Office/Unit/Project Description
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government and civil society dialogues; and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.
UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate, Energy, Chemicals and Waste Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.
BPPS’ Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy, Chemicals and Waste work with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including Food Systems; Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Sustainable Energy; Extractive Industries; Chemicals and Waste Management; Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches.This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.
UNDP has developed its new Strategy for Food Systems to focus its vision and enhance its support to transform Food Systems.
Food Systems are fundamental to the sustainable development of the 170 countries UNDP supports. Food Systems are often the largest contributor to their economies; food and nutrition is fundamental for citizen health; and Food Systems have a key role to play in achieving the SDGs. Yet, Food Systems are in crisis and need to be radically transformed to become sustainable. UNDP, building on its experience, has for the first time consolidated its Food Systems support and vision into this Strategy. The challenges and need for change related to Food Systems have been highlighted by a suite of reports by many research and international organizations and think tanks. The production practices and consumption patterns of food and agricultural commodities are taking these systems on an unsustainable trajectory with multiple impacts on human development, the environment, and economies; from ecosystem degradation, conflicts over land and natural resources, reduced capacity and resilience to climate and other shocks, persistent poverty, food insecurity and related people displacement and migration, to malnutrition including overweight and obesity. There is a clear need to work in a systemic and integrated manner to transform the Food Systems towards sustainability.
UNDP´s Vision for Food Systems 2030 is, through partnerships, to transform food and agricultural commodity systems into resilient; equitable; healthy, inclusive; environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable systems. Working on Food Systems will contribute to not only recovery from the COVID19 crisis, by creating sustainable and resilient livelihoods for many along the Food and Agriculture Commodiies supply chains, but also to preventing further zoonoses from emerging in the future. This will require a change in the current paradigm of agricultural production focusing on maximizing productivity to a new paradigm based on diversified agroecological systems which work simultaneously on achieving economic, environmental, social, and health outcomes, with smallholders as a key part of the solution in their role as the engine of economic development. The Operations Analyst, will lead procurement processes, coordinate hiring and travel arrangements, manage contracts, and ensure compliance with UNDP guidelines, thereby optimizing operational efficiency and supporting the successful implementation of these initiatives. A Food Systems practice has been established within UNDP’s Nature Hub, which is tasked to support UNDP Country Offices with Food Systems related challenges in a way that is aligned with UNDP’s Food Systems strategy.
Scope of Work
The Operations Analyst will lead the following tasks:
a) Lead procurement processes of the programme with emphasis on:
Coordinate the hiring of consultants through all Procurement methods (GPN Roster, Competitive Processes, , etc.), reviewing Terms of Reference, making sure they comply with all Procurement guidelines. Request procurement of Goods/Services for the Programme Request and submit Amendments / Extensions of contracts Ellaborate and update the Programme Procurement Plans Prepare and update Procurement Reports for accurate tracking of processes Provide guidance and support on supplier profile creation Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategic priorities through effective internal controls and properly used client –oriented procurement management system. Discuss procurement strategies and plans with projects and other stakeholders and donors to ensure mutual alignment. Establish procurement monitoring mechanisms to ensure that processes are tracked and followed effectively.b) Lead the unit’s non-staff contract modality (Personnel Services Agreement (PSA) hiring processes
Liaise with BPPS Human Resources Analyst for BPPS related PSA contract processes, ensuring appropriate documentation is provided timely Liaise with Regional Hub Human Resources team for Regional Hub related PSA contract processes, ensuring appropriate documentation is provided timely Request Amendments of PSA contracts and handle termination processes when applicable Ellaborate and maintain an accurate and updated PSA contract database with main contract detailsc) Coordinate programme travel processes
Prepare and update the Programme Travel Plans Create and update Travel Profiles Process all Programme travel requests and travel claims timely according to UNDP guidelines Lead all Programme Events and Workshops logistic processes – (Venue selection, Caterings, Accomodations, participants travels, etc).d) Coordinate programme payments for:
Consultants IPSA Short Terms Holders Contractorse) Lead the drafting and coordinate the approval process for various types of agreements—such as Contributions, Financing Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)—ensuring compliance with the respective UNDP guidelines
f) Facilitate/coordinate all Operations and Admin related trainings to the programme to guarantee all team is properly prepared with up-to-date guidelines.
g) Keep an accurate and up to date inventory of all team´s equipments, softwares, applications with their respective renewal dates and life cycles
h) The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
Institutional Arrangement
The incumbent will work remotely from his/her home-base. The incumbent will be supervised by the Food Systems Project Management Analyst. The incumbent will take part in the Food Systems Community meeting and liaise with the UNDP Food Systems team members, other UNDP staff both at global and country office level, partners agencies focal points and donors. The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e., laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must secure access to a reliable internet connection. Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.Competencies Core
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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management
Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way,in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.Finance
Financial Planning and Budget: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.Procurement
Procurement Management: The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external sourceBusiness Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels2030 Agenda
Planet Nature: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Green CommoditiesBusiness Direction and 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 systemMinimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Min. Education requirements
An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public or Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or other related fields is required, OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with 2 years of additional relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeMin. years of relevant work experience
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in providing operational support to project/programme implementation.Required skills
Prior experience with multi-country/multi-donor projects is required Working experience in an international organization/ UN system is required.Desired skills
Experience working on commodities and/or food systems is an advantage Proven experience organizing and supporting events and workshops is an advantage Proven experience in Public Procurement processes both globally and regionally is desired Experience with web-based ERP/management systems (preferably Oracle i.e. Quantum) is an advantage. Certification in financial management and/or project management is desirable. Experience in supporting logistics/travel is desired.Required Language(s)
Fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written, is requiredEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
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