Back Programme Analyst (Deployment) CSMT

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. The Crisis Bureau has through the Country Support Management Team (CSMT) Deployments Team, 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.

SURGE Advisors are UNDP staff with extensive crisis experience in at least one of 18 generic UNDP profiles who are deployed to fill capacity gaps within CO units facing unexpected workload/portfolio requirements due to a crisis. Duration of SURGE assignments usually range from 1 week to 3 months.

The GPN/ExpRes Roster is a recruitment and deployment mechanism which maintains pre-vetted consultants on a roster and contracts them quickly for country office support.  The primary purpose of this roster is to deploy technical experts to UNDP Country Offices and units on short notice.

UNDP over the years has also entered into a number of third-party agreements with bilateral organizations, including the Norwegian and Danish Refugee Councils, Canada’s Civilian Reserve, and the Swedish Rescue Committee to provide support to COs or United Nations Country Teams in areas where UNDP does not have in-house expertise available, such as logistics and camp management. These Stand-by Partners provide experts to UNDP for post crisis assignments.
 
The Deployments Team is also responsible for managing deployment infrastructure and this includes expert databases, deployment tracking systems (DTS), automated communication tools, trainings and communications materials. The DTS is a live deployment tracking tool that allows CRU to monitor, track, evaluate and collate information on deployments across rosters.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist (Deployments), the Programme Analyst will be responsible for the effective and efficient functioning of CB’s deployment mechanisms, support region specific deployments and maintain the various rosters in coordination with UNDPs Bureau's, Country Offices and Regional Hubs in support of the selection, recruitment, deployment and support of field personnel. The Programme Analyst will also support the Consolidation of UNDP Rosters and the subsequent functioning of the GPN/ExpRes Deployment mechanism.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Support with the identification of experts and the provision of deployments for crisis response, recovery and for the larger GPN:

• Provide support to country offices (Cos) for the deployment of experts for crisis response, recovery and preparedness for priority countries;
• Provide support for the deployment of experts from GPN/ExpRes Rosters to COs and UNDP Units globally;
• Provide support for UNDP’s response and recovery deployments to any new major crisis (L2/L3) as required;
• Assist CSMT regional teams in the preparation and monitoring of SURGE plan budgets and assist with budget revisions as needed;
• Provide support to experts and country offices/units during deployments including travel, logistics, contracting and troubleshoot as required;
• Ensure that Country Offices provide evaluations of assignments and that these evaluations are recorded within the deployment mechanism.

2. Provide technical support for the development/enhancement of the GPN/ExpRes deployment mechanism infrastructure:

• Collaborate with ICT colleagues to develop/upgrade/enhance the Crisis Bureau Deployment Tracking System (DTS);
• Support the Programme Specialist in the development, enhancement and maintenance of the ‘Deployments Platform’ being developed as part of the ‘Consolidation of Rosters’ initiative;
• Ensure that the expert database remains functional and new technology is incorporated to increase efficiency and applicability.
• Support the migration of data from the DTS and existing databases to the new ‘Deployments Platform’;
• Support the Programme Specialist in the development and enhancement of business processes to facilitate effective deployment of GPN experts.

3.  Support the Consolidation of UNDP Rosters under the umbrella of GPN/ExpRes:

• Conduct training of relevant UNDP staff in the usage of the GPN/ExpRes ‘ONE’ Platform;
• Contribute to the development and roll out of a strategy for Global Calls targeting new expertise;
• Assist in the development of business processes/SoPs for deployments, vetting, evaluations etc. that will be relevant across the GPN.
• Support in the development of the work plan and in the implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the consolidation;
• Support the Programme Specialist in developing and advocating for policy updates/changes for the progression the GPN/ExpRes ‘ONE’ Roster.

4. Contribute to capacity building initiatives relating to UNDP’s crisis response, recovery and preparedness initiatives:

• Support the development and roll out of the SURGE Academy; in particular orientation of new Advisors, onboarding and development of alliances/partnerships;
• Support with the planning and preparation of SURGE Advisor workshops
• Ensure that generic and specific ToRs for deployments are readily available on all the relevant portals;
• Oversee the continued development of the evaluation system for SURGE deployments;
• Support with other Crisis Bureau trainings related to crisis response and recovery;
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing for the GPN/ExpRes Deployment Mechanism;
• Promote the GPN/ExpRes Deployment mechanism on social media and online recruitment portals;
• Support the development of SURGE and GPN/ExpRes newsletters and other knowledge products;
• Support with the implementation of the outreach and communications strategy of the consolidation;
• Contribute to the development of a SURGE Academy digital platform and social media access for learning, sharing and networking;
• Coordinate the development of Annual Reports for Deployments and Factsheets.

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.

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 Economics, International Relations, International Development, Public Policy, Human Resources or similar fields

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in or combination of coordination, international development, roster management, deployment mechanisms, human resources, logistics and/or operations at the national or international level is required.
• Experience in crisis contexts or humanitarian affairs desirable
• Experience in UN system, country office settings or with a multilateral organization of similar size and complexity is desirable. Experience in crisis contexts is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages required.
• Knowledge and application of Applications Tracking Software desirable
• Experience with social media and online job – boards desirable
• Project management, good IT skills and human resources experience is also an advantage;

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