Programme Associate

Position - Programme Associate

Background

UNDP has been present in Sri Lanka for 55 years, supporting the nation to achieve sustainable human development on economic, social, and environmental fronts. As it embarks in the effective implementation of the new Country Programme Document (2023-2027) the country office envisages a programme portfolio that (i) responds to national priorities and related opportunities in the current socio-economic context; and (ii) adequately anticipates emerging development challenges and new opportunities for expanding the CO’s programme. UNDP Sri Lanka envisions a new office structure adapted to current and future needs of the country, underpinning its advisory and programmatic offer while at the same time delivering solid implementation support. It also promotes a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners.

Through its portfolio, the CO has tailored localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to deploy and escalate them across the country. This strategy requires excellent programme management and an organizational structure that reinforces the entire programming life cycle including planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and efficient operations.

The structure defines the skillsets required to position UNDP in the new country context, adding substantive value through thought leadership and innovation, mobilizing strategic resources, and ensuring projects are implemented in a smooth, efficient and transparent manner. This also entails engaging in the most pressing and transformational development challenges of the country.

In this context, a newly created Sustainable Growth portfolio within the programme team provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Sri Lanka, and globally, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice. The Sustainable Growth Team implements, develops and manages knowledge and policy, while forging partnerships and overseeing projects which contribute to inclusive growth, innovative financing, social protection, as well as livelihoods/entrepreneurship.

Under the overall guidance of the Policy and Programme Specialist (TL), Sustainable Growth, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate may supervise support staff in the Programme Unit. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP Regional Hub, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues.

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

• Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs) as it relates to the Sustainable Growth (SG) portfolio.

Example Of Duties

• Provide background information for preparation of CPDs and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT).
• Provide information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements.
• Effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC).
• Presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
• Provide effective support to management of the Sustainable Growth programme and projects, including administration, quality assurance and oversight functions.

Example Of Duties

• Create project in ERP, prepare required budget revisions, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources.
• Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
• Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
• Make preparations for external and internal programme/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
• Provide administrative support to the programme unit by maintaining the internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
• Support to project asset management including acquisition, verification and disposal of projects’ physical assets in accordance with policies and procedures. Oversight of disposal of items and accuracy of inventory data.
• Support implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategies.

Example Of Duties

• Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles.
• Track and report on mobilized resources.
• Prepare up-to-date pipeline for the unit.
• Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office.

Example Of Duties

In assigned programme areas:

• Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
• Compile lessons learned and best practices.
• Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.

Competencies

Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies

Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Management Project Management

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

Business Management 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.

Business Development Knowledge Generation

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

Business Management Risk Management

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management Results-based Management

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

Finance Budget Management

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Procurement

Contract Management

• Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level.
• Experience in development programme work in the UN system, multilateral and/or bilateral organizations highly desirable.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Ability to review and edit documents, ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions.

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

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Sinhala/Tamil) is required for local staff.

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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