The Kingdom of Eswatini is faced with slow economic growth, fiscal crisis, high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The National Development Plan (2019/2020-2021/2022) and Strategic Road Map (2019-2022) prioritize sustainable economic growth and inclusive governance to ensure that economic opportunities reach those furthest behind.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) will contribute to national goals by investing in five priority areas, drawing on evidence from the Common Country Analysis, thereby repositioning the United Nations within the emerging development context of the country and the accelerated response in the Decade of Action. Deriving from these priority areas, based on the UNDP comparative advantage and a theory of change and in partnership with the Government and the United Nations, UNDP has developed a country programme 2017 – 2021 which will invest in the priority areas of poverty reduction, climate change and efficient governance.
Under the overall guidance of the Programme Analyst (PMSU) Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programmes by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate forms part of the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) and is the CO M&E focal point. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the CO and UNDP HQs as required for resolving complex administrative, procurement and logistical issues and exchange of information.
Supports formulation, implementation and monitoring of the GOV. programme strategy, annual workplans and activities, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Supports Programme Specialists in collection, analysis and presentation of background information related to human rights, access to justice, gender and youth for preparation of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and CPAP, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC) linked to the programmes;
- Supports presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, as well as draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements for the programme units;
- Supports Programme Specialists in establishing tracking mechanisms of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database in collaboration with the PMSU team;
- Supports the development of the CO M&E plan;
- Collect data for baseline, targets (based on SMART) and advise on gap and propose methodologies to develop these data;
- Support the development of M&E matrix, templates and formats for programmes/projects to facilitate reporting and monitoring.
Provides effective support to management of the CO programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Provides guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, based on corporate policies and procedures;
- Presents information for audit of NEX/NGO and DEX projects and support to implementation of audit recommendations;
- Supports the Country Office input into the annual CPAP review exercise;
- Prepares and participates in project steering committees and follow up on implementation of decisions arising from these interactions;
- Serves as interface between programme and operations (particularly procurement, human resources, administration and logistics) as well as inter/across programme support.
Provide administrative support to Programme Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Collects, maintains and provides information relating to UNDP Programmes/Projects such as project documents, minutes of Local Programme Appraisal Committee (LPAC), Steering Committee Meetings, Evaluation Reports, etc. Projects to meet demand within the CO, from Government, HQ and others;
- Establishes and maintains reference with respect to Programme and project related documents, manuals, guidelines, policies and directives;
- Monitors timely and proper completion of project closure actions;
- Familiarizes counterparts with UNDP’s policies and procedures;
- Develops RFQs and RFPs in consultation with the Programme Specialists;
- Prepares E-Requisitions;
- Participates in bid evaluations;
- Prepares draft memos for review by the Programme Specialists;
- Provides contract management through monitoring submission of deliverables and processing of milestone payments within timelines set;
- Supports and provides backstopping functions for PMSU related to finance management, monitoring of programme delivery and targets.
Supports the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Analysis of information on donors and development partners, preparation of partner profile, in support of resource mobilization landscaping and formulation of strategies;
- Support the preparation and review of contribution agreements and partnership documents (MOUs, project documents, (N) RLAs etc).
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Support the Programme Specialists in preparing presentations and organize briefings and meetings with partners;
- Maintenance of teams sites and data repositories with lessons learned and best practices in the programme;
- Organization of trainings for the operations/projects staff on programme;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Core Competencies
Innovation
- Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Leadership
- Ability to persuade others to follow
People Management
- Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Communication
- Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Delivery
- Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Technical / Functional Competencies
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Knowledge of methodologies, asessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations
Knowledge Management
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share
Results-based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Development Planning and Monitoring
Design Thinking
- Knowledge of method (s) for practical, creative resolution of problems and creation of solutions, with the intent of an improved future result.
Partnerships
- Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
Education
- Secondary or High School Diploma is a requisite;
- A certificate in Business Administration / Accounting or Finance will provide a distinctive advantage to the candidate;
- University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.
Experience
- High school graduates are expected to have 7 years of progressively responsible administrative, or programme management and / or coordination experience at the national or international level. Bachelor’s degree graduates can have 4 years of progressively responsible administrative, or programme management and / or coordination experience;
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation and results-based management tools with a background and interest in the analysis of governance and human rights issues and related policy matters will be an added advantage;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in both English and Siswati.
Other
Describe any additional qualifications:
- Working knowledge of other UN languages desirable;
- Non-Smoking environment
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 2 Year with possibility for extension