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.
UNCDF makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. 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.
UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: 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. 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 and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.
UNITLIFE is an innovative financing instrument hosted by the United Nations dedicated to the fight against chronic childhood malnutrition (stunting) in two priority areas: (1) reducing child stunting and other immediate effects of malnutrition; and (2) closing the gender gap in climate-smart agriculture. UNITLIFE plans to introduce an innovative financing approaches and instruments including, but not limited to developing a voluntary micro-donations platforms for payment transactions, leveraging sports events and star power to drive social giving, and devising creative donation matching and revenue-sharing schemes with private partners. This is the underlying concept behind the application of innovative finance for UNITLIFE — shaving small amounts off targeted transactions and channel them towards development actions that respond to chronic malnutrition needs in developing countries. The funds raised through these instruments will be directly channeled to funding in high impact projects addressing the immediate effects and root causes of chronic malnutrition.
Recognizing UNCDF’s expertise in development impact investments and partnerships in digital and traditional financial partners in both the public and private sector, UNCDF has been requested to host the Secretariat function of UNITLIFE in Paris, France in its initial phase of three years.
Position Purpose:
This fixed-term role of UNITLIFE Programme Manager, P-5 will work under the direct supervision and guidance of UNCDF Policy advisor, P5, Policy, Partnerships and Communications PPC Unit, based in New York, USA with technical guidance from UNCDF Director Financial Inclusion Practice Area (as required on digital payments) and collaboration with other UNCDF senior management team as needed. The incumbent will be responsible for providing overall guidance, programme management and leadership to the UNITLIFE programme team comprising of Partnerships Specialist, Portfolio Specialist and Operations Analyst and accountable for overall programme management and successful innovative financing instruments under UNITLIFE programme umbrella framework.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesKey Duties and Accountabilities
• Overall oversight and management of the UNITLIFE programme and its partnerships
• Policy and technical advice to the UNIT programme governance and management
• Leadership on Partnerships and Advocacy for the UNITLIFE programme
• Lead Communication and Knowledge Management initiatives for the programme
• Act as primary liaison between UNITLIFE and the Executive Committee
Overall oversight and management of the UNITLIFE programme and its partnerships:
Provide guidance and leadership to the strategic planning process for UNITLIFE on the risks and benefits of specific portfolio activities. Lead the relationship development between the programme and other stakeholders with the goal of defining, planning, prioritizing, building, assessing and executing the programme portfolio based on a set of agreed-on criteria for value creation and weighted by risk. Responsible for developing, executing, and communicating the programme vision, mission and goals. Develop, prioritize, coordinate and communicate the goals and processes necessary for implementing the programme portfolio, with the UNITLIFE project team. Coordinate and lead the implementation of UNITLIFE programme work-strategy by devising detailed working plans, ensuring that the programme implementation is aligned to strategic resource mobilization and framework of UNITLIFE. Provide quality assurance to the UNITLIFE financing structure & management, supported by the UNITLIFE Portfolio Specialist and Operations Analysts. Coordinate and lead partnership building and resource mobilization to support UNITLIFE expansion and long-term sustainability. Liaise closely with the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisors to ensure adequate coordination, synergies and collaboration with other UNCDF programmes.Provide policy and technical advice to the UNITLIFE programme governance & management:
Facilitate the establishment of the UNITLIFE's governance and management structures and work processes; Advise the Executive Committee on strategic priorities, programme-related issues and financial allocations; Compile and synthesize advice from the Advisory Council and technical partners on programme priorities, partnerships and project proposals; Advise relevant funding and resource mobilization partners during the inception phase and during the programme cycle; Provide due-diligence and validation support to review funded initiatives before review and final approval by the Executive Board to ensure coherence, risk and quality management of the projects.Provide Partnerships and Advocacy leaderships & guidance to UNITLIFE programme:
Manage the development of the programme development strategy based on guidance from the Executive Committee and programme’s priority areas; Organize calls for proposals for the programme; Coordinate with the Administrative Agent (MPTFO) to ensure smooth transfers of funds and financial reporting obligation based on funding decisions made by the Executive Board; Manage programme revision requirements (e.g. budget revision, reprogramming, no-cost extensions); Consolidate the narrative annual and final reports submitted by the implementing partners and present a consolidated report to the Executive Committee for approval; Manage development and implementation of the monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes.Lead Communications & Knowledge Management initiatives for UNITLIFE programme:
Develop and implement the UNITLIFE‘s communication strategy and facilitate sharing of public information with all stakeholders and the public; Manage the programme’s knowledge including knowledge systematization, establishment of good practices and lessons learned; Participate in the community of practice related to chronic malnutrition including other related communities; Supervise other Secretariat staff and consultants, providing feedback and guidance and ensuring smooth delivery of the Secretariat function. Spearheads institutional and corporate processes, including those related to the Strategic Framework and annual reports on progress to the Executive Board; participate in the UNCDF management team; and performs other official duties and special assignments that may be required.Act as primary liaison between UNITLIFE and the Executive Committee:
Ensure regular portfolio performance reporting to the Executive Committee, to enable effective decision making and delivering twin goals of development value for programme funded activities, along with maximum portfolio optimization. Responsible for delivering custom executive committee presentations, with strong analysis and data collection of portfolio performance, historical trends and statistical data. Build and maintain relations with UNITLIFE programme partners, other relevant donors and stakeholders and its Executive Committee. Coordinate and manage Executive committee meetings and other donor outreach and communications initiatives, in coordination with UNITLIFE Partnerships & Portfolio Specialists. Provides timely and professional response to requests for Portfolio related information from Executive Committee, UNCDF management and other partners, as needed. CompetenciesCore:
Achieve Results
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactThink Innovatively
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
This vacancy is archived.