporting requirements are met.
• Draft and finalize donors’ narrative reports, including progress, annual and ad-hoc ones focusing on highlighting progress of targets against agreed-upon indicators, analyzing impacts, reflecting on lessons learned, and operational challenges.
• Review financial reports as per donors’ agreements.

4.    Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relative to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP. 

• Provide advice and technical support to the development and implementation of a capacity development/ learning plan on thematic area of the project for Country Office and participate in global/regional learning initiatives.
• Support the process of knowledge capture of national and international know-how in relevant thematic areas and document project lessons, experiences, and best practices that may be useful in design and implementation of similar projects for organizational and external sharing and learning. Produce materials with lessons learned and best practices and other knowledge-based tools.
• Keep abreast of the developments in the thematic area of the project and provide guidance on how to incorporate them into UNDP’s current and future programming in the relevant sector. Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to content development for project knowledge products.
• Support advocacy for and strengthening of national capacity for planning and coordination of development programmes in the sector.

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:

Supervise and manage the Project Assistant, including daily supervisory duties and staff performance reviews, and ensure capacity-building of staff members by suggesting development opportunities.

 

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

 

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 Development: Knowledge Facilitation: • Ability to motivate individuals and contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
• Business Management: Results-based Management: • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and verifiable results.
• Business Management: Portfolio Management: • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
• Business Management: Monitoring: • Ability to provide key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
• Digital and Innovation: Data Governance: • Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.
• Digital and Innovation: Innovation Capacity Building: • Ability to define and create the conditions for trying out new ways of working or introducing new problem-solving approaches to an organization. • Ability to develop, manage and evaluate a learning curriculum that raises awareness, builds confidence, strengthens innovation capabilities around a certain method, tool or technique; or helps develop an innovation mindset. • Ability to create the authorizing environment (mandate, incentives) to embed and spread new ways of working. • In-depth knowledge of one or more innovation methods, broad knowledge of innovation processes and innovation management. • Ability to align a learning and development strategy with a broader innovation strategy

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant area Statistics Management, Project Management, Social Sciences, Political Sciences or 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:

• A minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) of demonstrable experience working on project development and implementation, including financial/budget management, procurement, and reporting is required.
• Demonstrated management experience with project management methodologies including results-based management is required.
• Proven record of mobilizing resources in the private and/or public sectors.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications is required.
• Working experience with data governance, particularly modernization of national statistics systems is an asset.
• Proven experience and knowledge of Belizean government systems and protocols an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of an ERP such as people soft or SAP an asset.
• Experience with the UN is an asset.
• Prior experience in KOICA projects an asset.

Language requirements:
•    Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
•    Fluency in spoken and written Korean is desired.
•    Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
 

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

 

Disclaimer

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.

 

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