Programme Associate – Inclusive and Sustainable Growth United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP Zambia is strategically repositioning its country programme implementation based on emerging opportunities and UNDP’s comparative advantages that maximizes partnerships, resource mobilization and impact in keeping with UNDP’s mandate as it embarks on the development of its next programme cycle to contribute to the UN support the Government of Zambia through the formulation of the first ever UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as part of the UN Development System (UNDS) Reform and the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP).

In addition, the review of the current UNDP programme portfolio also showed a pressing need to recalibrate the programme implementation in Zambia through a more integrated vision aligned with the current CPD, the six (06) signature solutions of the current Strategic Plan and the RBA’s strategic offer and where UNDP will fully play its integrator role for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zambia.

As the recently elected New Dawn Government together with its Cooperating Partners including UNDP Zambia move into 2022, and advance further into the Decade of Action with only 8 years left to achieve the SDGs, the world and individual countries are still grappling with COVID-19 response and socio-economic recovery. In the context of this changing environment, it is more pressing that UNDP Zambia revisits its approach to programming and delivery to ensure constant relevance and effectiveness in supporting the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to address key issues and most important priorities, while concurrently exploring innovative and creative ways to accelerate the achievement of the objectives set out in both Agenda 2030 and the upcoming 8 NDP using a strategic approach to planning resulting in an efficient and effective delivery of the Country Programme to promote sustainable human development.

Against this backdrop and building upon the lessons learnt over the past years, UNDP Zambia is strengthening its Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Unit to rollout the vision of repositioning its CO programme to ensure that UNDP delivers on its mandate effectively in Zambia.

Position Purpose:

The Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Cluster is one of three pillars of the Programme Unit along with the Governance and Gender and the Environment and Energy Clusters. Each cluster is headed by a Programme Specialist, Head of Unit and supported by a Programme Analyst and a Programme Associate in addition to the dedicated personnel of projects under each pillar.

The Programme Associate supports the Programme Specialist, Head of Unit – Inclusive and Sustainable Growth to ensure the achievement of the country programme results and provision of thought leadership and strategic positioning on sustainable and inclusive growth issues, including resilience, job creation and livelihood, community development, social protection, private sector engagement and cross thematic problematic on SDG acceleration, women/youth economic empowerment, economic diversification, reduction of poverty and inequality, resilience and promotion of green and sustainable growth.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Ensures administration and implementation of programme strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Presentation of thoroughly researched information for preparation of Common Country Analysis (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Programme Document (CPD), project documents, Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and other documents, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC). Establishment of the mechanisms to track use of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database.
Presentation of information/ reports for identification of areas for support and interventions.
Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies, preparation of reports.
Provides effective support to management of the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth cluster focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Presentation of thoroughly researched information for formulation of country programme, preparation of project documents’ drafts, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
Support to project cycle management including initiation of a project, entering project into Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions.
Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports.
Analysis of the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
Preparation and conduct of audit of DIM/NIM projects, implementation of audit recommendations.
Organization of events, workshops and conferences, when required;
Assist with correspondence and communication with national counterparts;
Take accurate and clear minutes of meetings as appropriate;
Provide inputs to preparation of periodic project progress reports with project staff;
Any other tasks requested by the Programme Specialist.
Provides administrative support to the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth cluster focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments in compliance with UNDP rules and procedures, review of NEX projects Financial Reports.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.
Lead the administration of Programme Unit, including maintaining proper records and filing systems in coordination with Programme and Operations.
Provide input to Finance Unit for timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
Making budget check for requisitions, ensure fund availability for POs and vouchers.
Ensure that the requisitions, POs and payment requests include all necessary supporting documents from an audit point of view and as per UNDP rules and regulations.
Ensure projects maintain equipment and asset registries, and update the inventories.
Provides support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy   focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile and database, establishment of contacts with donor counterparts, including agreements, correspondence, reports
Track and reporting on mobilized resources.
Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas
Implementation follow-up, focusing on:Tracking resources
Maintaining risk dashboard
Maintaining links with implementer.
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing   on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
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:

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Development

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results. Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency

Business Management

Leadership and Self-ManagementAbility to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals

Partnership management

Relationship Management

Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships.

Digital & Innovation

Event, Meeting, and Workshop Facilitation

Ability to plan and organize events.

Inclusive Growth: Prosperity

Financial reporting and analysis

Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner

Business Management

Internal Reporting and Accountability

Ability to create internal reporting and accountability processes and standards.

Business Management

Knowledge Management and Learning

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use

information and knowledge.

Requirements:

Education:

A Full Secondary School certificate, preferably with additional certification in Accounting and Finance.
University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:

7 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level or Bachelor with 4 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme support.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; experience in the use of web-based management systems.
Knowledge of UNDP Programme and Project Management rules, regulations and procedures highly desirable.
Knowledge of Atlas highly desirable.
Language Requirements:

English

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