Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Amid a dynamic socio-economic context of Moldova, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) is embarking on a deeply transformative process. The “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project stands as testimony to this momentum forward. The Moldovan social protection system faces substantial challenges caused by inefficiencies, limited digital integration, and an unmet demand for institutional framework and service delivery better addressing contemporary socio-economic uncertainties. The MLSP's endeavor is to reengineer this landscape, enhance its digital infrastructure and create a framework that is efficient, inclusive, resilient, and adaptable to changing contexts and conditions. This initiative is not just a response to evolving needs but a visionary stride towards a future where social protection is seamlessly inclusive, empowering, and a realized right for every citizen, as defined by the 2030 Agenda.
The Project aims to address the fragmented digital infrastructure of the social protection system, operates currently with multiple, disparate, and non-interoperable information systems. This fragmentation causes binding inefficiencies in data management and service delivery and undermines the ability to provide timely and appropriate support to beneficiaries. The limited digitalization and capacity to develop and utilize digital tools have restricted the potential of digital technologies for improving social protection services.
The Project's strategic approach is enrooted in Moldova’s national priorities, as defined by the RESTART Reform of Social Assistance and the UNDP Country Programme Document for the Republic of Moldova (2023-2027).
The Project is designed to leverage technology as a key driver of change, streamline processes, improve user experience, and strengthen institutional resilience. The strategic goal of the proposed Project is to enhance the social welfare of Moldovan citizens, especially the most vulnerable, by establishing a more efficient, accessible, and responsive social protection framework, by leveraging digital transformation, improved service delivery and institutional capacities.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Performance Management Officer will work under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the project and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients.
More specifically, the Officer will be responsible for:
Institutionalize and embed Agile practices in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Design and implement a comprehensive Agile implementation plan with phased rollout approach for the Ministry (and subordinate agencies, if needed); Conduct an Agile training program including \"train-the-trainer\" sessions for internal champions; Facilitate Agile-inspired events on a weekly basis (stand-up, planning, review, retrospective); Create Ministry-specific Agile materials such as with templates, workflow guides, and case examples; Organize alignment sessions with the MLSP executive staff (Secretary General, Minister, State Secretaries, etc.) to present progress made and establish future activities; Establish clear evaluation criteria and deliverables that will determine successful implementation.Ensure sustainability of the adoption of Agile practices
Develop comprehensive training materials and coaching guides for internal Agile leaders; Assist the Ministry in ensuring compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, helping to establish sustainable compliance practices, and providing ongoing advice as needed; Develop an organizational change management plan with resistance mitigation strategies; Prepare a final implementation report with success metrics and scale-up recommendations.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangements
The Performance Management Officer will work under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office and overall project team, for an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information delivery.
He/she also will collaborate with other UN projects, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and other national stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.
Competencies
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 and Technical Competencies
Business Management - Results-based Management:
Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data:
Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-makingBusiness Management - Monitoring & Evaluation:
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.Digital - Data Analysis:
Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision makingDigital - Data Collection:
Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data)Digital - Digital business analysis:
Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities.Digital - Agile' methodologies and practices:
Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics & Management, Public Administration, Law, Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related field is required; or A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 (two) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
A minimum of 2 years (with a Bachelor’s degree)of progressive experience (at the national and/or international level) in business analysis, project management, process optimization, software development, digital transformation initiatives, experience with project management methodologies (such as Agile, Scrum) and tools (such as JIRA, Asana, Trello, etc.) will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Knowledge and experience in thematic areas relevant to the project (e.g. digital transformation, institutional development, organizational learning, project management, etc.); Experience in the use of computers, office software packages and web-based management systems.Desired skills:
Experience in digital product development. Experience with development or reengineering of governmental systems on state owned infrastructure (AGE, STISC). Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations, and public international organizations.Required language(s):
Fluency in Romanian and English is required. Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.Professional certificates:
Additional training and/or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, etc.) would be an advantage.Equal 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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