Back Programme Associate

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. This last mile is where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded.

UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: savings-led financial inclusion that expands the opportunities

for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they

need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments — through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance — can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. UNCDF financing models are applied in thematic areas where addressing barriers to finance at the local level can have a transformational effect for poor and excluded people and communities.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office of Financial Management Support Unit (OFMS), the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of programmes in the Asia and the Pacific Region by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNCDF & UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the UNCDF & UNDP operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNCDF HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Supports formulation of programme strategies and implementation of UNCDF programmes focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC);
• Presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements;
• Creation of formulation project in Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, until the fully-fledged Project Document is finalized;
• Maintain a filing system for all projects developed in the region.

Provides effective support on ProgrammeManagement of the country, regional and global programmes focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Creation of a project in Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial close of a project;
• Provision of guidance to the country programme and project staff on routine implementation of projects;
• Presentation of information for audit of NIM & DIM projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations;
• Monitor and track all advances in the region by ensuring that NIM/DIM project advances are settled within six months and ensure all prior advances are cleared before releasing a new advance;
• Coordinate with Office of Financial Management Services in HQ  for the compliance of UNCDF operational rules and regulation;
• Monitor the project resources to avoid deficit.

Provides effective support on Financial Management  of the country, regional and global programmes focusing on achievement of the   following results:

• Prepare and review all programming and operational  Financial Reports in Atlas
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
• Creation of requisitions/register of goods receipt in Atlas or creation of Vendors/Purchase Orders (depending on the roles assigned in ATLAS);
• Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.

Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile;
• Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core Competencies

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 while exercising good judgement

Technical/ Functional Competencies

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation. Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives. Maintains databases of donor information. Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things. 

Resource Mobilization

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors. Maintains databases of project files. Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures.

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position. Possess basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks. Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning. Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments. Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Research and analysis

• Identifies information for advocacy for UNCDF`s goals for variety of audiences.

Client orientation

• Maintains effective client relationships. Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion. Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines. Responds to client needs promptly.

Education

Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience

• 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Prince training and certification, RMG are asset.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Thai.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Contract Duration: 2 Year with possibility for extension