Back TFD Deputy Manager - Russia

UNDP is the UN’s global development network and assists programme countries to build and share solutions to the challenges of globalization and human development.

The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) for Europe and the CIS is UNDP’s main knowledge and advisory hub for the Europe and Community of Independent States Region (ECIS). It aims to connect the region to a global network of development experts, to build knowledge and capacity, and to forge partnerships to meet the development changes of a large and diverse region. IRH also aims to capture and spread development successes and best practices in the region and to improve the impact of UNDP’s work through effective communications and advocacy.

On 23 January 2015, the Government of the Russian Federation and UNDP signed a Partnership Framework Agreement (PFA) that established the foundation for a long-term Russia strategic partnership with UNDP for the implementation of development projects in other countries. This document brings to a new level the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the UN in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while also highlighting Russia’s growing role as a donor in advancing the 2030 Agenda globally.

In June 2015, Russia and UNDP signed an Agreement establishing the Russia-UNDP Trust Fund for Development (TFD), as a sustainable funding mechanism for programmatic cooperation in programme countries with initial funding of $ 25 million.

TFD thematic priority areas include sustainable development, poverty reduction, rural development, sustainable management of water resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, the response to HIV/AIDS, disaster risk reduction and early preparedness to emergencies, post-disaster response and early recovery, sustainable energy.

TFD overall leadership is provided by the TFD Steering Committee (SC), comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and UNDP. The Trust Fund Manager is responsible for supporting the functions of the Steering Committee, as well as day-to-day management, monitoring and evaluation of the Fund’s activities, and operating under UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

As of July 2019, the TFD projects reached over 560 000 direct beneficiaries supporting their livelihoods, decent employment, access to quality water supplies, education and medical facilities. The number of indirect beneficiaries is estimated at a level of 3.8mln people. During their implementation, the TFD projects required the engagement of over 100 Russian experts and 71 organizations.

Size of the TFD has been constantly growing with the additional contributions: $10 million for Climate Change Window in 2016; $10 million as the additional contribution to TFD general resources in 2017; $10 million for the TFD Youth Window in 2017.

On 24 April 2020 the Government of the Russian Federation issued a Resolution #1128-p on the additional contribution of $30 million to the TFD. The contribution aims to support global efforts in implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Thus, by mid-2020 TFD budget has more than tripled since its establishment.

A special review of TFD operations was commissioned in March 2019 by the Government of the Russian Federation as a TFD donor. The review consolidated information on the TFD’s main results and operations, assessed its functioning in 2015-2019 and has drawn lessons learnt at the level of TFD. The review was discussed with permanent members of the TFD Steering Committee in February 2020. It was noted that there is a need to further strengthenquality implementation of TFD projects, enhance reporting and evaluation, widen visibility of results and promote engagement of Russian experts in projects implementation.

In this context, UNDP has taken a decision to enhance the support being provided to growing partnership with the Russian Federation, by establishing a Deputy TFD Manager position.

Deputy TFD Manager will work in close collaboration with TFD Manager, UNDP IRH team and will maintain a network with colleagues from Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Senior National Officer in the UNDP Partnership Support Office, out-posted in Moscow and Partnerships Team Leader, IRH.  

Summary of key functions:

• Providing support to projects on engagement of Russian expertise;
• Providing advisory support to project teams on use of visibility guidelines;
• Enhancing TFD external communications and visibility at global level;
• Projects’ monitoring, including review of reports, strengthened evaluations and monitoring missions;
• Reporting on TFD, including analytical notes and ad-hoc requests;
• Documentation preparation for SC meetings;
• Support to TFD resource mobilization;
• Other tasks as required by TFD manager and in line with the TFD Annual Work Plan.

1) Providing support to projects on engagement of Russian expertise:

• Regular monitoring of project’s needs on international expertise, communication with the project teams on needed support;
• Based on the requests by TFD project teams, identification of potential sources of Russian expertise for specific project tasks and provision of any other necessary support;
• Preparation of reporting on Russian expertise engagement in TFD projects’ implementation.

2) Providing advisory support to project teams on use of visibility guidelines:

• Ensure that TFD projects adhere to the TFD Visibility and Communication strategy, including on the requirements related to on-site branding, internet presence and others;
• Monitor application of TFD Visibility and Communication strategy and draft reports on its implementation;
• Maintain close collaboration with projects communication focal points and provide advisory support on TFD communication and visibility policy.

3) Enhancing TFD external communications and visibility at global level:

• Ensuring regular update of the information on TFD projects ongoing activities on UNDP corporate website;
• Collaborate with IRH Communication specialists on featuring Russia as a donor at special occasions and in publications;
• Support to webpage for TFD on the UNDP in Europe and Central Asia corporate website under the Russia UNDP Partnership webpage.

4) Projects monitoring, including review of reports, strengthened evaluations and monitoring missions:

• Support implementation of UNDP projects funded by the TFD;
• Monitoring projects progress against Annual Work Plan, corresponding with project management staff, analyzing periodic progress reports, participating in reviews and evaluations, utilizing information obtained as input to corrective decision-making against relevant Project Document  indicators and targets;
• Monitoring projects operational, financial performance and efficiency; identifying issues and delays;
• Collecting mid-year updates from the project teams and providing respective follow-up;
• Reviewing requests for extension, providing comments and recommendations;  
• Support to organizing field missions of representatives of key Russian ministries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance) to asses the progress of projects financed by the Government of the Russian Federation;
• Support reporting to donor on results of UNDP projects in close collaboration with CO’s.

5) Reporting on TFD, including analytical notes and ad-hoc requests:

• Drafting reports and updates for informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance on projects implementation;
• Ensuring that all reporting requirements as stated in the Trust Fund Contribution Agreement are compiled;
• Preparing of brief reviews and analytical notes on the Russia-UNDP partnership implementation upon request of the UNDP IRH Management and BERA;  
• Contributing, coordinating and aggregating input for briefs with external partners;
• Analyzing results of TFD performance and recommending applicable follow-up actions to supervisor and/or senior management.

6) Documentation preparation for SC meeting:

• Drafting presentations on TFD performance, conducting research, maintaining up-to-date information on emerging opportunities;
• Support COs in application process for the Call for Proposals;
• Proposal assessments under the Call for Proposals in close cooperation with internal and external UNDP expert team

7) Support to TFD resource mobilization:

• Drafting analytical notes and background documents for potential new contributions to TFD.

8) Other tasks as required by TFD manager and in line with the Annual Work Plan

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 while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional

Contributes skills

• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Integrate & Empower

• Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Originate new ideas

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Master's or Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Environment, International Relations, Political Sciences or a related area.

Master's or Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Environment, International Relations, Political Sciences or a related area.

Experience:

• Master’s degree specified above with 2 years or Bachelor’s degree specified above with 4 years of relevant experience in the area of working with Russia as development partner and donor at the national level, with international experience and exposure is requirement.
• 2 year experience Knowledge and understanding of the programmatic and policy aspects of the Russia’s role as donor is requirement.
• Proven track record of engaging/ managing relationships with senior government officials, civil society, academia and other partners in Russia on topics related to development assistance is an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Russian is required.

Other:

• Non-Smoking environment;  
• Experience of working for and with UNDP and other UN Agencies is a strong asset

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.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension