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.
UNDP Somalia Country Programme Document runs from 2021 – 2025 and is aligned with the country’s National Development Plan and UN Cooperation Framework 2021-25. The CPD focuses on 3 main programmatic priorities to be delivered through 4 outcomes. The programme team is configured around the CPD through 4 portfolios namely the Inclusive Politics, Economic Recovery and Institutional Development, Resilience and Climate Change and Rule of Law and Security, which mirror the 4 outcomes of the CPD.
Programme implementation is overseen with support from the Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance (POQA) unit which serves as the independent internal assurance mechanism separated from project execution/ implementation. The main priorities of this unit is to ensure quality, coherence, agility and compliance throughout the programme cycle, by correct application of Programme and Project Management policies and procedures. The Programme Specialist and Head of POQA unit leads on this function, working with other staff in the unit, and providing leadership of the unit. He or she works in close collaboration with the Country Office (CO) Operations team on financial management of the programme and audit matters.
Under the guidance of the head of the Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance (POQA) unit, the role of the Programme Specialist involves several key responsibilities:
• Management Support: The Programme Specialist is responsible for supporting the management of UNDP programs within the assigned portfolio. This includes overseeing and coordinating various aspects of the programs.
• Efficiency and Effectiveness: The specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness, and timely delivery of projects and initiatives within the portfolio. This involves monitoring progress, identifying challenges, and implementing solutions.
• Project Formulation and Oversight: The Programme Specialist contributes to key aspects of project formulation and oversight. This may involve strategic planning, resource allocation, and ensuring that projects align with the overall objectives of the portfolios.
• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with corporate rules and regulations is a significant aspect of the role. This includes adherence to the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT), a framework designed to provide assurance that cash transfers are used for their intended purposes.
Position Purpose
The Programme Specialist position aims to ensure the effective implementation and management of programs in line with the Programme and Project Management (PPM) provisions of the POPP manual. Focusing on quality, coherence, and compliance, the specialist contributes to internal oversight, builds capacity for both internal staff and external partners, and ensures agility, compliance, quality, and coherence across the four portfolios and the entire program. Responsibilities include overseeing PPM, promoting harmonized and collaborative programming, facilitating flexible decision-making, and managing risks through the application of the HACT framework, including HACT and DIM audits. Additionally, the role involves capacity development, monitoring, learning, evaluation, and contributing to the overall success of the program.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
| 1.) Ensure management of portfolios in programme and projects with application of RBM |
- Manage portfolios in programme and project with the application of Results-Based Management (RBM).
- Ensure that projects align with the Country Programme Document (CPD) and UNDP Strategic Plan, guided by relevant guidelines.
- Support the Integrated Work Plan process and ensure compliance across corporate planning platforms.
- Support in developing programme resource and budget projections in consultation with portfolio and project managers.
- Support the programme team with review for agility and quality assurance of draft project documents, initiation plans, concept notes, calls for proposals. Promote cross-portfolio inputs and facilitate presentation of the projects for internal review and to Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) before final endorsement by Senior Management.
- Review and clear projects’ Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and AWP amendments, ensuring necessary approvals by governance bodies (Project Boards) are documented and observed, clearing any exceptions by Senior Management as applicable.
- Contribute to the preparation and/or participation in the Project Board and Technical Committee meetings in line with the Country Office (CO) approved practice and corporate policy provisions.
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| 2.) Manage portfolio in application of policies and programme procedures |
- Review and clear Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and Responsible Party Agreements (RPAs) before submitting them to Senior Management for signature.
- Ensure harmonization and consistency of UNDP program and project instruments (project document templates, LOAs, RPAs, LVGs, etc.). Ensure program instruments are consistent with requirements under the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) framework, notably on the use of cash transfer modalities in line with the risk level of the assessed Responsible Parties. Any exceptions noted should be cleared by and in consultation with Senior Management.
- Support the formulation of all donor agreements in line with existing corporate templates and procedures, using correct financing agreement templates and application of correct cost recovery policies. Secure necessary clearances before submitting them to Senior Management. Ensure that donors’ contributions are properly transferred to UNDP in a timely manner, and that donor narrative and financial reports are submitted in compliance with the contribution agreements.
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| 3.) Ensure internal control and oversight in line with Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) policy/framework |
- Support the portfolio and project teams on financial regulations and rules, including Quantum budgeting, and ensure consistent application of policies across portfolios.
- Ensure that Annual Work Plans (AWPs) are in accordance with project budgets prior to committing Country Office resources. Ensure that correct cost recovery policies are applied, including GMS and Delivering Enabling Services.
- Support in coordinating the implementation of HACT Micro-Capacity Assessments of Implementing Partners/Responsible Parties. Implement the HACT assurance plan (audits, spot checks, and program monitoring) and use the recommendations to strengthen the capacities of Responsible Parties, CO staff, and perform risk rating adjustment in line with HACT policy.
- Support portfolios/projects in timely implementation of HACT assurance recommendations to ensure the CO meets the HACT Certification requirements.
- Support portfolios on project operational and financial closures. Track the program financial management indicators in the integrated financial dashboard and take necessary action, including advising Senior Management on corrective measures or seeking their approval on proposed actions.
- With support from the Programme Finance Specialist, monitor and track program financial delivery and identify bottlenecks that need to be addressed to improve performance, the same with performance in resources mobilization targets and revenue which are monitored in IWP and Stream.
- Review and approve Funding Authorization and Certification of Expenditure (FACE) forms and payment vouchers on direct payments, reimbursement, and cash advances.
- Approve accounts payable requests up to USD 10,000 for further submission to GSSU as Manager Level 1 in the Internal Control Framework.
- Support in Coordinating the formulation and delivery of training curricula for project staff on financial issues and reporting, including FACE forms, in collaboration with CO Operations.
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| 4.) Facilitate capacity development for UNDP staff and national counterparts |
- Support the development of training and capacity development strategies and approaches and ensure correct implementation principles are maintained at UNDP and Responsible Parties’ level; the training curricula should cover all areas that are under the unit’s functions and to be tailored to the respective audience.
- Regularly review the impact of the training and other capacity development efforts on quality in programming, project implementation, corporate dashboards as well as satisfaction of Responsible Parties of the cooperation with UNDP.
- Promotes a consistent one-UN approach in building capacity of Implementing Partners/Responsible Parties in line with the HACT framework.
- Ensures that gradual and increasing alignment is realized with the use of National Systems in UNDP cooperation management arrangements as and when appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place and functioning effectively.
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| 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: |
Competencies
| Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here |
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| 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
| Thematic Area |
Name |
Definition |
| Business Direction and Strategy |
Systems 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 programmes and projects with a focus to improved performance and demonstrable results |
| Business Management |
Partnerships 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 |
| Engagement & Effectiveness |
Effectiveness |
Programming (PPM) policies and procedures |
| Business Management |
Risk Management |
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks |
| Business Management |
Portfolio Management |
Ability to select, prioritize 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 optimizing return on investment. |
| Business Development |
Knowledge Generation |
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need |
Required Skills and Experience
| Education |
| Advance University degree (master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above field 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, Knowledge, and Skills |
- At least five (5) years (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with a bachelor’s degree) in providing oversight and quality assurance, hands-on experience in compliance and resource management is required.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
- Previous experience with the UN is desired.
- Fluency in English and Somali is required.
- Experience in designing and delivering capacity building/training for different groups of audience and stakeholders is required.
- Experience in hardship, post-conflict and/or fragile states environments would be an advantage is desired.
- Experience in Compliance, Oversight and Quality Assurance is desired.
- Experience in compliance to Financial Regulations and Rules and UNDP business processes is desired.
- Knowledge capacity building for national partners is desired
- Previous experience project implementation cycle is desired.
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Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
Disclaimer
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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