UNV Programme Manager – P4

Background

The UNV Field Unit is an efficient functioning unit with a primary priority focus on Volunteer Mobilization through partnerships and inter-agency collaboration. The UNV FU in the Democratic Republic of Congo has two elements with one presence focused on Agency, Funds and Programmes and one fully integrated in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to provide full administrative and operational support to the serving UN volunteers into the UN Mission’s functional structure. The UNV FU inside MONUSCO is based in Kinshasa with colleagues outposted in Goma, and in Entebbe.

Reporting to the Manager, Regional Office and under the supervision of the MONUSCO Chief ORM, the 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 context of its programme collaboration with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

UNV adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across

interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions,

teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Manage and coordinate the region-based UNV Field Units and the UNV Support staff 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 MONUSCO. Particular attention is required for the efficient management of the downsizing process which will impact UN Volunteers. In addition, the incumbent is also required to 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 Kinshasa;
• Constantly monitor the security situation in the country, liaising with the Designated Official 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.

2. Strengthening UNV programme positioning within the UN system in the country

• Maintain regular contact and coordinate activities with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP DRC to ensure a coherent and coordinated programmatic positioning of the UNV programme in line with the UNV Strategic Framework, and in the context of the strategic review of MONUSCO;
• Develop regular contact with numerous partners at the sub-regional, 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;
• Contribute to the creation of a corporative identity for the UN Volunteers and to the promotion of volunteerism through the UN Volunteers in MONUSCO and across the country, in collaboration with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP DRC.

3. Contribute to 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 MONUSCO, UN Agencies, DPPO, UNV HQ);
• Ensure volunteer participation in public events such as the international celebration days, with particular emphasis on the International Volunteer Day, and MONUSCO/UN corporate events;
• Identify, pursue and develop inputs to DPPO, MONUSCO, UNV publications/websites/social media networks;
• Prepare working documents for programme development purposes. This includes the preparation of Strategic Country Profiles, MONUSCO-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 MONUSCO and in the whole country, in collaboration with the UNV Field Unit in UNDP DRC.

4. Ensure the integration of UNV programme and volunteerism into corporate and country-level strategic (reporting) documents

• Develop innovative approaches to demonstrate the added value of volunteerism in specific country focus areas, as it pertains to MONUSCO’s mandate;
• Participate in UN system wide (esp MONUSCO) 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.

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:

• 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 Field Unit personnel to motivate and promote organizational excellence
• Provide guidance to an integrated team in Entebbe and team members part of the MONUSCO FU in Kinshasa and Goma;
• 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

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

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

• Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion

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

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

Project Management

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

Human resources strategic planning

• Ability to develop integrated HR strategies, governance structures, polices and procedures

Knowledge generation

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Humanitarian, or International Relations/Development studies is required.
• 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 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience at the HQ and/or field level, preferably with UNDP/UNV, or in the areas of humanitarian relief, electoral assistance, special operations in UN peace keeping environment and communications.
• Experience in leading a diverse team is required.
• Experience in emergency or post conflict environments in programme management is desired.
• Experience at the national or international level in providing HR advisory services is an asset
• Work experience as UN Volunteer / Programme Officer in a field location is an asset.
• Experience in managing multi-sectoral programs in complex humanitarian settings is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with UN administrative and financial regulations and processes is an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required.

Note:

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

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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 alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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