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.
The Performance Division (also known as the Operational Performance Team in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS/OPT) is a group of internal UNDP management and performance analysts available to support UNDP business units worldwide to improve management and operational performance in line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan. The team is comprised of data analysts, as well as management and organization change advisors. The team is housed in the Office of Budget, Performance and Compliance (BMS/BPC). The team can be deployed globally to coordinate and deliver management consulting services globally.
The Performance Division contributes to the advancement of UNDP’s operational performance and organizational effectiveness by bringing industry-standard knowledge, advisory services, and data analytics for performance improvements and enhancements to UNDP’s overall day-to-day business and external clients. The Performance Division Chief reports to the BMS/BPC Director with an indirect reporting line to the BMS Director.
The Division Chief leads a team that covers a broad range of issues that include but are not limited to After Action Reviews (AAR), management assessments, quality assurance of services through the creation and implementation of customer service survey, standards and the creation of service level agreements, as well as substantive collaboration with Regional and Central Bureaus to help shape and advance UNDP’s operational performance. S/he oversees the day to day work, and monitors services provided to clients both internally and externally.
Duties and Responsibilities The Performance Division Chief leads the PD and covers a broad range of issues ranging from business development to quality assurance of services, as well as substantive collaboration with Regional and Central Bureaux to help shape and advance UNDP’s organizational effectiveness. S/he leads strategic planning for the unit operations, setting of management targets, and monitors services provided to clients.
The Chief manages the staff and services of the unit, and contributes to the coordination, training and engagement with clients. S/he works in close collaboration with other units in both BMS/BPC and BMS writ large, in the delivery of services. S/he promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach through the following functions:
1) Management and development of the Performance Division and their Work Products:
Build a team of high-performing management analysts and Advisors as well as data analysts with the composite skill sets to provide dedicated support to UNDP offices for business transformations. Help facilitate time-bound deployments of multifunctional teams. Assist in identifying technical resources for internal management assessments, including building relations and partnerships with private sector and other UN organizations with the goal of increasing collaborating on bringing innovation to management improvement practices of the organization. Strengthen the existing network of internal UNDP Program and Operations Managers on business transformation and change management, including preparation and facilitation of structured knowledge exchange initiatives and applied learning through management assessments and other engagements. Ensure that the collaborative tools of the Division (dashboards, workspaces, networks, outreach and communications channels, etc.) are being updated and improved. Promote access to best available expertise and organizational learning for division staff.
2) Coordination of operational effectiveness and improvement strategies & services including client relationship management:
Manage UNDP’s internal management consulting platform through which offices/units may request support services, and UNDP executive leaders can leverage dedicated resources to drive the refinement and realization of high-impact business transformation and organizational change agendas. Provide forward-looking analysis on operational performance to UNDP’s Executive and Country Office leaders to highlight priority areas for change management and business transformation engagement. Scope management assessments and other organizational improvements engagements with clients to ensure a comprehensive understanding of management challenges and opportunities, to develop an effective roadmap for organizational change. Develop technical proposals, implementation plans, and communication/engagement strategies to be used by clients in managing change. Provide guidance to external consultants supporting business transformation and organizational change in conjunction with other BMS units in UNDP. Ensure assessment teams deliver high-quality analysis and actionable recommendations for end products. Monitor implementation of recommendations to ensure organizational change is/has occurring/ed.
3) Quality assurance of division’s work products and knowledge/content creation for shared learning across the organization:
Serve as a subject matter expert for performance management improvements including change management and business transformation practices. Contribute to innovation in the management practice in UNDP through research and development, distillation of industry best practices and engagement of management analysts to inform the provision of client services in this arena. Support the unit in the development customer services surveys, customer services standards and other services level agreements to improve the organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. Identify headquarters and country office management challenges and help develop solutions including changes to policies, business processes and standard operating procedures. Develop communication strategies, and lead presentations of findings resulting from management reviews and assessments, based on the work of the division. 4) Leadership of complex management assessments and data analytics to inform internal operational improvements in both HQ and the field:
Ensure appropriate stakeholder consultation protocols are developed and managed in complex engagements. Provide oversight in the development of templates and other assessments tools as well data related to performance indicators for engagements with client offices. In consultation with BMS leadership, design and facilitate business transformation and change management tasks including corporate initiatives, and/or internal knowledge sharing, which are focused on driving systems change.
5) Substantive contributions to UNDP’s strategic performance effectiveness and improvement practices as outlined in the Strategic Plan:
Work with BMS leadership to create task teams or working groups to address operational performance issues on an ad hoc leadership. Contribute to operational effectives of BMS service provision by advising the BMS Director, Deputy Director and supporting the BMS Office Directors as needed. Work closely with and support activities complementary to those of the divisions including the GPN, Regional and Central bureaus to support performance improvement and organizational change. Leverage operations and program/policy practices to spotlight opportunities and risks in UNDP business model and organizational performance. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Work on analytical publications for BMS as needed, such as the annual BMS review report.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent oversees 4 IPs Competencies
Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.
Achieve Results - LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact Think Innovatively - LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight Learn Continuously - LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes Act with Determination - LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence Engage and Partner - LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking:
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like UNDP
Business Direction & 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 Development - Knowledge Generation:
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management - Portfolio Management:
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's 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 optimising return on investment.
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 Management - Risk Management:
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
HR People Strategy & Planning - People Analytics:
Ability to generate and align people data with business intelligence data to inform strategic decision making; knowledge of databases, their architecture, integration and landscape; ability to create and use data models; knowledge of visualization techniques. Gathering and using data and information to provide insights into people issues and guide decision-making. Required Skills and Experience
Education:
An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies or any other related field is required, OR A first level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in the abovementioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience:
Minimum 10 years (with Master's Degree), or 12 years (with Bachelor's Degree), of progressively responsible experience in performance management (e.g. monitoring and evaluation functions), and data analytics is required at the national or international level, including at least two years of management responsibilities of similar size and complexity. Proven supervisory experience of at least two years. Experience with team-based management and workshop facilitation. Experience in the usage of computers and other software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.
Language:
Written and verbal fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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.
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