Job Purpose and Organizational Context
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, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the 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 the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Bureau has the responsibility for support to prevention, crisis response, resilience and recovery work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. On the other hand, 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. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Crisis Bureau works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.
In this context and to prepare for, respond to, and support recovery from major crises, UNDP Country Offices (COs) have often to meet multiple demands and pressures in addition to their usual workload. Under these circumstances, COs often have a critical need for additional capacity to help them meet these demands and facilitate essential roles in these areas. UNDP has through the Country Support Management Team (CSMT) of the CB, several deployable capacities that can be drawn upon, including SURGE Advisors, and external experts from the GPN/ExpRes roster and Stand-by Partners. UNDP periodically commissions reviews of its SURGE support and deployments mechanism to ensure systems remain up to date and new technology and ideas are brought on board.
To support these deployments of expertise and other crisis response/recovery related operational requirements of UNDP COs on an urgent basis the Programme Analyst (Crisis Operations) works under the direct supervision of the Head of the CSMT and is entrusted with providing programmatic and operational support to the management, monitoring and improvement of the programme.
The incumbent will also provide analytical support in the monitoring of SURGE related funding allocation and spending, donor reporting (design process and respond to donor requests) and the preparation of programmatic and financial reports. Incumbent will require a strong understanding of data extraction from the GPN systems, the deployment system and will engage in strong collaboration with CB teams, RBx, UNDP’s Regional Hubs, Country Offices and Global Policy Centers and BERA.
The role supports the management of accountability for the CBs role in the SURGE programme and ensures overall compliance with Financial Rules and Regulations. S/he supervises a Programme Associate in ensuring all operational and transactional processes are duly implemented.
Summary of Key Functions:
- Provide operations support for the deployment of Experts from CB Rosters to country offices and other UNDP Offices.
- Provide operations support for the CB’s deployments infrastructure.
- Support the CSMT in ensuring effective financial management of programme resources, oversee audit requirements, develop operations policy for crisis response and recovery, support crisis procurement and advise on HR policy for crisis response and recovery recruitments
- Undertake operations related knowledge building in crisis contexts.
Provide operations support for the deployment of experts from CB Rosters to country offices and other UNDP Offices:
- Provide operations support for the deployment of experts from CB Rosters;
- In collaboration with the Deployments/Roster Manager negotiate contracts with consultants based on existing guidance. Further develop this guidance.
- Guide the Programme Associate to ensure that all relevant payments are made to consultants and SURGE Advisors in a timely manner.
- Liaise with SURGE countries to develop ‘SURGE Mission Guidance Notes’ that cover issues pertaining to visas, travel, security, accommodation, vaccinations, mobile communications and other logistics.
- Provide operations support to experts and COs during deployments;
- Attend CSMT and other crisis response meetings to provide updates on operational processes, challenges and present solutions
- Liaise with technical counterparts in the GPN with regard to operations support for expert deployments;
- Support CSMT’s Deployments Team in ensuring business processes for deployments are implemented speedily, including components of the UNDP’s Standard Operating Procedures for Immediate Crisis Response.
Provide operations support for the CB’s deployment infrastructure
- Review new operations related consultant CVs received for clearance and addition to the consultant’s roster and support the addition of new Operations SURGE Advisors to the SURGE Roster;
- Support the deployments team with the registration of newly vetted consultants and ensure all documents are uploaded on the consultant’s database (CV, P11, Advanced and Basic Security in the Field certificates, vendor form, and passport/UNLP scans);
- Support the deployments team in ensuring all documents are up to date for vetted consultants on ExpRes on a continuous basis (updated CVs/P11s, passport scans are still valid; security certificates are still valid as they expire after 3 years);
- Support with global internal and external calls for new ‘operations’ applications for UNDP rosters;
- Support the Deployments/Roster Manager in ensuring that all technical components of databases are kept up to date and new technology is incorporated;
- Reach out to SURGE applicants informing them of their acceptance to the SURGE roster and acquire basic information (Contract type, name of RR/RC, etc.) to proceed with SURGE training;
- Draft letters and release agreements for Country Offices and track the signed Release Agreements.
- Support the integration of rosters across UNDP, from an operations perspective
Support the CSMT in ensuring effective financial management of programme resources, oversee audit requirements, develop operations policy for crisis response and recovery, support crisis procurement and advise on HR policy for crisis response and recovery recruitments.
- Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and supervision of the SURGE Programme budget through monitoring and controlling in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
- Provide analysis on the allocation, budgeting and delivery situation of SURGE Programme resources. Preparation of relevant management reports and proposals for remedial actions;
- Undertake research and analysis of financial data related to SURGE Programme and CSMT projects ‘with a view to ensuring data integrity;
- In collaboration with BMS, develop crisis specific operations policy and ‘exceptions’ to support CSMT delivery to COs;
- Oversee relevant ‘crisis procurement’ initiatives in support of SURGE Plans;
- In collaboration with OHR develop innovative solutions and policy to fast track recruitment of staff to crisis countries;
- In consultation with the Deployments/Roster Manager ensure that all audit recommendations are adhered to and assume responsibility for supporting relevant audits of the deployment mechanism and CSMT at large.
Undertake operations related knowledge building in crisis contexts
- Support the Rapid Response and Preparedness Team with trainings focusing on operations and logistics support, for relevant Bureau staff and country offices;
- Assist with the development and enhancement of operations business processes, information packages and material for distribution;
- Undertake interpretation of resource management guidelines and provision of operations advice to GPN/HQ and outposted GPN units in regional centers, as well as to respective COs;
- Provide lessons learned and best practices in crisis operations with a focus on SURGE resources and operations management;
- Support Operations elements of the SURGE Academy;
- Contribute to knowledge networks on crisis operations.
Core
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
Technical/Functional
Primary
Funding Management
- Knowledge of managing SURGE Programme including contributions, allocations, delivery analysis, projections and senior management advisory on emerging financial mechanisms. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.
Coordination provider-recipient support
- Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement.
UN System
- Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Internal Reporting and Accountability
- Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals.
Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.
Secondary
Crisis Assessment
- Ability to use methods, tools and regional analysis to determine impact of various elements for crisis and post crisis situations.
Resource Mobilization
- Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.
Knowledge Management
- Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.
Education:
- Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Finance/Accounting, or similar fields.
Experience:
- 2 years of relevant experience at national and international level, including progressively responsible experience in operational monitoring, planning, designing, organizing and implementing development funds.
- Experience with data mining and extraction software for funding management (Rapid Miner, SQL Server Data Tools, Orange, Sisense) is highly desirable.
- Experience in the preparation of donor reporting an asset.
- Experience in UN system CO settings or with a multilateral organization of similar size and complexity is desirable. Experience in crisis contexts is an asset.
- Experience and advanced knowledge of ERP systems, of Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
- Working knowledge of other UN official language is an asset.
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.
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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension