Programme Management Specialist, Head of Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) (Open to Zimbabwe Nationals Only)
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- UNDP - United Nations Develop…
- Expires 06 Mar 2025
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and with a direct supervision by the Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes), the Programme Specialist/ Head of PMSU works in close collaboration with the programme and Operations staff, UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff, Government officials and multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully support the implementation of the UNDP programme. In addition, the incumbent acts as quality assurance centre to Senior Management on all aspects of the Country Office programme. The Head PMSU provides advice to Senior Management and supports the programme units on Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Audit, Result Based Management policies and procedures, corporate compliance, resource mobilization, and donor reporting.
The Head of the PMSU reports to Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) and works closely with the Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), acting as a bridge and enhancing information sharing between Programme and Operations Units.
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
As a member of the CO management team, provides policy advice, coordinates, and ensures the strategic planning for the UNDP programme focusing on achievement of the following results:
Support the alignment of UNDP programmes and projects to the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026;
Support the operationalization of the UNSDCF (2022-2026) and CPD (2022-2026) in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies;
Support the development of the new UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029), United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) (2027-2031), CPD (2027-2031);
Represent the Country Office in the One UN Monitoring and Evaluation Group;
Lead and coordinate with units in the Country Office on the timely preparation and submission of the IWP and the ROAR and other corporate planning and results reporting exercises;
Advise and coordinates knowledge building and management in the Country Office.
2) Provides effective quality assurance of full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:
Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results;
Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation with the aim of measuring the impact of the CO programme;
Ensure effective implementation of the Internal Control Framework in collaboration with the Operations Unit;
Establish a quality and accountable reporting system;
Coordinate the HACT and audit exercise among programme, project and operations staff and ensure compliance with audit quality standards and timeframes.
3) Advise and Support programme and project monitoring and evaluation focusing on achievement of the following results:
Ensure that the projects have results-based Annual Work Plans with indicators, baselines and targets established at output and activity level;
Oversee and execute M&E activities included in the Quarterly Annual Work Plan and the M&E plan, with focus on results and impacts;
Coordinate with the UNDP Programme Teams and Operations Units to ensure the Country Office adheres to and complies with corporate policies and dashboards;
Ensure quality contributions to the Results-Oriented Annual Reporting (ROAR), including provision of quality Programme data according to a predefined set of indicators and other requirements, etc;
Support the process of UNDP quality results reporting by provision of M&E information for QUANTUM, Transparency Dashboard as well as facilitating the process of Programme/project Quality Assurance and Monitoring;
Support update of Project Risk Log, Issue Log, Lessons Learnt Log and other UNDP instruments for effective implementation of the CO programmes and projects;
Ensure evaluation of results achieved by the programmes/project against their targets and track overall progress in achieving objectives in accordance with UNDP Evaluation Policy, UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UN Evaluation Norms and Standards;
Ensure the preparation of consolidated progress reports for project management (including project quarterly and annual progress reports) capturing qualitative and quantitative aspects, according to the Annual Work Plans and log frame including identification of problems, causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation, and providing specific recommendations;
Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed;
Facilitate project mid and final evaluations, assessments and review;
Monitor the project implementation activities follow up of evaluation and audit recommendations;
Advise Unit Team Leaders, Chief Technical Advisers (CTAs) and Project Managers on preparation of work plan and quarterly work plan;
Design and implement a system to identify, analyze, document and disseminate lessons learned.
4) Ensure sound planning and monitoring of programme financial resources focused on the following results:
Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resource management system;
Regular monitoring of the CO delivery, resource mobilization, pipeline management, TRAC Allocation, programme revenue management (GMS/DPC);
Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of remedial actions.
5) Provides financial analysis and donor reporting focused on the following results:
Provides quality control on the preparation and submission of UNDP donor reporting;
Works with Team Leaders, Programme/Project Managers to facilitate the adoption of new corporate reporting tools by the CO staff;
Ensures regular progress reporting to donors;
Prepare and share periodic strategic financial report for the senior management including information related to programme and projects financial status, expenditure, and weekly delivery report;
Works with the Team Leaders, Programme/Project Managers to monitor delivery of core and non-core resources and alerts the management on projects with low delivery;
Provides support for establishment and monitoring a sustainable cost recovery policy for the UNDP Country office in managing non-core contributions;
Provides regular overview and analysis of all type of resources including TRAC, XB, Admin and operations budgets, etc.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Qualifications and Experience
Competencies
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.
Functional/Technical competencies
Business Direction & 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 Management: Portfolio Management
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as 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 Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management
Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Partnership Management
Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Policy and Programme
Innovation: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Portfolios.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services is required;
Hands-on experience in Programme Management Support, Strategic Planning, Programme Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments is desired;
3 or more years of senior-level management responsibilities of similar size and complexity is desired;
Experience working with UNDP/UN organizations will be an asset;
Experience in Quality Assurance of programming from formulation to implementation and experience in Audit (CO, DIM and NIM audits) is desired;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems is required.
Language(s):
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of a local language (Shona or Ndebele) is desired.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
How to Apply
