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 UNV Regional Offices (RO) provide oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV Field Units in their respective geographical assignments and are mainly accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. Furthermore, the Regional Offices represent, and strategically position, UNV and bring UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector.
UNV Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is one of the six regional offices. The Regional Portfolio Analyst supports the Regional Portfolio Specialist in (a) business development and portfolio management for volunteer mobilization and placement; (b) partnerships building, external relations and coordination; and (c) management and quality assurance, including knowledge and innovation for the region. The priority is to accelerate the mobilization objectives of the region including ensuring of diversification in business operation and sustainable partnerships.
Reporting to the Regional Portfolio Specialist, the Regional Portfolio Analyst contributes to the effective management and monitoring of the portfolio countries of the Regional Office, Europe and Central Asia (ROECA). She/he provides technical support for business development and intelligence, relationship management and volunteer mobilization for the countries assigned under her/his supervision. In doing so, she/he remotely manages the countries under her/his portfolio and supports the identification of entry points for UNV’s support and showcasing the value added of volunteers and volunteerism based on UNV’s Strategic Framework. She/he builds and nurtures relationships with UN partners, government counterparts and other key stakeholders to enhance UNV’s role in key programmatic interventions and supports the Regional Portfolio Specialist in overseeing the portfolio team for quality performance and the achievement volunteer mobilization targets.
Key objective: Achieving the acceleration of volunteer mobilization and partner diversification, providing know-how for the promotion of volunteerism and ensuring sustainable collaborations with partners mainly with UN Entities.
UNV adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities1. Ensure business development and portfolio management for volunteer mobilization and placement
Support the Regional Portfolio Specialist identifying relevant entry points for UNV’s mobilization of volunteers based on the development challenges and priorities under assigned countries. Facilitate and, where applicable and required, ensure UNV positioning in relevant strategic forums, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) planning processes, regional response strategies, UN thematic task forces and assessments to identify opportunities for volunteers and volunteers placement. Leverage the value added of UNV’s impact on development through its products and services, to identify niches for UNV’s positioning. Support the Regional Portfolio Specialist in overseeing the regional country portfolio with special attention to compliance with volunteer mobilization targets, timely and quality delivery of outputs and accuracy and quality of reporting. Ensure quality and accuracy of comprehensive UN Volunteer data, including analysis of political and socio-economic issues and trends. Manage a portfolio of countries as defined by the Regional Portfolio Specialist in accurate forecasting and demand generation, monitoring of assignments and contract extension negotiation (securing funding), mediation in volunteer management cases and compliance with workplans and delegated authority.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise the portfolio team for the assigned countries including Regional Programme Associate. Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results
Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.Think Innovatively
Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.Learn Continuously
Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.Adapt with Agility
Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.Act with Determination
Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.Engage and Partner
Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.Enable Diversity and Inclusion
Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Effective Decision Making
Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.Knowledge Generation
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.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.Digital Awareness and Literacy
Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.Relationship Management
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.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 systemPortfolio 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 with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. Required Skills and Experience Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, Political Science, Public or Business Administration, International Relations, Development, Economics or related fields is required or, A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given a due consideration in lieu of the Advanced University degree. Experience: Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in managing programmes or portfolios, ideally including experience in partnership development and coordination is required. At least 2 years of relevant experience at international level is required. Experience within the UN system is desired. Experience managing staff and team or project workplans is desired. Experience in managing volunteer programmes and/or in a development context involving volunteers is desirable. Fluency in English and Russian is required.Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer Only short-listed applicants will be contacted; The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment.