RE-ADVERTISEMENT - PROGRAMME SPECIALIST, POVERTY

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR (P/O), the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the Economic diversification and poverty thematic areas. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advisory services. The Programme Specialist supervises and leads projects’ staff, and national consultants including UNDP technical advisors and experts. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP Economic Diversification and Poverty programme delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: Implementation of programme strategies; Management of the CO programm; Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy; Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and, facilitation of knowledge building and management; Contribution to DaO Initiative. Ensure Implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results: Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents; Identification of areas for support and interventions within the Economic diversification Poverty reduction thematic area; Support implementation of corporate strategic initiatives such as HACT and other reporting obligations. Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the Economic diversification and poverty reduction thematic area focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results: Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievements of results; Design and formulation of CO programme within the poverty area, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions; Coordination of programme implementation with the Executing Agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones; Initiation of projects, presentation of the projects to LPAC, entering projects into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budgetary re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through reviews. Participates in recruitment and procurement processes for projects; Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects; Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported; Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Resource Mobilization Committee/staff member of the CO focusing on achievement of the following results: Development of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, Government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in poverty thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities; Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization. Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and, facilitation of knowledge building and management on achievement of the following results: Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals; Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners; Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners; Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme. Effective contribution to the Delivering as One initiative and provision of substantive inputs to the UN Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Component Coordinating Group: Effective participation in the UN Economic Diversification and Poverty Reduction Theme Group and provision of substantive inputs to the Theme Group's work; Identification of joint interventions programming in the poverty areas; Support to ongoing M&E processes within the framework of DaO; Collaborative preparation and/or revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents; Contribute in the working sessions of the UN Thematic Groups (TG) and serves as the secretariat of the TG as necessary; Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices from programmes. The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching UNDAF/ CPD goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies Creates effective advocacy strategies; Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses. Results-Based Programme Development and Management: Contributing to results through provision of information Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration; Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation; Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals; Participates in the formulation of project proposals. Building Strategic Partnerships: Identifying and building partnerships Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda; Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners; Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings. Innovation and Marketing New Approaches: Developing new approaches Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals; Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations; Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking; Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor; Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations): Implementing resource mobilization strategies Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach; Identifies and compiles lessons learned; Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level. Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Developing tools and mechanisms Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches; Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms. Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines; Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally; Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments. Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses; Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level. Client Orientation: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client Anticipates client needs; Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider; Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective; Solicits feedback on service provision and quality. Core Competencies: Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents; Building support and political acumen; Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; Building and promoting effective teams; Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication; Creating an emotionally intelligent organization; Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards; Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member; Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics or Development Economics; Prince2 training and certification, RMG Experience: 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the poverty, development economics and project management areas; Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels. Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential. Language: Fluency in English and national language of the duty station. Note: Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged; This post is only open to candidates of Botswanan nationality.

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.

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